FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON. D. D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 DMdSa 
 
 Stctioa 
 
 PETER 
 i I Rnnkseller, 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2012 with funding from 
 
 Princeton Theological Seminary Library 
 
 http://archive.org/details/philipvOOfith 
 
PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN 
 
 Journal and Letters 
 1767—1774 
 
/. >1/.J'I 
 
Old Poplar Avenue at Nomini Hall 
 
(^ DEC 23 1931 ^ 
 
 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN 
 
 JOURNAL AND LETTERS 
 
 1767—1774 
 
 STUDENT AT PRINCETON COLLEGE I77O-72 TUTOR AT 
 NOMINI HALL IN VIRGINIA 1 773-74 
 
 EDITED FOR 
 
 THE PRINCETON HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN ROGERS WILLIAMS 
 
 Prinxeton N. J. 
 
 The University Library 
 
 1900 
 
Copyright, igoo, by 
 The Princeton University Library 
 
 C. S. Robinson &f Co. University Press 
 Princeton N. J. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Introduction xi-xxi 
 
 PRINCETONIANA 
 
 Philip Fithian to his father, Joseph Fithian. asking to 
 
 be sent to schooi i 
 
 Philip Fithian to his father, Joseph Fithian, giving him 
 
 thanks for being sent to school 3 
 
 Philip Fithian to his father, Joseph Fithian, describ- 
 ing THE life and customs AT PRINCETON COLLEGE . . 6 
 
 Hannah Fithian to her son, Philip Fithian, at Prince- 
 ton College lo 
 
 Hannah Fithian to her son, Philip Fithian 1 1 
 
 The Cliosophian Club in distress. An Essay 13 
 
 John McCalla to Philip Fithian 15 
 
 Philip Fithian to his mother, Hannah Fithian 16 
 
 Philip Fithian to his father, Joseph Fithian 18 
 
 Extract from an oration on " Fashions," pronounced 
 
 AT Nassau Hall, January 15, 1772 19 
 
 Andrew Hunter, Sr., to Philip Fithian. acquainting him 
 
 of the death of his parents 20 
 
 Andrew Hunter, Jr., to Philip Fithian. Religious re- 
 vivals AT Princeton College 21 
 
 An exercise at the public commencement at Princeton 
 
 College, September 10, 1772 22 
 
VI CONTENTS 
 
 PAGB 
 
 Dr. John Beatty to Philip Fithian 27 
 
 Oliver Reese to Philip Fithian. Friendship and Gossip, 27 
 Andrew Hunter, Jr., to Philip Fithian. Dr. Wither- 
 
 spoon's lectures 28 
 
 Israel Evans to Philip Fithian. Princeton news. The 
 
 practice of stealing turkies 30 
 
 Oliver Reese to Philip Fithian. Friendship and Gossip. 31 
 
 William Smith to Philip Fithian. Princeton news . , 32 
 Andrew Hunter, Jr., to Philip Fithian, acquainting him 
 
 WITH the opportunity OF GOING TO VIRGINIA AS A TUTOR. 35 
 
 Philip Fithian to Andrew Hunter, Jr., in regard to 
 
 ACCEPTING a position IN VIRGINIA 36 
 
 William Smith to Philip Fithian. Princeton news. Im- 
 provements IN the town 38 
 
 Philip Fithian to Dr. Witherspoon. Dissatisfaction of 
 
 his relations upon his going to Virginia 40 
 
 Andrew Hunter, Jr., to Philip Fithian. Princeton news. 41 
 
 William Smith to Philip Fithian ; an account of the 
 
 commencement at Princeton College in 1773 .... 42 
 
 JOURNAL IN VIRGINIA 
 
 Journal of Philip Fithian, October 20, 1773, to Octo- 
 ber 25, 1774 45 
 
 LETTERS FROM VIRGINIA 
 
 To the Rev. Enoch Green. Arrival in Virginia .... 277 
 To the Rev. Enoch Green. A description of Council- 
 lor Carter's family and the neighborhood .... 278 
 To THE Rev. Andrew Hunter, Sr. The Boston Port 
 Bill. Sympathy of the Virginians and the disso- 
 lution OF their Assembly 280 
 
CONTENTS VII 
 
 PACK 
 
 To John Peck, in regard to his succession as tutor at 
 
 NoMiNi Hall 282 
 
 To George Lee, declining an invitation 283 
 
 To John Peck, upon his going to Virginia as tutor, 
 acquainting him with the manners and customs of 
 
 THE Virginians 283 
 
 To Peletiah Webster. The reigning spirit, Liberty . . 298 
 
 To Nathaniel Donnald, Jr. Love for solitude .... 299 
 
 To John McCalla, Jr. The Congress 300 
 
 To Harry Willis and Robert Carter, Jr. Permission 
 
 to attend a race 301 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 Facing Page 
 
 Old Poplar Avenue at Nomini Hall Frontispiece. 
 
 Nassau Hall. [From an engraving by Doolittle] 6 
 
 Old Longstreet House. Princeton, N. J 36 
 
 Old Yeoco.mico Church. Westmoreland County, Virginia . 51 
 
 Robert Carter — The Councillor. [Portrait by Reynolds] 83 
 
 (From Some Colonial Mansions by Thomas Allen Glenn) 
 
 Mrs. Robert Carter 102 
 
 (From Some Colonial Mansions by Thomas Allen Glenn) 
 
 Northern Neck of Virginia 170 
 
 (From Chart of Virginia in Jefferson s Notes, 1801) 
 
 Mount Airy. Richmond County, Virginia 220 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 Philip Vickers Fithian was born December 29th, 
 1747; was a student at Princeton College, 1770-72, at 
 the same time with Henry Lee, Aaron Burr, and James 
 Madison; studied theology i772-'73; taught in Vir- 
 ginia, i773-'74; and was sent as a missionary among 
 the pioneer settlers of Western Virginia and Pennsyl- 
 vania, i775-'76. Returning, he enlisted as chaplain in 
 Heard's brigade of New Jersey militia, July 12th, 1776, 
 served under Washington during the battles of Long 
 Island and Harlem Heights, sickened of a camp epi- 
 demic, and died near Fort Washington, October 8th, 
 1776. 
 
 Philip Fithian's papers have been carefully pre- 
 served in the family, and are now the property of Mrs. 
 Edward W. Hitchcock^ of Philadelphia, a descendant 
 of the Fithian family, through whose courtesy this 
 selection is now published. 
 
 The papers consist of seven manuscript volumes, 
 containing Fithian's diary from i766-'67, and from 
 1773-76, together with school and college exercises, 
 problems, orations, and letter-books. They are at 
 present deposited in the Princeton University Library 
 for transcription. It was probably owing to the private 
 nature of many of the letters addressed to "a young 
 lady under the name of Laura" (Elizabeth Beatty), 
 whom Fithian afterwards married, that these papers 
 have not heretofore been published. 
 
 The volume now published covers the period 1767- 
 
 ' Mrs. Hitchcock died August 15th, 1900, while this book was in press. 
 
XIV INTRODUCTION 
 
 1773, and contains the Journal, together with a selec- 
 tion from the correspondence, of Philip Fithian during 
 the period while he was a student at Princeton College, 
 and afterwards while he was tutor in the family of 
 "Councillor" Robert Carter of Virginia.^ 
 
 Many of the letters being of too intimate and per- 
 sonal or too trivial a character for publication, the aim 
 has been in general to present such as have some bear- 
 ing on historic places or personages, together with 
 representative ones showing his own character and 
 circumstances. It is a matter of regret that Fithian 
 appears to have given up his diary during the two 
 years while he was a student at Nassau Hall, but his 
 correspondence of those days, containing as it does an 
 interesting description of Princeton, its college life and 
 quaint customs, and "the sundry and wanton mis- 
 chiefs " practiced with all the zest of more modern 
 years, partly fills the gap. 
 
 The following sketch of the ancestry and life of 
 Philip Fithian is furnished by Miss Mary C. Fithian 
 of Greenwich, New Jersey, to whom the editor feels 
 indebted for interesting and valuable data concerning 
 this journal : 
 
 " The earliest historj- that we have of the Fithian family is of 
 William Fithian and Margaret his wife, who came from England and 
 settled in East Hampton, in 1640 . . . Their children were, ist, Enoch, 
 who married M. Burnet of South Hampton ; 2nd, Samuel, who married 
 Priscilla Burnet of the same place ; 3rd. Sarah ; 4th, Hannah : sth, 
 Martha. 
 
 " Samuel, the second son, is the connecting link between William 
 and Margaret of East Hampton, and the Fithians of Cumberland 
 
 ' Selections from the Virginia journal of Philip Fithian appeared in the 
 American Historical Review for January, 1900, with notes by Prof. J. Frank- 
 lin Jameson and the editor of the present work. With this exception, and 
 with the exception also of a few extracts relating to his missionary journey and 
 to the Cohansey Tea Party, no considerable portions of the papers of Fithian 
 have, so far as the editor can find, ever heretofore been printed. 
 
INTRODUCTION XV 
 
 County, New Jersey. The children of Samuel and Priscilla Burnet 
 Fithian were, ist, John; 2nd, Josiah ; 3rd, Samuel; 4th, Esther ; 5th, 
 Mathias ; 6th, William . . . 
 
 " Josiah, the second son, setded in Greenwich, Cumberland County, 
 New Jersey. He was married to Sarah Dennis of Greenwich, Nov. 
 7th, 1706. Their children were, ist, John; 2nd, Jeremiah; 3rd, Sam- 
 uel; 4th, Hannah: 5th, Esther; 6th, Joseph; 7th, Sarah; 8th, Josiah. 
 
 *' Joseph Fithian, fourth son of Josiah and Sarah Fithian, married 
 Hannah Vickers. July 31st. 1746. Their eldest son. Philip Vickers 
 Fithian, was born December 29th, 1747, and married Elizabeth, daugh- 
 ter of Rev. Charles Beatty, October 25th, 1775. 
 
 " He was more than a year private tutor in the family of Colonel 
 Carter of Virginia. In connection with his cousin, Joel Fithian, his 
 classmate Andrew Hunter, and near forty other young men, disguised 
 as Indians, he assisted, Nov. 22d, 1774, in burning a cargo of tea that 
 had been stored in Greenwich, on Cohansey Creek. 
 
 " He was licensed by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, Dec. 6th, 
 1774, and was employed that winter in vacancies in West Jersey. He 
 was appointed chaplain of the army early in 1776. At the battle of 
 White Plains it is said he fought in the ranks. Shortly after he was 
 attacked with dysentery, brought on by exposure in camp, and died 
 October 8th, 1776, buried October gth. Rev. William Hollingshead con- 
 ducting the services." 
 
 Elizabeth, widow ol Philip Fithian, afterward mar- 
 ried his cousin Joel. Their youngest son, Dr. Enoch 
 Fithian, inherited Philip Fithian's journal and letters, 
 and at his death left them to his cousin, Mrs. Hitchcock. 
 
 Dr. Joseph Fithian of Woodbury, New Jersey, a 
 nephew of Philip Fithian, in a note appended to one of 
 the manuscript volumes, says of the orthography and 
 punctuation : 
 
 "This Journal and these letters of Philip Vickers Fithian were 
 transcribed by his brother Enoch, who, though a good and ready writer, 
 was in other respects not well educated : and this will account for many 
 errors in orthography, punctuation, the placing of capital letters, &c.,&c. 
 Enoch Fithian was a long time confined in consequence of a disease of 
 one of his lower extremities, and being disabled in consequence from 
 the performance of more active service, employed himself in copying, 
 from loose and various sized papers, the matter in this and several other 
 volumes." 
 
 Philip Fithian's impressions of the life and customs 
 of the Old Dominion are most frank and pleasing. A 
 
XVI INTRODUCTION 
 
 comparison of the social conditions existing in Virginia 
 and in his native province of New Jersey, given at 
 some length in a letter (pp. 283-298) of advice and 
 instruction prepared for John Peck, his successor as 
 tutor at Councillor Carter's, is especially interesting. 
 The value of this letter is enhanced by the fact of its 
 being the candid expression of the experience and 
 observation of a year's residence in a community whose 
 social relations differed radically from the quiet home 
 life in New Jersey, a statement not prepared for publi- 
 cation, but written confidentially to a fellow-student 
 and townsman. Situated as he was at Nomini Hall, in 
 Westmoreland County, a focus for the wit and fashion 
 of the neighborhood, he became at once a frequent 
 guest at the homes of some of the best and most influ- 
 ential families in the colony, among whom were the 
 Lees of Stratford, Lee Hall, and Chantilly, the Wash- 
 ingtons of Bushfield, the Turbervilles of Hickory Hill 
 and Peckatone, and the Tayloes of Mount Airy. The 
 account which he gives is a most delightful picture of 
 the social life of the period, of refinement and culture, 
 of elegance of living and lavish hospitality, of balls 
 and fox-hunts, and an almost constant round of enter- 
 tainments. 
 
 But those days are gone. A century and a quarter 
 has passed and left behind the ineffaceable trace of war 
 and its consequent desolation. As Mr. Churchill has 
 written in his Foreword to Richard Carvel, " The lively 
 capital that once reflected the wit and fashion of Europe 
 has fallen in decay. The silent streets no more echo 
 with the rumble of coaches and gay chariots, and grass 
 grows where busy merchants trod. Stately ballrooms, 
 where beauty reigned, are cold and empty and mildewed, 
 and halls where laughter rang are silent." Bishop 
 
INTRODUCTION xvil 
 
 Meade, writing in 185001 theruinsof building's in West- 
 moreland County, says in his Old Churches and Families 
 of Virginia:^ " By reason of the worth, talents, and 
 patriotism which once adorned it, it was called the 
 Athens of Virginia. But how few of the descendants 
 of those who once were its ornaments are now to be 
 found in it! Chantilly, Mount Pleasant, Wakefield, 
 are now no more. Stratford alone remains. Where 
 now are the venerable churches? . . . Yeocomico alone 
 survives the general wreck. Of mansions, churches, 
 etc., we are tempted to say, ' Fuit Illium, et ingens 
 gloria Dardanidum;' and yet we rejoice to think that 
 new ones have taken their places, . . . and we trust 
 there awaits for Westmoreland a greater glory than 
 the former." 
 
 Of the old buildings at Nomini Hall, nothing now 
 remains. The great-house was destroyed b}^ fire in 
 1850, after having withstood the storms of above an 
 hundred winters. The noble old mansion was built by 
 the Councillor's father, Robert Carter, a son of the 
 great "King" Carter of Corotoman, between the years 
 1725-32. Robert Carter (the Councillor), an only son, 
 inherited this and a large estate comprising, as Fithian 
 tells us, some sixty thousand acres, lying in different 
 parts of the Province and in Maryland. 
 
 Glenn, in his Some Colonial Mansions," says that the 
 Nomini Hall estate consisted of two thousand five hun- 
 dred acres, and that the dwelling-house was built in 
 1732. He also states^ that Colonel (Councillor) Carter, 
 writing in 1776, speaks of himself as paying to "Lord 
 Fairfax quit rents for sixty-three thousand and ninety- 
 three acres, situate in his Lordship's territory, called 
 
 ' V. II, pp. 1 70-1 71. 
 
 ' V. I, p. 278. ' V. I, p. 277. 
 
xvni INTRODUCTION 
 
 the Northern Neck, which territory contains all my 
 land within the Commonwealth of Virginia." 
 
 Fithian mentions land "far to the west" near the 
 Great Meadows and Bull Run ; if this be true, it is 
 more than likely that the Councillor, who undoubtedl}- 
 saw the coming rupture with the mother country, 
 wisely sold or exchanged it for property nearer home. 
 
 In 1749 Robert Carter visited England, and while 
 there had his portrait' painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. 
 Soon after his return to Virginia, he married Frances 
 Ann Tasker, youngest daughter of the Hon. Benjamin 
 Tasker of Maryland, the ceremony, an account of which 
 is to be found in the Maryland Gazette for April 4th of 
 that year, taking place at Annapolis, April 2, 1754. 
 
 Robert Carter's duties as a member of the Council 
 required his presence at least twice a year at Williams- 
 burg, and in 1761 he moved to that town with his 
 family, where he resided for eleven years. Tiring, 
 however, of the gay Virginia capital, and longing for 
 the quiet life, the green fields, and sunny slopes of 
 Nomini Hall, he removed thither in 1772. Doubtless, 
 too, the change in politics which had begun to be felt, 
 hastened this departure ; but the Councillor cared little 
 for the gayeties of the town with its whirl of social 
 duties, ever preferring a quiet evening in his study, 
 surrounded b}' his books and music, to the pleasures of 
 ball or rout. 
 
 Robert Carter's attitude toward the initial steps in 
 the great movement for independence, has led many to 
 suppose him to have been a Tory. But this is not the 
 case. From the most reliable sources of information, it 
 is clearly shown that though opposed to measures of 
 violence while they might be averted, in the redress of 
 
 ' Reproduced by permission, p. 83. 
 
INTRODUCTION xix 
 
 wrongs; when the blow was struck and the rupture 
 between King and Colonies made irreconcilable save by 
 force of arms, no one was more convinced than Robert 
 Carter of the justice of the colonists' cause, which he 
 thenceforth openly espoused. 
 
 This attitude is well shown by an address to his 
 slaves and their overseer on one of his plantations (Coles 
 Point), upon a threatened incursion by Lord Dunmore, 
 in 1776, which address was preserved by Councillor 
 Carter in one of his letter-books, and is given at length 
 bv Glenn in his Some Colonial Mansio)is} In this speech 
 the Councillor observes that "the King of Great Britain 
 had declared war against the people of the Colony of 
 Virginia, Massachusetts Bay, . . . that many of the 
 people in Great Britain disapproved of the present dis- 
 pute between them and the 13 United Colonies in North 
 America, and had refused to enlist as soldiers; there- 
 fore the King of G. B. had employed foreign soldiers 
 to iight for him against us" . . . etc., thus clearly ally- 
 ing himself with the cause for which George Wythe, 
 Peyton Randolph, and Richard Henry Lee — warm per- 
 sonal friends — were risking life and fortune. 
 
 Robert Carter's liberality is a matter of record. 
 In later years he emancipated and provided for many 
 of his slaves, and his generosity and kindness to Selim, 
 the unfortunate Algerine, is spoken of by Bishop Meade 
 in his Old Churches and Families of Virginia ;'^ but it 
 was toward the itinerant clerg}^ that he exercised an 
 almost unbounded liberality. Toward the close of his 
 life the subject of religion seems to have engrossed his 
 whole attention. Abandoning the Church of England, 
 the religion of his fathers, he became a Baptist, fitting 
 out a chapel in his own house at Nomini, where he 
 
 * V. I, p. 271, et seq. ' V. I, pp. 345-346. 
 
XX INTRODUCTION 
 
 entertained their preachers, many of whom, we are 
 told, were supported, and in some cases educated by 
 him. After a time he adopted the creed of Sweden- 
 borg, and in the end, as Meade quaintly expresses it, 
 died "an unhappy, death-dreading Papist." 
 
 A true and courteous gentleman, kind and gener- 
 ous to a fault, good but eccentric, Robert Carter's life 
 stands for much that was the best, with but few of the 
 foibles of his time. 
 
 In the editorial work on this volume, there has 
 been an earnest effort to avoid inaccuracies in the 
 genealogical and historical references, but the extreme 
 difficulty of obtaining correct data for such work can 
 only be appreciated by one who has himself endeavored 
 to untangle the web of Virginia genealogy of the seven- 
 teenth and eighteenth centuries. In those days family 
 records were loosely kept, if kept at all, and unfor- 
 tunately are seldom free from erroi". 
 
 Among the works that have proved of assistance 
 in compiling the notes for this volume are: Maclean's 
 History of ilic College of New Jersey ; Hageman's Prince- 
 ton and its Institutions ; Lee's Lee of Virginia ; Glenn's 
 Some Colonial Mansions ; the Virginia Historical Collec- 
 tions ; Elmer's History of Cumberland County (N. J.); 
 the Carter Family Chart, prepared by R. R. Carter, of 
 Shirley, Virginia; the Bcatty Family Record, compiled by 
 Charles C. Beatty; The Pennsylvania Gazette oi 1770-' 71, 
 and Appleton's Cyclopcedia of American Biography. 
 
 The editor is indebted for valuable data and in- 
 formation to Miss Mary C. Fithian,of Greenwich, New 
 Jersey; Mrs. Edward Hitchcock, of Philadelphia; Mrs. 
 Elizabeth Brown, Westmoreland County, Virginia; Mr. 
 Henry Tayloe, Richmond County, Virginia; President 
 Lyon G. Tyler, of William and Mary College; Prof. 
 
INTRODUCTION xxi 
 
 f. Franklin Jameson. Brown University; and to the 
 courtesy of the Libraries of the University of Pennsyl- 
 vania and of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, all of 
 which indebtedness is most gratefully acknowledged. 
 
 John Rogers Williams. 
 
 University Libkary, Princeton, N. J., Junk 20th, ujoo. 
 
PRINCETONIANA 
 1767— 1773 
 
PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN 
 
 JOURNAL AND LETTERS 
 
 1767— 1774 
 
 A letter^ to my Father, begging him to put me to 
 School: Written August 10'.'^ 1767, at Greenwich. 
 
 Very dear Father, 
 
 Relying on the Affection of a Parent, I have in this 
 manner, with all due Submission, but at the same time 
 with the strongest Desire of obtaining my Purpose, 
 attempted to intreat your Encouragement & Assistance 
 in getting me put to School. 
 
 The very great Inclination I find in myself to 
 improve in Learning is the chief motive that excites 
 me to offer this Petition, and even this would have been 
 insufficeant, had I any remote expectation of another 
 Oppertunity, if the one which now offers should be 
 laid aside ; And inasmuch as this is quite an unexpected, 
 & most likely, the only oppertunity I shall ever have, 
 
 ^ This and the succeeding letter show Fithian's strong desire for learning, 
 quite remarkable in those days. The following is taken from a juvenile diary, 
 kept by Fithian prior to his entering Princeton College : — 
 
 " Tuesday August loth. (1767) 
 ' ' This morning I had the gracious and agreeable news from my Father that 
 next week I am to go to school to Mr. Green . ... 
 
 " Monday 17th. 
 
 " I entered school to the Rev. Enoch Green at Deerfield to learn Latin." 
 
 This diary is not of enough general interest to warrant printing as a whole 
 in this volume. 
 
2 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1767 
 
 of acquiring that, which through my whole Life I have 
 most desired, I hope I shall be justified, dear Father, 
 in pleading with you as earnestly as I am able, to grant 
 me my Request. 
 
 When you was pleased the other Day, which was 
 almost before I had heard anything of the Matter, to 
 ask me whether I was desirous of Learning; & if I 
 could compose myself to study? I could have then, 
 dear Sir, immediately without any hesitation answered 
 the first question; for it is indeed my chief Desire: 
 And I cannot but suppose, in answer to the second, 
 that this strong Desire of Knowledge, would prompt 
 me to Study, & diligent Application, which are the 
 natural, & necessary Means of acquiring it ; for I can 
 now with truth declare, that the most happy hours 1 
 find in life, or could even wish to enjoy, are those when 
 I am quite alone & have free, & undisturbed Liberty to 
 ponder over the Sentiments of some famous Writer. 
 
 I lay no claim at all to what I am now petitioning 
 for as a natural Right; A limited necessary Education, 
 which you have most kindly already been careful, in 
 part, to bestow upon me, is all I could expect from the 
 common Duty of a Parent: But 1 hold a free Education 
 in so great Esteem, that 1 should choose for my Lot, 
 to live in the World in low Condition, if Providence 
 thought it necessary, as to Wealth and all outward 
 Greatness, under the Frown of Fortune, & be blest with 
 Learning, rather than possess the most ample Estate, & 
 be blind with Ignorance : Nay, more. It would be my 
 calm Choice, if I am not too much influenced by preju- 
 dice in my own favour, to choose for myself that my 
 whole Patrimony if you shall please to grant me any, 
 be applied to help in finishing my Education, even if it 
 should be all expended. 
 
1769] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 3 
 
 I shall say no more, but most submissively offer 
 these things to your Consideration ; the Sum of which 
 in a Word, is, my humble, and earnest Petition, that I 
 may be put to School: The event is wholly uncertain, 
 & must be left with him who knoweth all things, & is 
 the Disposer of all Events. 
 
 I am, very dear Father, 
 
 with great Respect, 
 
 your dutiful Son 
 August 10'!', 1767. Philip Fithian. 
 
 A Letter to my Father, giving him Thanks for his 
 kindness in putting & keeping me at School. 
 
 Written at Deerfield, Sept: 28'.^ 1769. 
 
 Dear Father, 
 
 The Duty of a Child to a Parent is, Obedience, 
 Love, & all kinds of Regard ; If therefore I am destitute 
 of these, I do manifest Violence to the Commands of 
 Nature : As the Condition of Life in which I am through 
 your kind Care at present placed seems to make it most 
 proper that I should by Letter communicate my Senti- 
 ments, I very gladly improve the Oppertunity, & pre- 
 sent you, dear Sir, with these Lines, which are the 
 Return of Gratitude I very sincerely offer for your 
 distinguished Kindness. 
 
 However vain the Attempt may be for a youth to 
 satisfy the pains of a Parent in educating him, yet any 
 Child is most certainly to blame whenever he fails of 
 doing the utmost of his Duty ; those ind. are very rare 
 who duely perform parental Duties, yet those few are 
 found happy in almost any Circumstance. 
 
4 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1769 
 
 A good Education if rightly improv'd, we are all 
 sure, is the best fortune a man can possess, but we all 
 know as well that there is almost no good thing but 
 what may be abused, it is then no wonder if the vicious 
 Tempers of some Men, always prone to mischief, de- 
 bauch the best Principles of Education. 
 
 Without Instruction & Refinement Men are ad- 
 vanced but a little above their fellow Creatures the 
 Brutes ; they are ignorant of themselves, & of the won- 
 derful Works of Providence ; they are also ignorant of 
 what is necessary to live with any degree of Decency, 
 & Comfort in common Life ; not to mention the egregi- 
 ous Errors of the uncultivated human Race concerning 
 the Supreme Being, & concerning the Nature of their 
 own future Existence. 
 
 The abuse of knowledge, & of the means of acquir- 
 ing it is not to be supposed a Disgrace to either; it 
 would be as well to conclude that because some Men 
 unnaturally deprive themselves of Life, that Life is of 
 no value. 
 
 We are all so deep drenched with ignorance. Our 
 Minds so clouded & dull, that it requires great Industry, 
 Application, & Pains to acquire but a small Degree of 
 Knowledge : We may often hear men speaking largely 
 concerning the inactive lives of the learned, or of those 
 who are seeking knowledge, but they only publish 
 abroad their own Ignorance, for the Health, & good 
 natural Constitutions of many Men have been freely 
 forfeited in their painful Search after Knowledge, & 
 given up as Witnesses for the Truth of the arduous & 
 difficult Ascent to the Pinnacle of Science. 
 
 I have often thought upon the Advantages of a 
 good Education ; but never had before I engaged in 
 Earnest in the thing any just idea of the Difficulty of 
 
1769] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 5 
 
 Attaining it: There are many Principles which we 
 drink in in early youth, as close, & almost as dear as 
 our very Natures, tk which many cannot throw off but 
 carry with them all their Days, these must be laid 
 aside, & if possible forgotten in obtaining true Knowl- 
 edge ; When we accomplish one Difficulty, that pre- 
 sents us to the Embrace of another, this being finished 
 we see the third; to use an old, but a very just Simile, 
 it is like a person endeavoring to surmount a Cluster of 
 Hills, he ascends the first & a second appears, when he 
 is at the top of that he beholds another, & when he can 
 see some he ascended first no longer, he sees so many 
 before him that he seems only beginning to ascend ; 
 thus illimitable are the Attainments of Learning. 
 
 Yet we are not to suppose these Difficulties as 
 Barriers hindring our Attempts to attain it, but as 
 Incitements to Activity & Greater Diligence. 
 
 Although the Expences of Learning are consider- 
 able, and the Labour of attaining it also very great, yet 
 a due Reflection upon its true Value, silences at once 
 all Objections. 
 
 Men of Letters have it in their power to refine, & 
 often to reform Mankind, to correct their Principles, & 
 check their Vices; by a general Survey of the Lives 
 & Manners of Men, the}?^ can better form their own 
 Path ; besides, many of the Antients, & Moderns too 
 have left what is more durable than Statues of Brass, 
 or Marble, to wit their just Sentiments, and Precepts; 
 
 As the whole Design of these Lines is to express 
 my hearty thanks for your kindness, be pleased. Dear 
 Father, to accept my sincere Acknowledgements for 
 the favour of your Permission to an Oppertunity of 
 Learning. How difficut soever the Task may be, & 
 however sorely I may feel my so late beginning, yet 
 
6 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1769 
 
 certainly by your good permission, I shall to the utmost 
 of my Abilities strive to accomplish it. 
 
 If there is anything more I would say I should ask 
 your Pardon for this Presumtion, & hope for your Pro- 
 tection & Assistance, & also for your Prayrs to almighty 
 God, that I may always continue, what I have ever 
 desired to be your dutiful 
 
 & beloved 
 
 Son, 
 Sept: 28'.^ 1769. Philip Fithian. 
 
 A Letter to my Father, acquainting him with my 
 Admission into the College ; & with some of the Cus- 
 toms of that Place. 
 
 Written at Nassau Hall.^ in Princeton Novem : 30^!^ 
 Anno 1770. 
 
 Very Dear Father. 
 
 Altho' I am very busy seeing I begun to study 
 three Weeks later than the rest of our Class, yet I think 
 it my Duty to give you Notice of my Admission to this 
 flourishing Seminary of Learning, which is another 
 grand Step towards the Summit of my Wishes ; And 
 I shall also mention as many of the Customs, as my 
 
 ^ It is interesting to note that the name first suggested by the Trustees 
 for this building, was " Belcher Hall", after Governor Belcher, who granted 
 the College charter, and who had liberally contributed toward the expense of 
 its erection. With rare modesty however he declined the honor, at the same 
 time expressing a desire that the building should be called " Nassau Hall ", in 
 honor of King William the Third, a branch of the House of Nassau. From 
 the name given to this first edifice, the College itself came to be generally 
 known as Nassau Hall. 
 
Nassau Hall 
 From an enj^raving bv Doolittle 
 
Writ; 
 \iino 17 
 
 ^muu, 
 
 U yd i;i!i /u r;4irj hj; mh h i 
 

 I- 
 
 ^^*Stz 
 
 y 
 
I770] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 7 
 
 short Acquaintance with the College & Students will 
 allow me, & as any thing new occurs shall not fail at 
 any time to transmit it. 
 
 Mr. Hutiter^ and myself, were admitted into the 
 junior-Class on the twenty second day of November, 
 after a previous Examination by the president. Tutors, 
 & some residing Graduates; Which was about three 
 Weeks after the College-Orders began. 
 
 The Rules by which the Sholars & Students are 
 directed, are, in my Opinion, exceedingly well formed 
 to check & restrain the vicious, & to assist the studious, 
 & to countenance & incourage the virtuous. 
 
 Every Student must rise in the Morning, at farthest 
 by half an hour after five ; the grammar SchoUars being 
 most of them small, & lodging also in Town at some 
 Distance from the College, are, in Winter, excused from 
 attending morning Prayrs. 
 
 The Bell rings at five, after which there is an 
 Intermission of half and hour, that everyone may have 
 time to dress, at the end of which it rings again, & 
 Prayrs begin ; And lest any should plead that he did 
 not hear the Bell, the Servant who rings, goes to every 
 Door & beats till he wakens the Boys, which leaves 
 them without Excuse. 
 
 'Andrew Hunter, Jr. was graduated at Princeton College in 1772. He 
 was shortly after licensed, and served as chaplain in Gen. Heard's brigade of 
 Jersey Militia during the Revolution. This was the same brigade to which 
 Fithian was attached. He was a Trustee of the College, from 1788 until 1804, 
 when he resigned from the Board to accept the newly instituted chair of Math- 
 ematics and Astronomy, which position he held until his removal to Bordentown 
 in 1808, when he was again elected Trustee, serving until 1811. In this year 
 he was appointed chaplain at the navy-yard at Washington, D. C, where he 
 removed with his family. Andrew Hunter was a son of David Hunter, and 
 a nephew of Rev. Andrew Hunter of Greenwich, N. J. ; he married first, Miss 
 Ann Riddell ; second, Mary, daughter of Richard Stockton the Signer, and 
 died at Washington at an advanced age, February 24th, 1823. 
 
8 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1770 
 
 There are Bill-keepers in each Class, appointed 
 generally by the President, or in his absence by one of 
 the Tutors, who take Notice, & set down those who are 
 absent from Morning or evening Prayrs, & once every 
 week present their Bill to the Doctor, or one of the 
 Tutors, who call each delinquent, & demand their Ex- 
 cuse, which if it is thought sufficeant is accepted, if not 
 they are fined, or privately admonished, & if the same 
 person is found frequently guilty, without good reason, 
 he receives public Admonition in the Hall for Contempt 
 of Authority. 
 
 After morning Prayrs, we can, now in the Winter, 
 study an hour by candle Light every Morning. 
 
 We breakfast at eight; from Eight to nine, is time 
 of our own, to play, or exercise. 
 
 At nine the Bell rings for Recitation, after which 
 
 we study till one, when the Bell rings for Dinner 
 
 We dine all in the same Room, at three Tables, & so 
 we breakfast and sup : 
 
 After dinner till three we have Liberty to go out 
 at Pleasure. 
 
 From three til' five we study, when the Bell rings 
 for evening Prayrs. 
 
 We sup at seven ; At nine the Bell rings for Study ; 
 And a Tutor goes through College, to see that every 
 Student is in his own Room; if he finds that any are 
 absent, or more in any Room than belongs there, he 
 notes them down, & the day following calls them to an 
 Account. 
 
 After nine any may go to bed, but to go before is 
 reproachful. 
 
 No Student is allowed, on any pretence. Sickness 
 only excepted, to be absent on Sunday, from public 
 Worship : We have two Sermons every Sabbath : One 
 
I770] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 9 
 
 at eleven in the morning, in the Church; & the other at 
 three in the Afternoon, in the College Hall. I am indeed 
 much pleased with Dr. IVitherspooi & think his Sermons 
 almost inimitable. 
 
 We rise on Sabbath mornings & have Prayrs as 
 usual. 
 
 There is a Society that meets every Sabbath Even- 
 ing at six o Clock, for religious Worship ; this is a 
 voluntary Society made up of any who belong to the 
 College, & choose to attend. 
 
 The Exercises in this Society go in the alphebetical 
 Order of those who are willing to perform : They sing 
 a Psalm & pray, after which a Tutor reads a Sermon & 
 dismisses them. 
 
 About seven the supper Bell rings, immediately 
 after which, each Class meets separately in Rooms be- 
 longing to one of themselves ; The Seniors alone meet 
 in a Room belonging to one of the Seniors ; & the Juniors 
 by themselves meet in a Room belonging to one of them- 
 selves; & in like manner do the inferior Classes. And 
 one in each Class, as his Name comes in alphebetical 
 Order, gives out a Psalm to be sung, & prays ; after 
 which they disperse, and retire to their respective 
 Rooms. 
 
 I make use of the word "their" not because I do 
 not join with my fellow-Students in these Acts of Wor- 
 ship, but because I seem only yet to be an Observer of 
 their Manners. 
 
 There are upwards of an hundred now in the Col- 
 lege^ including the grammar Scholars: The present 
 
 ' Among the men then at Princeton College, who became famous in after 
 life, were James Madison, Class of 1 771 ; Aaron Burr, 1772 ; Henry Lee 
 ("Light Horse Harry"), 1773; Gunning Bedford, Hugh H. Brackenridge, 
 Philip Freneau, Aaron Ogden, and Henry Brockholst Livingston. 
 
lO PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1770 
 
 Senior Class consists of ten : The Junior of twenty- 
 eight : The Sophimore of twenty five : And the Freskmafi 
 of eighteen : In the School there are about twenty-five. 
 
 I am, through divine goodness, very well, & more 
 reconciled to rising in the Morning so early than at first. 
 
 Andrew^ is not yet come, I fear he has concluded 
 to stay at home. 
 
 Please to accept my humble, & sincere Regard ; & 
 give my kindest Love to my ever-dear Mamma. 
 
 From, Sir, your dutiful Son 
 
 P. FiTHIAN. 
 
 A Letter^ written by my ever-dear Mama; at 
 Greenwich, Jan lo: Anno: 1771. 
 
 My dear Son, 
 
 I hope you are well; we are all well at present, for 
 which I desire to acknowledge the divine Goodness : 
 
 I suppose you are uneasy about your Gown; 
 Andrew's not coming is one Reason ; Mr. Hiinter wrote 
 for Cloth last week, but it has not yet come. 
 
 This is perhaps a small Cross, & you must, my 
 dear Son, take your Cross Daily, & follow Christ, if 
 you will be his Disciple : 
 
 I beseech you make Religion your Business; O my 
 Son, mind the one thing needful ; beg of God for his 
 Grace, to Withstand Temptations; You have, I trust, 
 
 ' Andrew Hunter. 
 
 ' This letter and the one following from Fithian's mother, received shortly 
 after his entry at College, g^ve a view of the home and influence which shaped 
 his after life, and which led him as a missionary to devote two years to work 
 among the Indians and early settlers of the great western wilderness, and when 
 the crisis came, to lay down his life in the service of his country. 
 
I77I] JOURNAL AND LETTERS II 
 
 inlisted yourself into the Service of Christ, turn not 
 back; it is easy to profess Religion, but it is hard to be 
 a Christian : Without Holiness no Man shall see the 
 Lord ; Try to deport yourself as becometh the Gospel 
 of Christ; Remember what the Lord hath done for 
 you, & let it humble you. 
 
 I hope the Lord hath Work for you to do in the 
 World ; O that he would furnish you with every neces- 
 sary Grace, & Qualification for his Service. 
 
 That you may grow in Grace, & in the Knowledge 
 of our Lord, & Saviour Jesus Christ is the Prayr of 
 Your 
 
 affectionate Mother 
 
 Hannah Fithian. 
 
 P. S. 
 
 I beg you would write some serious Letters to 
 your Brothers & Sister. Your Daddy has his Compli- 
 ments to you ; remember my Love to Andrew. 
 
 Peace be with you 
 
 H. F. 
 
 Another Letter from my dear, affectionate, fond 
 Mother, written at Greenwich, March 4: Anno 1771. 
 
 My dear Son, 
 
 My Love remembered ; 
 
 I long for your Souls welfare above any other thing ; 
 My dear Child, remember that a precious Treasure & 
 Prize depend upon the short time you are now upon ; 
 even the Eternity of Well, or Woe to your Soul, stand- 
 eth upon your short, swift posting Life. 
 
i2 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1771 
 
 Your Soul is no little Value, it is of more Value 
 than the whole World ; to live as others do, & to be 
 free & void of open sins will not do; Youth is a very 
 dangerous Time, it is not possible for you to know it 
 until experience teaches you ; You remember the Apos- 
 tles Charge to holy Timothy, flee youthful Zm^/j-.- If he 
 needed an Admonishion then in the pure Age of the 
 Gospel, how much more now, when Religion for the 
 most part is but a Name? 
 
 But I beseech you, my dear Child, never rest until 
 you are assured of your Interest in Christ; never ex- 
 pect Ease, & Pleasure from the Enjoyments of this 
 World; he never himself took any, nor ever promised 
 us any but in himself; O may the God of all Grace per- 
 fect a work of Grace in your Soul ; that he may present 
 you faultless in the Day of the Lord Jesus Christ is the 
 Prayr of your affectionate Mam^: ! 
 
 My dear Child, pray for me, I am afraid you can- 
 not read my Writing, but if you can, tho' it is wrote in 
 much Weakness it is to my Child, & I charge you not 
 to neglect it! 
 
 We are all about as well as we used to be, your 
 Daddy hath his Complaints, & I have mine ; but through 
 divine Goodness I am much better than I was last 
 Winter. 
 
 Enoch remains weak yet. Tommy has been very 
 sick, but the Lord hath restored him again ; Your 
 Sister & Brothers send Love to you : 
 
 I am almost angry that you have so long neglected 
 Writing, but I hope through the Goodness of God to 
 see you shortly. 
 
 from your 
 
 fond Mama 
 Peace be with you. H. Fithian. 
 
I77I] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 1 3 
 
 The Cliosophian Club^ in Distress. 
 
 A Piece written at the Time of a paper-Contention, 
 between the Whigg, & Tory Societies, at Nassau-Hall. 
 Read June 22. Anno 1771. 
 
 Inasmuch as our Case truly merits the Pity of All, 
 we hope after the Publication of this to receive not 
 only the Sympathy & Assistance of our Friends, but 
 Mercy also, & relief from our Enemies. About the 
 Beginning of this Month we finding our Body to be 
 considerably indisposed, & after having consulted 
 together, we concluded that it was highly necessary 
 we should apply for Help : Accordingly, by the Advice 
 and Prescription of Mr. Hasard, (In whose name a Dia- 
 logue was written some days before, between himself 
 and the Devil, favoring the Cliosophians) we took this 
 Morning, for our Relief, a well-prepared Cathartic. 
 But either through the Deceit of the Apothecary, or 
 by Reason of the Malignity of our Distemper, or both 
 of them united, for our Disease seems to be the Effect 
 of their united Energy, we now almost dispair of Life ! 
 
 ' The Cliosophic and American Whig Societies were then, as they are now, 
 the two great rival organizations of Princeton College. In the year 1765, or 
 shortly before, two literarj' societies were organized at Nassau Hall under the 
 names, the Well Meaning and Plain Dealing Clubs, these however were sup- 
 pressed by the College authorities, owing to some riotous proceedings, in 1768. 
 In 1769, with the sanction of the Faculty, the Plain Dealers reorganized under 
 the name of the American Whig Society, and shortly after, in 1770, the Well 
 Meaning Club was succeeded by the Cliosophic Society. Prominent among 
 the Whig founders are the names of James Madison and Gen. John Beatty, a 
 brother-in-law of Fithian's ; while Henry Lee and Aaron Burr are noted among 
 the first Cliosophian members. Philip Fithian himself was a Whig. This 
 piece, from the pen of a Whig, is a sarcasm intended to show the sorrowful 
 state of the Clio's, as compared with their own flourishing condition. See 
 Cameron's Hist, of the Am. Whig Society, and Giger's Hist, of the Cliosophic 
 Society. 
 
14 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1771 
 
 For, altho by the Operation of the Medicine, we are rid 
 of great Numbers of inherent sickly Humours, yet our 
 whole Frame seems shaken, & about to fall. How alarm- 
 ing is the Approach of Dissolution to ourselves in par- 
 ticular, & how doleful will the Catastrophy appear to 
 the World in general ; when the distinguished Tories; 
 the potent, the august, the splendid, royal Sons of the 
 Morning fall ! 
 
 Considering therefore our low Condition, & the 
 Improbability of a Recovery : & finding that we are 
 found, as usual, in our Intellects, Thanks be to Mr. 
 Hasard, altho' exercised with unspeakable Pain, we 
 think proper, in form following, to make our last Will, & 
 regularly dispose of all, & every of our worldly Estate. 
 
 Imprimis. 
 
 We give, & devise all our Orations, Declamations, 
 Disputes, Pastorals, Acrosticks, & loose, miscellany 
 Writings, wherever the same may be, to the Person 
 who shall in Opposition to these royal Whiggs, reso- 
 lutely defend & renew our dying Cause. 
 
 Item. Secondly. We give to the impotent, & 
 needy that they may bear us long in Mind, all our 
 Instruments & Tools whatsoever ; consisting of Flutes, 
 Fifes, Drums, Colours, Bodkins, Shears, Sleeve-Boards, 
 &c &c. 
 
 But it is our Will these should be sold at public 
 Vendue, or otherwise, & their Value given as before 
 mentioned, but all the Fools, kept for the Use of a suc- 
 ceeding Club. 
 
 Item. Thirdly. We give our huge looking-Glass 
 to that spirited & brave Fellow who shall in any suc- 
 ceeding Age, either by his Skill in Writing, Declaiming, 
 or Burlesquing, humble in any Degree, the Pride & the 
 Glory of the victorious and flourishing Whiggs. 
 
1772] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 15 
 
 Lastly. The Remainder of our Goods, Debts, 
 Chattels, &c. we give to Mr. Hasard, for the vigorous 
 Performance of his friendly Designs, altho they are 
 likely to be to us of fatal Consequence, oh ! 
 
 And we do hereby appoint John Richards, Simon 
 Snodgrass, & Patrick Kepple to be joint Executors to this 
 our Will, relying on their Fidelity religiously to fulfil, 
 in every particular, our last Request concerning genu- 
 ine Property. 
 
 Testes. TORY CLUB. 
 
 Rich? Archibald. 
 Samv Brown. 
 Harry Templeton. 
 
 [John McCalla to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 Philadel: Jan.y 6."^ 1772. 
 Dear Philip. 
 
 If I were to write to you as often as I think of you 
 my letters would be as bad as a rent charge, 1 had a 
 letter wrote by the last stage but the boy neglected to 
 carry it 'till it was too late, I have tried several places 
 to get you the song you wrote to me for but could not. 
 J ... Y ... is out of town and has been this month, 
 and I cannot get it for you now% but as soon as ever she 
 comes to Phila : a 1 will send it to you I knew it all 
 when you were here but has quite forgot it ; I hope 
 you will pardon my not writing oftener, but believe me 
 Philip it is not for want of regard for I have the sin- 
 cerest friendship for you. 
 
 1 wish you could come up next Stage, for I long to 
 ramble once more with you as perhaps I shall not have 
 
l6 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1772 
 
 such another opportunity this seven years should we 
 live so long, and the weather so very pleasant but I 
 must conclude with wishing you all the pleasures the 
 season can afford, the best company ; the best Coffee, 
 and the best news you can desire, and what more to 
 wish you I do not know unless it be a great deal of 
 patience to read this letter. 
 
 I am Dear Philip Yours 
 
 John Mc.Calla. 
 
 A Letter to my much loved Mam«. 
 
 Written at Nassau-Hall, Jan: la^i' Anno 1772. 
 Dear Mam«. 
 
 I have nothing to offer as a Reason why I did not 
 write sooner, for I want neither Time, nor Oppertunity. 
 
 I do not remember ever to have spent a Winter 
 with so great Satisfaction as I have this, as yet; Our 
 Studies are easy, & they are very pleasant ; our public 
 Exhibitions are few, & they are also easy. 
 
 I have an Oppertunity in some small Degree of 
 acquainting myself with Mankind, by observing the 
 Conduct & Temper of the Students in this Seminary : 
 Which is filled with Young-Men not only from almost 
 every Province, in this Continent; But we have also 
 many from the West Indies, & some few from Etirope. 
 So that from the Difference in their early Education, 
 their Manner is extremely different, which makes our 
 Observations on them, both agreeable, & profitable. 
 
 I have here, besides, an Opertunity of acquainting 
 myself with the Writings of great, & famous Men, & to 
 improve by their Instruction ; And all these Advan- 
 
1772] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 1 7 
 
 tages, dear Mama, that I have now been mentioning to 
 advance ourselves in Science, are exceedingly helpful in 
 acquiring one other most important Branch of Science, 
 I mean an Acquaintance with Myself : There are many 
 Ways, which are seldom neglected, of reproaching & 
 putting to Shame those who are proud, & self-confident! 
 It is now almost three Months before I expect to see 
 Home; if I am so long continued in Life, & shall be 
 once more favoured to see my near Connections, for 
 oh ! it is wholly uncertain ! 
 
 The Time appears long: But I am not in any De- 
 gree impatient; for I am convinced that it is not the 
 Place, nor Condition ; neither is it the Presence, nor 
 Absence of Relations, & Friends, tho' most near, & 
 tender to us, that can give us, for any length of Time, 
 either substantial Joy, or Grief ; none of these can avail, 
 without the favoring Presence of our common Father, 
 who is the Almighty God. To him, Madam, to his 
 Grace I resign myself ; of him I ask Direction, in my 
 Course ; & in the Enjoyment of him 1 look for Happiness. 
 I have been long since convinced, of your strong, & 
 unfeigned, yet undeserved Fondness of me ; the Tokens 
 of it have been frequently so plain, that they have left 
 me astonished, & in Tears, for being so monstrously 
 ungrateful, as not to render in Turn, at least, my kind- 
 est Affections. I feel now, stronger than ever, my 
 Obligations to the most extensive Kindness; But now 
 I am divieded dear Mama, from your Society, & thereby 
 denied the Liberty of acting what my Heart suggests. 
 Yet there remains one Resource, which is the best of 
 All ; I will betake myself to the Throne of Grace, for 
 that is free to all Mankind ; & the God who sitteth upon 
 it is omnipresent; he as fully knows, & will as readily 
 answer what I ask of him here, as tho' I was in my 
 
l8 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1772 
 
 Chamber at Cohansic. I ask then, ardently, for his 
 Grace, & Blessing on my much-esteemed Parents ; May 
 you enjoy Happiness in him, & Comfort in your Friends 
 in general, but in us your Children in particular; May 
 he give us all Repentance unto Life, that Parents, & 
 Children, we may be all translated to Christs heavenly 
 Kingdom. 
 
 so prays constantly 
 
 dear Mam« 
 
 your respectful Son 
 
 P. V. FiTHIAN. 
 
 A Letter to my Father. 
 
 Written at Princeton Jan 13. Anno 1772. 
 Very dear, & much respected Father, 
 
 Through the distinguished Kindness of Heaven, I 
 am in good Health, & have much Cause to be delighted 
 with my Lot. I would not change ray Condition, nor 
 give up the Prospect I have before me, on any Terms 
 almost whatever. 
 
 I am not much hurried this Winter with my Studies ; 
 but I am trying to advance myself in an Acquaintance 
 with m}^ fellow-Creatures; & with the Labovirs of the 
 "Mighty Dead." 
 
 I am sorry that I may inform you, that two of our 
 Members were expelled from the College yesterday ; 
 not for Drunkenness, nor Fighting, not for Swearing, 
 nor Sabbath-Breaking; But, they were sent from this 
 Seminary, where the greatest Pains and Care are taken 
 to cultivate and encourage Decency, & Honesty, & Honour, 
 for stealing Hens ! Shameful, mean, unmanly Conduct ! 
 
1772] JOURNAL AND LETTERS I9 
 
 If a Person were to judge of the generality of Stu- 
 dents, by the Conduct of such earth-born, insatiate 
 Helluo's; or by the detested Character of wicked Indi- 
 viduals, (which is generally soonest & most extensively 
 propogated, & known abroad,) how terrible an Idea 
 must he have ! 
 
 Please to remember my kind Regards to my Broth- 
 ers ; Sister Becka, & the whole Family. I feel my Heart 
 warm with Esteem for them ! but can only further, at 
 present, write myself, dear Father, Yours, 
 
 P. FiTHIAN, 
 
 [Extract from an oration pronounced in public, 
 January 15th, 1772, on " Fashions".] 
 
 ... I have not time to draw a paralell as I pro- 
 posed between admirals & generals of ancient & modern 
 times. I shall bring only one instance of the calmness, 
 & simplicity of the former & compare it with what, in 
 the same circumstances would be the language of our 
 sea commanders; It is where Aneas & his crew in their 
 passage from Troy, to Italy, were near falling on that 
 most dangerous, & almost unavoidable Whirl-pool 
 Charibdis ; In this critical moment Anchises their ven- 
 erable old Admiral thus addrest the seamen. 
 
 Hos Helenus scopulos, haec faxa horrendu 
 Eripite, o socii, pariterque insurgite remis.' 
 
 He said, rise my friends on your Oars, & pull with 
 ardor. 
 
 Instead of this the language of a modern boatswain 
 would be — Damn your eyes, stand by brave fellows, 
 
 • From the third book of Virgil's ^neid. 
 
20 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1772 
 
 each guard his own station, or, I swear we shall soon be 
 to the Devil ! 
 
 Perhaps some are concluding that I intend to pass 
 the Ladies by in silence, & therefore make myself a 
 Lyar, because I promised to introduce something con- 
 cerning them in this place ; it would be the part of a 
 stupid fellow indeed to say nothing at all, of what can 
 best illustrate & prove his subject. 
 
 But I beg the liberty of pleading absolute unwil- 
 lingness to say a word concerning changing fashions, or 
 changeable inclinations, because these bear so exact a 
 resemblance to my own temper that it would be alto- 
 gether impossible for me to say any thing concerning 
 them, but only to support & defend them. 
 
 So zealous am I in the Cause of the Ladies, & so 
 much their friend, that I am well enough assured, there 
 is not any single one present, who, if she knew only a 
 little of my heart, would doubt of my sincerity a 
 moment, when I say that I believe, & should be proud 
 any time at half an hours warning to be basted soundly 
 for my opinion, that there has not been a fashion these 
 fifteen years past, I mean among the Ladies, which has 
 not been more useful, & more necessary, than showy & 
 ornamental. . . 
 
 [Andrew Hunter, Sr., to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 COHANSIE FebX lo'.h 1772. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 I am very sorry that I have the melancholy occasion 
 to inform you of something that will try all the religion 
 and fortitude you have, to bear up under it. I need 
 
1772] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 2 1 
 
 not keep you in longer suspence, your Parents are both 
 dead; your mother^ the 2^ and your Father the 8'> of 
 this instant. We can find no will, and therefore you 
 are the only person that hath aright to administer, you 
 must come as soon as possible for all must lie as it is 
 till you come, I have inclosed thirty shillings to pay 
 your expence by Stage, I hope you will be down next 
 week, my love to Andrew. 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 Andrew Hunter. 
 
 [Andrew Hunter, Jr., to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 Nassau Hall March 18'!^ 1772. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 I am glad to understand by your letter that you 
 expect to settle the affairs of your family so soon. 
 
 I received your keys and have wrote to you since, 
 but perhaps the letter is miscarried, you need not be at 
 all uneasy about your things that are here, for I will 
 take as much care of them, as if they were my own, in 
 every respect : and will bring down such of them as 
 you have wrote for, except your tutor for the flute, 
 which I cannot get, as Mr. Cook went to Philadelphia 
 the week alter 3-ou went from here, on account of tl.e 
 sudden death of his mother, and will not return till after 
 
 ' Philip Fithian's mother was Hannah Vickers ; she married Joseph Fithian 
 in 1746 (see introduction). The cause of their deaths is not known. Andrew 
 Hunter, the writer of this note, was an uncle of Andrew Hunter, who gradu- 
 ated with Fithian in 1772. He received from Princeton College, in 1760, the 
 honorary degree of A. M. 
 
22 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1772 
 
 vacancy. We have had a considerable stir of religion^ 
 in college since you went away, Lewis Willson^ is 
 thought to have got religion ; and the formerly aband- 
 oned Glover is seeking the way to heaven. Our ora- 
 tions are put off lest they should do some harm to some 
 under concern. Little King^ lives with me till vacancy. 
 I dont know whether we shall go on the stage this sea- 
 son or not. Give my compliments to your family and 
 any else vou please. 
 
 I am yours, &c. 
 
 AxDy Hunter jl-n? 
 
 Septem^ lo^.!' 1772. Nassau Hall. 
 
 An Exercise at the public Commencement. 
 
 It is altogether needless, to detain this respectable 
 assembly only for two or three minutes, with any intro- 
 
 * Dr. Maclean in his History of th€ College of New Jersey (Vol. I. 389— 
 390), says of the religious revivals of 1770 and 1772 : 
 
 ' ' The fruits of these religfious awakenings were most happy, as they gave 
 to the Church not a few of her ablest ministers and elders, and to the State 
 some of her best and most influential citizens. As usual in such times, some 
 were very earnest friends to these religious revivals, and others were zealous 
 opponents, deeming them evidence of fanaticism of those who favored them . . . 
 Hence it should occasion no surprise that the more ardent of the youth, on 
 whichever side arrayed, should regard the cautions given them by their wise 
 and faithful President ( Witherspoon) as evidence that he was not fully in sjTn- 
 pathy with those who viewed these religious excitements as the work of the 
 Holy Spirit, and as e\-idence that God had heard their prayers and had crowned 
 with success their efforts for the conversion of not a few of their fellow-students." 
 
 ^ In the case of Lewis Fuielleteau Wilson (class of 17 73 J conversion ap- 
 pears to have been permanent, as he was afterward ordained a minister of the 
 Gosp)el. He was tutor at the college from 1774-75, but ha\-ing received the 
 degree of M.D., he resigned at the outbreak of the Revolution, and entered 
 the army as surgeon. The " abandoned Glover " appears to have mistaken a 
 path to some neighboring hen-roost, for the way to Heaven, as he was expelled 
 from the college the following winter [1773] for stealing turkies. 
 
 ' Probably Andrew King, class of 1773. 
 
1772] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 23 
 
 duction to the following' Subject, further than by just 
 telling them it is my design to prove that ^'^ political 
 jealousy is a laudable passion." 
 
 Jealousy is a strange temper in the human mind, & 
 like several other of our passions, it has various effects 
 when its subjects are different ; it is also of many kinds, 
 as political, domestic, & ecclesiastic Jealousies, Jealousy 
 in Friendship, and between the Sexes ; each of which 
 has a different effect on the mind from all the others, & 
 several of them, if carried to any considerable length, 
 are generally attended with dangerous consequences: 
 especially the two kinds last mentioned, Jealousy in 
 Friendship, & between the Sexes ; for in friendship when 
 two persons of agreeable tempers, have by long acquaint- 
 ance proved each others fidelity, so as to communicate 
 all their secret intentions to each other, & have con- 
 tracted a particular esteem between themselves, if by 
 any means, whether false or true, the one becomes sus- 
 picious that the regard, or the faithfulness of the other 
 is diminished, he is then watchful of every action, & 
 misapplies every unmeaning expression, which at once 
 destroys their quiet, & is seldom removed, but most 
 usually terminates in open hatred. But it is said by 
 some that a small degree of Jealousy between those of 
 different Sexes improves, & increases mutual Esteem, 
 because esteem is said to be the foundation of Jealousy; 
 but when it arrives at a certain pitch, it then turns the 
 other way, & rages with ungovernable violence; like 
 attraction in small bodies, which ceases to act at a cer- 
 tain distance. & then repulsion separates them with a 
 double force; I am, however, quite unable to compre- 
 hend what can be a cause for this mysterious limitation, 
 & as no valid reasons have been brought to support it, 
 but innumerable Examples which operate against it, we 
 
24 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1772 
 
 conclude that wherever Jealousy between the sexes 
 takes place, it destroys the comfort & happiness of the 
 parties, in proportion to its Strength, & Duration. It 
 is therefore mischievous in its nature in both these 
 kinds, & neither desirable, nor laudable; perhaps the 
 same things or worse might be said of domestic & 
 eclesiastic Jealousies, but I pass them by, & proceed to 
 observe that political Jealousy differs from them all in 
 these respects; it is rational, & uniform, & necessary. 
 
 Any person who considers the importance of a free 
 State, of how great value the lives the liberties, & the 
 property of a nation are, & considers that the surround- 
 ing nations are envious of their neighbours happiness, 
 & therefore always desirous of reducing them to sub- 
 jection, will see at once & readily confess, that it is most 
 just, that those who have the ruling power, should keep 
 a watchful eye upon the whole conduct of those in whose 
 power it is to disturb & injure them ; & this observa- 
 tion is Jealousy of their designs, which is the first & 
 surest step to self-preservation, because it is the sim- 
 plest, & most safe method that can be taken to preserve 
 the state, as it does not suffer mischief to take place & 
 the safety of every individual in a state depends entirely 
 upon the Security of the whole, consequently this kind 
 of Jealousy is a first principle of Nature, which never 
 goes contrary to reason; & which alwa3-s directs to 
 something needful & for our good, political Jealousy is 
 therefore rational & founded in unerring nature. 
 
 It is like wise uniform, for it only excites politicians 
 to a constant attention to those things which are likely 
 to keep the state in safety, but when public hostilities 
 are committed against the state there is nothing then 
 that can be called Jealousy for the resentment is open 
 and common: Political Jealousy, then in this view, is 
 
1772] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 2$ 
 
 of great importance in two respects, it is first the most 
 easy and effectual way to keep a nation in peace, or 
 make them successful in war, as it urges to constant 
 readiness for the greatest danger ; & likewise its natural 
 tendency is to unite the people ; for when they see the 
 Rulers of the nation inattentive to the national welfare, 
 they immediately become dissatisfied, because their own 
 lives and property are in danger, & often in this case 
 they rebel against the government, & unite among them- 
 selves to defend their own lives & secure their property ; 
 but when a people see their Rulers watchful over the 
 state, & always forward to detect & chastise intruders, 
 if the nation is in peace they are quiet & at ease, and 
 when war commences they cheerfully, & couragiously 
 join with their rulers, to scourge, & subdue the common 
 enem}' ; now seeing Jealousy of this kind never grows 
 to be a tumultuous, & dangerous passion, it certainly 
 cannot be denv'd but that it is useful; & it is besides 
 a necessary passion, for it is the spring that gives life 
 and motion to government, & its force is so powerful 
 that its influence extends throughout the largest State, 
 & so mild that it never injures the weakest subject. 
 
 It seems, finally to have been a particular passion, 
 implanted by the supreme God in certain Men, which 
 assists them to rule a state in equity, & to make use of 
 all necessary, & possible means to preserve it in safety ; 
 & when those who are destitute of it are set over a 
 nation they seem placed there by providence to chastise 
 the people, & for their own destruction ; when private 
 interest is prefered by Politicians to the National wel- 
 fare, or when discord & mischeivous factions enter 
 among them, these show at once that instead of being 
 directed by the genuine gentle temper above described 
 they are /(?j-^^jjr^ with a spurious, selfish, helborn passion. 
 
26 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1772 
 
 Now seeing it has been made appear that this kind 
 of Jealousy tends in general to the good of a Nation ; 
 seeing it never promotes feuds, & factions, nor ever 
 grows to be turbulent & excessive ; seeing its tendency 
 is to unite a people in friendship among themselves, and 
 make them powerful against their enemies ; & seeing its 
 influence is as extensive as the most populous state, & 
 at the same time mild & gentle, who can den}' ; I ask, 
 who can deny but that it is laudable, lovely, desirable, 
 & most excellent? did I ask who can deny? It is a con- 
 fessed truth, & admitted by all ; It there- 
 fore only remains that I implore the great Genius which 
 presides over our nation, to inspire our king &. his council, 
 & all our Rulers with this noble spirit. Oh ! inspire 
 them mighty Goddess, with a temper like to thine ; suffer 
 them not we first intreat thee to be swayed from their 
 duty by sordid interest; make them always consider 
 that upon their consultations depends the safety of a 
 vast empire! let them therefore be all men of integrity, 
 & unquestionable sincerity ; take from them all malice, 
 & revengeful inclinations, & fill them with love & har- 
 mony among one another, so that our happy government 
 may be established & flourish, so long as the Sun & 
 
 Moon endure But, if it is written in the books of 
 
 Fate that a change in the Government must take place ; 
 Oh ! transfer it to this zucstern World, set up here thy 
 royal standard, where ignorance & barbarity lately 
 reigned ; may virtue & learning, & Arts be always the 
 subjects of thy particular attention ; establish a Govern- 
 ment, & set over it such men as shall be ever watchful 
 for the common good, that they may forever rule a 
 brave, a free, & a happy People. 
 
 Philip V. Fithian. 
 
1772] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 2/ 
 
 [Dr. John Beatty to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 Philad^ Decern^ 18'.'' 1772. 
 D? Sir: 
 
 I rode that evening you left me as far as Cormans; 
 being very SolemncJiolly^x\^ somewhat tired, I concluded 
 to stay there all night; and very early next morning 
 breakfasted at Gloucester and got into Philadelphia be- 
 fore Eleven of the clock; design'd to have reach'd home 
 that evening, but it proving rainy I was obliged to stay 
 till to day. 
 
 I procured the tragedy vou desired and left it with 
 M^ John Mf.Calla. also the notes of the variations of 
 lovel}- nancy which I transmit you; altho they are very 
 imperfectly done thro' great hurry, yet I believe they 
 are accurate. 
 
 I hear of nothing extraordinary in this place ; the 
 Fate of these poor unhappy young fellows, seem the 
 chief topic of conversation what it may is as 3'et very 
 doubtful ; it is more than probable they will be con- 
 demned, tho most people Imagine they will be reprieved 
 by the Governor; this however is a broken staff to 
 depend on. 
 
 I expect to hear from you by the first oppertunity. 
 I am with my compliments to M":^ Peck and family D^ 
 Sir your very affectionate 
 
 Friend, &c. 
 
 John Beatv. 
 
 [Oliver Reese to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 Rocky-Hill Dec; 26'> 1772. 
 My Dear Philip. 
 
 It gave me a very peculiar satisfaction to receive a 
 letter from, I had almost concluded that a frequent 
 
28 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1772 
 
 intercourse with your charming Laura (who I under- 
 stood had removed to our parts) had made you forget 
 your friends at prince-ton but your friendly letter has 
 removed my suspicions, 1 feel my heart warm towards 
 you, and my desires enkindled to spend one more even- 
 ing in your company ; methinks I could now give you a 
 lecture that would raise your drooping spirits and make 
 you think your Laura was your own. 
 
 Oh ! if I could but see you I could tell you many 
 pretty things to tell her, that I am shure if she was not 
 actually married to another would gain her to your 
 interest. 
 
 Tho' I daily enjoy the company of a very handsome 
 and most agreeable young Lady from Long-Island who 
 is to live with us till spring, yet it is no temptation to 
 me to forsake Amanda, She has my heart, I prefer her 
 to an}' I have ever been acquainted with, and I will 
 venture to tell you I am far from despairing of future 
 success, It will rejoice me to hear from you often, and 
 rest assured I shall write as frequent as time, and opper- 
 tunity will admit, I am just going to bed. 
 from your humble Serv' 
 
 Oliver Reese. ^ 
 
 [Andrew Hunter, Jr., to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 Nassau-Hall. Dec: 2V-^ ^772. 
 D? Sir. 
 
 I am, by your omitting writing to me, constrained 
 to think that you Study very hard this winter, or spend 
 your time in something else of equal importance. I 
 expected to have received frequent letters from you 
 
 ^Oliver Reese graduated at Nassau Hall with Fithian, in 1772. He 
 appears at this time to have been studying Theology, in company with some 
 others of his class, under the guidance of Dr. Witherspoon, at Princeton. 
 
1772] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 29 
 
 whereas I have only received two, the last of which was 
 dated the 5'> of this month. The requests of your 
 first 1 complied with soon after it came to hand. Those 
 of the second I have not had it in my power to comply 
 with before now, having so much business that I scarcely 
 know what most demands dispatch. 
 
 The Doctor in his lectures' does not go on in the 
 order that System writers generally do, but chooses out 
 the most important subjects in divinity such as the 
 proofs of natural and revealed religion, Faith, Repent- 
 ance, the Deistical controversies. Original Sin, &c. 
 
 And treats them in as concise a manner as possible, 
 to give us a clear notion of them, and gives us the sev- 
 eral opinions of the ablest writers. 
 
 I would be glad 3^ou would write oftener and give 
 me all the news you can. Please to make my best com- 
 pliments to Mr & M":^ Green and any body else you 
 please. 
 
 Your friends here are all well. 
 I am D^ Philip, 
 
 Your friend 
 
 Andrew Hunter. 
 
 ^ It is said by President Ashbel Green, that " the method of instruction 
 by lectures had never been practised in this institution till it was introduced by 
 Dr. Witherspoon ", and that " he delivered lectures on four different subjects, 
 namely, on Composition, Taste, and Criticism, on Moral Philosophy, on Chron- 
 ology and History, and on Divinity." Of this Maclean says, in his History 
 of the College of New Jersey, "We are inclined to doubt the accuracy of the 
 statement that Dr. Witherspoon was the first at this College to use the method 
 of teaching by lecture, as something very like it must have been employed by 
 President Edwards on the few occasions on which he met the students. And 
 in his letter of October 19, 1757, to the Trustees, he expresses his willingness 
 in case he should accept their offer, ' to do the whole work of a Professor of 
 Divinity in public and private lectures'.''' (Maclean, Hist. College of New 
 Jersey, V. I. 388.) 
 
30 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 [Israel Evans to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 Nassau Hall J any 25'^ 1773. 
 My D? Philip, 
 
 I thank you for taking notice of me, but am afraid 
 you will have too much reason to account me ungrate- 
 ful before you receive this letter. 
 
 Believe me I wish you well, I hope you enjoy the 
 comfortable presence of God which alone can make us 
 chearful while we pass thro' this waste howling wilder- 
 ness, you know my friend it is an easy thing to make a 
 profession of Religion, but the great difficulty is to im- 
 bibe the spirit of Christianity, to maintain a secret walk 
 with God and be holy as he is holy. 
 
 I have some things to tell you which will not give 
 you any pleasure, stealing of Turkieshas been too much 
 practiced this winter. Glover has been expelled, and 
 Jones, with King, Livingston,^ and some others have 
 been fined by the civil magistrate ; some of the persons 
 mentioned you know were hopelessly converted but 
 there is no knowing who is converted only by their 
 after conduct in life, such things however open the 
 mouths of the enemies of religion. It is a great work 
 to change the carnal heart and if so many bid fair for 
 the kingdom of heaven and yet come short, what reason 
 for strict and frequent examination in order to know 
 whether we be in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 Last week Hire's house ^ was burnt down. It took 
 
 ' No doubt Henry' Brockholst Livingston, class of 1774, who afterward 
 became a Judge of the U. S. Supreme Court. 
 
 ^ This was the famous " Hudibras " tavern, where President Adams stop- 
 ped on his visit to Princeton, August 27, 1774. It was kept by Col. Jacob 
 Hyer, (sometimes spelled Hire), a prominent patriot of the Revolution. For 
 an account of this visit see the diary of Mr. Adams in Life and Works of 
 John Adams, V. 2, 355-356 ; also Hageman's Princeton and its Institutions, 
 V. 2, 39. 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 3 1 
 
 fire by some accident about four in the morning. All 
 that Students and people could do could not prevent it 
 from being consumed. Hire sustained considerable loss 
 in goods and provision, but the house you know was 
 not his. I am, dear Sir, Yours, &c. 
 
 Israel Evans. ^ 
 
 [Oliver Reese to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 RocKV-HiLL Feby 5'^ 1773. 
 Dear little Philip. 
 
 I received your last letter just as I was going to set 
 out to conduct the lovely A. M. A. N. D. A. from 
 Prince-ton to Trenton you will readily conclude that I 
 was in a most agreeable mode, and therefore I read 
 your letter with more than ordinary satisfaction. 
 
 I have spent a very agreeable winter so far, I have 
 went to princeton three times every week when the 
 weather would permit, I have been at Trenton eight 
 times I think since I saw you, I mean I have been per- 
 sonally there eight times, but to tell you how often my 
 heart has been there, it would take two large volumes 
 
 ^ Israel Evans was graduated at Princeton College with Fithian in 1772. 
 At the time of this letter he was studying Theology under Dr. Witherspoon, in 
 Princeton. During the Revolution he served as chaplain in the New Hampshire 
 brigade, at first under the command of Gen. Enoch Poor. From the State 
 Papers we copy the following notice (A^. H. Provincial and State Papers^ 
 V. X, 38, note I.) : 
 
 " The Rev. Israel Evans was at this time (Sept. 7, 1791) minister of Con- 
 cord, and pastor of the Congregational church. . . . He was a great admirer 
 and friend of Gen. Washington. It is related that in his last sickness, being 
 visited by Rev. Dr. McFarland, the latter prayed for him, ' That at life's close 
 he might sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of God.' To 
 which Mr. Evans audibly added, ' and with Gen. Washington, too.' He died 
 in Concord, March gth, 1807, in the 60th year of his age." 
 
32 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 in folio as big as Coethegon's universal history of arts 
 and sciences ; to contain the numbers, I suppose now 
 you will begin to conclude that I am making but poor 
 proficiency in my studies, but do not mistake yourself I 
 read much, I study divinity one hour and think of the 
 ladies the next, so that in a short time I expect to be a 
 most eminent Divine, I have preached one sermon before 
 the Doct.*: and graduates, but I much question if they 
 get me to preach another. 
 
 Next summer I purpose to live in Trenton and then 
 I shall become quite good. If it is possible for me to 
 come and see you in the spring I will. 
 
 As I have entrusted you with more than any other 
 person so if I could now see you I would tell what I 
 will tell no other person. Oh! Philip, Philip, I wish 
 you may be able to give me as good an account of your 
 suits with your charming Laura ----- guess the 
 rest 
 
 Write often, and expect the same from your loving 
 
 Friend, 
 
 Oliver Reese. 
 
 [William Smith to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 Nassau Hall Febr 28'.i^ 1773. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 There came to hand the 23^ of Feby a letter 
 directed to me, which, before I unseal'd, afforded me 
 the pleasure (if I may call it so) of some conjectures 
 concerning the person that might have wrote it, but not 
 being able to keep my mind long in suspence, I opened 
 the letter and was very agreeably surprised to see 
 Philip Fithian subscribed ; tho I must needs say I felt 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 33 
 
 a little vexed at the same time that I had not long ago 
 put myself into such a situation by writing to you as 
 that I might reasonably have expected much sooner the 
 satisfaction I enjoyed in reading your letter; but I 
 have indeed been so busy since vacancy, that I have not 
 hardly had time to think of my favorites ; I had not 
 wrote a line home since I left it last 'till a very few days 
 ago, and in a short time I shall return again. 
 
 Your conjecture respecting my appearance upon 
 the stage was very true, I have shown my shapes there 
 twice already, and once no later than yesterday even- 
 ing, and I flatter myself it would afford you a very 
 particular pleasure to hear that we make out well, which 
 I believe I may venture to say is the case, if our best 
 judges speak the sentiments of their minds : our class is 
 divided into two parts, and I heard it said yesterday 
 evening after we had done speaking (it was by a gentle- 
 man of your class) that our part had far exceeded any- 
 thing he ever heard in the Hall; and the time we spoke 
 before, it was generally reported by those who heard 
 us that it was not possible to do better than we did, but 
 perhaps it will hardly be thought proper to mention 
 even what other people say of us, only that I know you 
 would be glad to know how well we do, therefore I 
 mention it to you. 
 
 M'^ Baldwin^ does not give us the very best But- 
 
 ' This was Jonathan Baldwin, the College steward. He was a resident of 
 Princeton, and graduated at Nassau Hall, in the class of 1755. Jonathan Baldwin 
 was a prominent patriot, a member of the Provincial Congress in 1775, and in 
 177S was entrusted by Gov. Livingston with the distribution of balls and 
 cartridges for the use of the army. While steward of the College, or a mer- 
 chant of the town, he became involved in the violation of the act of 1777, 
 passed by the Legislature at Princeton, limiting the price of certain articles. 
 He was summoned before the Council of Safety, at Princeton, for selling sugar 
 at a higher rate than the law allowed, and was fined by the Council. (Hage- 
 vCi^xUs Princeton and its Institutions. V. L 74-75.) 
 
34 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 ter now more than he formerly did, and some of the 
 students to be up with him made his image of Butter 
 and hung it up by the neck in the dining room, William 
 was kind enough to carry it over to him and let him see 
 it, which I believe does not sit very easy upon his 
 stomach. 
 
 M^ Houston^ is trying to instill philosophy into 
 our heads, and I assure you I dont think it by any means 
 a disagreeable study. 
 
 M^ Hyer's house was burnt down about a week or 
 two ago, and M^ Patersons saved with much difficulty. 
 
 There are none of the ladies here married yet, at 
 least to my knowledge, tho' it is reported there are two 
 couple married in a private manner; and which would 
 you think if one of your class mates is one of them. 
 
 This is all the news I can tell you at present. 
 From sir, your very 
 affectionate friend 
 
 and humble Serv^ 
 
 WiLL^i Smith. 2 
 
 P. S. I hope you will 
 pardon the incorrectness 
 of this hasty letter. 
 
 ^William Churchill Houston, class of 1768, was Professor of Mathe- 
 matics and Natural Philosophy from 1771 until he resigned in 1783 to take up 
 the practice of law, removing to Trenton. In 1776 upon the dispersion of the 
 students, when the British invaded the town, Houston took command of a 
 scouting party, and rendered valuable service in the counties of Hunterdon 
 and Somerset. He was a member of the Council of Safety in Princeton, in 
 1778, and was sent to Congress as a delegate from the County of Middlesex, 
 1779-81, and in 1784. He died at Frankfort, Pa., in 1788. (Hageman's 
 Princeton and its Institutions, V. I. 93.) 
 
 'William R. Smith, a member of the class of 1773, was afterward an 
 
 ordained minister. 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 35 
 
 [Andrew Hunter, Jr., to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 Nassau-Hall June 26'> 1773. 
 Sir. 
 
 I^ expected notwithstanding your small offence you 
 would have let me know before this time whether you 
 had made any determination different from what you 
 designed when I left you. If you design teaching be- 
 fore you get into business, there are now several con- 
 siderable offers made to young men who are willing to 
 go to Virginia by some of the first gentlemen in the 
 colony ; one particularly who will give as good as 60 £ 
 the best accommodations, a room to study in and the 
 advantage of a library, a horse kept and a servant to 
 wait upon you. 
 
 D": Witherspoon is very fond of getting a person 
 to send him. I make no kind of doubt but if you were 
 to write to the doctor that he would engage it to you, 
 the terms are exactly as I write you as I have informed 
 myself that I might let you know. 
 
 There are a number of our friends and class-mates 
 getting into business as fast as possible, whether they 
 are called or not I cannot pretend to judge, this much 
 I would say that I think it is not any ones duty to run 
 too fast. No less than four Debow, Reese, McCorkle, 
 Allen, under trials by a presbetry, and Bryan ^ trying 
 to get license to plead law in some of the best courts on 
 
 ' This letter is from Andrew Hunter Jr. to Philip Fithian, informing him 
 of the opportunity of going into Virginia as a private tutor. The gentleman 
 particularly referred to is Robert Carter of Westmoreland County, Virginia, 
 whose offer Fithian afterward accepted, through the influence of Dr. Wither- 
 spoon. 
 
 - Debow, Reese, McCorkle, Allen, and Brj-an were all graduated at Nas- 
 sau Hall in 1772, and were afterward ordained except Andrew Bryan. 
 
36 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 the continent, if infamy were law or lies were Gospel 
 he might get license either to plead or preach. 
 
 We 'have had the pleasure of Laura's^ company 
 here for some weeks past, I hope you will not envy us 
 considering that continual pleasure is too much for such 
 mortals as we to bear. 
 
 I beg that you may no longer refrain from writing, 
 as I should be very glad to hear many things from you 
 and other of my friends in Cohansie which you can re- 
 late with little trouble. If you have been trying with 
 me who could keep from writing longest, I own fairly 
 beat. The number of our students are considerably 
 
 increased, and our school consists of thirty-nine 
 
 1 have heard there are some disagreeable 
 
 stories going through our country I wish you would let 
 me know something about them. Doct^ Ward spent 
 part of yesterday with me in his return. 
 My love to Ml. and M.? Green. 
 I am, sir, 
 
 Your very friend, 
 
 Andtt Hunter. 
 
 Sir. 
 
 [Philip Fithian to Andrew Hunter, Jr.] 
 
 Deerfield, July 3, 1773. 
 
 I am sorry you impute neglect of writing in me to 
 so wrong a cause, as an old trivial offence, I confess that 
 I am to blame, and am willing to stand reproved by you, 
 
 ' This was Elizabeth Beatty, who is often referred to under this name. 
 She frequently visited her brother, Dr. John Beatty, who resided at Princeton. 
 It was at his home that she was married to Philip Fithian, October 25th, 1775, 
 the service being performed by Dr. Witherspoon. The evidence is that at this 
 date (October 25th, 1775) Dr. Beatty was living with his wife at her fathers 
 (Richard Longstreet's) home, near Princeton. This old house is still standing, 
 and is now the property of Boyd van Doren. 
 
Old Longstkeet House 
 Princeton N. j. 
 
 W9 
 
 .\M^. 
 
Cohan 
 
 A :. 
 
 INTER, 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 37 
 
 for having been so long silent. If I should offer any- 
 thing in excuse it would be great hurry arising from the 
 duty of my station, on which account I have wrote only 
 two or three letters since you left us. The school in 
 town, which I had in view, as I make no doubt you 
 know, is now occupied by M": Lynn. And the terms 
 of the school at Blandensburg are I think too low, to 
 divert me from the course of my business. I could not 
 however forego a good offer in a school abroad, for 
 some short time. What you write concerning the offer 
 of a Gentleman in Virginia, is, I think of considerable 
 consequence, provided the conditions of teaching are 
 not over burdensome ; I should speedily agree to go 
 and apply for the place, were I satisfied as to this. 
 
 I shall however, beg the assistance of your friend- 
 ship, to enquire in what county the school is; what 
 numbers and degrees of scholars there are; and if you 
 think the place suitable, and if the Docter shall think 
 proper to appoint me to it I am not unwilling to remove 
 and accept it. Please to mention this to the Docter; 
 and if he has not engaged a teacher, and is pleased to 
 accept me, I hope you will acquaint me as speedily as 
 ma}- be, with what you can learn as to the time of be- 
 ginning, the custom of the school, &c. You mentioned 
 four in your last, who have applied to Presbytery, and 
 are on tryal, I can tell you another, M^ Heith ; he 
 applied to the Philadelphia Presbytery but came to 
 town, I understood so late, that before he made applica- 
 tion the Presbytery was dissolved, some of the Mem- 
 bers however, being still in town, at his request, gave 
 him sundry pieces of exercise, which it is expected the 
 Presbyter}- will acknowledge, so that he is the fifth out 
 of our class who is designing soon to appear in public! 
 I am Sir yours, &c 
 
 Philip .V. Fithian 
 
38 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 [William Smith to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 Nassau Hall July 27'^ 1773. 
 Honest Man. 
 
 When these few lines come to hand you may swear 
 O, I beg your pardon, I had almost forgot 
 
 that Parsons never swear any however you may be 
 
 sure your honest old friend William Richmond Smith 
 was in the land of the living, when he wrote them, tho 
 they may indeed look like anough a dead mans scrawl, 
 but you know there are no posts or stages in the other 
 world by which you could expect a letter from me, un- 
 less you should imagine that 1 called to bate my horse 
 at Paddy's aunts who keeps a tavern a little ways on 
 this side of Purgatory and there hired a boy to bring 
 you back word how It fared with me so far on my 
 journey ; (no bad conjecture upon my word) tho' it does 
 not happen to be the case; But if I minded in the land 
 of the living it is well, for old Mors has had me just at 
 the point of his Scythe many a time since I saw you ; 
 tho' I kick and scuffle most notoriously and have hith- 
 erto held my ground tho' with some sore blows, even 
 until! my phiz in a great measure resembles the old 
 Gentleman's. 
 
 You said in your last you expected to see me in 
 August, so I hoped some time ago myself, but one or 
 two of my class mates who formerly went to school at 
 my fathers told me they would go home with me and 
 spend a week or two I could not consistent with good 
 manners refuse them, but I have not lost all hopes of 
 seeing you sometime at Deerfield tho' dont know when. 
 
 There have been indeed many altercations,' involu- 
 tions, and changes since you left Nassau Hall, in the 
 first place as to the Town itself it is making vast strides 
 
 ' Doubtless alterations is intended. 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 39 
 
 towards being a sea port-town; M"? Field has erected 
 a very brilliant house between Gaa's' and Plumbs I 
 wish travelers may not mistake it for the College. 
 And Mounteer Esq.": has built himself a little Tower 
 nearly opposite to Mr Hie's^ I suppose to rival him, 
 his slaughter house I believe was built before you went 
 away, which thro' the multiplicity of his custom he has 
 
 converted into a shade for horses Plumb 
 
 has got his house new fronted and painted so that if 
 your eyes are not uncommonly strong when you come 
 to Princeton you may chance to lose them 
 
 Paterson has this summer made considerable addi- 
 tion to his house. 
 
 Maning his next door neighbour has repaired his 
 
 old house and built a new one And a little ways 
 
 further down the street there is another new one built 
 but whose it is I cannot tell, and a little further down 
 still somebody else has painted their house a new so 
 that it cuts a flaming dash. 
 
 Potter has made considerable amendments on his 
 castle ; and Whitehead has built a waggon house for his 
 coach. 
 
 As to our new steward I think it is out of the fry- 
 ing-pan plump into the fire. I am just come from the 
 Hall where I have been singing. 
 
 " Those wand' ring cisterns in the sk}- 
 Borne by the winds around. 
 With wat'ry treasures well supply 
 The furrows of the ground." 
 
 ' The names of Gilbert Gaa, William Mountier, Richard Patterson, and 
 W. Whitehead, appear in a petition of the inhabitants of Princeton to the 
 New Jersey Assembl)-, under the date of July 22, 1758, complaining of an 
 excessive quartering of British troops in the town. See Hageman's Prince- 
 ton and its Institutions, V. I, 64. 
 
 ' Probably intended for Hyer, the keeper of the Hudibras Inn. 
 
40 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 The other evening we had a pleasant shower after 
 long expectation and ever since, the Doctor has been 
 praising, returning thanks and singing about it, and not 
 without good reason for his turnip-patch and corn- 
 gardens seem since to have put on a fresh bloom. 
 
 In three weeks time our examination comes on I 
 wish it was past. 
 
 I wish I had more time to tell you more news, but 
 as I have not I must yield to fate and tell you I am as 
 usual 
 
 Your affectionate 
 
 William Smith. 
 
 [Philip Fithian to Dr. Witherspoon.] 
 
 Greenwich august 3o':^ 1773. 
 
 Rev?.^ Sir. 
 
 I am sorry that I may inform you of the dissattis- 
 faction which my friends in general since my return 
 home seem to discover, with my intention of going this 
 fall to Virginia. However willing I am myself to 
 accept the proposal and go, it will not be easy to break 
 through the entreaties of those who are my nearest 
 relations, and who have all along, with the warmest 
 friendship interested themselves to procure my welfare. 
 I do not intend by any means, abruptly to decline the 
 fulfilling my agreement, but only to desire to know, if 
 there are not some to be found among the late Seniors 
 who would willingly discharge me by accepting the 
 offer themselves. If not I have only further to beg, 
 that you would be pleased, Rev^. Sir, to favour me 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 4I 
 
 with the proposal of the gentleman ; and so soon as 
 there is a return from him, I shall be glad to know the 
 time when 1 must leave home; 
 
 I am Rev?. Sir, 
 
 with great respect, 
 
 your humble Serv'. 
 
 Philip V. Fithian. 
 
 P. S. Letters come safe sent by the princeton stage, 
 and directed to me at Greenwich. 
 
 [Andrew Hunter, Jr., to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 Nassau Hall Sepf: 6'}} 1773. 
 D? Sir. 
 
 I am ver}^ sorry that I cannot answer your letter so 
 much to your satisfaction as I could desire. Doctor 
 Witherspoon is gone to New-England to the convention 
 and is not expected home 'till the latter end of this 
 
 week he received no account from Virginia before 
 
 he went from home. You may trust that I will let you 
 know whenever I can hear anything related to your 
 prospect of going to the southward. 
 
 M': Imlay^ is gone from College and is not ex- 
 pected back 'till near commencement, however I have 
 talked with some of his acquaintances, and they say he 
 expects to go. 
 
 I would have the spelling of your name corrected, 
 but the catalogue is sent off, and I suppose by this time 
 is in the press. I thank you for the good news you 
 give me concerning the young lady's health. 
 
 * William Eugene Imlay, who graduated in 1773. 
 
42 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 I was very uneasy about the account we heard 
 before you left princeton. 
 
 We go on pretty well in College, but I hope we 
 shall have two or three of the possessed swine turned off 
 when the Doctor comes home. 
 
 Do write me every week and give what news you 
 can. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your friend. 
 
 ANDyr Hunter. 
 
 [William Smith to Philip Fithian.] 
 
 Philadelphia, Oct^ 3^ i773- 
 FuTURUS Pedegog'issimus. 
 
 Fe — o — whiraw, whiraw, hi, fal, lal, fal, lal de lal 
 
 dal a fine song commencement is over whiraw I say 
 
 again whiraw, whiraw. 
 
 And what is more never was there such a com- 
 mencement^ at princeton before and most likely never 
 will be again. The galeries were cracking every now 
 
 ' At this date the annual commencement was held in the fall, and it be- 
 came the great public holiday of the year, attended by thousands of people. 
 Owing to the many evils consequent upon so large a gathering, the college 
 authorities, in 1844, decided to change the time from the latter part of Septem- 
 ber to June, which was accordingly done. President Maclean in his History of 
 the College of New Jersey (V. 2, 81) referring to this change, says in part : 
 
 " Eating, drinking, dancing, and fiddling, playing for pennies and testing 
 the speed of their horses were the amusements in which no small numbers of 
 those assembled on such occasions were wont to indulge, and when a lad, the 
 writer once witnessed a bull-baiting on the college grounds, while the exer- 
 cises were going on in the church . . . But from all these unhappy accom- 
 paniments of the commencement exercises, the college was entirely relieved by 
 simply changing the commencement from the last Wednesday in September, to 
 the last Wednesday in June." 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 43 
 
 and then all day every mouse hole in the church 
 
 was cram'd full The stage covered with Gentle- 
 men and ladies amongst whom was the Governor' and 
 his lady; and that he might not appear singular Lee^ 
 
 was stiff with lace, gold-lace 
 
 A band of music from Philadelphia assisted to 
 make all agreeable and to crown the whole the elo- 
 quence of Demosthenes was heared in almost every mans 
 mouth, so that the person who spoke last was always 
 
 the hero of the tale O murder! what shall I do I 
 
 want to say a great deal to you but cannot for the girls 
 
 who are almost distracting my heart O murder! 
 
 murder, murder I say what will become of me, murder, 
 
 murder I shall go distracted 1 saw Dr. Beaty ^ 
 
 and Betsy I gave your love to them and 
 
 indeed to tell you the truth I could not for my life help 
 
 leaving my own heart, and love, and all with Betsy 
 
 she is really a sweet soul. I wish ten millions and she 
 were mine, I should be a happy creature, happy indeed 
 
 to the last degree 1 got cleverly up from cohansie 
 
 early in the evening My love ten thousand times 
 
 and ten thousand kisses to ail the girls of my acquaint- 
 ance. 
 
 I cannot quit but must 
 
 WiLL";^ R. Smith. 
 
 ^William Franklin, the last royal governor of New Jersey, from 1753 un- 
 til the outbreak of the Revolution. 
 
 'Henry Lee of the class of 1773, afterward governor of Virginia. 
 
 ' Dr. John Beatty of Princeton, and Elizabeth Beatty his sister, afterward 
 Mrs. Philip Fithian. 
 
JOURNAL IN VIRGINIA 
 
 1773— 1774 
 
THE CONTINUATION^ OF MY 
 JOURNAL. 
 
 Wednesday October 20*!^ HIS- 
 
 Left Greenwich by six in the Morning. Rode to 
 Michael Hoshel's 8 Miles. Thence, M^ Hoshel & John 
 Peck^ along, rode to Quinton's-Bridge 8 Miles. Ex- 
 pence there i/: Rode thence to Penn's-Neck Ferry by 
 two o'clock 10 Miles. Expence at Toll-Bridge /2. Fer- 
 riage over Delaware 4/6. Oats & Cordial in New-Cas- 
 tle 1/2. Rode thence to Mr. Achan's Tavern 12 Miles. 
 Whole distance 38 Miles. Whole Expence 6/10. 
 
 (TJinrsday) Octob: 21. 
 
 Expence at Mr. Achan's 3/4. Rode thence to 
 North-East 12 Miles. Breakfast 1/6. Thence to Ses- 
 quehannah 10 Miles. Ferriage i/: Oats /g. At Bush- 
 Town by 4 o'clock 12 Miles. Whole Distance 34 
 Miles. Whole Expence 6/^. 
 
 Fryday 22d. 
 
 Expence at Bush-Town 4-/2. Rode thence to a 
 small, mean Tavern to Breakfast, 13 Miles Expence 
 
 ' Continued from Fithian's juvenile diary, kept in lyGy-'bg. The above 
 journal opens with an account of his journey from Greenwich, New Jersey, to 
 Councillor Carter's home in Westmoreland County, Virginia. As has been 
 mentioned in the introduction, Fithian passed the time after graduation from 
 college and before going into Virginia to teach, in the study of Theology at 
 Greenwich. 
 
 ^John Peck graduated at Princeton in 1774, and afterward succeeded 
 Fithian as tutor at Nomini Hall. He subsequently married Ann Tasker, 
 daughter of Councillor Carter (the "Nancy" of this journal), and settled in 
 Richmond County, Virginia. 
 
48 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 1/6. Thence to Baltimore by one o-Clock 13 Miles. 
 Whole Distance 26 Miles Whole Expence 5/8. 
 
 Saturday 2jd. 
 
 Expence at Baltimore /5/j. Rode and forded Petap- 
 sko to a small Tavern 15 Miles. Expence ////. Rode 
 thence to Blandensburg^ 23 Miles. Whole Distance 
 38 Miles. Whole Expence 17/2. 
 
 Sunday 2^. 
 
 Expence at Blandensburg 5/7. Rode thence to 
 
 George-town 8 Miles. Expence 1/16. Ferriage /6. 
 
 From thence we rode by Alexandria, 9 Miles Thence 
 
 to Colchester 18 Miles Dined Expence j/p. Fer- 
 riage /6. Rode thence to Dumfries 10 Miles. Whole 
 distance 45 Miles. Whole Expence 11/^. 
 
 Monday 25. 
 
 Expence at Dumfries 4/5. Rode thence to Aquia 
 10 Miles. Expence 2//}. Rode thence to Stafford- 
 Court-House 12 Miles. Whole Distance 22 Miles. 
 Whole Expence 6/6. 
 
 Teusday 26. 
 
 Expence at Stafford j/. Stopped at Colonel 
 Thomas Lee's, ^ only a few Rods from Stafford Tavern. 
 Continued there all da}^ and the following Night. Ex- 
 pence to Day 5/. 
 
 ' Bladensburg Md. ; famous afterward as the scene of many duels, the 
 most notorious being the fatal Decatur-Barron affair. 
 
 'Col. Thomas Ludvvell Lee (1730-78), fourth son of President Thomas 
 Lee, and brother of Richard Henry, was conspicuous as a patriot and a lawyer. 
 He was a member of the House of Burgesses ; of the Convention of July and 
 December, 1775 ; and of the Committee of Safety. He was also a member o^ 
 the committee appointed to draft a declaration of rights, and at the time of his 
 death, was one of the five judges of the General Court. (Grigsby's Virginia 
 Convention of 1776, 131.) 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 49 
 
 Wednesday 2j. 
 
 Expence to boy i/. Rode from Mr. Lees to a small 
 
 poor Ordinary 13 Miles Expence /i? for Oats 
 
 Rode thence, without feeding to Captain Cheltons. on 
 
 the Potowmack 32 Miles Whole Distance 45 Miles. 
 
 Whole Expence 1/8. 
 
 Thursday 28. 
 
 Rode after Breakfast to the Honorable Rob: Car- 
 ters^ the End of my Journey; 12 Miles, by tvvo- 
 o'Clock in the Afternoon. Both Myself, and my Horse 
 seem neither tired nor Dispirited Occasional Ex- 
 penses on the Road. In Baltimore for some Buff-Ball 
 1/6. In Blandensburg for having straps put to my 
 Saddle-Bags j/. In Colchester for Shaving and Dress- 
 i/j. The whole j/p. So that my whole distance ap- 
 pears to be 260 Miles, performed in seven Days. And 
 my whole Expence appears to be 
 
 ;^ S D 
 3 . . 6. . 6. 
 
 Fryday 2g. 
 
 Settled myself in the Room appointed me and 
 
 adjusted my affairs after my Ride. 
 
 Saturday JO. 
 
 Rode with M^: Carters eldest Son to a Store, 
 about seven Miles — Bought half a Box of Wafers for 
 
 // And a quire of paper for 1/6. Dined at three 
 
 And rode into Richmond Parish 15 Miles to M": 
 
 Fantleroys Was introduced to M^ Fantleroy 
 
 two of his Sons M^ Christian a dancing Master. 
 
 ^ Robert Carter of Nomini Hall, called "Councillor." For biographical 
 sketch, see introduction. 
 
so PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 Sunday ji . 
 
 Rode to Church six Miles Heard M^ Gibbern ' 
 
 preach on Felixes trembling at Pauls Sermon. 
 
 Monday Novenf. ist. 
 
 We began School The School consists of eight 
 
 Two of M": Carters Sons One Nephew^ And 
 
 five Daughters The eldest Son is reading Salust: 
 
 Gramatical Exercises, and latin Grammer- The second 
 
 Son is reading english Grammar & Reading English : 
 
 Writing and Cyphering in Subtraction The Nephew 
 
 is Reading and Writing as above; and Ciphering in 
 
 Reduction The eldest daughter is Reading the 
 
 Spectator; Writing; & beginning to Cypher The 
 
 second is reading next out of the Spelling-Book, and 
 beginning to write The next is reading in the Spel- 
 ling-Book the fourth is Spelling in the beginning of 
 
 the Spelling-Book And the last is beginning her 
 
 letters. 
 
 Tens day i. 
 
 Busy in School begun to read Pictete.^ 
 
 Wednesday ;^. 
 
 Busy in School. 
 
 Thursday /j.. 
 
 Busy in School To day the two eldest 
 
 daughters, and second Son attended the Dancing School. 
 
 'Rev. Isaac William Giberne, rector of Lunenburg Parish from 1762, for 
 perhaps twenty years. He was an Englishman (said to have been a nephew 
 of the Bishop of Durham}, a man of much wit and talent, and noted for his 
 convivial habits. {Am. Hist. Review, V. 5, No. 2, 292.) 
 
 ^ Harry Willis, son of Councillor Carter's sister, Elizabeth Carter Willis. 
 
 ' Benedict Pictet, Thcologia Christiana, 1696. 
 
•n Sch' 
 
 incerta 
 
 /f., and 
 
 . I , - 
 
 ice to I 
 
 ")i. 
 
 taken off 
 irning 
 
Oi.L) Yeocomuo Churv h 
 Westmoreland Coiintv Viiirinia 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS $1 
 
 Fry day 5. 
 
 Busy in School. 
 
 Saturday 6. 
 
 Catechised in School til twelve the Children. 
 
 And dismissed them. Afternoon rode with Ben Carter 
 
 to the Bank of Potowmack — 8 miles Returned in 
 
 the evening Expence Ferriage //. 
 
 Sunday 7. 
 
 Rode to Ucomico^ Church 8 Miles Heard 
 
 Parson Smith. He shewed to us the uncertaint}- of 
 
 Riches, and their Insufficiency to make us happy 
 
 Dined at Captain Walkers; With Parson Smith; his 
 
 wife; her Sister, a young Lady; &;c Returned in 
 
 the Evening. 
 
 Monday 8. 
 
 Bus}- in School Finished reading the first, and 
 
 begun to read the Second Book of Pictetes Theology. 
 Expence to Boy /^. 
 
 Teusday g. 
 
 Busy in School. 
 
 Wednesday 10. 
 
 Busy in School The eldest Daughter taken off 
 
 by her teacher in Music: Mj. Stadley who is learning 
 her to play the Forte-piano. 
 
 ^ This interesting old church still stands, having survived the changes and 
 vicissitudes of two centuries. It is one of the oldest homes of the Church of 
 England in Virginia, having been built in 1706 ; it is now in good repair and 
 is still regularly used as a place of worship by those of the Episcopal faith. It 
 is said that the original silver communion service was given by Queen Anne. 
 For a full account of Yeocomico Church see Bishop Mead's Old Churches of 
 Virginia, II. 148-157. The minister of Cople Parish at this time was Rev. 
 Thomas Smith. (Am. Hist. Revie-cu, V. 5, No. 2. 293. n. i.) 
 
52 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 T/mrsday 11. 
 
 Rose by seven Busy in School Miss Carter 
 
 still absent. 
 
 Fry day 12. 
 
 Rose by Seven Ben begun his Greek Grammer 
 
 Three in the afternoon Mf. Carter returned from 
 
 Williamsburg. He seems to be agreeable, discreet, and 
 sensible He informed me more particularly concern- 
 ing his desire as to the Instruction of his Children. 
 
 Saturday ij. 
 
 Catechised the Children and dismissed them about 
 Eleven Read in Pictete and proceeded in writ- 
 ing my Sermon for the Presbytery Expence for my 
 
 Horse i/j. 
 
 Sunday 14. 
 
 Rode to Nominy Church about six Miles the 
 
 day cold Parson Smith preached "What shall 
 
 a man be profited" &c. Rode home after Sermon 
 
 Dined at M.": Carters to day M''^ Turbuville, Miss 
 Jenny Corbin, and Mr. Cunningham a young Merchant. 
 
 Monday /j. 
 
 Busy in School Wrote in the evening at my 
 
 Sermon. 
 
 Teusday 16. 
 
 In School Writing at my Sermon. 
 
 Wednesday ly . 
 
 Busy in School. 
 Thursday 18. 
 
 Busy in School. 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 53 
 
 Fry day ig. 
 
 Busy in School. 
 
 Saturday 20. 
 
 Rode to M^ Fishers dined with M! Cunningham 
 
 at 3 o-Clock Rode in the evening to M"' Lancelot 
 
 Lees,^ a young Gentleman, who has lately come from 
 
 England; sup'd on Oysters Rode home about nine 
 
 o-Clock he along. 
 
 Sunday 21 . 
 
 Rode to Church M^ Smith preached on the 
 
 Parable of the rich Man. Dined at home M^ Lee 
 
 dined with us Reading in Pictete Feel very 
 
 home-sick Saw two Brothers quarrel Doleful 
 
 Sight. 
 
 Monday 22. 
 
 Busy in School M": Lee gave us his Company 
 
 in the morning in School, and was very chearful he 
 
 left us about twelve o-Clock. 
 
 Teitsday 2j. 
 
 Busy in School Miss Carter rode out with her 
 
 Dady and Mama to the County Court Writing at 
 
 my Sermons. 
 
 Wednesday 2^}.. 
 
 Busy in School. 
 Thursday 2j. 
 
 Rode this morning to Richmond Court-house, 
 where two Horses run for a purse of 500 Pounds : be- 
 sides small Betts almost enumerable. 
 
 ^Son of George Lee of Mt. Pleasant, in Westmoreland County, and 
 younger brother of the George Lee mentioned in these pages. 
 
54 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 One of the Horses belonged to Colonel John Tay- 
 
 loe/ and is called Yorick The other to D": Flood, and 
 
 is called Gift The Assembly was remarkably num- 
 erous; beyond my expectation and exceeding polite in 
 general. 
 
 The horses started precisely at five minutes after 
 three ; the Course was one Mile in Circumference, they 
 performed the first Round in two minutes, third in two 
 minutes and a-half. Yorick came out the fifth time 
 round about 40 Rod before Gift they were both, when 
 the Riders dismounted very lame ; they run five Miles, 
 
 and Carried 180 lb. Rode home in the evening 
 
 Expence to the Boy /^\. 
 
 Fry day 26. 
 
 Busy in School Robin, & Nancy at dancing- 
 School. 
 
 Saturday 2"/. 
 
 Robin and Nancy yet at Dancing-School Mr 
 
 Harry Fantleroy called after dinner to see us. In the 
 evening Ben & I rode with him to his fathers; I was 
 introduced to one M^ Walker a Scotch Gentleman, 
 lately a School-master but has quit, and is going in the 
 Spring for the Gown to England . 
 
 Sunday 28. 
 
 Rode to Church the Parson was absent ; it is 
 
 indeed a little cold ! The Clerk read prayers for us 
 
 We rode home Found at Home two young Ladies, 
 
 ^ Of Mt. Airy in Richmond County, a member of the Council and one of 
 the most noted turfmen of the state. Yorick was one of the celebrated horses 
 of the day. See Va. Hist. Magazine V. II. 293-306: — " Racing in Colon- 
 ial Virginia." 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 55 
 
 Miss Corbin, and Miss Turburville' and M^ George 
 Lee,'' brother to the Gentleman here last Sunday, & 
 
 has lately returned from England 1 was introduced 
 
 by M^ Carter to the two latter. 
 
 Monday 2g. 
 
 All our Scholars present M^ Carter has put 
 
 into mv hands; Tyro's Dictionary, and the pronounc- 
 ing Dictionary, to improve his Sons in Grammar 
 classically, both Latin and English, and he has given 
 me Fennina: in Arithmetic. 
 
 't» 
 
 Teusday 30. 
 
 Busy in School I was solicited the other Day at 
 
 the Race by one Mr Gorden, to take and instruct two 
 of his Sons; Saturday also I was again solicited by Mf 
 Fantlero}' to take two of his Sons But I must de- 
 cline it. 
 
 Wednesday Decern''. li' 1773- 
 
 Busy in School Wrote home by the Post, to 
 
 M": Green^ &i Johnny Peck. Afternoon vacant. 
 
 * Lettice Corbin Turberville. daughter of Mrs. John Turberville of Hick- 
 ory Hill, Westmoreland County, at this time a child, afterward mother of 
 Major-General Roger Jones U. S. A., and of Commodore ap Catesby Jones. 
 Miss Corbin was Jane Corbin, sister of Mrs. Turberville. (^Am. Hist. Review 
 V. 5, No. 2, 295, n. 2.) 
 
 ' George Fairfax Lee of Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County ; son of 
 George Lee of Mt. Pleasant. (See Lee's Lee of Virginia.') 
 
 ' Rev. Enoch Green, graduated at Princeton 1760, was pastor of the Pres- 
 byterian church at Deerfield, N. J., 1767-76. Under his teaching Fithian 
 prepared for College and afterward studied theology. Rev. Mr. Green married 
 Mary, eldest child of Rev. Charles Beatty, June 7, 1770. He served for a 
 short time as chaplain in the Revolutionary Army, and there contracted a camp 
 fever which terminated his life, December 2, 1776. For letters referred to in 
 text, see appendix. 
 
56 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 Thursday 2. 
 
 Busy in School. 
 
 Fry day j . 
 
 Busy in School. Expence to Boy for trimming my 
 Horse half a Bit. Evening after School walked in the 
 fields with Mr? Carter, Miss Carter and Miss Nancy. 
 
 Saturday 4.. 
 
 About Eleven Ben and I rode to M": Lees^ walked 
 over a Part of his Farm -, from his house we see the 
 Potowmack, and a fine River putting from it. We re- 
 turned in the Evening, found M^ Fantleroy, and Mr 
 Walker at Home ; at Supper I had the pleasure to toast 
 
 in my turn Miss Corbin But I meant the absent 
 
 Laiira ! ^ 
 
 Sunday 5. 
 
 Rode to Richmond upper Church, a Polite Assem- 
 bly ; M^ Gibbern gave us a Sermon on, O Death I will 
 be thy Plague &c. a warm discourse. Dined at home. 
 
 Monday 6. 
 
 M^ Walker left us after Breakfast. Busy in School. 
 
 Teusday y . 
 
 M^ Stadley Miss Priscilla's Music Master arrived 
 
 this morning He performed several pieces on the 
 
 Violin. Expence for an Orange half a Bit. 
 
 Wednesday 8. 
 
 Miss Priscilla with her Music Master, they per- 
 formed together to day. 
 
 ' Probably George Lee of Mt. Pleasant. 
 ^ A reference to Elizabeth Beatty. 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 57 
 
 Thursday g 
 
 M^ Stadley left us. Busy in School. 
 
 Fry day lo. 
 
 Miss Nancy is beginning on the Guitar. Ben fin- 
 ished reading Salusts Cataline Conspiracy. 
 
 Saturday 1 1 . 
 
 Rode and Dined with Captain Walker Saw and 
 
 dined with Miss Simpson and M^ Warden. 
 
 Sunday 12. 
 
 Rode to Nominy-Church, parson Smith preached 
 
 1 5 minutes Advertisement at the Church door dated 
 
 Sunda}- Decern^ 12'.^ Pork to be sold to-morrow at 
 
 20/. per Hundred dined with us to day Captain 
 
 Walker, Colonel Rich"? Lee ^ ; & M": Lancelot Lee. Sat 
 after dinner till Sunset, drank three Bottles of Medaira, 
 two Bowls of Toddy ! 
 
 Monday ij. 
 
 M": Carter is preparing for a Voyage in his Schooner, 
 the Hariot, to the Eastern Shore in Maryland, for Oys- 
 ters : there are of the party, M^ Carter, Captain Walker 
 Colonel Rich''. Lee, & M": Lancelot Lee. With Sailors 
 
 to work the vessel 1 observe it is a general custom 
 
 on Sundays here, with Gentlemen to invite one another 
 home to dine, after Church ; and to consult about, & de- 
 termine their common business, either before or after 
 
 Service It is not the custom for Gentlemen to go 
 
 into Church til Service is beginning, when they enter 
 
 * Richard Henry Lee, the famous orator and statesman, was born at Strat- 
 ford, the 20th of January 1732. Died at his residence, Chantilly on the 19th 
 of June, 1794, and was buried in the family burial ground, in the "Burnt 
 House Fields " Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County, as he desired in his will. 
 
58 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 in a Body, in the same manner as they come out ; I have 
 known the Clerk to come out and call them in to prayers. 
 
 They stay also after the Service is over, usually as 
 
 long, sometimes longer, than the Parson was preaching 
 
 Almost every Lady wears a red Cloak; and when 
 
 they ride out they t3^e a red handkerchief over their 
 Head and face, so that when I first came into Virginia, 
 I was distressed whenever I saw a Lady, for I thought 
 
 she had the Tooth-Ach ! The People are extremely 
 
 hospitable, and very polite both of which are most cer- 
 tainly universal Characteristics of the Gentlemen in 
 
 Virginia some swear bitterly, but the practise seems 
 
 to be generally disapproved 1 have heard that this 
 
 Country is notorious for Gaming, however this be, I 
 have not seen a Pack of Cards, nor a Die, since I left 
 home, nor gaming or Betting of any kind except at the 
 Richmond-Race. Almost every Gentleman of Condi- 
 tion, keeps a Chariot and Four ; many drive with six 
 Horses 1 observe that all the Merchants and shop- 
 keepers in the Sphere of my acquaintance and I am told 
 it is the Case through the Province, are young Scotch- 
 Men ; several of whom I know, as Cunningham, Jennings, 
 Hamilton, Blain ; and it has been the custom here- 
 tofore to have all their Tutors, and Schoolmasters from 
 Scotland, tho' they begin to be willing to employ their 
 
 own Countrymen Evening Ben Carter and myself 
 
 had a long dispute on the practice of fighting He 
 
 thinks it best for two persons who have any dispute to 
 go out in good-humour & fight manfully, & says they 
 will be sooner and longer friends than to brood and 
 harbour malice M^ Carter is practising this even- 
 ing on the Guittar He begins with the Trumpet Minuet. 
 He has a good Ear for Music ; a vastly delicate Taste : 
 and keeps good Instruments, he has here at Home a 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 59 
 
 Harpsichord, Forte-Piano, Harmonica,^ Guittar & German 
 Flutes, & at Williamsburg, has a good Organ, he himself 
 also is indefatigable in the Practice. 
 
 Tetisday i^. 
 
 Busy in School The Weather vastly fine ! There 
 
 has been no Rain of consequence, nor any storni}^ or 
 disagreeable Weather, since about the lo^'^ of last 
 Month! From the Window, by which I write, I have 
 a broad, a diversified, and an exceedingl}' beautiful 
 Prospect of the high craggy Banks of the River Nominy! 
 Some of those huge Hills are cover'd thick with Cedar, 
 & Pine Shrubs ; A vast qviantity of which seems to be in 
 
 almost every part of this Province Others are naked, 
 
 & when the Sun Shines look beautiful! At the Distance 
 of about 5 Miles is the River Potowmack over which I 
 can see the smoky Woods of Maryland ; at this Window 
 I often stand, and cast my Eyes homeward with peculiar 
 pleasure ! Between my window and the potowmack, is 
 Nominy Church, it stands close on the Bank of the 
 River Nominy, in a pleasant agreeable place. Mr 
 Carter's family go down often, so many as can with 
 convenience in a Boat rowed by four Men, and gener- 
 ally arrive as soon as those who ride. 
 
 The mouth of Nominy River where it falls into 
 Potowmack is about 25 miles above the mouth of Potow- 
 mack or where it falls into the Chessopeak-Bay. And 
 about 12 Miles below the mouth of Nominy the River 
 Ucomico puts up into the country, near which River, 
 
 * This is described by the Councillor in his note-book, as one of the won- 
 derful new instruments invented by " Mr. B. Franklin of Philadelphia, an 
 Armonica, being the musical glasses without water, framed into a complete 
 instrument, capable of through bass and never out of tune." The organ was 
 made for him in London, after certain directions furnished by Peter Pelham, 
 Williamsburg's chief musician. .See Glenn's Colonial Mansions, V. I, 267. 
 
6o PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 and about three miles from the mouth stands the lower 
 parish Church of Westmoreland-County call'd Ucomico 
 Church. The River Potowmack opposite to us the 
 People say is 10 miles over, but I think it is not more 
 than 8. Afternoon Captain Grigg, who arrived last 
 Sunday morning into the River Ucomico from London 
 visited M^ Carter. Evening reading Picteete. 
 
 Wednesday i§. 
 
 Busy in School To day Dined with us M"'^ 
 
 Turburville, & her Daughter Miss Letty Miss Jenny 
 Corbin, & M": Blain. We dined at three. The manner 
 
 here is difTerent from our way of living in Cohansie 
 
 In the morning so soon as it is light a Boy knocks at 
 my Door to make a fire; after the Fire is kindled, I 
 rise which now in the winter is commonl}^ by Seven, or 
 a little after. By the time I am drest the Children 
 commonly enter the School-Room, which is under the 
 Room I sleep in; I hear them round one lesson, when 
 the Bell rings for eight o-Clock (for M^ Carter has a 
 large good Bell of upwards of 60 Lb. which may be 
 heard some miles, & this is always rung at meal Times ;) 
 the Children then go out; and at half after eight the 
 Bell rings for Breakfast, we then repair to the Dining- 
 Room ; after Breakfast, which is generally about half 
 after nine, we go into School, and sit til twelve, when 
 the Bell rings, & they go out for noon ; the dinner-Bell 
 rings commonly about half after two, often at three, 
 
 but never before two After dinner is over, which 
 
 in common, when we have no Company, is about half 
 after three we go into School, & sit till the Bell rings 
 at five, when they separate til the next morning; I have 
 to myself in the Evening, a neat Chamber, a large Fire, 
 Books, & Candle and my Liberty, either to continue in 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 6l 
 
 the School room, in my own Room, or to sit over at the 
 
 great House with M^ &: M? Carter We go into 
 
 Supper commonly about half after eight or at nine & I 
 usually go to Bed between ten and Eleven. Altho the 
 family in which I live, is certainly under as good polit- 
 ical Regulations, and every way as suitable and agree- 
 able as 1 can expect, or 6ven could desire ; & though 
 the Neighbourhood is polite, & the Country pleasant, 
 yet I cannot help reflecting on my situation last winter, 
 which was near the lovely Laura^ for whom I cannot 
 but have the truest, and the warmest Esteem ! Possibly, 
 If Heaven shall preserve my life, in some future time, 
 I may again enjoy her good society. 
 
 M'. Carter heard this evening that Captain Walker 
 cannot go to Maryland, he is thus stop'd. 
 
 Thursday i6. 
 
 I can only to day write down my Misfortune ; my 
 poor Horse as he was feeding in a miry Bottom, walked 
 upon a sharp Stick, which stuck into his Thigh on the 
 
 under Side about four Inches below his Flank! The 
 
 Stick went in more than three Inches! He is very 
 
 lame, but they tell me will recover. The Hostler, when 
 we had led him to the Stable, applied Spirits of Turpen- 
 tine to the part, and in the Evening is to fill it with 
 Comfrey Roots pounded Soft. 
 
 I had the pleasure of walking to day at twelve 
 o-Clock with M":? Carter ; She shewed me her stock of 
 Fozi'ls & Mutton for the winter; She observed, with 
 great truth, that to live in the Country, and take no 
 pleasure at all in Groves, Fields, or Meadows ; nor in 
 
 ^ A reference to Miss Elizabeth Beatty of New Jersey, who married Philip 
 Fithian, October 25th, 1775, and to whom he usually refers as the "Lovely 
 Laura."' 
 
62 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 Cattle, Horses, & domestic Poultry, would be a manner 
 of life too tedious to endure; Dined at three. 
 
 Fry day ij . 
 
 I dismissed the children this morning til monday on 
 account of M^ Christian's Dance, which, as it goes 
 through his Scholars in Rotation happens to be here 
 
 to Day— I myself also am unwell, so as not to go 
 
 out; M? Carter sent me over Coffee for Breakfast; 
 
 & soon after some Spirits of Hartshorn for my head 
 
 At twelve she sent the waiting Man to know if I was 
 better, & what I would choose for Dinner. I thank'd 
 her, & desired that she would give herself no trouble ; 
 She was careful, however, for her undistinguished kind- 
 ness, to send me before Dinner some hot Barley Broth. 
 
 Ben Carter before Noon introduced into my Room, 
 
 M^ Billy-Booth, a young Gentleman of Fortune, who is 
 
 one of M": Christian's pupils The two Master Fan- 
 
 tleroys came in also to see me There came to the 
 
 dance three Chariots, two Chairs,^ & a number of Horses. 
 Towards Evening I grew Better, & walked down, with 
 a number of young Fellows to the River; after our 
 return I was strongly solicited by the young Gentlemen 
 to go in and dance I declined it, however, and went to 
 my Room not without Wishes that it had been a part of 
 my Education to learn what I think is an innocent and 
 an ornamental, and most certainly, in this province is a 
 necessary qualification for a person to appear even 
 decent in Company ! 
 
 M? Carter in the Evening, sent me for Supper, a 
 Bowl of hot Green Tea, & several Tarts. I expected 
 that they would have danced til late in the Night, but 
 
 ' A two-wheeled carriage drawn by one horse : a chaise. Century Diet. 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 63 
 
 intirely contrary to my Expectation, the Company were 
 separated to their respective apartments before half 
 after nine o-Clock. 
 
 Saturday 18. 
 
 Rose by Seven, Sent for M": Carters Barber and 
 
 was drest for Breakfast We went in to Breakfast 
 
 at ten ; I confess 1 have been seldom more dash'd 
 
 than when I entered the dining-Room, for I must of 
 necessity be interrogated by M^ Carter before them all, 
 
 about my indisposition, and if I was better ; I went 
 
 through the several Ceremonies with as much resolu- 
 tion, and speed as possible, and soon mixed with the 
 Company in promiscuous conversation. There were 
 present of Grown persons Mr & Mt? Carter, Mr? Lee, 
 & Miss y>«;/7 Corbin ; young Misses about Eleven; & 
 
 Seven 3'oung Fellows, including myself; After 
 
 Breakfast, we all retired into the Dancing-Room, & 
 after the Scholars had their Lesson singly round Mr 
 Christian, very politely, requested me to step a Minuet : 
 I excused myself, however, but signified my peculiar 
 
 pleasure in the accuracy of their performance There 
 
 were several Minuets danced with great ease and pro- 
 priety ; after which the whole company joined in country- 
 dances, and it was indeed beautiful to admiration, to see 
 such a number of young persons, set off by dress to the 
 best advantage, moving easily, to the sound of well 
 performed Music, and with perfect regularity, tho' ap- 
 parently in the utmost disorder The Dance con- 
 tinued til two, we dined at half after three soon 
 
 after Dinner we repaired to the Dancing-Room again ; 
 I observe in the course of the lessons, that Mr Christian 
 is punctual, and rigid in his discipline, so strict indeed 
 that he struck two of the young Misses for a fault in the 
 
64 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 course of their performance, even in the presence of the 
 Mother of one of them ! And he rebuked one of the 
 young Fellows so highly as to tell him he must alter 
 his manner, which he had observed through the Course 
 of the Dance, to be insolent, and wanton, or absent him- 
 self from the School 1 thought this a sharp reproof 
 
 to a young Gentleman of seventeen, before a large num- 
 ber of Ladies ! When it grew too dark to dance, the 
 
 young Gentlemen walked over to my Room, we con- 
 versed til half after six ; Nothing is now to be heard 
 of in conversation, but the Balls, the Fox-hunts, and fine 
 entertainments, and the good fellowship, which are to be 
 
 exhibited at the approaching CHRISTMAS. 1 almost 
 
 think myself happy that my Horses lameness will be a 
 sufficient Excuse for my keeping at home on these 
 
 Holidays. M^ Goodlet was barred out of his School 
 
 last Monday by his Scholars, for Christmas Holidays, 
 which are to continue til twelfth-day ; But my Scholars 
 are of a more quiet nature, and have consented to have 
 four or five Days now, and to have their full Holiday 
 in May next, when I propose by permission of Provi- 
 dence to go Home, where I hope to see the good and 
 benevolent Laura. 
 
 When the candles were lighted, we all repaired, for 
 the last time, into the dancing-Room ; first each couple 
 danced a Minuet; then all joined as before in the 
 country Dances, these continued till half after Seven 
 when M": Christian retired ; and at the proposal of 
 several, (with M^ Carters approbation) we played 
 Button, to get Pauns for Redemption ; here I could join 
 with them, and indeed it was carried on with sprightli- 
 ness, and Decency ; in the course of redeeming my 
 Pauns I had several kisses of the Ladies ! Earl}- in 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 65 
 
 the Evening came colonel Philip Lee,^ in a travelling 
 
 Chariot from Williamsburg Half after eight we 
 
 were rung in to Supper; The room looked luminous 
 and splendid; four verj^ large candles burning on the 
 table where we supped; three others in different parts 
 of the Room; a gay, sociable Assembly, & four well 
 
 instructed waiters ! So soon as we rose from supper, 
 
 the Compan}- formed into a semicircle round the fire, 
 & Mr. Lee, by the voice of the Company was chosen 
 Pope, and M^ Carter, M-: Christian, M-:? Carter, M'f Lcc, 
 and the rest of the company were appointed Friars, 
 
 in the Play call'd "break the Pope's neck" Here 
 
 we had great Diversion in the respective Judgments 
 upon offenders, but we were all dismissed by ten, and 
 retired to our several Rooms. 
 
 Sunday ip. 
 
 Early this morning, I was awaked out of sleep by 
 two youngsters, (for we are thronged with company, so 
 that two slept in my Room) who were agreeing upon a 
 Ride the Day after Christmas, (which will be Sunday) 
 up to Fredericksburg, which lies upon the Rapahan- 
 nock, fifty Miles higher up the country than where we 
 
 live; Breakfasted at nine, soon after which all our 
 
 company dispersed; I had the offer of a Horse, & was 
 
 strongly solicited to go to Church, but I declined it 
 
 My Horse is very lame, his Thigh, from the fore down 
 
 to his knee is much swell'd! It runs, however, and 
 
 the Hostler tells me it is mending. Dined at three; 
 
 ' Philip Ludwell Lee (1727-1775), eldest son of President Lee, was a fel- 
 low-member with Robert Carter in the governor's council & took an active part 
 in the commencement of the struggle for independence. He resided at Strat- 
 ford and maintained the generous hospitality of his father. (Am. Hist. Review 
 V. 5, No. 2, 297 n. I.) 
 
66 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 Miss Betsy Lee ^ dined with us Writing to day my 
 
 Sermon for the Presbytery. Sup'd on Oysters. 
 This is the first day 1 have missed Church. 
 
 Monday 20. 
 
 Rose at half after Seven ; the morning extremely 
 
 cold We had in School to Day as visitors Miss 
 
 Betsy, and Miss Matilda Lee.- Mr. Carter gave me for 
 his Daughter Nancy to Read, the " Compleat Letter- 
 writer" also he put into my hands for the use of 
 
 the School, " the British-Grammar." 
 
 Teusday 21 . 
 
 Rose by Half after Seven the weather serene 
 
 but sharp and cold To day, before Dinner called in 
 
 and stayed a short time M': Blain and M^ Lcc who were 
 going to one M": Lanes to a Christnmg, which I under- 
 stand is one of the chief times for Diversion here 
 
 Miss Carter, this afternoon told me that her Mama 
 thought of giving a small Ball dit the approaching Christ- 
 mas for select friends. 
 
 Wednesday 22. 
 
 M": Cunningham came last Evening and staid the 
 
 Night There is a report that he is making suit to 
 
 Miss Jenny Corbin. To day I finished my Sermon for 
 
 the Presbytery I read Pictete, The Spectator, Salust, 
 
 History of England, English Grammar, Arithmetic Sind the 
 Magazines by turns. Miss Priscilla, and Miss Nancy rode 
 this morning in the Chariot over to M^ Tiirburvills 
 
 ' Probably Elizabeth, daughter of John Lee of Essex, a nephew of Presi- 
 dent Thomas Lee. {Am. Hist. Revieiu, V. 5, No. 2, 310, n. i.) 
 
 ^ Daughter of Philip Ludwell Lee of Stratford ; best known as the " Divine 
 jSIatilda." She married General Henry Lee (" Light Horse Harry") of Revo- 
 lutionary fame. 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS (ij 
 
 Bob, every day at twelve o-Clock, is down by the River 
 
 Side with his Gun after Ducks, Gulls, etc. Ben is 
 
 on his Horse a Ridin^^, Harry, is either in the Kitchen, 
 or at the Blacksmiths, or Carpenters Shop. They all 
 find places of Rendesvous so soon as the Bell rings, and 
 
 all seem to choose different Spots! To day dined 
 
 with us M^ Cox the Gentleman at whose House I 
 
 breakfasted the Day after I came first. Evening- Mr 
 
 Carter spent in playing on the Harmonica;' It is the 
 first time I have heard the Instrument. The music is 
 
 charming! He play'd Water parted from the Sea! 
 
 The Notes are clear and inexpressibly Soft, they swell, 
 and are inexpressibly grand ; and either it is because 
 the sounds are new, and therefore please me, or it is the 
 most captivating Instrument I have ever heard. The 
 sounds very much resemble the human voice, and in my 
 opinion they far exceed even the swelling Organ. 
 
 TJiiirsday 2j. 
 
 Rose at eight Rains this morning, the weather 
 
 is also warmer. M^ Carter has sent his son Ben to his 
 head Overseer, to take notice and account of the meas- 
 uring the Crop of Corn For the Planters now have 
 
 just gathered in their Summers Crop! — — -To Day I 
 write a letter to Laura: Waft it, kind Oppertunity, 
 soon to the dear Maid, and Make it easy, & desirable 
 for her to make me a Return ! 
 
 At Dinner M": & Mr? Carter gave their opinion 
 concerning what they thought pleasing and agreeable 
 in a person; Mr? Carter said she loved a sociable 
 open, chatty person; that She could not bear SuUen- 
 ness, and stupidity — — M": Carter, on the other hand, 
 
 ^ See page 59, note i. 
 
68 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 observed that it is just which Solomon says, that there 
 is a "time for all things under the Sun; " that it dis- 
 covers great judgment to laugh in Season, and that, on 
 
 the whole, he is pleased with Taciturnity Pray 
 
 which of the two should I suit? 
 
 It is a custom with our Bob whenever he can coax 
 his Dog up stairs, to take him into his Bed, and make 
 him a companion ; I was much pleased this morning 
 while he and Harry were reading in Course a Chapter 
 in the Bible, that they read in the 27^^ Chapter of Deu- 
 teronomy the Curses threatened there for Crimes; Bob 
 seldom, perhaps never before, read the verse, at last 
 read that "Cursed be he that lyeth with any manner of 
 Beast, and all the People shall say Amen." I was ex- 
 ceedingly pleased, yet astonished at the Boy on two 
 
 accounts. i^.' At the end of every verse, before he 
 
 came to this, he would pronounce aloud, "Amen." But 
 on Reading this verse he not only omitted the "Amen," 
 
 but seemed visibly struck with confusion ! 2^ And 
 
 so soon as the verse was read, to excuse himself, he said 
 at once, Brother Ben slept all last winter with his Dog, 
 
 and learn'd me ! Thus ready are Mankind always to 
 
 evade Correction ! This Evening, after I had dis- 
 missed the Children, & was sitting in the School-Room 
 cracking Nuts, none present but M"; Carters Clerk, a 
 civil, inoffensive, agreeable young Man, who acts both 
 in the character of a Clerk and Steward, when the 
 Woman who makes my Bed, asked me for the key of 
 my Room, and on seeing the young Man sitting with 
 me, she told him that her Mistress had this afternoon 
 given orders that their Allowance of Meat should be 
 
 given out to them to-morrow. She left us; I then 
 
 asked the young man what their allowance is? He told 
 me that, excepting some favourites about the table 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 69 
 
 their weekly allowance is a peck of Corn, & a pound of 
 
 Meat a Head ! And M^ Carter is allowed by all, & 
 
 from what I have already seen of others, I make no 
 Doubt at all but he is, by far the most humane to his 
 Slaves of any in these parts ! Good God ! are these 
 
 Christians? When I am on the Subject, I will 
 
 relate further, what I heard M": George Lees Overseer, 
 one Morgan, say the other day that he himself had 
 often done to Negroes, and found it viseful ; He said 
 that whipping of an}' kind does them no good, for they 
 will laugh at your greatest Severity ; But he told us 
 he had invented two things, and by several experi- 
 ments had proved their success. For Sulleness, 
 
 Obstinacy, or Idleness, says he. Take a Negro, strip 
 him, tie him fast to a post; take then a sharp Curry- 
 Comb, & curry him severely til he is well scraped ; & 
 call a Boy with some dry Hay, and make the Boy rub 
 him down for several Minutes, then salt him, & unlose 
 him. He will attend to his Business, (said the inhu- 
 man Infidel) afterwards ! But savage Cruelty does 
 
 not exceed His next diabolical invention To get 
 
 a Secret from a Negro, says he, take the following 
 
 Method Lay upon your Floor a large thick plank, 
 
 having a peg about eighteen Inches long, of hard 
 wood, & very Sharp, on the upper end, fixed fast in 
 
 the plank then strip the Negro, tie the Cord to 
 
 a staple in the Ceiling, so as that his foot may just rest 
 on the sharpened Peg, then turn him briskly round, 
 and you would laugh (said our informer) at the Dex- 
 terity of the Negro, while he was relieving his Feet 
 
 on the sharpened Peg! 1 need say nothing of these 
 
 seeing there is a righteous God, who will take ven- 
 geance on such Inventions ! Miss Priscilla and 
 
 Nancy returned in the evening. 
 
^0 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 Fry day 2/j.. 
 
 Ben Rode off this morning before day to M^ Fant- 
 leroys, for Christmas I dismissed the children while 
 next Wednesday. I was introduced by M^ Carter at 
 Dinner, to D^ Jones' a practitioner in Richmond^. I 
 spent my Day in my Room alone as agreeably as I 
 have done any since I have been in Virginia coppying 
 off my Sermon, & correcting it. Retirement is as 
 pleasing, & desirable to me here as at princcton or 
 Cohansic ! & by Gods blessing I hope to make it as 
 profitable. In the Evening I read the two first Books 
 oi popes Homer. D^ Jones supped with us, & is to stay 
 the Night. The conversation at supper was on Nurs- 
 ing Children ; I find it is common here for people of 
 Fortune to have their young Children suckled by the 
 Negroes! D": Jones told us his first and only Child 
 is now with such a Nurse; & M? Carter said that 
 
 Wenches have suckled several of hers Mr? Carter 
 
 has had thirteen Children^ She told us to night and 
 she has nine now living; of which seven are with me. 
 Guns are fired this Evening in the Neighborhood, and 
 the Negroes seem to be inspired with new Life. The 
 
 ^ Dr. Walter Jones of Richmond County, was educated at William and 
 Mary College, and at Edinburgh, attained reputation as a scholar and physi- 
 cian ; during the Revolution was "Physician-General" for the hospitals of 
 the middle department, and a member of Congress in 1797-99, and 1803-ir. 
 
 ' Richmond County. 
 
 ^ Subjoined is a list of the children of Councillor Carter, taken from The 
 Carter Family Chart, prepared and recently published (1896) by R. R. Carter 
 of Shirley, Virginia, and found to be by far the most reliable genealogy of this 
 family extant. The names of three other daughters appear in a manuscript 
 genealogy, the property of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, but lack 
 confirmation, and as this MSS. is inaccurate in many instances, can not be 
 vouched for, They are : Mary, Amelia, and Rebecca, all dying unmarried. 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 7 1 
 
 Day has been serene and mild, but the Evening is hazy. 
 Supped on Oysters. 
 
 Saturday 2^. 
 
 I was waked this morning by Guns fired all round 
 the House. The morning is stormy, the wind at South 
 East rains hard Nelson the Boy who makes my Fire, 
 blacks my shoes, does errands &c. was early in my 
 Room, drest only in his shirt and Breeches! He made 
 me a vast fire, blacked my Shoes, set my Room in 
 order, and wished me a joyful Christmas, for which I 
 
 gave him half a Bit. Soon after he left the Room, 
 
 and before I was Drest, the Fellow who makes the 
 Fire in our School Room, drest ver}^ neatly in green, 
 but almost drunk, entered my chamber with three or 
 four profound Bows, & made me the same salutation; 
 I gave him a Bit, and dismissed him as soon as possi- 
 ble. Soon after my Cloths and Linen were sent in 
 
 with a message for a Christmas Box, as the}^ call it; I 
 
 sent the poor Slave a Bit, & my thanks. I was 
 
 obliged for want of small change, to put off for some 
 
 days the Barber who shaves & dresses me. 1 gave 
 
 To))i the Coachman, who Doctors my Horse, for his 
 care two Bits, & am to give more when the Horse is 
 
 The Carter geneaology in Glenn's Some Colonial Mansions, appears to have 
 been taken from the Pennsylvania Historical Society's MSS. ; 
 
 1. Benjamin, d. unm. 
 
 2. Robert, d. tinm. 
 
 3. John, d. tinm. 
 
 4. Priscilia, m. Robert Mitchell. 
 
 . T, , ( John Peck. 
 
 5. Ann lasker, m.\-' .-^ ■ % 
 •^ ( Quinlan. 
 
 < 6. Frances, w. Maj. Thos. Jones of Bathurst. 
 
 7. Betsey Landon, m. Spencer Ball. 
 
 8. Harriet, m. John Maund. 
 
 9. Sophia, d. uu/n. 
 
 10. Julia, »i. Dr. Robert Berkeley. 
 
 11. George (of Oatlands), m. Betty Lewis. 
 
 12. Sally, m. Dr. John Chinn. 
 
 Robert ("Councillor") Carter 
 d. 1727. m. 1754. d. 1S04. 
 
 Frances Ann Tasker 
 
72 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 well. 1 gave to Dennis the Boy who waits at Table 
 
 half a Bit So that the sum of my Donations to the 
 
 Servants, for this Christmas appears to be five Bits, a 
 Bit is a pisterene^ bisected; or an English sixpence, 
 & passes here for seven pence Halfpenny, the whole is 
 
 S. D. 
 3 . • I*. 
 
 At Breakfast, when M^ Carter entered the Room, 
 he gave us the compliments of the Season. He told 
 me, very civily, that as my Horse was Lame, his own 
 riding Horse is at my Service to ride when & where I 
 Choose. 
 
 M? Carter was, as always, cheerful, chatty, & 
 agreeable; She told me after Breakfast several droll, 
 merr}'^ occurrences that happened while she was in the 
 City Williamsburg. 
 
 This morning came from the Post-ofhce at Hobbes- 
 Hole, on the Rappahannock, our News-papers. My 
 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 Let- 
 ter. We dined at four o-Clock Mr Carter kept in 
 
 his Room, because he breakfasted late, and on Oysters. 
 There were at Table Mi:^ Carter & her five Daugh- 
 ters that are at School with me — Miss Princilla, Nancy, 
 Fanny, 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 other- 
 wise than common, yet as elegant a Christmas Dinner 
 
 1 Pistareen, which then equalled about 19.4 of our cents ; half of it, 9.7 ; 
 the English sixpence, 12.2 ; seven-pence-halfpenny Virginia money, 10.4. — 
 {^Am. Hist. Review V. 5, No. 2, 298, n. I.) 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 73 
 
 as I ever sat Down to The table Discourse was 
 
 Marriage ; M? Carter observed 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 M"? Carter 
 looks & would pass for a younger Woman than some 
 unmarried Ladies of my acquaintance, who would will- 
 ingly enough make us place them below twenty I 
 
 We dined at four ; when we rose from table it was 
 
 growing dark The wind continues at South East & 
 
 is stormy and muddy. 
 
 Mt Randolph the Clerk told me this Evening a 
 Circumstance concerning Bob Avhich tho it discov- 
 ered stupidity, yet at the same time discovered great 
 
 thoughtfulness. It was about his sleeping with the 
 
 Dog ; M": RandolpJi told me Bob asked him with great 
 
 solemnity if he thought God Abniglity knew it! 
 
 While we supped M^ Carter as he often does played on 
 the Forte-Piano. He almost never sups. Last Night 
 and to night I had large clear and very elegant Sper- 
 maceti Candles sent into mj- Room ; 
 
 Sunday 26. 
 
 I rose at eight The morning is fair: all seem 
 
 quiet 1 went to the window before I was drest, 
 
 having only a Gown thrown about me & enjoved 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 m}- Ser- 
 mon 1 had the pleasure to wait on M'? Carter to 
 
74 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 Church. She rode in the Chariot, & Miss Prissy and 
 
 Nancy; M^ Carter chose to stay at Home The 
 
 sacrament was to have been administered but there was 
 so few people that he thought it improper, and put of 
 til Sunday fortnight. He preached from Isaiah 9.6. 
 For unto us a child is Born &c. his Sermon was 
 
 fifteen Minutes long! very fashionable 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 express- 
 ion from a young Scotch-Man, Tutor in M": Washing- 
 ton's^ Family; he meant it for a Satire upon the neg- 
 lect 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 feed- 
 ing over me"! But I understand only the lower 
 
 part of People are at the Church ; for the Gentleman 
 have private hwry\x\^- yards} 
 
 Monday 2j. 
 
 At Breakfast M":^ Carter gave me an Invitation to 
 wait on her to parson Smiths^ M^ Carter offered Me 
 his riding Horse, a beautiful grey, young, lively Colt; 
 We sat out about ten, M":* Carter, Miss Prissy, Miss 
 
 ' Presumably John Augustine Washington of Bushfield, younger brother 
 of the future General Washington. 
 
 ' Most of the landed estates had their private burial grounds, wherein the 
 lords of the manor and their families were laid to rest ; the churchyard being 
 reserved for the lower classes. Many old families in the country parishes of 
 Virginia still adhere to this custom. 
 
 ' Rev. Thomas Smith, then rector of Cople Parish, resided at the Glebe, 
 near the banks of the Potomac. 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 75 
 
 Fanny, & Miss Betsy, in the Chariot; Bob and I were 
 on Horse back; M^* Carter had three waiting Men: a 
 Coachman, Driver & Postillion. We found the way 
 muddy ; got there a little after twelve ; M^ Smith was 
 out; I was introduced by M"? Carter to M"? Smith, and 
 a young Lady her Sister who lives with them ; at Din- 
 ner I was at M": Smiths request to "say Grace" as 
 they call it; which is alwa3's express'd by the people 
 in the following words, " God bless us in what we are 
 to receive" & after Dinner, "God made us thank- 
 ful 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 can't dance ! 
 
 He prest me very much, but I was forced to 
 
 decline it. We returned in the Evening; & found 
 
 M": Carter & Miss Nancy practising Music, one on the 
 Forte-Piano, and the other on the Guitar. M^ Car- 
 ter is learning Bedford, Coleshill, and several other 
 Church Tunes. 
 
 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 Ser- 
 mon for the Presbytery this morning Breakfasted 
 
 at ten ; Ben staid last Night at M^ Tiirburvilles & got 
 Home to day about twelve from his Christinas Jaimt. 
 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 embroider, for a various Coun- 
 terpane. 
 
7^ PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 Wednesday 2g. 
 
 This Morning our School begins after the Holi- 
 days. Bob seems sorry that he must forsake the Marsh 
 & River where he is daily fowling, and never kills any 
 game. 
 
 At Dinner we had the Company of D^ Franks who 
 has been all along M^ Carters Clerk ; but is now leav- 
 ing Him. We had a large Pye cut to Day to signify 
 the Conclusion of the Holidays. I drew, this after- 
 noon more Flowers for Miss Prissy. 
 
 TJnirsday jo. 
 
 D": 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 di Ball & give a Supper So we, because we 
 
 have gotten possession of the whole House, are in com- 
 pliance with Custom, to invite our Neighbours, and 
 
 dance, and be merry But poor me ! I must hobble, 
 
 or set quiet in the Corner! 
 
 ^ The " quarter" was where the slaves' quarters, or houses, were located. 
 
1773] JOURNAL AND LETTERS JJ 
 
 Fry day j/. 
 
 I rose at eight. Ben gone again to the quarter 
 Harriot to Da}-, for the first time said all her let- 
 ters 
 
 The Colonel shewed me after Dinner a new inven- 
 tion, which is to be sure his own, for tuning his Harp- 
 sichord & 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 M^ Carter ordered his Boy 
 to bring two Horses, and himself & Miss Prissy rode 
 
 out for an airing as the Day is vastly fine As soon 
 
 as the Bell rung and I had dismissed the Children I 
 took a walk in the Garden; When I had gone round 
 two or three Platts M"? 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 con- 
 versation as the Place and Objects naturally excited 
 
 And after M"? 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 Mi: Car- 
 ter 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 
 
78 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 only say, they discover a delicate and Just Tast, and 
 are the effect of great Invention & Industry, &. Expcnce. 
 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 : M":^ Carter 
 chose the Months of October, November & December, 
 her reasons were, that we are always most sensible of 
 pleasure when it succeeds Anxiety & 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 uni- 
 form 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. 
 
 M':^' 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"! 
 
 Sa TURDA V January i. 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! 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 79 
 
 It is well worth the while, for the better improv- 
 ing 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 gen- 
 eral course of our Actions in the course of a year. 
 This shall be my employment, 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 iiner? M^ Car- 
 ter Miss Prissy and myself were to have rode out for 
 an Exercise at twelve, but we were prevented by the 
 coming of a Gentleman, D^ Fantlcroy, to whom M": Car- 
 ter introduced me 
 
 After Dinner was finished which was about four 
 o-Clock, Miss Prissy and Myself, together with a Ser- 
 vant (for M^ Carter would not trust us alone he said) 
 rode on Horse-Back to M": Turburvilles,^ 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 Can- 
 dle-light, we found Mr;^ Carter in the yard seeing to the 
 Roosting of her Poultry ; and the Colonel in the Par- 
 lour tuninsf his Guitar, 
 
 'fc> 
 
 Sunday 2. 
 
 The weather warm and Damp The Family 
 
 rode to Church to-day and are to dine out. M": Carter 
 
 ^ John Turberville of Hickory Hill. 
 
8o PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 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 Blush! 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 y? last year I was in Deerfield, 
 in Cumberland County, New-Jersey, with the Rev'? Mf 
 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^ 
 Andrew Hunter;^ 1 was with him about a Month, and 
 on the first of December I went to M^ Green with a 
 design to acquaint myself with the Hebrew Tongue; 
 he put me to the Grammar, which I learned 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 treatises on Repentance, 
 Regeneration, Faith, &c, & towards spring gave me 
 subjects to consider in the Sermon-way, Yet how bar- 
 ren 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 M.": Green 
 & pursued my studies, I hope with some Success till 
 August 1773, when I was solicited by D^ Wither spoon 
 
 ^Andrew Hunter, senior. See page 21, n. I. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 8l 
 to go into Virginia & teach in a Gentlemans Family 
 
 The offer seem'd profitable; I was encouraged by the 
 D^ and was to have his Recommendation 1 had like- 
 wise 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 Rela- 
 tions 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 Presb3'terian Sermons That I must keep 
 
 much Compan}-, 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 acquain- 
 tance with the manners of Mankind ; and a better Knowl- 
 edge of the Soil, & Commerce of these neighboring 
 
 Provinces And a more perfect acquaintance with 
 
 the Doctrines, & method of Worship in the established 
 Church in the 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 deter- 
 mined 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 
 
82 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 not SO great as at Cohansie. unless sometimes when 
 
 I am solicited to dance I am forc'd to blush, for my In- 
 ability I have the opportunity of living with Credit 
 
 perfectly retired in a well regulated family 
 
 With a man of Sense May God help me to walk in 
 
 his fear & Glorify his name ! 
 
 Monday jd. 
 
 Last Evening, by Miss Prissy, I was complimented 
 with an Invitation from M^ Turburville to Dine with 
 
 Him tomorrow Squire Lee^ 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 Sahcst. Mr Carter is at Rich- 
 mond-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. 
 
 Teusday 4.. 
 
 Rose by eight M"'. Warden breakfasted with 
 
 us. Miss Prissy before Breakfast, as it is her practis- 
 ing Day, gave us sundry Tunes on the Forte Piano. I 
 kept the children while twelve then as we were to dine 
 out, I dismissed them till morning, and prepar'd to 
 
 ride' Mr^ Carter, Miss Sylla, and Miss Betsy rode 
 
 in the Chariot, and got off about half after twelve with 
 three waiting men M^. Carter, Ben, and myself, 
 
 ' Richard Lee of Lee Hall, Westmoreland County (commonly called 
 " Squire" Lee), who represented that county in the General Assembly of Vir- 
 ginia, almost continuously from 1757 to 1795. {Am. Hist. Re-viewN. 5, No. 
 2, 301 n. I.) 
 
Tlon-: 
 
 a nice well jn 
 
 ,i;) «:>IIA .KrnnrlT „(...,.,., , ,,,,.,„.„,, 
 
Robert Carter — The Councillor 
 Portrait by Reynolds 
 
 (From Some Colonial Maitsioits by Thomas Allen (ilenm 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 83 
 
 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 M^ Turburvilles^ where we 
 
 were to dine We found there two Gentlemen, with 
 
 their Wives, and one of them had also a Son & Daugh- 
 ter M^ Booth came also in a short time after us; So that 
 there dined to day with M^ 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 M^ Carters Table. 
 
 We all returned Home before Dark In the 
 
 Evening the Colonel is bus}" 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 ! 
 
 M^ Carter is sensible judicious, much given to retire- 
 ment & Study ; his Company, and conversation are 
 
 always profitable His main Studies are Lmu & 
 
 Alusic, the latter of which seems to be his darling 
 
 Amusement It seem 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. 
 
 M'? Carter is prudent, always cheerful, never with- 
 out Something pleasant, a remarkable Economist, per- 
 fectly acquainted (in my Opinion) with the good-man- 
 agement 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 Cere- 
 
 ' John Turberville (1737-1799) of Hickory Hill. His wife was Martha 
 (Corbin) Turberville. 
 
84 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 mony 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 Horses, and takes great pleas- 
 ure in exercising them Bob, the other Brother, is 
 
 By no means destitute of capacity, As M^ Marshal who 
 was his last Tutor has asserted, & 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 Gen- 
 ius 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 wrath- 
 ful in his temper, yet he is soon moderated, & easily 
 subdued Harry the Nephew, is rather stoical, sul- 
 len, or saturnine in his make. He is obstinate, tho' 
 Steady, and makes a slow uniform advance in his Learn- 
 ing, 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 per- 
 fectly acquainted with anything 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 
 
 ' For a list of the children of Councillor Carter, see p. 70, note 3. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 85 
 
 sweet obliging Temper, never swears, which is here a 
 a distinguished virtue, dances finely, plays well onkey'd 
 Instruments, and is on 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 in- 
 tirely to the fair Sex. I mean great curiosity, Eager- 
 ness for superiority. Ardor in friendship, 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 per- 
 swasion, & is never without what seems to have been a 
 common Gift of Heaven, to the fair-Sex, the " Copia 
 
 Vcrborjiin" , 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 re- 
 markable Sedateness, & simplicity in her countenance, 
 which is always rather cheerful 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 draws our 
 Attention, & much 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 
 
86 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 learned many Tunes & can strike any Note, or Succes- 
 sion 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 im- 
 perfectly attempted to describe. 
 
 Wednesday 5. 
 
 Rose at Seven. The morning very stormy. Bob 
 
 & Nancy before Beakfast had a quarrel Bob called 
 
 Nancy a Lyar; Nancy upbraided Bob, on the other 
 Hand, with being often flog'd by their Papa; often by 
 the Master 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 how- 
 ever 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 M^ Car- 
 ter, that he desired me to correct Bob severely imme- 
 diately Bob when I went into School set quiet in 
 
 the corner, & looked sullen, and patient; I gave some 
 
 orders to the Children and went to my Room, I 
 
 sent for Bob He came crying I told him his 
 
 Father's Message; he confess'd himself guilty 1 
 
 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 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 87 
 
 was obliged to comply with M": Carters 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 off 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 re- 
 peated then about eight more, & demanded and got 
 immediately his solemn promise for peace among the 
 
 children, & Good Behaviour in general 1 then sent 
 
 him down He conducts himself through this day 
 
 with great Humilit}-, & unusual diligence, it will be 
 fine if it continues. At noon I went over to Dinner, 
 but it was storming, cS: 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 StratfordS to attend the Dancing-School 
 
 M": Taylor, 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 M"^. & M^? Carter. 
 
 ^ The famous old Stratford mansion, at this time occupied by Philip Lud- 
 well Lee, is noted as the birthplace of genius and the headquarters of the fash- 
 ion and nobility of the Old Dominion. It is said to have been built about 1730, 
 for President Thomas Lee, by Queen Caroline, from her privy purse, upon his 
 having suffered a loss by fire. See Meade's The Lee Family, pp. 59-62; also 
 Lee's Lee of Virginia, pp. II4-120. 
 
88 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Ft yd ay 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 D": Frank lived a Concert-Room, to hold all his 
 
 instruments of Music As he proposes to bring up 
 
 from Williamslmrg his Organ, & to remove the Harpsi- 
 chord, Harmonica, Forte-piano, Guittar, Violin, & German- 
 Flutes, & make it a place for Practice, as well as Enter- 
 tainment. 
 
 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 dismissed them about 
 
 ten. The morning pleasant Rode before Dinner to 
 
 M^ Blains Store Was introduced to D^ Thompson; 
 
 M": Balantine, M": Carr a young Scotch-Man Clerk, to 
 M": Blain ; dined with M^ 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 7?^r^/y/ in her Dress; Some of her Dress I admired 
 
 'John Augustine Washington of Bushfield. Miss Jenny subsequently mar- 
 ried Col. William Augustine Washington, a cousin. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 89 
 
 because I have seen Laura in the like, y(et) it strongly 
 shewed me that it is not Dress alone that I admire in 
 Her. All these had been at a Widding in the country 
 
 and were returning In D": TJiouisons 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 im- 
 proper 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 Phlip Lee, where they met to Dance, was on 
 Friday, at the Wedding of which I made mention just 
 now ; M": Christian the Master danced several Minuets, 
 prodigiously beautiful; that Captain Grigg (Captain of 
 an English Ship) danced a Minuet with her; that he 
 hobbled most dolefully, & that the whole Assembly 
 
 laughed Bob told us that there was a race between 
 
 M^ And Colonels Horses that they run a Mile, 
 
 & that Dottrell belonging to M": 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 Fellozv he is whom your Papa has 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 
 
90 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 of my Behaviour, that he was pleased to say He should 
 
 be glad to see me at his House, and 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; and will plead 
 for my excuse nothing else than mere inclination. 
 
 In the Evening about seven o'Clock it snowed 
 exceeding fast til Eight when it ceased, it being the sec- 
 ond Snow we had this winter here. At Supper we had 
 much conversation about the Dance. 
 
 Mr* Carter & myself sat while ten and the Colonel 
 read Philosophy. 
 
 Sunday g. 
 
 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 M^ 
 
 Turbiirvillc, I gave him no liberty.- I wrote to-Day 
 
 a letter to Laura, I wish it speed &. Success I wrote 
 
 also a letter to M": Bryan in Baltimore; Another to the 
 Gentleman who keeps the " Fountain Inn " in Baltimore; 
 & one to D^ JoJin Beaty^ Bob returned in the Eve- 
 ning after having stole away and spent the day at M"" 
 TurburvilFs with a Note to his Papa from Squire Lee^, 
 
 ' Dr. John Beatty, brother of Elizabeth who was afterwards the wife of 
 Philip Fithian, graduated at Princeton College, 1769, being in the first class 
 under the presidency of Dr. Witherspoon {1768), and a classmate of Samuel 
 Stanhope Smith who succeeded Dr. Witherspoon. He served with distinction 
 in the War of the Revolution ; was appointed successor to Elias Boudinot 
 (1778) as Commissary General of prisoners, with the rank of Major ; Delegate 
 to the Continental Congress, i7S3-'85; and elected Secretary of State, (N. J.) 
 1795, which office he held until 1805. In 1804 he laid the corner-stone of the 
 bridge over the Delaware, at Trenton, which is the present structure, and which 
 was in those days considered a marvel of engineering skill. Dr. Beatty was_ 
 from 1785-1802, a Trustee of the College of New Jersey. 
 
 * Richard Lee of Lee Hall. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 91 
 
 in which M^ Carter & his Family are invited to the Ball 
 at his House on Monday the 17th Instant. But I must 
 stay alone. 
 
 Monday lotli. 
 
 The Morning very cold Dined with us to-day 
 
 M": Sanford a Captain of a Sloop which trades out of 
 
 Potoiumack to Norfolk 1 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 writ- 
 ing. I likewise gave Catalincs Speech in Salust to com- 
 mit to memory in Latin, which he is to pronounce Extem- 
 pore. In the Evening I borrowed of Ben Carter 15/. 
 
 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 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. J 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 Sa7n Mr Carters Barber, for shaving & dress- 
 ing 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 M": Raii- 
 
92 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 dolpJi s Room, it made her very sick; I was frightened, 
 the family was frightened ! She puked, and threw it off 
 her Stomach, & was soon relieved. 
 
 I gave MartJia 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 j/p. 
 
 M":^ Carter invited me to Day to go to the Ball, I 
 excused myself, & declined it. 
 
 Thursday ij. 
 
 M^ Cunningham came before noon to skait At 
 
 twelve we all went down to M": Carters Millpond 
 
 none had skaits but M^ Cunningham we diverted 
 
 ourselves on the Ice til two, when we went up to Din- 
 ner Immediately after Dinner M^ Carter Miss 
 
 Prissy & Nancy rode out to Mr Lanes M^ Cunning- 
 ham staid the Night, Prissy play'd for us she has 
 
 since I came made great advances. 
 
 Fry day i^. 
 
 The morning very foggy, & warmer I gave to 
 
 Tom the Coach-man who cured my Horse two pistcr- 
 encs & half a Bit, which is two & nine-pence 2/9. M^ 
 
 Cunningham breakfasted with us When I went into 
 
 School there came a complaint from Miss Sally Stanhope ^ 
 of Bob that he was rude, swore, & quarrell'd at Break- 
 fast, poor untoward, unfortunate Boy he gives me great 
 Trouble. 
 
 Saturday /j. 
 
 I rose at Seven The morning fair the ground 
 
 muddy Ben asked me to ride with him to M^ Blains 
 
 * The housekeeper. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 93 
 
 Store I chose rather to stay at Home Ben is pre- 
 paring for the approaching- Ball Bob urged me to 
 
 let him go to M^ Lees, but he is so unruly & mischiev- 
 ous 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 M": Blains 
 
 He told me the Store was thronged with compan}' 
 
 Sup'd on chocolate, & hoe-Cake, so Called because 
 
 baked on a Hoe before the fire The Colonel and his 
 
 Daughter busy at Music. 
 
 Stinday i6. 
 
 The morning frosty & cold Ben, Bob, Harry Si 
 
 M^ Randolph went to Church I stay at Home ; Read 
 
 Pictete 1 feel very desirous of seeing Home: of 
 
 hearing good M^ 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 Accom- 
 modation here, which I should have ; nay much more 
 than I should allow myself were I at Home. I am con- 
 tented This whole world is only a Point almost un- 
 
 noticeable, 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 to me and how foolish 
 to be uneasy, & solicitous whether I live in Cohansie, in 
 Princeton, or in Virginia; Or in America, or in Europe, 
 so long as I am still supported, & upheld by the Divine 
 
94 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Agency ! I am fully satisfied Guide me, propi- 
 tious Heaven! Help me to Glorify my God; to honor 
 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 ; Bod brings me the parsons Compliments ; 
 M^ Cunninghams ; & that Miss Corbin enquired if I was 
 
 well! Bob also informed me that the Parson, M^ 
 
 Blain, Cunningham, Balantinc, & others are to come to 
 Captain Turbjirvilles Mill- Pond to Skate before they go 
 to the Ball. 
 
 Monday ij. 
 
 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 Com- 
 pany at the Ball; & to return to-morrow Evening 
 
 All the morning is spent in Dressing. M^ Carter & 
 
 M":^ Carter pressed me to go; But, mindful of my Prom- 
 ise 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 'W? Carter, 
 
 Miss Prissy & Nancy dressed splendidly set away from 
 Home at two. 
 
 Teusday 18. 
 
 M":? Carter, & the young Ladies came Home last 
 Night from the Ball,' & brought with them M"^.^ Lane, 
 they tell us there were upwards of Seventy at the Ball; 
 forty-one Ladies; that the company was genteel; & that 
 
 1 Given by Richard Lee of Lee Hall, Westmoreland County, commonly 
 called " Squire " Lee, who was a member of the Virginia Assembly almost con- 
 inuouslyfrom I757-I795- 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 95 
 
 Colonel Harry Lcc,^ from Dumfries, & his Son Harry 
 who was with me at College, were also there ; M? Car- 
 ter made this an argument, and it was a strong one in- 
 deed, 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 M": Carters at 
 
 two ; 'W? Carter & the 3^oung Ladies in the Chariot, M? 
 
 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 Din- 
 
 ing-Room to see young Mr. Lcc;"^ 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 ele- 
 gant as could be well expected when so great an Assem- 
 
 ' Lieut. Col. Henry Lee (1729-1787) of Leesylvania, Prince William 
 County, was a brother of " Squire " Lee, the host, and a first cousin of Richard 
 Henry Lee; was a member of the House of Burgesses and took an active part 
 in all the stirring events of the time. His son Henry (1756-1818') was grad- 
 uated from Princeton College in 1773 and afterwards became the celebrated 
 cavalry leader of the Revolution under the sobriquet of " Light Horse Harry." 
 Henry Lee, Jr's first wife was the " Divine Matilda," daughter of Philip Lud- 
 well Lee. By his second, Ann, daughter of Charles Carter of Shirley, he had 
 six children of whom the best known is Gen. Robert E. Lee. Henry Lee, Jr. 
 was governor of Virginia 1792-1795, and member of Congress ; while there he 
 pronounced his great eulogy on Washington, in which he originated the famous 
 phrase, " First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his country-men." 
 Gen. Henry Lee died at Cumberland Island, Georgia, the home of his old com- 
 mander General Greene, on the 25th of March, 1818. 
 
 ' /. e. Henry Lee, Jr. 
 
PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 bly 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 Bail-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 Skirts & 
 
 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 the}^ 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 the Vociferators 
 
 was a young Scotch-Man, M^ Jack Cunningham ; he was 
 nimis bibendo appotus; noisy, droll, waggish, yet civil 
 
 in his way & wholly inoffensive 1 was solicited to 
 
 dance by several, Captain Chelton, Colonel Lee, Harry 
 Lee, and others ; But George Lee,Mvith great Rude- 
 ness 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 Pres- 
 ence ; & 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 dance or game At Eleven 
 
 M^= Carter call'd upon me to go, I listened with gladness 
 
 • Probably either George Fairfax Lee, son of George Lee of Mt. Pleasant, 
 or George Lee, son of Col. Thomas Ludwell Lee of Bellevue. {Am. Hist. Re- 
 viewV. 5, No. 2, 301.) 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 97 
 
 to the summons & with M"".^ 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 
 ffood 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. 
 
 Wednesday ig. 
 
 Rose at Nine while the Bell was ringing Break- 
 fasted at ten, M^ Carter and I alone, the Ladies yet in 
 
 Bed I gave the Children the third Holiday ; Bob 
 
 Bill & Harry are yet at the Dance M'^^^ Carter de- 
 clines going to Day, I took a Walk out before Dinner, 
 & with my Pen-knife carved Laura's much admired 
 Name, vipon a smooth beautiful Beech-Tree To- 
 wards Evening M^^ Lane left us and rode home Bob 
 
 came Home about six, but so sleepy that he is actually 
 stupified ! 
 
 TJiursday 20. 
 
 Ben came Home late in the Night This morn- 
 ing he looks fatigued out. We began to study to Day 
 but all seem sleepy and dull. Dined with us to-day 
 M': Lee a Gentleman from Augusta County, who has 
 lately been to the Settlements on Ohio. Evening I 
 began some Verses on Miss Carter for a present at the 
 
 approaching Valantine But I drew the Picture 
 
 from Laura. 
 
 Fry day 21 . 
 
 All seem tolerably recruited this morning ; we hear, 
 the company left the Ball last Evening quite wearied 
 
98 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 out; tho' the Colonel intreated them to stay the pro- 
 posed Time. 
 
 To Day about twelve came to M:: Carters Captain 
 John Lec,^ a Gentleman who seems to copy the Character 
 of Addisons Will Wimble. When I was on my way to 
 this place I saw him up in the country at Stafford ; he 
 was then just sallying out on his Winters Visit, & has 
 got now so far as here, he stays, as I am told about 
 eight, or ten Weeks in the year at his own House, the 
 remaining part he lives with his Waiting Man on his 
 Friends. 
 
 Saturday 22. 
 
 Captain Lee with us to Day The Weather 
 
 cold ; I sat in my Room all Day working at my Verses 
 for Miss Carter. 
 
 Sunday 2j. 
 
 None went to Church on account of Cold After- 
 noon the Sun shone fair I took my Horse & rode 
 
 about a Mile and returned Captain Lee left us this 
 
 Day. 
 
 Monday 2^. 
 
 Still very cold snows Dined with us Colonel 
 
 Frank L. Lee,^ & CoXonoi Harrison of Mar3'land Miss 
 
 Nancy unwel of a cold. There are great Professions 
 
 ' Probably Major John Lee of Orange County, Va., third son of Hancock 
 Lee & Mary Willis, his wife, and a distant cousin of the Lees of Westmoreland. 
 
 ^ Francis Lightfoot Lee, fourth son of President Thomas Lee, and brother 
 of Richard Henry, was born at Stratford, October 14th, 1734. Elected to the 
 House of Burgesses for Loudon County in 1765. Married (1772) Rebecca, 
 daughter of Colonel John Tayloe, of Mt. Airy, and established his residence at 
 " Menokin," in Richmond County, which he represented in the House of Bur- 
 gesses. He was elected delegate to the Continental Congress, 177 5-1 779. 
 He died at Menokin, during the winter of 1797. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 99 
 
 of Liberty here expressed in Songs Toasts, &c. Yester- 
 day News came of the Arrival of Ships with Tea; into 
 Boston, Nczu-york, Philadelphia, ik. of the New-Yorkers 
 burning the House of his Excellency Governor Tryo)i} 
 for having said that, if orders concerning the Tea had 
 been transmitted to him he would have landed it tho' 
 
 under the mouths of the Cannon! Gentlemen here 
 
 in general applaud & honour our Northern Colonies for 
 so manly, & patriotic Resistance ! 
 
 Teusday 2§. 
 
 Still sharp & cold — — Miss Nancy much indisposed 
 
 with a sore throat Dined with us M": Cunningham. 
 
 Toasts the King, Queen, Governor,''' & Colonel, of Virginia. 
 Northern Sons of Liberty, & a good price for our com- 
 
 odities This Day the Person who carried my Letters 
 
 to Baltimore returned without any Letters or Intelli- 
 
 Wednesday 26. 
 
 The weather this morning seems to have moderated 
 
 Miss Naney is poorly but better In the Evening 
 
 I ran a Foot Race with Ben & Harry for Exercise, & a 
 prize of ten Apples to the winner, We ran from the 
 School-House round the stable, & Kitchen & Great- 
 House which Distance is about 70 Rod I came out 
 
 first about One Rod ; but almost wholly spent; I went 
 
 1 William Tryon, Governor of New York 1 771-1778, was thoroughly 
 detested by the patriots for his inhumanity. His house was destroyed by fire at 
 midnight, December 2gth, 1773, together with all of his personal effects. In 
 consideration of this misfortune the Assembly presented him $20,000. Gov. 
 Tryon left for England in April, 1774, and on his departure was honored with 
 addresses and public dinners by the Royallists, and Kings College (now Col- 
 umbia University) conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. 
 
 ^ John Murray, Earl of Dunmore and a descendant of the Stuarts, Gover- 
 nor of Virginia from 1771 until the outbreak of the Revolution in 1775. 
 
lOO PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 to my Chamber and lay down, sick, fainty, & quite dis- 
 tressed, I puked several times; after having rested a 
 while, however, I revived and went well to Supper, & 
 Spend the Evening in Writing. At Supper from the 
 conversation I learned that the slaves in this Colony 
 never are married, their Lords thinking them improper 
 Subjects for so valuable an Institution. 
 
 TJiursday 2j. 
 
 The morning mild Serene and moderate The 
 
 Colonel is making preparations for a Journey to Anap- 
 olis, where he Designs next month. In the Evening, 
 (for here they call the time between Dinner and day- 
 light-End Evening,) He & M? Carter shewed me their 
 House; the original Design, the present form; & what 
 
 is yet to be done Miss Nancy came down stairs 
 
 to Day. 
 
 Fry day 28. 
 
 Snows this morning Briskly Ben is in a great 
 
 fev-er lest the Weather shall stop him from a Ride he 
 
 has alloted for to-morrow At twelve the Snow 
 
 ceased. Depth about five Inches I corrected Harry 
 
 for the first time to-day for expressing himself inde- 
 cently to Prissy. 
 
 Saturday 2p. 
 
 Ben is preparing himself to go out while we 
 
 were dining about three it began to Snow briskly 
 
 After Dinner when I went over to my Room I was very 
 much surprised to find my Room full of Smoke & 
 
 Flame! A kind Providence only prevented the total 
 
 Loss of our School-House & all its Furniture, & our 
 
 own Clothes Books &c! A Coal of Fire had by 
 
 accident (as the Hearth is very narrow) fall'n on the 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS lOI 
 
 floor, it took fire, & when I entered it was burning rap- 
 idly It had burst three Boards about eight Inches 
 
 from the Hearth, & most certainly in a short time would 
 
 have been inextinguishable I put it out, however, 
 
 speedily, & had all the fire removed The Weather is 
 
 as wintry here in every Respect as I have ever known 
 
 it in New Jersey M"! Carter has a Cart & three pair 
 
 of Oxen which every Day bring in four Loads of Wood, 
 Sunday excepted, & yet these very severe Days we 
 have none to spare ; And indeed I do not wonder, for in 
 the Great House, School House, Kitchen, &c. there are 
 twenty-Eight steady fires! & most of these are very 
 
 Large! After Supper, when all had retired but M? 
 
 Carter, iSL Carter & Myself, the Conversation being on 
 serious Matters, M": Carter observed that he much dis- 
 likes the common method of making Burying Yards 
 round Churches, & having them almost open to every 
 
 Beast He would have them at some small distance 
 
 from the Church, neatly and strongly enclosed, and the 
 Graves kept up decent, & plain, but would have no 
 splendid, nor magnificent Monument, nor even stone to 
 
 say " Hie jacet ". He told us he proposes to make 
 
 his own Coffin & use it for a chest til its proper use 
 
 shall be required That no Stone, nor Inscription 
 
 be put over him And that he would choose to be 
 
 laid under a shad}- Tree where he might be undisturbed 
 
 & sleep in peace & obscurity. He told us, that with 
 
 his own hands he planted, and is with great diligence 
 raising a Catalpa-TxtQ at the head of his Father ' who 
 lies in his Garden. 
 
 M^ Carter beg'd that She might have a Stone, with 
 this only for a Monument, " Here lies Aim Taskcr Car- 
 
 * Robert Carter of Nomini Hall, son of " King " Carter, died about 1732. 
 The catalpa is still standing (igoo) and marks the spot. 
 
I02 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 ter.'' ^ with these things for my consideration I left them 
 about ten and went to my cold Room, & was hurried 
 soon to Bed ; Not however without reflecting on the 
 importance of our preparation for this great Change ! 
 
 Sunday jo. 
 
 Very stormy this morning with Rain and Hail 
 which instantly freezes; the trees hang bending with 
 
 Ice, & the ways are all glassy & slippery None 
 
 think of going to Church this day M":^ Carter and I 
 
 after Breakfast had a long conversation on religious 
 
 affairs Particularly on differing Denominations of 
 
 Protestants She thinks the Religion of the estab- 
 lished Church without Exception the best of any in- 
 vented or practised in the world, & indeed she converses 
 with great propriety on these things, & discovers her 
 very extensive Knowledge; She allows the Difference 
 between the Church, & Presbyterianism to be only 
 exceeding small, & wishes they were both intirely 
 united! Through this whole Day it storms but the Eve- 
 ning is terrible ! almost an Inundation of Rain ; The 
 wind violent at North-East; The Snow, Hail, and Rain 
 freezing together on the Ground ! This Evening the 
 Negroes collected themselves into the School-Room, & 
 began to play the Fiddle, & dance I was in M": Ran- 
 dolph's Room; I went among them, Ben, & Harry 
 
 were of the company Harry was dancing with his 
 
 Coat off I dispersed them however immediately. 
 
 Monday ji. 
 
 Excessive sloppy Miss Nancy came to School 
 
 to Day 1 finished my verses which are to be pre- 
 sented as a Valantine to Miss Prissy Carter. 
 
 ^ Mrs. Carter (Frances Ann Tasker) was the daughter of Hon. Benjamin 
 Tasker, of Maryland. 
 
Mrs. Robert Carter 
 
 (From Soiiii- Cohyiiial Mansiovs by Thomas Allen (lleni 
 
lo:: 
 
 and Hr: 
 
 in'ji;) nail/-. ^'.BrnorlT yd iw«\i«to\ti \j»»\vvn\0 -swciV 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS IO3 
 
 Teusday, February li' , 1774.. 
 
 Fair & mild but vastly muddy About twelve 
 
 Squire Lcc^ & young Harry Lee, who was a College- 
 Fellow, came to see us, they staid while about five. The 
 
 Toasts at Dinner were as usual The Colonel & M? 
 
 Carter seem Much pleased with Harry, & with his 
 manner. 
 
 Wednesday 2. 
 
 The weather vastly fine. At twelve o-Clock the 
 
 Colonel & Miss Prissy rode out for an airing Prissy 
 
 This da}- began Multiplication. We had also a large 
 elegant Writing Table brought to us, so high that the 
 Writers must stand. 
 
 TImrsday j. 
 
 Prissy, & Nancy practising music We had last 
 
 night Thunder, lightning, & a very great shower. 
 
 Fry day 4. 
 
 I put Ben this day into virgil We had our 
 
 Room mended & came into it at twelve I rode out 
 
 to M": Taylors about two Miles, in again by Dinner- 
 Time Dined with us one M":^ Hut This Even- 
 ing, in the School-Room, which is below my Chamber, 
 several Negroes & Beti, & Harry are playing on a Banjo 
 & dancing. 
 
 Saturday 5. 
 
 I spent the morning in my Room, Ben & Bob are 
 gone out. About twelve came on a visit M": Goodlett, & 
 Sam!. Fantleroy ; I spent the remainder of the day with 
 
 ' " Squire " Richard Lee of Lee Hall, and his nephew Henry Lee (" Light 
 Horse Harry- ''). 
 
I04 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 them At Dinner when call'd upon for a Toast I 
 
 gave Miss Sally Hollinshcad. 
 
 M^ Goodlett told me he has had an Invitation, to 
 accept a School in Leeds, a town on the River Rapahan- 
 nock, about 25 Miles from this up & across the Country. 
 
 Sufiday 6. 
 
 I rode to Church M? Carter & Miss Prissy & Nancy 
 
 were out M": Smith gave us a Sermon 14 Minutes 
 
 long on Charity But poor Fellow he seem'd Cold 
 
 as his Subject! 
 
 M^ Fantleroy, & M^ Goodlet dined with us and set 
 
 off for Home as soon as we rose from Dinner This 
 
 day two Negro Fellows the Gardiner & cooper, wrang- 
 led ; & at last fought; It happened hard however for the 
 Cooper, who is likely to lose one of his Eyes by that 
 Diabolical Custom of gouging which is in common 
 practise among those who fight here. 
 
 Evening Ben returned ; he had been into North- 
 umberland to see one M": Jones. M": Goodlett, to Day, 
 shewed me a piece of his own performance, a paraphrase 
 on part of the Book of Job, done in Lattin-Verse. 
 
 Monday 7. 
 
 The Day pleasant, & seems to have some appear- 
 ance of Spring M*: Blain call'd this Afternoon, & 
 
 told us that by a Letter he hears Lady Dunmore is 
 
 arrived in New-York and that many good & 
 
 wealthy Families arrived in the same Ship It is in- 
 deed amazing, & it will soon astonish the whole World, 
 to consider the Rapidity of the growth of these Col- 
 onies. 
 
 At Supper, M^ Carter informed me it is his purpose 
 to manifacture 30,000 Bushels of wheat in his New-Mill 
 which is yet scarcely finished. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 105 
 
 Teusday 8. 
 
 Before Breakfast Nancy & Fanny had a Fight about 
 
 a Shoe Brush which they both wanted Fanny puU'd 
 
 off her Shoe & threw at Nancy, which missed her and 
 broke a pane of glass of our School Room, they then 
 enter'd upon close scratching &c. which methods seem 
 instinctive in Women. Harry happen'd to be present 
 & afraid lest he should be brought in, ran and informed 
 me I made peace, but with many threats. 
 
 Mr? Carter has ordered the Gardener to sew Lettice, 
 & plant Peas this Day in the Garden. 
 
 Wedtiesday g. 
 
 The day ver}- blustry &; cold I gave Prissy a 
 
 Coppy of Secretary-Hand, at her particular request. 
 
 Thursday 10. 
 
 We had the Virginia Gazette to day in which the 
 accounts concerning the destroying the Tea at Boston 
 
 are confirmed & also an account of the Burning of 
 
 the House of Governor Tryon. Dined with us Colonel 
 Frank Lee : his Wife & Captain Jolui Lee. Toasts after 
 Dinner, the King, Queen, Absent Friends, Governor of 
 Virginia, & his Lady just arrived, & Success to Amer- 
 ican Trade & Commerce. 
 
 Fry day 11 . 
 
 The Company staid all Night at Breakfast the 
 
 conversation was on a terrible Distemper which is in 
 this County at present; & which in Maryland last year 
 about this time carried off hundreds, and is call'd the 
 ''putrid Q2iinsy'\ M": Carter has a man lying now 
 dangerously ill of it. 
 
 What they do in the Disorder is, when the Inflam- 
 
I06 PHILIP VICKERS FITHI/ N [1774 
 
 ation is first observed, bleeding; then give the Bark & 
 Salt-petre, or Nitre and Gargles to cleanse the mouth. 
 
 Our company left us before dinner Last night 
 
 I took Bob to my Room, after having in the course of 
 the Day corrected him thrice, & reasoned with him con- 
 cerning the impropriety of his Behaviour; at the same 
 time I acquainted him with my final resolution to send 
 him over for correction every Day to his Papa's Study, 
 which has so strong an Effect on him (as all the Chil- 
 dren are in remarkable Subjection to their Parents) that 
 he firmly promised to attend to my advice, «& thro' this 
 Day has been punctual to his word. 
 
 I spent the Evening with the Family to hear the 
 music. For every evening Prissy & Nancy play the 
 whole Evening for practice & besides every Week half 
 of Teusday, Thursday & Saturday. We were informed 
 that the Carter who goes with the Team is ill of the sore 
 Throat! 
 
 Saturday 12. 
 
 After having dismissed the School I went over to 
 
 Mr. Carters Study We conversed on many things, 
 
 & at length on the College of William & Mary ^ at Will- 
 iamsburg. He informed me that it is in such confusion 
 at present, and so badly directed, that he cannot send 
 his Children with propriety there for Improvement & 
 
 useful Education ^ That he has known the Professors 
 
 to play all Night at Cards in publick Houses in the City, 
 
 ^ Founded at Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1693, upon the basis of a charter 
 granted by King William and Queen Mary. At this date (1773) it was the 
 richest college in America, but the Revolution deprived it of its main sources 
 of income and destroyed part of its property. 
 
 ^ It was doubtless reasons such as these, and the prevalence of atheism at 
 William and Mary College, that induced the father of James Madison to send 
 him to Princeton. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 107 
 
 and has often seen them drunken in the Street ! That 
 
 the Charter of the College is vastly Extensive, and the 
 yearly income sufficient to support a University being 
 
 about 4.000 £ Sterling. That the Necessary Expence 
 
 of each Scholar yearly is only i^ £ Currency. Two of 
 the officers of the Institution, W. Bracken, & W. Henly' 
 Clergymen are at present engaged in a paper War pub- 
 lished weekly in the Williamsburg Gazette's. 
 
 Miss Fanny quite unwell of a Cold with a pain in 
 her Breast. Evening M"? Carter complain'd of a sore 
 throat; and Ben also, complains that his Throat is quite 
 
 troublesome M": Randolph too is confin'd in his 
 
 Room all day I We seem to be all sickning ! 
 
 Sunday ij. 
 
 Things look better this morning M':* Carter, & Bc7i 
 seem relieved, M": Randolph, & Fanny are better. The 
 
 morning very blustry with wind & Snow None go 
 
 to Church from here to day In my Room I read 
 
 Pictetc. 
 
 Monday i^. 
 
 M^ Randolph this Morning happens to be Miss 
 Nancys Valentine ; & Miss Prissy vi\\w&, The morn- 
 ing sharp & very cold. 
 
 Teusday ij. 
 
 I have a call this morning from Boh & Harry for a 
 
 •John Bracken was from 1773 to 181S, minister of Bruton Church, Will- 
 iamsburg; was made master of the grammar school at the college, and was presi- 
 dent for two years, after the death of Bishop James Madison in 1812. Samuel 
 Henley was professor of divinity and moral philosophy in the college, was a 
 Tory and left Virginia in 1775. In England he wrote numerous pamphlets on 
 archaeological subjects, was the translator of Beckford's Vathek, and from 1805 
 to 1S15 was principal of the East India College at Hertford. {^Am. Hist. Re- 
 view V. 5, No. 2, 303, n. I.) 
 
I08 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Holiday, for Shrove Teusday; I shall dismiss them at 
 twelve o-Clock. I gave Miss Carter m}^ Verses for her 
 Valentine', Dined with us M? Ford. I finished reading 
 the first, & began the Second Volume of Pictete. 
 
 Wednesday 16. 
 
 I happened last monday to offend Prissy, She re- 
 tains her anger & seems peculiarly resentful ! Ben 
 
 agreed for half a Bit a Week to play the Flute every 
 Night, or read for me, twenty Minutes after I am in 
 Bed. 
 
 Thursday ij. 
 
 Prissy seems much affronted ; The cause was as 
 follows Monday afternoon, by Chance I tapp'd her on 
 the Head, & wholly in Jest; She seem'd vex'd, but 
 Teusday morning which is her day for practice on the 
 Forte-Piano, after Breakfast I desir'd her to walk over 
 to the School, she refused, & gave for an Excuse that 
 
 She must begin to play Both these things laid 
 
 together were the cause of her resentment. 
 
 Fry day 18. 
 
 The Weather pleasant and moderate Bob, Nancy, 
 
 & Prissy, are setting off this morning to the Dance, 
 which is at M^ Washingtons} 
 
 Saturday ig. 
 
 at Dinner we were conversing on Reading, among 
 many remarks the Colonel observed that. He would 
 
 'This valentine, though preserved in one of the volumes of Fithian MSS., 
 is too lengthy, pedantic, and uninteresting for publication. 
 
 ^Colonel John Augustine Washington of Bushfield. The old dwelling 
 house at Bushfield is still standing. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS IO9 
 
 bet a Guinea that M? Carter reads more than the 
 Parson of the parish ! No panegyrick on the Gen- 
 tleman? 
 
 M^ Christian the Dancing Master Came home with 
 the young Ladies. 
 
 Su7iday 20. 
 
 Last Evening the Virginia News-papers came ; but 
 nothing from the Northward. 
 
 Rode to Nomini Church ; Parson Smith read Pray- 
 ers, but it was too Cold a Day to give us a Sermon; 
 After Service M'. & Mk^ Carter, the Parson, his wife & 
 Sister; M": Canul the Comptroler Ben, Bob, Miss Pierce 
 Miss Sanford, and Myself were invited to Colonel Wash- 
 ingtons ' to Dinner. His House has the most agreeable 
 Situation, of any I have seen in Maryland or Virginia; 
 the broad Potowmack, which they account between 7 
 and 8 Miles over, washes his Garden on the North, the 
 River Nomini is within a stones throw on the West, a 
 levil open Country on the East; a Lane ^ of a mile & 
 three qviarters accurately measured, lies from the House 
 South-East it has from the House the whole distance a 
 uniform Descent, & at the Gate at the End of this Lane 
 the Situation is just six feet lower than at the House 
 
 There are no Marshes near, which altogether make 
 
 the place exceeding Description. The Roads are now 
 miry & disagreeable. 
 
 ^ John Augustine Washington. 
 
 ' It is told of a certain gentleman, a stranger in the land, who was driving, 
 one misty morning in the olden day, to pay his respects to the master of Bush- 
 field; that after toiling and splashing down this long lane, for upwards of a 
 quarter of an hour, the road being awash and the ditches overflowing with the 
 recent spring rains, at last unable to stand it any longer, he shouted out to the 
 postillion, a servant of Col. Washington's " I say, fellow, how far out in the 
 river does your unfortunate master live ? " 
 
no PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Monday 21. 
 
 Prissy seems again reconciled — — Miss Stanhope 
 
 the Housekeeper is ill of a Rheumatism They are 
 
 beginning to work in the Garden with vigor, Dined 
 with us Docter Franks. 
 
 Teusday 22. 
 
 M: Carter rode to the County-Court. I read to 
 day several chapters in the Greek testament. M^. Car- 
 ter has given orders to his Hands to rigg, & fit his 
 Schooner a Vessel of about 40 Tons for Business. Doc- 
 ter Franks with us yet. M":^ Carter was taken ill last 
 Evening & has not been out of her Chamber to Day. 
 Miss Stanhope the Housekeeper is also confin'd to her 
 Room with Rheumatic Pains. 
 
 Wednesday 2j. 
 
 M=: Carter has an invitation to dine at Lee-Hall to 
 
 Day, which he accepts before Dinner came in Miss 
 
 Corbin, & Miss Booth; two young Ladies pretty well 
 gone in what we call the Bloom of Life; M^ Carter was 
 out, M":^ Carter is ill, & Ben was not Drest ; Bob & I 
 therefore at Dinner must be Directors of the ceremon- 
 ies at Table! But happily for me I have them at last all 
 
 by heart At five Bob and I had the Pleasure to 
 
 walk home with them, (for they were on foot) to Assist 
 them in Crossing the River Nomini which lies between 
 us & M"; Turburville's. Evening Mr^ Carter seems no 
 better Miss Sally came out of her Room. 
 
 Tliursday 2^. 
 
 Frogs croaked last Evening. This morning the 
 Birds of several kinds are singing; and some presages 
 of Spring seem visible. M"".^ Carter continues no better. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS III 
 
 A messenger is sent for Doctor /ones, ^ with orders, that 
 
 if he is from Home to pursue him. Mr Gregory, the 
 
 Colonels Gardiner came this morning & began with M"; 
 Carters two Fellows who have been in the Garden all 
 
 winter They planted this day the common Garden 
 
 Peas. 
 
 The Colonel at Dinner gave Ben & I a Piece of 
 Music to prepare on our Flutes, in which he is to per- 
 form the thorough Bass Evening M? Carter some 
 
 better. 
 
 Fryday 2j. 
 
 M":^ Carter better The Day pleasant There 
 
 is a report that the Jail-Fever, or Yellow or putrid 
 Fever, is at one M": Atwel's on potowmack, in this 
 Country; that it was brought in a Ship which came 
 lately with convict Servants ; that two have already 
 died, one this morning; & that many of M^ Atwels 
 Slaves are infected ! 
 
 Doctor Jones spent the Evening with us ; He com- 
 plimented Ben, Bob, & myself with an invitation to dine 
 with him next Sunday. 
 
 Saturday 26. 
 
 M": Carter's Merchant Mill begins to run to-day 
 
 She is calculated to manufacture 25,000 Bushels of 
 
 Wheat a Year I walked at twelve with the Colonel 
 
 to view her; it is amazing to consider the work and 
 
 Ingenuity He told me his Bill for the material and 
 
 work was 1450 £ ! 
 
 Beti to day Rode to M^ Fautleroys. Evening the 
 Colonel & I performed the Sonata. I had the Pleasure 
 to hear the Colonel say that I have my part perfect. 
 
 ^ Dr. Walter Jones of Richmond County. See page 70, note i. 
 
112 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Sunday 2y. 
 
 I rode to day to Richmond Church, Parson Gibbern 
 preached about 20 Minutes on the Text " he that walk- 
 
 eth uprightly walketh wisely " this seems to be a 
 
 polite part of the parish. After Sermon Ben & I 
 
 rode to Vioct^x Jones s ; he was from home. M":^ Jones a 
 young, Handsome, polite lady, received & entertained 
 
 us exceeding civilly. On our return home, we called 
 
 to see M^ Hamilton, who by accident was thrown from 
 a Horse, & received a sad cut in his Face! he lies at 
 M": Lanes. 
 
 Monday 28. 
 
 M":^ Carter yet confined to her Room, but much 
 
 better Prissy & I on good terms once more 
 
 Breakfasted with us M"; Taylor. Ben determines to 
 ask his Papa to-morrow for Liberty to go home with 
 me in April. Evening we performed the Sonata I the 
 first; Ben the second; & Mi: Carter the thorough Bass 
 on the Forte-Piano. 
 
 Teusday March li' i774- 
 
 By one of M": Carters Sailors we heard this morn- 
 ing that the Fever mentioned some Days ago con- 
 tinues. Afternoon M^ Lane ^ a young Gentleman, 
 formerly my acquaintance at Princeton came to see 
 me; with one M^ Harison He stays all night. 
 
 Wednesday 2. 
 
 I gave my little family a Holiday, with an inten- 
 tion to ride with M^ Lane after Dinner We walked 
 
 to the Mill, & about the works, but before twelve it 
 began to rain, & prevented our going out M":' Car- 
 
 ' Joseph F. Lane of the Class of 1776, at Princeton College. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS II3 
 
 ter came out of her chamber & dined with us, & seems 
 to be well over Illness. 
 
 Ml Lane lives in Louden County 20 Miles from 
 Dumfries; & is to return to Princeton towards the 
 close of this month. 
 
 TImrsday j. 
 
 Late last Evening the Packets came in : In the 
 Pennsylvania Gazette^ I saw that Docter Elmer ^ of my 
 acquaintance in Jersey ; & Docter Jones at whose 
 House I dined Last Sunday are created members of 
 the American Philosophical Society.* 
 
 In the Virginia Papers there is an account of an 
 Earthquake felt on monday the 2 i ult. at Williamsbtirg, 
 
 Ridimond, & Fredericksburg After Breakfast ]\L Lane 
 
 left us, He was drest in black superfine broadcloth; 
 Gold-laced hat; laced Ruffles; black Silk Stockings; 
 & to his Broach on his Bosom he wore a Majors Badge 
 inscrib'd ' ' Virtute and Silentio " cut in a Golden Medal ! 
 
 Certainly he was fine ! M":^ Carter continues better. 
 
 Evening we performed again in the several parts our 
 
 Sonata Ben mentioned to his Mama, as M^ Lane's 
 
 coming hindred his asking his Papa for his Consent to 
 
 ' This was a semi-weekly newspaper, established at Philadelphia in 1728, 
 by Samuel Keimer, who was succeeded by Benjamin Franklin as editor. 
 Franklin quickly made it the most noted and valuable paper in the country, 
 changing it to a weekly, however. He retired from its management in 1776. 
 In 1845 the Gazette was merged in the Daily North American, which is still 
 published. 
 
 ^ Dr. Jonathan Elmer of Cumberland County, New Jersey, was graduated 
 in medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1771 ; was a medical 
 inspector of the army during the Revolution, and in 1787, president of the 
 State Medical Society. Elected to the U. S. Senate in 1789, he was one of 
 those who voted for the establishment of the seat of government on the 
 Potomac. He was a trustee of Princeton College, i782-'95. 
 
 'The American Philosophical Society was established at Philadelphia, 
 in 1769. 
 
114 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 go to Philadelphia. She seems to be not unwilling. 
 Expence to Day for Paper a Bitt, or yld. 
 
 Fry day ^, 
 
 I gave the Hostler directions for preparing my 
 Horse for the approaching expedition. In a Ship 
 arrived last week in Potowmack M^ Carter received 
 half a Dozen of the latest Gent. Magazines with several 
 other new Books. 
 
 This day I wrote two Letters to be forwarded by 
 M^ Lane, one to a young Lady in Philadelphia the 
 other to my Sister. 
 
 No news of beautiful Latira ; perhaps I may say of 
 her, to myself: Quid insanis, Philippe, tua lura Laura, 
 
 Alium secuta est! Keep her, kind Heaven, 
 
 & in her Friendship make me happy ! After School at 
 Evening, on account of some difference about the Key 
 of the School-Room Ben gave Harry a smart, but just 
 correction; I kept in my Room that I might be wholly 
 unconcerned in the matter. 
 
 There came in about eight o-Clock a man very 
 drunk, & grew exceeding noisy & troublesome, & as 
 the Evening was cold & stormy, M': Carter thought it 
 improper to send him away; he was therefore ordered 
 into the Kitchen, to stay the Night: Him Bob soon 
 after persuaded to the School-house; I soon heard 
 from my Room the noise & guesed immediatel}' the 
 Cause. I waited however 'til half after ten, when all 
 seemed silent; I then took a candle & went into the 
 School-Room, And before the Fire Bob had brought a 
 matt, & Several Blankets, & was himself in a sound 
 sleep covered with the Blankets on the same Matt 
 between the drunken Man, & a Negro Fellow, his 
 Papa's Postilion ! I mention this as one Example among 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS I15 
 
 a thousand to shew the very particular Taste of this 
 Boy ! 1 could mention another which would illus- 
 trate what I have said of his passion for Horses when 
 I gave a Scetch of his character. Ben has a very 
 sightly young mare which he has in keeping for our 
 intended Journey; this morning Bob agreed to give 
 his Brother a Pisterene, & a rich Tortoise-Shell 
 Handled Knife bound elegantly with Silver, only for 
 Liberty to ride this Mare every day to Water, until 
 his Brother sets away, & would consent to be limited 
 
 as to the Gait he should use in Riding 
 
 I borrowed the late Magazines & read them in my 
 Leisure. I am daily more charmed & astonished with 
 M":^ Carter. I think indeed she is to be placed in the 
 place with Ladies of the first Degree. 
 
 Saturday 5. 
 
 Ver}' stormy this morning, no going out; I spend 
 the day very agreeably at Home. 
 
 M": Carter appointed to Ben, & I another Sonata to 
 practise. He wrote for Miss Naney also " Infancy " 
 to get by Heart & sing it with the Guitar. The day 
 continues stormy; Bob, however, has ventured out; for 
 neither Heat, nor Cold, nor Storm can stay him! 
 
 We dined at three The Colonel at Dinner 
 
 observed that many of the most just, & nervous sen- 
 timents are contain'd in Songs cS: small Sketches of 
 Poetry ; but being attended with Frippery Folly or Inde- 
 cency they are many times look'd over. I am remark- 
 abl}- pleased with the Monument erected to the memory 
 of General Wolfe ^ in the universal Magazine for Sep- 
 
 ' General Wolfe's remains were carried to England, where the monument 
 above referred to was erected to his memory in Westminster Abbey. There is 
 also an obelisk, sixty feet in height, in the government gardens at Quebec, in 
 his honor and that of his enemy, Montcalm. 
 
Il6 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 tember 1773. The General is there represented in an 
 expiring Posture, supported by an English Soldier, 
 who seems to comfort him in his last moments, by 
 directing his closing Eyes to a Figure representing Vic- 
 tory, holding in one hand a palm-Branch, the emblem 
 of peace ; & a Crown or Wreath of immortality in the 
 other, which she offers the d3dng commander; while 
 he himself seems to make a final effort to express his 
 Sattisfaction at her Appearance. On the corners of 
 the Base are two Lions couchant, the emblems of the 
 british Nation, supporting the Sarcophagus or marble 
 Urn, & intended to express the gratitude of "his native 
 country for his eminent Services. On the first pannel 
 of the Base is an elegant alto Relievo, representing the 
 debarkation of the Troops at the Foot of the Heights 
 of Abraham. 
 
 The Writer says that the Height of the Monument 
 from the Ground-Line to the top of the Tent, is nearly 
 twenty-seven feet; that the figures are considerably 
 larger than the Life, & beautifully executed. 
 
 On an oval Tablet in the front of the Urn are 
 inscribed the underwritten Lines. 
 
 To the Memor}' 
 
 of 
 
 James Wolfe Esqr 
 
 Major-General, & Commander in Chief of the 
 
 British Land Forces on an Expedition against 
 
 Quebeck. Who, surmounting by ability & 
 
 valour All Obstacles of Art & Nature, 
 
 Was slain, 
 
 In the moment of Victory, 
 
 At the head 
 
 of his conquering Troops on the 13th 
 
 of September, 1759; 
 
 The King, 
 
 and the Parliament of Great Britain Dedicate 
 
 this Monument. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS II7 
 
 Honour is here indeed done to merit, and Valour 
 is justly eternized! 
 
 I was reading in the Evening to Bob in the Monthly 
 Review the remarks on the writings of Phillis Wheatly^ 
 of Boston; at which he seem'd in astonishment; some- 
 times wanting to see her, then to know if she knew 
 grammer, Latin, &c. at last he expressed himself in a 
 manner very unusual for a Boy of his turn, & suddenly 
 
 exclaimed. Good God! I wish I was in Heaven! 
 
 The Weather is so stormy I chose to forego my Sup- 
 per, rather than venture into the dark, & Water. In 
 bed a little after ten which is our usual time. 
 
 Sunday 6. 
 
 I rose at eight The morning cold & stormy 
 
 Ben is distressed that he cannot go to Church; I 
 
 cannot say but I enjoy m3^self with great Satisfaction 
 tho' I stay most of my time in my Chamber; & often 
 have to withstand the solicitations of Gentlemen to 
 visit them. 
 
 Breakfasted at half after nine. M": Lane the other 
 Day informed me that t\\e. Anabaptists in Louden County 
 are growing very numerous, & seem to be increas- 
 ing in afluence; and as he thinks quite destroying 
 pleasure in the Country ; for they encourage ardent 
 
 'Phillis Wheatley, a negro slave, was brought to America in 1761, and 
 was bought from the slave-market by John Wheatley of Boston. Educated by 
 his daughters, she soon developed remarkable acquisitive faculties, and in 
 sixteen months she could read English fluently, and composed many lines for 
 her friends. In October, 1775, she addressed some verses and a letter to 
 General Washington (which were published in the Pennsylvania Gazette for 
 April, 1776), to which he courteously replied. She died at Boston, Dec. 5th, 
 1784, in want and poverty. Among her writings are, An Elgiac Poem on the 
 death of Rev. George Whitejield and Poems on Various Subjects, Religious 
 and Moral, by Phillis Wheatley, negro servant to Air. John Wheatley of 
 Boston. 
 
Il8 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Pray'r ; strong & constant faith, & an intire Ban- 
 ishment of Gaming, Dancing, & Sabbath-Day Diver- 
 sions. 
 
 1 have also before understood that they are numer- 
 ous in many County's in this Province, & are Gener- 
 ally accounted troublesome Parson Gibbern has 
 
 preached several sermons in opposition to them, in 
 which he has labour'd to convince his people that what 
 they say are only whimsical Fancies or at most Relig- 
 ion grown to Wildness & Enthusiasm ! There is 
 
 also in these counties one M^ WoddeP, a presbiter- 
 ian Clergyman, of an irreproachable Character, who 
 preaches to the people under Trees in summer, & in 
 private Houses in Winter. Him, however, the people 
 in general dont more esteem than the Anabaptist 
 Preachers; but the People of Fashion in general coun- 
 tenance, & commend him. I have never had an oppor- 
 tunity of seeing M^ IVoddel, as he is this Winter up in 
 the Country, but M": & M":^ Carter speak well of him, 
 M^ & M? Fantleroy also, and all who I have ever heard 
 mention his Name. Like Bob I am at once fiU'd with 
 pleasure & surprise, when I see the remarks of the 
 Reviewers confirmed as to the Writings of that ingen- 
 ious African PJiillis WJieatly of Boston; her verses seem 
 to discover that She is tolerably well acquainted with 
 Poetry, Learning, & Religion. 
 
 In the universal Magazine for September 1773 are 
 the following Lines on her being brought from Africa 
 to America by herself. 
 
 'The celebrated Dr. James Waddell, the blind preacher of Wirt's British 
 Spy, was settled in Lancaster and Northumberland counties from 1762 to 1788, 
 but during the latter part of this period it was his custom, on grounds of 
 health, to spend a part of the year in upper Virginia, where he lived constantly 
 in later years. See Foote's Sketches in Virginia, I, 367-387. {A7n. Hist. 
 Review, V. 5, No. 2, 303, n. 2.) 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS II9 
 
 " Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan Land, 
 Taught my benighted soul to understand 
 That there's a God ; and there's a Saviour too ; 
 Once I Redemption neither sought nor knew. 
 Some view our sable Race with scornful Eye, 
 
 "Their Colour is a Diabolic Dye." 
 Remember, christians, Negroes, black as Cain, 
 May be refin'd, and join the Angelic Train." 
 
 The people Went to day as usual into the 
 
 Woods with the Cart & Oxen for Wood, as the cold 
 and stormy Weather the several days past has occa- 
 sioned large, & steady fires It seems however to be 
 
 a Breach of the Law of the Sabbath. Ben impatient of 
 staying at home rode out about Eleven, when the 
 weather is more moderate ; Bob, Harry & IVL Randolph 
 also are all going out; I seem happy when intirely 
 alone, & have undisturbed liberty to spend in Devotion 
 God's holy Sabbath of Rest. 
 
 Before Night it grew fair when on a Sudden all 
 are out, so that we seem like a Town ; but most of the 
 
 Inhabitants are black We dined at three, no com- 
 
 pan}'. Evening Bob returned and brought Mr Turbur- 
 ville's Compliments, with a strong invitation for me to 
 
 visit him A little before the sun went down I took 
 
 a walk down the Poplar Avenue ; which must certainly 
 
 be vastly pleasant in Summer At the farthest end 
 
 of this walk I gathered & eat some Pisimmonds from a 
 large Tree which were exceeding sweet, & agreeable. 
 Supped at nine. At Supper the Colonel informed me 
 that he has invented this Day a method for finding the 
 difference of the value of money in this Province and in 
 Maryland. We do not spend Sundays thus in Jersey. 
 In Bed by ten. Ben at home. 
 
120 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Monday 7. 
 
 The morning- vastly clear & cool 
 
 The Colonel rode to Richmond Court at twelve, 
 with M^ Randolph I walked to see the Negroes make 
 a fence ; they drive into the Ground Chestnut stakes 
 about two feet apart in a straight Row, & then twist 
 in the Boughs of Savin ^ which grows in great plenty 
 
 here Ben, to Day, began Virgils Georgics — And 
 
 Prissy began Division By accident to day in the 
 
 Garden 1 took up M": Gregory the Gardiners Spade, 
 
 for which he instantly called on me for my forfeit 
 
 This Gardiner through the Summer from this Time 
 
 has half a Crown^ daily Wages Dined at half after 
 
 two. 
 
 Teusday 8. 
 
 I rose at six — the morning fine. Breakfasted at 
 nine. At twelve I walked, to the mill together with 
 M-: & M":^ Carter; Miss Prissy & Nancy, to see them 
 bake Biscuit, & pack flour; ^ here too I had a Forfeit 
 for kneeding biscuit. The Colonel shewed me and 
 explained the Pan of his Mill; his Canals; Waste- 
 gates; Toll Mill, Merchant Mill; &c. The tide flows 
 quite to the Mill & is navigable with Canoes and Flats 
 
 He told me that his Wastgate as it stands alone 
 
 cost him 95i!^. And nothing less than 5000^^' Capi- 
 tal can continue the works & keep them supplied. The 
 Ovens bake 100 lb. of Flour at a Heating; there 
 
 ^ The English crown piece, so called from the impress of the royal crown 
 which it originally bore, was of the value of five shillings. 
 
 ' The flour was intended largely for export, while the bread, or ship- 
 biscuit, supplied the merchant vessels which traded regularly between English 
 ports and Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 12 1 
 
 are in the Bake-house two Ovens. Dined half after 
 two. 
 
 The Colonel formed last Sunday, and is yet com- 
 pleating Tables for finding the difference between Vir- 
 ginia, & Maryland Currency, as he is entering largely 
 into Trade he finds it necessary to be better acquainted 
 with the Exchange. Ben agreed to ask his Papa at 
 Supper for Leave to go with me to Philadelphia but 
 poor Bo)^ his resolution fail'd him ! 
 
 Wednesday g. 
 
 Up at seven, very Windy Evening I rode 
 
 with Ben to M^ Lanes to see young Lane; he was out 
 
 however, & we soon returned M^ Warden was at 
 
 M^ Lanes. Evening we played in our small Concert our 
 old Sonata; & besides Felton's Gavott ; supped at nine. 
 
 Thursday lo. 
 
 M"? Carter informed me last Evening that this 
 Family one year with another consumes 27000 Lb. 
 of Pork; & twenty Beeves. 550 Bushels of Wheat, 
 besides corn — 4 Hogsheads of Rum, & 150 Gallons 
 of Brandy. 
 
 Breakfasted with us M": Warden, at twelve, with 
 jNL Randolph, I went a fishing, but we had only the 
 luck to catch one a-piece. Dined with us M": Cunning- 
 ham, he has lately had a severe turn of Pleurisy I 
 
 supped with M": Randolph on Fish. 
 
 Fry day 11. 
 
 The finest morning we have yet had ; the Robbins, 
 & blue Birds singing all around us. 
 
 Prissy, Nancy & Bob go this day to the Dance which 
 is at ^L Turburville's It comes here next I 
 
122 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 wrote a Letter to M*; Rees ^ at Trenton At twelve 
 
 with Ben I rode to M'i Lanes to see young M^ Lane, he 
 happened to be at Home, & introduced to me M^ Mid- 
 dleton an old facetious but profane Gentleman. We 
 dined with M^ Lane. When called on for my Toast I 
 gave Miss Sally Hollinshead, of Philadelphia. Dined 
 
 at three 
 
 I heard a mocking Bird sing this Day. Supped 
 at eight & in Bed early for I am much fatigued with 
 riding. 
 
 Saturday 12. 
 
 I rose by six Breakfasted with us Captain 
 
 Blackwel ; master of a Ship lying in Ucomico 1 heard 
 
 Harry, Miss Fanny, & Betsy repeat their catechism 
 
 At ten M": Lane called on us to go on Board Captain 
 
 Blackwels Ship to Dine We consented and setoff 
 
 by Eleven; We rode to a place called Horn-Point, 
 which is about a Mile up the River Ucomico, & in 
 sight of the wide Potoivrnac ; off this point at about a 
 Quarter of a miles Distance lay Captain Griggs, & 
 Captain Blackwels Ships, they sent immediately a Boat 
 to carry us on board, but on telling us that neither of 
 the Captains were at Home, we chose rather to turn 
 
 Back The distance from IsV. Carters to this Point, 
 
 is called twelve miles; the Land seems to be exceeding 
 poor, as it is covered for most of the way with Large 
 Pines, & shrubby Savins, & destitute almost entirely of 
 
 Cultivation From Horn-Point we agreed to ride to 
 
 one M^ Camels, who is Controller of the customs &c 
 here; chiefly to see a Daughter of his to whom we 
 were equally strangers, we arrived at M": Camels about 
 
 ' Oliver Reese, who graduated with Fithian from Princeton College, class 
 of 1772. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 123 
 
 two o-Clock, & were severally introduced to Miss Pink- 
 stone Camel, a young woman of about sixteen, neat, 
 handsome, genteel, & sociable; & in my opinion she 
 possesses as much of these as any young Lady in Vir- 
 ginia whom I have yet seen It has been M^ Camels 
 
 misfortune, in the course of trade, to be reduced to low 
 circumstances, on which account his Family does not 
 now meet with so great respect, as I am told they 
 
 formerly did 
 
 From Horn Point to the Comptrolers, the distance 
 is call'd four miles. Before Dinner we Borrowed the 
 Comptrolers Barge, which is an overgrown Canoe, & 
 diverted ourselves in the River which lies full fronting 
 the House ; & we were the better pleased with the 
 Sport, as all our motions were in the sight of Miss 
 
 Camel We dined at half after three on Fish, & 
 
 wild Duck— — -our drink Grogg, & Water. From the 
 Comptrolers at 5 o-Clock we set out Homewards; we 
 call'd on our way at Captain Middletons, whom I take 
 to be exceedingly Profane in his Language ; we were 
 introduced to his two Daughters; they seemed how- 
 ever aukward in their Behaviour, & dull, & saturnine 
 in their Disposition The Distance from the Comp- 
 trolers to Captain Middletons is seven Miles We 
 
 left there at eight in the evening, & rode to M^ Joseph 
 Lanes Esq^ which distance is called five miles, & arrived 
 
 at 9 o-Clock here we had an excellent Supper 
 
 with good Porter & Madeira after Supper, when 
 
 call'd on for my Toast, I gave '^\.\'&% Betsy Beaty of New- 
 ington, Pennsylvania- — ■ — -At half after ten we set off and 
 rode home; Distance three miles, Our poor Horses 
 went the distances which I have laid down and were 
 not fed in the course of the day ; as they have no 
 taverns in these parts Our whole Distance 31 
 
124 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Miles Expence to the Sailors for their trouble i/io. 
 Exceedingly fatigued with Riding. 
 
 Sunday ij. 
 
 Soon after Breakfast Captain Scott (master of a 
 Schooner laden with Wheat, & bound from Alexandria 
 for Philadelphia, which about ten days past in a gale of 
 wind run aground and is like to lose her Cargo) come 
 to hire M^ Carters Schooner to assist in unloading her 
 that the vessel may be saved; the vessel run aground, 
 & now lies nearly opposite the mouth of the River 
 
 Nomini in Potowmack! The Colonel is engaged in 
 
 taking off a Description of the River Ucomico ; the 
 Road from hence to Horn-Point: & Mondays- Point; 
 with the houses on the several ways 
 
 This day I declined going to Church, chiefly on 
 
 account of my Horse, who went so far yesterday 
 
 It is however the first time that I have kept myself at 
 
 home in good weather Evening M'; Carter received 
 
 a Packet of Letters from Anapolis by the Post, but none 
 
 comes to me this long Winter Bob to-day rode to 
 
 Richmond Church, and in the Evening brought from 
 Counsellor Tayloc'^ a strong invitation to call and see 
 him. 
 
 Monday i^. 
 
 Bob this morning begg'd me to learn him lattin ; 
 his Reason he tells me is that yesterday M^^ Taylor^ 
 told him he must not have either of her Daughters 
 unless he learn'd Latin he urged me so strong that I 
 put him some Lessons for leisure hours. Rainy most 
 
 ' Colonel John Tayloe of Mt. Airy in Richmond County, a fellow mem- 
 ber with Robert Carter in the governor's council. 
 
 ■^ Rebecca Plater Tayloe, daughter of Governor George Plater of Mary- 
 land. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 12 5 
 
 of this da}^ & in the afternoon from the West arose a 
 black cloud which was attended with several pretty 
 
 hard Claps of Thunder We had with us one M^ 
 
 Neal a good Sort of self sulificient Gentleman. 
 
 Teusday 15. 
 
 This morning, as Ben & Bob were agreeing on the 
 price of a Rudiman Grammar, which Bob wanted to 
 purchase of Ben ; after some time when Bob would not 
 give 2/10. Bens great demand for a Book almost 
 worn out, which, when new, may, by thousands be had 
 
 in Philadelphia for 2/, that Currency He threw 
 
 his Book into the fire, & destroy'd it at once! An 
 
 Instance of two ruling Foibles which I discover in Ben 
 viz. obstinacy, & avarice. And another I mentioned 
 the other day, of his agreeing, for half a Bit, or /i ^d. 
 a week, to play the flute for a limited time, every night 
 after I am in Bed ; of this however he has grown tired, 
 & given up his wages on account of the Labour or 
 
 Confinement of the Task And I should be deceived, 
 
 if a very little money would not excite him to submit 
 
 to almost any menial service Bob however, for the 
 
 present is frustrated in his purpose of learning Gram- 
 mer, & it seems to chagrin him as much, as tho' he 
 actually believed in what M":^ Taylor told him last Sun- 
 day, that without he understands Latin, he will never 
 be able to win a young Lady of Family & fashion for 
 
 his Wife. At the Noon play-Hours ^£'(5 & Nelson the 
 
 Boy who waits on the School had a fight, I know not 
 on what account; it was Bobs misfortune in the course 
 of the Battle to receive a blow on his cheek near his 
 Eye, which is visible, & brought the intelligence of the 
 Quarrel to me, for all were wholly silent till I made 
 inquiry, when all in a moment seem'd to turn and try 
 
126 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 to convict him In the Evening, after School, I 
 
 took them both to my Room, and examined them of 
 the reason. Place, and manner of their fighting; from 
 themselves it seem'd plain that they fought for mere 
 Diversion. I therefore dismiss'd Nelson, & kept Bob 
 til near Supper & then gave him a smart correction 
 & dismiss'd him. 
 
 Wednesday 16. 
 
 The morning cloudy & windy. Breakfasted at 
 
 nine M^ Randolph hurt himself by a Fall from a 
 
 fence to day badly Dined at half after two 
 
 Towards Evening the clouds all scattered, the wind 
 fell, & left the air pleasant: The Birds also seemed 
 glad and merry The whole reminded me of a beau- 
 tiful, & memorable passage in Milton : ^ 
 
 " If Chance the Radiant Sun with farewel-Sweet, 
 Extend his Evening Beam the fields revive, 
 The Birds their notes renew, the bleating Herds 
 Attest their joy that Hill & valley rings." 
 
 After school, I had the honour of taking a walk 
 with M":^ Carter through the Garden It is beauti- 
 ful, & I think uncommon to see at this Season peas all 
 
 up two & three Inches We gathered two or three 
 
 Cowslips in full-Bloom; & as many violets The 
 
 English Honey-Suckle is all out in green & tender 
 
 Leaves M^ Gregory is grafting some figs M":^ 
 
 Carter shewed me her Apricot-Grafts ; Asparagus Beds 
 &;c. Before Supper a Black cloud appeared in the 
 West, at which M":^ Carter discovered much concern 
 as She is uncommonly afraid both of wind and Thun- 
 der. 
 
 "^ Paradise Lost, Book II, 1. 492-496. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 127 
 
 Thursday jy. 
 
 This morning M^ Carter put Miss Fanny to learn- 
 
 ins: the Notes While we were breakfastinsf M"! Stad- 
 
 A'^ the musician came; Miss /V-zV^j/ is with him; Nancy 
 learns the Guitar, under the direction of her Papa, as 
 M": Stadley does not understand playing on the Guitar 
 
 Dined with us a young Gentleman M": Fantleroy 
 
 irom Hobbcs-Holc He seems to be a modest sensi- 
 ble, genteel young Fellow I had the pleasure of 
 
 taking a walk in the Garden at five with M^ Stadley ; 
 
 Bob along He is a man of Sense, & has great Skill 
 
 in music. I spent the Evening in the Room in the 
 midst of music. 
 
 Fry day 18. 
 
 The morning damp & disagreeable M": Stad- 
 ley continues to Day with Miss Prissy. We received 
 
 this morning the Williainsburg Gazette's^ Several 
 
 Addresses appear, and poetical Encomiums on the 
 Countess of Dunmore lately arrived there. 
 
 M"! Bracken, & M^ Henley, are still contending in 
 furious Combat, but poor Henley seems to be on the 
 verge of a Defeat. 
 
 I have all along intended, & shall now attempt to 
 give a short description of Nomini-Hall, and the several 
 Buildings, & improvements adjoining it; as well for 
 my own amusement, as also to be able with certainty 
 to inform others of a Seat as magnificent in itself and 
 with as many surrounding Conveniences, as any I have 
 ever seen, & perhaps equal to any in this Colony. 
 
 'There were two Gazettes published in Williamsburg at this time ; one, 
 established by William Hunter, publication of which was suspended after the 
 Revolution ; the other was begun by William Rind, in 1766, publication sus- 
 pended, 1774. It is probable that Councillor Carter subscribed to both these 
 papers. 
 
128 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 M^ Carter now possesses 60000 Acres of Land, & 
 
 about 600 Negroes But his Estate is mvich divided,^ 
 
 & lies in almost every county in this Colony ; He has 
 Lands in the Neighbourhood of Williamsburg, & an 
 
 elegant & Spacious House in that City He owns a 
 
 great part of the well known Iron-Works near Balti- 
 more in Maryland^ And he has one or more con- 
 siderable Farms not far from Anopolis. 
 
 He has some large tracts of Land far to the West, 
 at a place call'd " Bull Run", & the " Great Meadows" 
 among the mountains. He owns land near Dumfries 
 on the Potowmack ; & large Tracts in this & the 
 
 neighbouring Counties. Out of these Lands, which 
 
 are situated so remote from each other in various parts 
 of these two large Provinces, Virginia, & Maryland, 
 M^ Carter has chosen for the place of his habitation a 
 high spot of Ground in Westmoreland County at the 
 Head of the Navigation of the River Nomini, where he 
 has erected a large Elegant House, at a vast expence, 
 which commonly goes by the name of Nomini-Hall. 
 This House is built with Brick, but the bricks have 
 been covered with strong lime Mortar; so that the 
 building is now perfectly white; It is seventy-six Feet 
 long from East to West ; & forty-four wide from North 
 to South, two Stories high ; the Pitch of the lower 
 
 story seventeen Feet, & the upper Story twelve It 
 
 has five Stacks of Chimneys, tho' two of these serve 
 only for ornaments. 
 
 ^The Nomini Hall estate is said to have comprised some 2500 acres and 
 150 slaves. See Glenn's Some Colonial Mansions, V. i, pp. 276-279. 
 
 ^ Probably those established at Gwinn's Falls and Jones's Falls by the 
 Baltimore Company, in which members of the Tasker family (Mrs. Carter's 
 connections) were interested. See Bishop, History of American Manufac- 
 tures, I, 586. i^Am. Hist. Review, V. 5, No. 2, 304, n. i.) 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 129 
 
 There is a beautiful Jutt, on the South side, 
 eighteen feet long, & eight Feet deep from the wall 
 
 which is supported by three tall pillars On the 
 
 South side, or front, in the upper story are four Win- 
 dows each having twenty-four Lights of Glass. In the 
 lower story are two Windows each having forty-two 
 Lights of Glass, & two Doors each having Sixteen 
 
 Lights At the East end the upper story has three 
 
 Windows each with eighteen Lights ; & below two 
 Windows both with eighteen Lights & a Door with 
 nine 
 
 The North side I think is the most beautiful of all; 
 In the upper Story is a Row of seven Windows with 
 eighteen Lights a piece ; and below six windows, with 
 the like number of lights ; besides a large Portico in 
 the middle, at the sides of which are two Windows 
 
 each with eighteen Lights. At the West end are 
 
 no Windows The Number of Lights in all is five 
 
 hundred, & forty nine There are four Rooms on a 
 
 Floor, disposed of in the following manner. Below is 
 a dining Room where we usually sit ; the second is a 
 dining-Room for the Children ; the third is M": Carters 
 study; & the fourth is a Ball-Room thirty Feet long 
 
 Above stairs, one Room is for M": & M^* Carter; 
 
 the second for the young Ladies ; & the other two for 
 occasional Company. As this House is large, & stands 
 on a high piece of Land it may be seen a consider- 
 able distance ; I have seen it at the Distance of six 
 
 Miles 
 
 At equal Distances from each corner of this Build- 
 ing stand four other considerable Houses, which I 
 shall next a little describe. First, at the North East 
 corner, & at 100 yards Distance stands the School 
 House ; 
 
I30 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 At the North-West Corner, & at the same Dis- 
 tance stands the stable; At the South-West Corner, & 
 at the same Distance, stands the Coach-House; And 
 lastly, at the South-East corner, & at an equal distance 
 stands the Work-House. These four Houses are the 
 corner of a Square of which the Great-House is the 
 
 Center First the School-House is forty five feet 
 
 long-, from East to West, & twenty-seven from North 
 to South ; It has five well-finished, convenient Rooms, 
 three below stairs, & two above; It is built with Brick 
 a Story and a half high with Dormant Windows ; In 
 each Room is a fire ; In the large Room below-Stairs 
 we keep our School; the other two Rooms below which 
 are smaller are allowed to M^ Randolph the Clerk ; The 
 Room above the School-Room Ben and I live in ; & 
 the other Room above Stairs belongs to Harry & Bob. 
 Five of us live in this House with great Neatness, & 
 convenience; each one has a Bed to himself 
 
 And we are call'd by the Bell to the Great-House 
 
 to Breakfast &c The Wash-House is built in the 
 
 same form, & is of the same Size of the School-House 
 
 From the front yard of the Great House, to the 
 
 Wash-House is a curious Terrace, covered finely with 
 Green turf, & about five foot high with a slope of eight 
 feet, which appears exceeding well to persons coming 
 
 to the front of the House This Terrace is produced 
 
 along the Front of the House, and ends b}' the Kitchen; 
 but before the Front-Doors is a broad flight of steps of 
 the same Height, & slope of the Terrace. 
 
 The Stable & coach-House are of the same Length 
 & Breadth as the School-and Wash-House, only they 
 are higher pitched to be convenient for holding Hay & 
 Fodder. 
 
 Due East of the Great House are two Rows of 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 131 
 
 tall, flourishing, beautiful. Poplars,* beginning on a 
 Line drawn from the School to the Wash-House; these 
 Rows are something wider than the House, & are about 
 300 yards Long, at the Eastermost end of which is the 
 great Road leading through Westmorland to Rich- 
 mond. These Rows of Poplars form an extremely 
 pleasant avenue, & at the Road, through them, the 
 House appears most romantic, at the same time that it 
 
 does truly elegant The Area of the Triangle made 
 
 by the Wash-House, Stable, & School-House is per- 
 fectly levil, & designed for a bowling-Green, laid out 
 in rectangular Walks which are paved with Brick, & 
 
 covered over with burnt Oyster-Shells In the 
 
 other Triangle, made by the Wash-House, Stable, & 
 Coach-House is the Kitchen, a well-built House, as 
 large as the School-House; Bake-House; Dairy ; Store- 
 House & several other small Houses; all which stand 
 due West, & at a small distance from the great House, 
 & form a little handsome Street. These Buildings 
 stand about a quarter of a Mile from a Fork of the 
 River Nomini, one Branch of which runs on the East 
 of us, on which are two Mills; one of them belongs 
 to M^ Turburville the other to M^ Washington, both 
 
 within a mile another branch of the River runs on 
 
 the West of us, on which and at a small distance above 
 the House stands M^ Carters Merchant Mill, which I 
 have in other places described ; to go to the mill from 
 the House we descend I imagine about an 100 Feet; 
 the Dam is so broad that two carriages may pass con- 
 veniently on it; & the Pond from twelve to Eighteen 
 Foot water at the fork M"; Carter has a Granary, 
 
 * These beautiful old trees are still the admiration of all who see them ; 
 though the house and buildings have passed away these many years, this stately 
 avenue survives with hardly a tree missing. See frontispiece. 
 
132 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 where he lands his Wheat for the mill, Iron from the 
 
 Works &c 
 
 In the Evening- M^ Carter sent for Ben & I to play 
 over the Sonata which we have lately learn'd ; we per- 
 formed it, & had not only M": Stadleys Approbation, 
 but his praise; he did me the honour to say that " I 
 play a good Flute." He took a Flute also and play'd ; 
 which put me in mind, at once, of the speech of the 
 
 Shepherd in virgil. Non tu in Triviis, indocte, 
 
 solebas Stridenti miserum Stipula disperdere lammen,^ 
 For when compared to him, the best that Ben or I can 
 
 do, is like Crows among Nightingales We play'd 
 
 till ten, and separated, I gave to Miss Harriot, for say- 
 ing a good lesson, half a Bit 
 
 Saturday ig. 
 
 The morning still wet & disagreeable Last 
 
 night I dreamed much of the Girl, which, I most of 
 all others, esteem, & admire; of Laura; But oh! I 
 
 dreamed she was treacherous! If it be true, I 
 
 must suppress the Greatness of my Disappointment by 
 reflecting that I had not well enough considered this 
 
 Sentiment of the poet, That, Varium et mutabile 
 
 semper Foemina 1 discover weakness when I am 
 
 writing in this manner; but Anxiety, and mighty-Love 
 carry me over the bounds which I set for the regula- 
 tion of my conduct Dreams indeed are vain & 
 
 false ; But perhaps Laura may think that Lovers vows 
 
 are vain and trififling as they! 1 spend the day in 
 
 my Room looking over the Catalogue of the Reviewers 
 
 for August, September, October & November 1773 
 
 Ben, & Bob, & Harry, out tho the Day is bad 
 
 M^ Stadley is yet busy with the young Ladies 
 
 ^ Bucolica, Eel. III. " Lammen " for carmen. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 133 
 
 Sunday 20. 
 
 The weather still cloudy, damp, and disagreeable, 
 but it is perfectly calm ; people here attribute this so 
 long dullness to the Sun crossing the Line which is to 
 
 happen to-morrow After Breakfast M^ Stadley left 
 
 us, The day is so bad none of us go to Church 
 
 Before Dinner I received from M^ Lane, by his Ser- 
 vant a Note, informing me that he is to set out to- 
 morrow for home In return, by the Same bearer, 
 
 I wrote him my Compliments in a letter; desiring him 
 to remember me to my Acquaintances in Pennsylvania, 
 & New Jersey, as he will probably soon see many of 
 
 them 1 spent much of this Day in M^ Carters 
 
 Library among the works of mighty-Men ; 1 turned 
 over Calincts, Scripture prints, they are beautiful, & 
 
 vastly entertaining At Dinner by some means, I 
 
 know not how a conversation was introduced concern- 
 ing the Souls of Women ; M? Carter observed, that She 
 
 has heard they have no Souls Says Miss Priscilla 
 
 in a moment if I thought so I would not have spent all 
 this morning in Reading; nor would Women, (Said the 
 well discerning Miss) be careful to avoid any Shameful, 
 
 or Sinful Action It is not unlikely but these are 
 
 the private Sentiments of many among the Fair; & no 
 doubt they would be generally and publickly practised 
 if it should be universally admitted that the Soul of a 
 Woman is not to exist after the present Life. 
 
 Monday 21. 
 
 This day the days and nights are equal The 
 
 Sun enters Aries Aries Die Somniq: pares Jam 
 
 fecerit Horas, Et medium Luci atq : Umbris jam dividet 
 Orbem. Virgil, Georgic i. 
 
 At Breakfast M^ Carter asked me who is foremost 
 
134 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 in Arithmetic; whether Bob, or Prissy? At which 
 Mr Carter observed, that him of his Sons whom he 
 finds most capable of doing Business when he leaves 
 the World, & his Estate, shall have the management of 
 the whole, and support the Rest. It seemed to me to 
 be not an ill-chosen Incentive to Diligence among the 
 
 Boys 
 
 This morning still cloudy, the wind at South 
 
 about ten a black-gloomy cloud appeared in the west; 
 
 it came over like Virgils 
 
 Omnia Ventorum concurrere proelia The wind 
 
 changed with the cloud to the westward Dined 
 
 with us M-: Washington & M": Philip Smith, Brother to 
 the Parson of this parish, to whom I was formally 
 
 introduced Toasts as usual Towards Evening 
 
 it grows more pleasant & after School, I had the pleas- 
 ure of a walk in the Garden with M":^ Carter, Miss 
 
 Stanhope, & Miss Harriot The peas have grown 
 
 admirably since my last Walk; & indeed all the Herbs 
 
 seem sprouting Harry this Day finished vulgar 
 
 Fractions, & began Practice. Expence to day as Pin- 
 Money a Bit or /jY". 
 
 Teusday 22. 
 
 Once more the weather fine Last night by 
 
 some accident, the Main Spring of my Watch either 
 unhook'd or broke, for when I thought she had run 
 down, and trying to wind her, I found the Chain made 
 no Resistance. As there is no oppertunity here of 
 having her refitted, I seem in considerable difficulty 
 
 In Spite of all my strongest opposing efforts, my 
 
 thoughts dwell on that Vixen Laura. I strive to refuse 
 them admission, or harbour them in my heart, yet like 
 hidden fire they introduce themselves, & seize, & over 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 135 
 
 come me when perhaps I am pursuing some amuseing 
 or useful Study ; or giving precepts & Directions to 
 
 my little fair Seminary At ten M^ Lane & M^ John 
 
 Simpson call'd to see us At twelve we had a pleas- 
 ant walk in the Garden M^ Carter, & M^ Carter 
 
 along M": Lane informs that he has by particular 
 
 Request, in the absence of the Parson, Read the funeral 
 Service twice since he has been in the county, which is 
 
 only a few Weeks He sets off for home soon; M^ 
 
 Carter says he is in Love, & I think it is with Miss 
 Camel. I was introduced to M": Simpson : He talks 
 much ; & often mentions his having been to England 
 
 They Dined with us; Toasts as usual. Evening I 
 
 have the Tooth Ach. 
 
 Wednesday 2j. 
 
 I was almost wholly deprived of Sleep last night 
 with a pain in my Jaw and Teeth ; which continues this 
 
 morning so bad I scarce know what, or how to do 
 
 Frail, & weak nature ; how we are forever teas'd, & 
 vexed with Anxiety in our minds, or Pains & other 
 
 distresses in our Bodies! We dined at half after 
 
 two It is now seven in the Evening & I am about 
 
 entering into bed, as the pain has entirely left me, that 
 I may satisfy my Body for last nights loss of my usual 
 rest, I leave Ben by the Fire, poring over a History of 
 England, nodding Sometimes, however, & impatient of 
 the distance of nine o-Clock. 
 
 Thursday 2^. 
 
 At Breakfast Mr Carter entertained us with an 
 account of what he himself saw the other Day, which 
 is a strong Representation of the cruelty & distress 
 which many among the Negroes suffer in Virginia! 
 
136 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 M^ Carter dined at Squire Lees some few Weeks 
 ago; at the same place, that day, dined also Mr George 
 
 Turburville^ & his Wife As M^ Carter rode up he 
 
 observed M^ Turburville's Coach-Man sitting on the 
 
 Chariot-Box, the Horses off After he had made his 
 
 compliments in the House, he had occasion soon after 
 to go to the Door, when he saw the Coachman still 
 sitting, & on examination found that he was there fast 
 chained ! The Fellow is inclined to run away, & this 
 is the method which This Tyrant makes use of to keep 
 him when abroad ; & So soon as he goes home he is 
 delivered into the pityless Hands of a blood}' Overseer! 
 
 In the Language of a Heathen I query whether 
 
 cunning old Charo7i will not refuse to transport this 
 imperious, haughty Virginian Lord When he shall hap- 
 pen to die over the Styx to the Elysian Gardens ; lest 
 his Lordship in the passage should take affront at the 
 treatment, & attempt to chain him also to the Stygean 
 Galley for Life ! 
 
 Or, In the language of a Christian, I query whether 
 he may be admitted into the peaceful Kingdom of 
 Heaven, where meekness, Holiness, & Brotherly-Love, 
 are distinguishing Characteristicks! 
 
 Tho the Pain in my Teeth has entirely left me, I 
 am not therefore free from distress; for to day I am 
 attacked with a pain in my Head, & Fever; which hin- 
 ders me from Walking out at twelve as is my Custom! 
 
 Fry day 2^. 
 
 I rose by seven & through Gods mercy I feel 
 
 myself much relieved of yesterdays complaints The 
 
 ' George Richard Turberville, son of George Turberville of Hickory Hill 
 and Martha Lee, his third wife ; married in 1769, Martha, only child of Gawin 
 Corbin of Peckatone, Westmoreland County, where he resided at this time. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 137 
 
 weather cloudy, cold, rainy at times, & unpleasant 
 
 Evening Ben took courage and asked his Papa for his 
 consent to allow him to go with me to Philadelphia 
 
 The Colonel very kindly, & at the same time very 
 
 Politely consented For he would not agree till he 
 
 knew of me whether it was agreeable to me, and at my 
 Request that he is to go. 
 
 Saturday 26. 
 
 Ben & Bob are soon after Breakfast on Horseback; 
 Breakfasted with us one Lee, a Gentleman of what 
 
 they call here the back Woods He seems indeed a 
 
 little stiff in his manner; but he has had a long Ride 
 
 1 spend the Day close in my Room, Reading 
 
 Writing &c. 
 
 Stinday 2j . 
 
 An odd Jumble of affairs happened this morning 
 
 Bob drest himself & came into our Room & in his 
 
 usual way began to be pretty free in telling us Nezus'^ . . . 
 
 Before Bob had done, the Bell rung for Breakfast 
 
 & we parted All went to Church to-day but Miss 
 
 Nancy, Harry, & Myself I spend the day agreeabl}^ 
 
 in M^ Carters Library Evening when the Colonel 
 
 returned, (for he dined at Squire Lee's) he informed 
 me of an affair which happened yesterday in this Coun- 
 ty, One Smith, a Man of a Middle age who lives with 
 his aged Father, & his Father too is old & declining 
 
 fast with disease This youth has lately made a will 
 
 for his Father which he yesterday compell'd him to 
 sign ; and after the Good old Man had obliged him, he 
 beat and abused him (tho his father) in desperate man- 
 ner it is thought with a design to destroy' him ! Soon 
 
 ^ Here occur some bits of boy gossip. 
 
138 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 after this he discharged a musket at his own Brother 
 who was at some distance from him & lodged in his 
 body eighteen large Shott ! Docters were immed- 
 iately call'd & officers directed to take the villian 
 
 but he, with his Wife have hid themselves in a Thicket 
 
 & have as yet evaded the search of the Sheriff 
 
 Sup'd with us one M^ Mathews a Steward for 
 M^ Carter in Louden. 
 
 {Monday 28.) 
 
 Breakfasted with us M^ Mathews ; he seems to be 
 
 a man of great Gravity, says little, & Sighs often 
 
 The day is warm & vastly mild ; it is the first Day we 
 
 have in all our rooms been without any Fire At 
 
 twelve I rode to M"; Taylors two miles; he was out, 1 
 sat half an hour with Miss Taylor & returned to Din- 
 ner, the Ride exceeding pleasant, and my Horse seems 
 (as jockeys say) in good Flesh & well prepar'd for our 
 
 approaching & much wished for Journey Evening 
 
 M^ Simpson came in, sup'd & stays the Night. He has 
 last Week, been distilling M^ Carters Liquor made of 
 
 Pisimonds it is soft, mild, of a fair pure Colour, 
 
 burns clear, but does not answer the Colonels Expect- 
 ations; so that he does not propose to recommend it to 
 his Neighbours in this or the Neighbouring Counties 
 as a useful experiment. When call'd on for my Toast, 
 at Supper I gave Miss Jenny Corbin ; M? Carter gave 
 Captain Lee ; & M": Simpson gave Miss Jones. 
 
 Teusday 2g. 
 
 To warm to day for fire, but we have the wind 
 
 very strong from the West M": Carter rode to Court 
 
 Soon after Breakfast I receiv'd a Letter from 
 
 M\ Andrew Bryan of Baltimore, Maryland formerly at 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 139 
 
 College my Class-Mate the Letter bears Date Jan- 
 uary 21^' 1774 Dated Tii Baltimore. He informs me of 
 his good Health, & that he shall soon forward my Let- 
 ters inclosed to him ; perhaps kind oppertunity shall 
 have before this hour favoured my wish, & brought to 
 
 Laura advices of my State At twelve I rode out, 
 
 with Ben, an hour & better; the day vastly windy. 
 About four Colonel Philip Lee's Chariot arrived, in 
 which came four young Misses to be ready for the Dance 
 
 which happens here to-morrow 1 am informed this 
 
 Evening that Smith the Villian mentioned last Sunday 
 was to day apprehended, & committed to the prison in 
 this County. 
 
 Wednesday jo. 
 
 Rainy & cold The Colonel informed me this 
 
 morning that the general Opinion of the Gentlemen at 
 Court yesterday seem'd to be that the Country would 
 be free'd of three Villians if the old abused Father, the 
 wounded Son & Brother, & the offending guilty Son 
 
 were to be all hanged The Day so bad Mr Christian 
 
 does not attend M''.^ Washington'^ came however, 
 
 with Miss Jenny her Daughter; the two Fantleroys 
 came also; & Miss Corbin, & Miss Turburville, & one 
 
 Miss Hale a new Scholar M": Carters Man play'd & 
 
 the Dance goes on with great Spirit & neatness. 
 
 Evening there is as common a good play. Sepa- 
 rated all for Bed by half after nine. 
 
 Thursday ji . 
 
 All our company continue. The morning fair & 
 
 cool Yesterday & to-day I am strongly solicited to 
 
 dance I decline however & must persevere. 
 
 ^ Mrs. John Augustine Washington of " Bushfield," in Westmoreland 
 County : was Hannah, daughter of Col. John Bushrod. 
 
I40 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 M^ & M"? Turburville came in before Dinner 
 
 With the two Fantlero3's, Ben, Bob, & Harry, I had a 
 pleasant walk through the Fields, to the Mill &c. I 
 
 paid my forfeit to the Baker /"jh The Plumb-Trees 
 
 are beginning to blossom Towards Evening our 
 
 company all left us. 
 
 Fr yda y April 1st 1774. 
 
 Good Fryday A general Holiday here 
 
 Wednesday & thursday I gave up my School on 
 account of the Dance, & they must have this Day for 
 Devotion!— — The Colonel, Ben Harry, & myself all 
 
 go to Ucomico Church Parson Smith gave the 
 
 usual Prayers for the Day and a long Sermon very 
 suitable and well chosen. 
 
 After Service we were invited and went Home 
 with Captain Walker to dine ; I was here introduced 
 to D^ Steptoe & a young Gentleman Brother to the 
 Parson Both seem agreeable, & appear to be men of 
 Sense. Dined here also the Parson, his Wife, Sister, 
 M": Warder the Lawyer. 
 
 Towards Evening we rode home. I observed as I 
 rode along People are universally plowing up their 
 Land for planting Corn & for Tobacco. And in one 
 field I saw several Women planting Corn. I think 
 
 however, it is early even here They raise no Flax, 
 
 their Land in general being so poor that it will not 
 produce it And their method of farming is slov- 
 enly, without any regard to continue their Land in 
 heart, for future Crops They plant large Quanti- 
 ties of Land, without any Manure, & work it very hard 
 to make the best of the Crop, and when the Crop 
 comes off they take away the Fences to inclose another 
 Piece of Land for the next years tillage, and leave this 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS I41 
 
 a common to be destroyed by Winter & Beasts till they 
 
 stand in need of it again to plough The Land most 
 
 commonly too is of a light sandy soil, & produces in 
 very great quantities shrubby Savins & Pines, unless in 
 the Vallies, (for it is very hilly) & near the Potowmack 
 
 where it is often vastly rich M^ Carter has been 
 
 lately solicited & was to have gone this Day with a 
 number of Gentlemen to Horn-Point on the River 
 Ucomico, with an intention, if they think the Situation 
 will be proper, to establish Ware-Houses, & form a 
 small Town It is however, in my opinion, a fruit- 
 less Scheme 
 
 Sunday j. 
 
 The Day pleasant; I rode to church after the 
 
 Service proper for the Day, M": Smith entertained us 
 with a Sermon from Pauls Defence before King Agrippa 
 " How is it thought a thing impossible with you that 
 God should raise the dead." He in this gave us a very 
 plain & Just Discourse on the doctrine of the resur- 
 rection This being Easter-Sunday, all the Parish 
 
 seem'd to meet together High, Low, black, White all 
 come out After Sermon the Sacrament was admin- 
 istered, but none are admited except communicants to 
 
 see how the matter is conducted After Sermon 1 
 
 rode to M": Turburville's^ (for I found to day the true 
 spelling of his name) There dined with him, Ladies 
 M? Carter, & M":* George Tnrburville : Gentlemen, Col- 
 onel Carter, Squire-Z^^, M^. Cunningham, & M": Jennings, 
 Merchants ; ISP George Lee, & Ben Carter & Myself 
 
 ' The correct spelling is Turberville, from the French, Tour de Ville. 
 The Virginia Turbervilles are said to be descended from the English Family of 
 Bere Regis, Dorset. The progenitor of this family is supposed to have been a 
 Sir Payne Turberville (or Tour de Ville) who accompanied the Conqueror, 
 and whose name appears on the " Battle- Abbey Roll ". Their crest is a tower. 
 
142 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 We had an elegant dinner; Beef & Greens; roast-Pig; 
 
 fine boil'd Rock-Fish, Pudding, Cheese &c Drink: 
 
 good Porter-Beer, Cyder, Rum, & Brandy Toddy. 
 The Virginians are so kind one can scarce know how 
 to dispense with, or indeed accept their kindness shown 
 
 in such a variety of instances. I had again an 
 
 oppertunity of seeing Miss Sally Panton which is the 
 
 name of M":^ Turburville's English Governess But 
 
 the common voice seems to be against me as to her 
 being Handsome But her huge Stays low Head- 
 dress ; enormous long Waist, a Dress entirely contrary 
 to the liking of Virginia Ladies, these I apprehend 
 make her in their Eyes less personable, than to anyone 
 
 wholly unprejudiced Her Stays are suited to come 
 
 up to the upper part of her shoulders, almost to her 
 chin ; and are swaithed round her as low as they can 
 possibly be, allowing Her the liberty to walk at all: 
 
 To be sure this is a vastly modest Dress! She 
 
 speaks French & is to teach the Language to Miss Tur- 
 
 burville, & also Writing, & reading English Upon 
 
 the whole, if her Principles of Religion, & her moral 
 behaviour, be as unexceptionable as her person, & her 
 Manner, let M^ & M? Carters opinions go again me I 
 
 shall think her agreeable yixs'S, Prissy '^\s^ Najicy : 
 
 & Miss Fanny all stay the night at Captain Turbur- 
 ville's At Church, M^. Low, a young Scotch Gen- 
 tleman, tutor in Colonel Washingtotis Family, solicited 
 me to carry his Recommendations from Scotland, to 
 T>\ Witherspoon as he is desirous to be licensed in one 
 
 of our northern Presbyteries 1 shall do him the 
 
 Favour. The country begins to put on her Flowery 
 
 Garment, & appear in gaity The Apricots are in 
 
 their fullest Bloom ; Peaches also, & Plumbs, & several 
 sorts of Cheries are blossoming; as I look from my 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 143 
 
 Window & see Groves of Peach Trees on the Banks of 
 Nomini ; (for the orchards here are very large) and 
 other Fruit Trees in Blossom ; and amongst them inter- 
 spers'd the gloomy Savin ; beyond all these at a great 
 Distance the blue Potowmack; and over this great 
 River, just discern the Woods of Maryland & conceive 
 that beyond them all lies Cohansie my native pleasant 
 Residence ; & when I think with myself that by Gods 
 permission, in a ver)' few days more I shall be in the 
 midst of Society, quite remote from formality, and 
 from the least fear of giving offence by being familiar, 
 or of being aw'd to silence by ostentatious vanity: 
 how the thought fires me I Direct my Way, merciful 
 God, and keep my Feet from falling, & my Heart from 
 
 disobeying thy pure & perfect commandments And 
 
 make my Way prosperous that I may go and return 
 again, still doing thy Pleasure, & honouring thy great 
 Name ! 
 
 Monday ^. 
 
 Easter Monday ; a general holiday ; Negroes are 
 now all disbanded till Wednesday morning & are at 
 Cock Fights through the County ; This morning I 
 make a general payment. First, to Sam the Barber 
 8/2. Second to Tom the Hostler 7/6. third to Nel- 
 son who waits on me /.3L Sum 15/115. 
 
 M^ & M"? Carter, with M^. Cunningham & Ben (as 
 M^ Cunningham came home with us last Night) all 
 
 rode to Day to Richmond Court 1 was in the 
 
 morning strongly solicited to go, but chose to decline 
 
 it After Breakfast, came home from M^ Turbur- 
 
 ville's our young Ladies, they inform me that Miss 
 Panton discovered a strong inclination to be better 
 acquainted with me ; which indeed is a Curiosity that I 
 
144 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 cannot say I am altogether destitute of. 1 shall there- 
 fore, when I find it convenient make Miss Panton a 
 visit 
 
 I was before Dinner very strongly urged, by Mf 
 Taylor, M^ Randolph, & some others to attend a Cock- 
 Fight, where 25 Cocks are to fight, & large Sums are 
 betted, so large at one as twenty five Pounds, but I 
 chose rather to stay at Home. I read to day, and am 
 much charmed with a Speech of Plato s over Alexander 
 
 the Great lying dead before him "O thou, who 
 
 deceived by vain-Glory didst think of grasping at 
 everything, others are now going to gather the fruits 
 of thy labours & thy Fatigues. Of so many conquests, 
 there remains of thee but the terrible account, which 
 thou art obliged to render unto the sovereign Judge " ! 
 
 I have also to Day with considerable attention 
 been looking over Junius s Letters. His sentiments 
 are strong; & bold. His language is chaste, & concise. 
 
 & his Genius seems free and vast 1 cannot easily 
 
 omit transcribing a short passage from his letter to the 
 Rev .4 ^\l Home in which he is speaking of Lord Chat- 
 ham, as it pleases me vastly. "As for the common, 
 sordid views of avarice, or any purpose of vulgar 
 Ambition, I question whether the applause of Junius, 
 would be of service to Lord Chatham. My vote will 
 hardly recommend him to an increase of his pension, 
 or to a Seat in the Cabinet. But if his Ambition be 
 
 upon a levil with his understanding If he Judges of 
 
 what is truly honourable for himself with the same 
 superior Genius which animates & directs him to Elo- 
 quence in Debates, to Wisdom in Decision, even the 
 Pen of Junius shall contribute to reward him. Recorded 
 Honour shall gather round his Monument, & thicken 
 over him. It is a solid Fabric, & will support the 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 145 
 
 Lawrels that adorn it I am not conversant in the 
 
 language of panegyric These praises are extorted 
 
 from me ; but they will wear well, for they have been 
 dearly earned." 
 
 Junius, however, does not seem to have been at 
 all ignorant of his own merit; for in the close of the 
 same letter he says " Such Artifices cannot long delude 
 the understanding of the People; &, without meaning 
 an indecent Comparison I may venture to foretell, that 
 the Bible & Junius will be read when the Commentaries 
 
 of the Jesuits are forgotten : " We supped at nine 
 
 M": Carter tired and early in Bed. 
 
 After Supper I had a long conversation with M^^ 
 Carter concerning Negroes in Virginia, & find that She 
 esteems their value at no higher rate than I do. We 
 both concluded, (I am pretty certain that the conclu- 
 sion is just) that if in M": Carters\ or in any Gentle- 
 mans Estate, all the Negroes should be sold, & the 
 Money put to Interest in safe hands, & let the Lands 
 which these Negroes now work lie wholly uncultivated, 
 the bare Interest of the price of the Negroes would 
 be a much greater yearly income than what is now 
 received from their working the Lands, making no 
 allowance at all for the trouble <&; Risk of the Masters 
 
 as to the Crops, & Negroes. How much greater 
 
 then must be the value of an Estate here if these 
 poor enslaved Africans were all in their native desired 
 Country, & in their Room industrious Tenants, who 
 being born jn freedom, by a laudable care, would not 
 only enrich their Landlords, but would raise a hardy 
 OfTspring to be the Strength and the honour of the 
 Colony. 
 
 ^ Robert Carter emancipated many of his slaves after the close of the 
 Revolution, some of whom he also provided for. 
 
146 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Tensday 5. 
 
 It is with difficulty I am able to collect the mem- 
 bers of our School together for Business. Holidays 
 have become habitual, & they seem unwilling to give 
 them over. As the Negroes have this Day for a Holi- 
 day our Schollars thinks it hard that they should be 
 compell'd to attend to Business. I summon them 
 together however, and shall keep them to constant 
 Study until the time of my setting away. Miss Pris- 
 cilla this morning told me, of Miss Panton, a moving 
 story : Last Sunday Evening after we left there She 
 took a lonely Walk, & being asked why She chose to 
 walk without a companion, she answered that she was 
 thinking of Home & of her Friends, & indulging her 
 
 fond Grief on account of their absence! Such a 
 
 feeling as this I have not been a stranger to, I there- 
 fore Sympathize with the poor young Girl. The Day 
 
 agreeably pleasant Towards Evening Miss Corbin 
 
 came over to pay us a visit. After School I waited on 
 the Ladies in the Dining-Room the conversation was 
 on Fashions, which instantly introduced the oddity of 
 Miss Paiiton. But Miss Corbin with a Sneer^ & with 
 ill-nature enough, swore She would not think of imi- 
 tating such a thing as her! O! — Tantasne Animis 
 
 coelestibus Irse ? 1 spent the Evening in cheerful 
 
 chat with the Ladies. I think I have not had a more 
 sociable & unconstrained feeling since I left Home, & 
 my forgiving Friends. 
 
 Wednesday 6. 
 
 Ben is making a great Bustle about going to Phila- 
 delphia He almost counts the Hours We pro- 
 pose to go next Wednesday. But with composure, & 
 Patience, yet with great satisfaction I anticipate the 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 147 
 
 near approaching Day. Ben begs me to acquaint him 
 with the manners of the People in regard to Religion, 
 and he swears he can suit himself to any serious, or 
 
 formal V^isage 
 
 M"? Carter, & Miss Corbiii, after Breakfast rode to 
 
 Colonel Frank-Lee's^ We dine alone. I informed 
 
 the Colonel that I do not think it will be convenient 
 
 for me to continue with him longer than one year 
 
 He discovered some dissatisfaction ; I told him my 
 
 reason & he assented he honours me, by putting 
 
 in me so much confidence as to commission me to find 
 out and recommend to Him some young Gentleman to 
 
 succeed me in the instruction of his Children He 
 
 flattered my vanity also by reading a Letter to me 
 which I am to bear to D^ Witherspoon, the contents of 
 it as follows 
 
 " Robert Carters compliments to D^ Witherspoon ; He has the 
 pleasure to acquaint Him that M"; Fithians Method of teaching, & his 
 conduct are highly approved here ; He is about to visit his friends in 
 New-yersey, & will bring these from Sir, 
 
 Your humble Serv' " 
 
 He informed me that he does indeed prefer a 
 Tutor for his Children who has been educated upon 
 the Continent, not on the supposition that such are 
 better SchoUars, or that they are of better principles, 
 or of more agreeable Tempers; but only on account of 
 pronunciation in the English Language, (as most of his 
 Children are to be taught chiefly in this) in which he 
 allows young Gentlemen educated in good Schools on 
 the Continent, to excel the Scotch young Gentlemen, 
 
 & indeed most of the English. Evening came in & 
 
 staid the Night Captain Blackwell. 
 
 * Francis Lightfoot Lee. See page 98, note 2. 
 
148 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Thursday j . 
 
 Breakfasted with us Miss Corbin. The Day pleasant 
 
 M^ Carter proposes to set away soon after Dinner 
 
 He seems, however, to prepare himself for his 
 
 Journey with all the sedateness of a philosopher 
 
 Besides the Commands he gave me yesterday, he 
 desires me to wait on M^ Willing' Merchant in Phila- 
 delphia, & know if he will trade here for either Flour 
 
 or Bread in any Quantity. He has given Ben & me 
 
 an Invitation to ride & spend this Evening with him at 
 Colonel Tayloes We set out about three; M^ Car- 
 ter travels in a small, neat Chair, with two waiting 
 
 Men We rode across the Country which is now 
 
 in full Bloom ; in every field we saw Negroes plant- 
 ing Corn, or plowing, or hoeing; we arrived at the 
 Colonels about five, Distance twelve miles. Here is 
 
 an elegant Seat ! ^ The House is about the size of 
 
 M^ Carters, built with stone, & finished curiously, & 
 ornamented with various paintings, & rich Pictures. 
 This Gentleman owns Yorick, who won the prize of 
 
 5oo;£' last November, from Dr. Floods Horse Gift 
 
 In the Dining-Room, besides many other fine Pieces, 
 are twenty four of the most celebrated among the Eng- 
 lish Race-Horses, Drawn masterly, & set in elegant 
 
 ' Thomas Willing (1731-1821), partner with Robert Morris in the great 
 house of Willing and Morris ; afterwards president of the Bank of North 
 America, and of the Bank of the United States. {Am. Hist. Review, V. 5, 
 No. 2, 307, n. I.) 
 
 ' Mt. Airy, the beautiful home of the Tayloe family, still stands. It was 
 built in 1750, by Col. John Tayloe, and is one of the handsomest of the old 
 colonial mansions. The interior was destroyed by fire in 1844, but was rebuilt 
 by Mr. William Tayloe within the same walls. Situated upon a high hill in 
 Richmond County, it commands an extensive and beautiful view of the Rappa- 
 hannock River and surrounding country. More fortunate than many of its 
 neighbours, it is still a family possession, being at present the residence of Mr. 
 Henry Tayloe, a great-grandson of the builder. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS I49 
 
 gilt Frames. He has near the great House, two 
 
 fine two Story stone Houses, the one is used as a 
 Kitchen, & the other, for a nursery, & Lodging Rooms 
 He has also a large, well formed, beautiful Gar- 
 den, as fine in every Respect as any I have seen in 
 Virginia. In it stand four large beautiful Marble 
 
 Statues From this House there is a good prospect 
 
 of the River Rapahannock, which opposite here is about 
 two miles across; We can also from the chambers 
 easily see the Town Hobbes-Hole^ & the Ships which lie 
 there. I was introduced by M^ Carter to the Colonel, 
 
 to Miss Polly, & to Miss Kitty ^ his Daughters & 
 
 to a Lady (M":^ Thornton) that happened there, & to a 
 
 young Gentleman, M": Corbin^ The young Ladies 
 
 played several tunes for us, & in good Taste on the 
 Harpsichord ; We supp'd at nine; and had the usual 
 Toasts. 
 
 Fry day 8. 
 
 The Ladies before breakfast gave us several tunes 
 
 on the Harpsichord About ten Mr Carter set out for 
 
 Williamsburg, to the general Court, which sits twice a 
 year, each Time twenty four Days Sundays excluded 
 
 ' The present town of Tappahannock, in Essex County. 
 
 ^Catherine Tayloe married Landon Carter of Sabine Hall, Richmond 
 County, in 1780. Of the other daughters, ist, Elizabeth, the eldest, was 
 married in 1767, to Governor Edward Lloyd of Maryland ; 2nd, Rebecca, to 
 Francis Lightfoot Lee, in 1769 ; 3rd, Eleanor, to Ralph Wormly of Middlesex, 
 in 1772 ; 4th, Ann Corbin, to Thomas Lomax of Caroline, in 1773 ; 5th, 
 Mary, to Mann Page of Spottsylvania, in 1776 ; 6th, Catherine, as above; 
 7th, Jane, to Robert Beverley of Essex, in 1791 ; 8th, Sarah, to Col. William 
 Augustine Washington of Westmoreland, in 1799. (Meade's Old Churches 
 and Families, V. 2, 182.) 
 
 'Probably a son of Richard Corbin of Laneville, who married Elizabeth, 
 sister of Col. John Tayloe of the Council. 
 
I50 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 We had some agreeable conversation this morn- 
 
 ing-; Horses seem to be the Colonels favourite topic 
 
 He inquired of me however, where I was born ; 
 
 where educated ; & if I am pleased with Virginia 
 
 He told me he saw D^ Witherspoon^ & conversed with 
 him an Evening last Fall, & is much pleased with his 
 manner, & Qualities He informed me that T>l Mor- 
 gan^ of Philadelphia breakfasted with him a few Days 
 ago; he calls the Doctor facetious, sensible, & prudent. 
 The Colonel desired me to enquire for some Gentle- 
 man of undoubted ability to teach in a Family 1 
 
 shall apply to M\ Sa7nl Lcck jun'r^ & if he declines I 
 
 will look no further Ben & I took our Leave about 
 
 Eleven, and returned Home The Day is cloud)^ 
 
 and cold, the wind hard at North, & threatens Snow 
 
 This evening Ben met with a sad repulse; M":? 
 
 Carter proposes going to Williamsburg soon, & says 
 she must have his compan3M Poor Boy, he feels the 
 Force of Disappointment! And I confess I am a little 
 vexed. 
 
 'Dr. John Witherspoon came to this country from Scotland in 1768, to 
 accept the presidency of Princeton College, which office he held until his 
 death, in 1794. He was a member of Congress almost continuously from 1776 
 to 1783, and a signer and strong advocate of the Declaration of Independence 
 and the Articles of Confederation. 
 
 ^ Dr. John Morgan, F.R.S., one of the founders of the medical school at 
 Philadelphia and one of its first and most eminent professors. Appointed by 
 Congress director-general of the militarj' hospitals, and physician-in-chief 
 (1775-1777) to the American army. 
 
 'This Samuel Leake was the best scholar of the class of 1774, then about 
 to graduate at Princeton, and had been appointed by the faculty to deliver the 
 Latin Salutatory, but the choice was vacated by the board of trustees on the 
 ground that he had been active " In publickly burning the effigy of Governor 
 Hutchinson, and also insulting an honourable member of this Board, for 
 endeavouring in a very becoming manner to prevent the said riotous proceed- 
 ings." [Minutes of the Board of Trustees, Princeton College, April 19th, 
 1774.) See Maclean's History of the College of New Jersey, V. i, 31S. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 151 
 
 Saturday g. 
 
 M? Carter gave Ben liberty to go with me as far 
 as Anopolis, provided we set out soon, & accordingly 
 we propose to set off to-morrow or Monday morning, I 
 begin therefore to prepare for the Ride. The Day is 
 rainy & cold, & I am in a vastly disagreeable Humour. 
 
 Sunday 10. 
 
 M"? Carter yesterday, in the Character of a truely 
 fond Mother, altered her mind concerning Beji many 
 Times and in several different manners: At first she 
 agreed for him to go with me as far as Anopolis with- 
 out a waiting Man ; then she concluded he was not 
 well and had better decline going entirely ; towards 
 Evening she gave him full liberty if he will take a 
 Waiting-Man ; & will not set away till Monda}' morn- 
 ing; This I urged not being pleased from the Begining 
 
 with going on the Sabbath ■ I gave yesterday to the 
 
 Shoemaker a Bit & a Bit to the Wash woman; 
 
 half a Bit to her little Girl ; & half a Bit to Nelson the 
 Boy who waits on our School; the whole i/iii. 
 
 This morning is extremely pleasant the Country 
 full of Flowers, & the branches full of lovely singing 
 
 Birds. Before Breakfast I saw a Ring of Negroes 
 
 at the Stable, fighting Cocks, and in several parts of 
 the plantation they are digging up their small Lots of 
 ground allow'd by their Master for Potatoes, peas, &c; 
 All such work for themselves they constantly do on 
 Sundays, as they are otherwise employed on every 
 other Day. Sermon to Day, is at Ucomico, too far for 
 
 my Horse immediately before his Journey Neither 
 
 M^ Carter nor any of the Family go At Dinner I 
 
 received a Letter from M^ Lowe, with his Testimonial 
 from the College in Edinburg which I am to present 
 
152 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 to the Presbytery of Philadelphia and if it shall be 
 accepted, I am to bring such Exercises as they may 
 appoint. 
 
 Monday 11. 
 
 Bens Mare lame; Nat must stay, Ben & I set out 
 at eight Rode by Westmoreland Court-House, Mattox 
 Church ; fed at Mattox-Bridge, Rode by round-hill 
 Church, to Taylors Ferry by three o-Clock 36 Miles 
 
 passed over the Ferry 7 Miles Ferriage 6/2 
 
 At a small House in Virginia for a gallon of Corn 1/4. 
 
 At a small Tavern at the Ferry on the Maryland 
 
 side Expence /q rode from thence three Miles to 
 
 Squire Lees^ who has the Naval office here Spent 
 
 the Evening with young M": Lee, Miss Lee, Miss Booth, 
 
 & Miss Washington Toasts I gave Miss Nancy 
 
 Galloway Between the Ferry and M": Lees we 
 
 passed through four gates. 
 
 Tcusday 12. 
 
 Up soon, expence to Boy /s. Rode to Port 
 
 Tobacco, 13 Miles good road Fine Hill near the 
 
 town; between M": Lees & Port Tobacco 13 Gates 
 
 This is a small Town of not more than twenty or 
 
 twenty-five Houses, mostly of one story Expence 
 
 for a gallon of Oats /8, for bitters /4, the Day fine 
 Rode thence to Piscataway ; the road good 15 Gates ^ 
 
 ^ This was Richard Lee, eldest son of Philip Lee, and first cousin to 
 Richard Henry Lee. He resided in Charles County, Maryland, and was a 
 member of the Proprietors Council in 1755. His wife was Grace Ashton, 
 daughter of Col. Henry Ashton of Westmoreland County, Virginia. 
 
 ^ In those days country roads were not fenced on both sides, and as they 
 mostly ran through rich farming lands, the farmers gates were a great annoyance 
 to the traveller. It is related of a certain dame of the period (Mrs. George Tur- 
 berville of Peckatone, mentioned elsewhere in this volume), noted for her sprightly 
 temper, that when setting abroad, she was wont to arm her out-riders with axes 
 and with orders to remove all obstructions. (See Lee's Lee of Virginia, p. 84.) 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 153 
 many fine streams of pure water and many 
 
 beautiful hills This is a small Town of low Houses 
 
 not more than two in it two Stories High ; It lies how- 
 ever in a fine rich valey Expence for Dinner, Wine 
 
 & Oats 4/- from Piscataway we rode to upper Marl- 
 borough the road something hilly, we passed through 
 
 15 Gates, two elegant Seats i\I^ Wests & M". Diggs^ 
 
 arrived at Marlborough by six it is a pleasant levil 
 spot, 16 Miles from Alexandria they have a Pres- 
 byterian Meeting-House which M": Hunt supplies 
 
 They have a latin School also here ; & an elegant Bail- 
 Room Piscataway is seven miles from Alexandria. 
 
 In bed by nine. 
 
 Wednesday ij. 
 
 Up early, the morning fine. Expence here 4/1 1 
 Rode thence through a pleasant country four miles to 
 a small Ferry over Patuxen, Ferriage -/6. then twelve 
 Miles to South River three quarters of a Mile over 
 Ferriage /6?. then we rode thro a piny sandy road 
 
 four miles to Anopolis 32 Gates This is a pleasant 
 
 situated Town; the Inhabitants appear gay & cheerful 
 
 1 put up at the Coffee-House An agreeable 
 
 Woman keeps it Expence to a Barber for shaving & 
 
 dressing 1/6 For oats Coffee &c 3/1 To Boy 
 
 -/lo. I roved through the Town til five then I entered 
 into a Boat the wind South West & Sailed over the 
 
 Bay for Rock-Hall distance 25 miles the Boats are 
 
 extremely good, well built, & strongly manned, & 
 indeed there is need, for the Bay is broad, & often 
 boistrous; we arrived at Rock Hall by half after nine; 
 I was very sick on the passage, & I never was sick 
 
 ' Probably that of Ignatius Digges of Prince George County, Maryland, 
 whose daughter Mary married Governor Thomas Sim Lee, October 27th, 1771. 
 
154 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 before on the water The ferriage here for a Man & 
 
 Horse is 15/ To the Ferry Man for a Quart of 
 
 Rum 1/3. And for my footing never having crossed 
 the ferry before I paid i/-. The whole expence of 
 this Day is i£ Sf 7? 
 
 Thursday i/f.. 
 
 The morning fine, I have from this place a view of 
 
 the broad Chesapeek Expence here for Tea in the 
 
 Evening, Oats Cordial &c 4/10. set away half after 
 
 Six To Boy ./3 Rode from Rock Hall over a 
 
 delightful part of the country to Chester-Town 13 
 
 Miles this is a beautiful small Town on a River 
 
 out of the Bay navigable for Ships. The Situation is 
 
 low & I apprehend it is subject to summer Fevers 
 
 It has an elegant I may say grand Court-House, in 
 
 which is the town Clock M^ Wall the Commedian, 
 
 has been for several Evenings past exhibiting Lectures 
 in Electricity, & I understand with some considerable 
 applause. They have a lottery here on foot & to be 
 drawn in May next for to assist them in building a 
 
 market-House Town-Wharf &c. I Breakfast here, 
 
 & feed, Expence 2/3. to Boy ./2d In this Town & 
 
 the neighbouring Country rages at present a malignant, 
 putrid Fever, & what is generally called the spotted 
 Fever! From Chester Town I rode to George- 
 Town, 16 miles The Land levil, fertile, & vastly 
 
 pleasant In this Town I visited M^ Voorhces, an 
 
 eminent Merchant here, & he seems to be a Gentleman 
 
 of peculiar smartness Industry & Aconomy The 
 
 Fever I now mentioned, is also here, & the whooping- 
 
 Cough is very general & malignant 1 lodged with 
 
 this Gentleman We had Evening prayers Since 
 
 I left Cohansie I have not heard the like This is 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 155 
 
 a small Town, & lies on a fine River, which divides 
 it from another small Town directly opposite call'd 
 Frederick. 
 
 Fry day /j. 
 
 I rose early After Breakfast I rode to see Miss 
 
 Rachel Stocktin, now M":^ Ryhy ; She lives on this River, 
 about a mile higher up, in a large very elegant brick 
 
 House, in considerable grandeur Poor Girl She 
 
 herself is much indisposed either of a bad Cold, (as 
 She thinks) or of this epidemical Fever; M':^ Ryley 
 introduced me ceremoniously to Miss Ryley her Hus- 
 bands Sister. She has a small handsome Fortune, & is 
 
 perhaps agreeable I returned to Town, & dined 
 
 with M^ VoorJiccs, & immediately after crossed over the 
 Ferr}' for Port-Penn. Expence at George- Toivn for my 
 Horse 2/3 to Boy ./4. I rode next to a small village 
 
 called Warwick, a pitiful place indeed Expence 
 
 here i/ii Boy ./2. then I rode on to Port-Penn, the 
 Country beautiful, the Land apparently very rich, the 
 Timber strait & large; I entered Port-Penn just as 
 the Sun went down, but could not prevail with the 
 
 Ferry-Man to carry me over before the morning 
 
 In George-Town I was told the following distressing 
 News ; that V)\ Ward, & my Aunt Fithia7i of Cohansie 
 are both Dead ; that my Aunt died in a very sudden 
 unusual manner! That Miss Polly Bullock of Phila- 
 delphia is dying in a Consumption! In the Even- 
 ing I called in to see M^ Steward an ancient gray 
 headed, wealthy Gentleman in Port-Penn, who, by 
 some Weakness in his Back, has been unable to walk 
 at all for four years, he is hearty, religious, cheerful, 
 seemed much pleased, & thanked me often for calling 
 to see him, & desired by me his kindest Compliments 
 
156 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 to M^ Hunters Family 1 spend the Evening alone 
 
 with quiet & content. In Bed by nine 
 
 Saturday 16. 
 
 I rose early, & expected to pass soon over the 
 
 Ferry The wind moderate at North West but the 
 
 boat is aground, & 1 must wait until eleven, when She 
 
 is expected to float 1 was much alarmed in the 
 
 night, thinking I had in Maryland taken the putrid 
 Fever; I lay sleepless, felt feverish, had pains in my 
 
 Head But I feel wholly relieved this morning. At 
 
 twelve the Boat came We run over Expence 
 
 at Port-Penn 4/8. Ferriage 5/-. Once more through 
 Gods Mercy in New-Jersey. The Favours of God our 
 common Parent are innumerable, & great beyond our 
 
 merit 1 rode with Pleasure from Elsenborough to 
 
 Greenwich ; I stopt to see the forsaken M":^ Ward ; She 
 seems to be truely distress'd! I arrived by Sunset at 
 my Uncles he also seems much afflicted, with his Loss 
 
 He informed me that many have Died in the 
 
 Neighbourhood of Greenwich this winter. D^ Ward, 
 
 Squire Millar, M^ Boy'd Merchant Aunt Fithian, 
 
 aunt Ware, Rachel Peck, Rachel Ware, David Hills, 
 M-:' Mills &c. a very Mortal Winter! 
 
 Sunday ij. 
 
 The morning vastly pleasant, & Cohansie looks as 
 delightsome as ever it used I went to meeting. How 
 unlike Virginia, no rings of Beaux chatting before & 
 after Sermon on Gallantry -, no assembling in crowds 
 after Service to dine & bargain; no cool, spiritless 
 harangue from the Pulpit; Minister & people here 
 seem in some small measure to reverence the Day, 
 
 there neither do the one or the other 1 spent the 
 
 day at Home. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 157 
 
 Monday i8. 
 
 I took a tour over to Town before dinner to see 
 old acquaintances. The Neighbourhood looks in noth- 
 ing altered M^ Potter took home my Brother Amos with 
 an intention if it shall suit to learn him the Storekeep- 
 
 ing business Afternoon I rode to M^ Hunters 
 
 And in the Evening with Andrew to Deerfield, spent 
 the Evening til ten at M^ Greens in company with the 
 amiable Miss Beatty M":^ Green is much indis- 
 posed, has lately had a daughter The School 
 
 here is at the present time larger than it has ever 
 been ; there are now seven viz. John Leek, Reading- 
 Beatty*, James & John Ramsey, Stephen Ranney, See- 
 ley Fithian, & Thomas Greenman We rode to 
 
 M"? Pecks. Joseph since I left home, has married M":^ 
 Hannah. 
 
 Teusday /p. 
 
 Rose at six. Breakfasted with M""? Peck. Soon 
 
 after we again visited M*: Green I spent the Day 
 
 most agreeably. Kind Heaven has indulg'd my wish ; 
 
 In the Evening I went up and staid the Night at 
 
 M? Pecks. 
 
 Wednesday 20. 
 
 Soon after breakfast I rode home and visited 
 
 several of my acquaintances I had my Hair cut 
 
 short Feel myself much indisposed. Looked over, 
 
 sorted & adjusted my Books 
 
 ' Reading Beatty was a brother of Elizabeth Beatty. He served during 
 the first two years of the Revolution in the Fifth Pennsylvania battalion, and 
 was captured at Fort Washington and confined on the " Myrtle," prison ship ; 
 was afterward released and received a commission from Congress as surgeon, 
 which post he held until the end of the war. 
 
158 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Thursday 21 . 
 
 Spent all this day in preparing for my approach- 
 ing examination before the Rev^ Presbytery I am 
 
 to review Greek Testament Moral & Natural Phi- 
 losophy Logic Geography And if I have 
 
 time I must look over the Lattin Classics. 
 
 Fry day 22. 
 
 Rode to the Stage early for the Papers thence I 
 went to M^ Hunters where I met with that great mas- 
 ter of music, M^ Lyon^ He sung at my request, & 
 
 sings with his usual softness & accuracy He is 
 
 about publishing a new Book of Tunes which are to be 
 
 chiefly of his own Composition He has removed 
 
 out of Halifax into the Northern part of New-England, 
 but poor Man, since he left Cohansie he has felt the 
 hardy arm of want ! — - — - 1 returned towards Evening but 
 promised first to visit him again to-morrow afternoon. 
 
 Saturday 2j. 
 
 At home drawing off some of Mr Lyons Tunes, & 
 
 revising my own Exercises The morning pleasant 
 
 but the weather dry. Afternoon according to appoint- 
 ment I visited M^ Lyon at M^ Hunters. He sings with 
 great accuracy. I sung with him many of his Tunes & 
 had much Conversation on music, he is vastly fond of 
 music & musical genius's We spent the Evening with 
 great sattisfaction to me. 
 
 'This was James Lyon, who graduated from Princeton College in 1759, 
 and who compiled and published a large collection of church music, entitled 
 Urania, or a Choice Collection of Psalm- Tunes, Anthems and Hymns. (Henry 
 Dawkins, Phila., 1761.) The work was not a financial success though its list 
 of subscribers numbered one hundred and forty-two, among whom officers 
 and students of Princeton College were most numerously represented. (See 
 Frederic Louis Ritter, Music in America, pp. 40-43.) 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 159 
 
 Sunday 2^. 
 
 I left M^ Hunters Early. I wrote a line to Miss 
 Beatty, for a excuse for not seeing her yesterday. 
 Attended Sermon at Greenwich. I rode in the Even- 
 ing to the Bridge to hear M^ Green, my old, much 
 respected Tutor preach, he came & delivered himself 
 admirably without making Use of Notes at all. I 
 staid the Night at M": Seeleys, visited M":^ Ramsey, 
 & D": Elmer & spoke with many of my acquaint- 
 ances 
 
 Monday 2^. 
 
 I breakfasted with 1^":= Ramsey, then rode to M"? 
 Boyds, & by M": Ewing I was introduced to herself & 
 
 her two Daughters Miss Matty & Miss Sally 1 had 
 
 heard that this family is genteel, industrious & relig- 
 ious. I saw now & believed it Lately, by a sore 
 
 stroke of providence, M^ Boyd the Head has been 
 removed by Death ! 
 
 Left M":^ Boyds & rode to Ephraim Seeleys jun! 
 then about Eleven rode to Deerfield; dined with 
 
 M"; Green. I had the pleasure to spend the afternoon 
 and evening with Miss Beatty. 
 
 Tcusday 26. 
 
 Visited Mr Nathan Leek, he seems to be still 
 
 loquacious, & historical He gave me a long and 
 
 full account of the present difference between M^ Htm- 
 
 ter, Grecnvian, & Brown, He told me Likewise the 
 
 Begining & continuation of the quarrel of the Magis- 
 trates-freeholders, & other officers about raising money 
 
 by taxation for repairing Cohansie-Bridge After 
 
 Dinner, with Miss Beatty I rode and visited M"? 
 Boyd. 
 
l6o PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Wednesday 2'j. 
 
 John Peck^ agreed to succeed me at M^ Carters in 
 Virginia I spoke to M^ Samuel Leek jun! concerning 
 M^ Tayloes proposal ; he is doubtful about an answer 
 
 Paid John Peck for postage of my Letter to him 
 last Winter 4/- Bought a watch-seal i/. Rode to 
 Greenwich after Dinner. 
 
 Thursday 28. 
 
 I waited on the Miss Boyds to day to Hollinsheads, 
 New-England-Town. His Family are in good health; 
 
 there I saw the amiable Miss Debby Pratt M\ Hol- 
 
 linshead informed me that the Presbytery have been 
 only a little pleased with the Examination of Messrs. 
 
 probably mine will be worse ! Returned to 
 
 M^^ Boyds in the Evening. 
 
 Fry day 2g. 
 
 I rode to M^ Green's after breakfast M^ Dicky 
 
 Howel came in ; we spent the afternoon & Evening 
 with M^ Green & Miss Beatty ; M^ Green is, to be 
 sure, vastly sensible, very intelligible, dry, witty, satir- 
 ical, yet good and exceeding agreeable. 
 
 Saturday jo. 
 
 Breakfasted with the Parson Rode home soon 
 
 after breakfast proceeded in preparing for the near 
 
 approaching examination The latter part of this 
 
 Day very stormy. 
 
 Sunday May i'* 1774. 
 
 Very cool the wind violent at North West I 
 
 spent the morning in looking over the Greek-Testa- 
 
 * See page 47, note 2. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS l6l 
 
 ment To day preached for us M^ Aiken. He seems 
 
 to be much applauded by the People. 
 
 Monday 2. 
 
 Very early I rode over to M": Holinshead's at Miss 
 Pratts request to carry her to M": Hoshels to be ready 
 
 to-morrow morning for the Stage We rode to the 
 
 Bridge & dined at M":^ Boyds After dinner we rode 
 
 to M^ Hoshels Miss Dcbby Pratt according to her 
 
 general character, is in every measure what I have 
 said somewhere before, Genteel, modest, Religious, & 
 cheerful. 
 
 Teusday j. 
 
 I conducted Miss Pratt to the Stage this morn- 
 ing by five and took my leave 1 immediately after 
 
 returned to the Bridge, thence to M^ Holinsheads by 
 eight o Clock Returned home by twelve. 
 
 Wednesday /j.. 
 
 Last night & this morning fell a very considerable 
 Snow, so much that I imagine had it not melted after 
 it fell it would have been six inches deep! After- 
 noon I walked to Deerfield Miss Beatty a little 
 
 thoughtful. 
 
 Thursday 5. 
 
 At the Bridge before noon to agree with M": Potter 
 
 about taking my Brother Amos prentice We put 
 
 it off some Days Expence for a Watch Key ./g. 
 
 Last night was very cold ; I shall scarce be believed if 
 I say that I saw, handled, & measured Ice this morning 
 two Inches thick ! 
 
l62 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Fry day 6. 
 
 Still very cold. To Day is the fast before Sacra- 
 ment. M^ Hunter gave us two Sermons. The leaves 
 on the Trees are grown black, the Fruit must be past 
 recovery, probably the Flax too. 
 
 Saturday y. 
 
 I did several errands for myself in Greenwich 
 
 Before Noon M"" Patterson call'd to see me ; He is 
 
 shortly to be married to Miss Amy Ewing She is 
 
 a Girl of Reading, Taste, & Delicacy ; has a good 
 share of personal Beauty, open, sociable, & kind in her 
 
 manner, and on the whole agreeable Ml Paterson 
 
 seemed always to me formal, has a peculiar, universal 
 Fondness for the Fair is a great mathematician, a good 
 English Scholar & Philosopher, & is frugal & indus- 
 trious. I rode with M^ Patterson to Mr Hunters, he 
 informed me many things concerning the new School 
 or small Academy lately instituted at Wilmington, in 
 which he is second Master. Evening I wrote a senti- 
 mental Letter to Miss Beatty. 
 
 Sunday 8. 
 
 To day at Greenwich was administered, & I re- 
 ceived the holy Sacrament Grant, great God, that 
 
 I may have been a worthy communicant! I dined 
 with M':^ Ward. She speaks with great Respect, Affec- 
 tion, and Sincerity of her late worthy Partner. 
 
 Monday g. 
 
 Til Eleven I am busy in looking over Exercises 
 for the approaching Presbytery. After Dinner I made 
 M^* Brewster a Visit. M^ Ben Peck in my opinion is 
 rashly entering on an important matter; he is going to 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 163 
 
 begin in a few Days the Study of Phisic under the 
 direction of D^ Bowen, whose knowledge & Practice, 
 by those who are in fact Judges in the Art seems to 
 be wholly exploded. There is a report that M^^ Brew- 
 ster is in prospect of being married to a gentleman 
 from Maryland ; She talks freely of it, says She can 
 fancy him ; that he is a man of Fortune, of charac- 
 ter & to her agreeable But there is one She 
 
 regards more who has left her, however, without 
 hope ! 
 
 Teusday 10. 
 
 Yesterday, in a private lonely manner, at nine in 
 the morning, were married Mr Patterson & Miss Amy 
 Ewing. I wish them from my heart a long, unbroken, 
 & strong friendship for each other, & mutual, unmixed 
 happiness. After breakfast according to a previous 
 appointment, 1 rode to Deerfield Dine at M"".* Pecks. I 
 am ashamed that I may record here what does no 
 honour to my old Aunt, I saw her with three Partners 
 round a Table playing Cards at that vulgar game fit 
 
 only for the meanest gamblers "all Fours''^ At 
 
 three I visited Miss Beatty that amiable Girl, I always 
 see with pleasure, am happy where She is & feel 
 uneasy & disturbed always when I must leave her. 
 Since June in the year 1770 I have had an acquaint- 
 ance with her & since May in the year 1771 I have 
 
 happily had an Intimacy. Her Goodness has at length 
 indulged my importunate Solicitations & in her Society 
 
 I hope to be happy I spent the Evening til eleven 
 
 with her, & in the most entertaining manner, M": Howel 
 & M": John Peck call'd in a small Time. 
 
 ' This game derives its name from the four chances therein, for each of 
 which a point is scored ; it is now commonly called " Seven-Up." 
 
164 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Wednesday 11. 
 
 I rose a little after seven. It is not my custom to 
 lie in bed so long, but I was with Lazy Boys, Reading 
 Bcatty, and Stephen Ranney. M":^ Green is better, but 
 Miss Beatty says she has the Hipp Soon after break- 
 fast I returned Home M"".^ Pecks Family, M^ Howel, 
 
 & Miss Beatty at the same time set out on a visit to 
 M": Hoshels. There came a report to Day that Mf 
 Stephen Reeve Silver Smith of Philadelphia is broken 
 up, & has left the City ; disagreeable News this to his 
 
 Relations here There was an Ox killed this Day at 
 
 Bridge-Town which weighed upwards of a thousand 
 weight, supposed to be the largest ever kill'd in the 
 County. 
 
 TJiursday 12. 
 
 I wrote a chronological Letter to Miss Beatty. 
 Spent the Day at home. Feel pensive on leaving 
 Cohansie. 
 
 Fry day ij. 
 
 I rode before Dinner to M": Hunters. Andrew is 
 finishing his Exercises for the Presbytery — — M"".^ Hun- 
 ter advised me to shew my Pieces to M^ Hu?iter for 
 
 correction I agreed Four o Clock I rode to the 
 
 Bridge, drank Tea with M":* Boyd. They are Girls of 
 great prudence, & good breeding 
 
 Satiirday i^. 
 
 After breakfast I wrote a private Letter to Laura. 
 before Dinner rode to M^ Himters gave him my Pieces; 
 he examined them, made some small alterations, & 
 
 advised me to present them to the Presbytery 
 
 Took my Leave of several Friends in Greenwich. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 165 
 
 Sunday /j. 
 
 I wrote a Letter to D^ Beatt}^ & a Letter to 
 
 Charles Beatty ^ of the Junior Class at Nassau Hall 
 
 To Day is the yearly Meeting with the Baptists 
 
 Last Evening was the first thunder Gust we have had 
 this Season, it was not however Severe. M": James 
 Ward was excommunicated this Day from our Church. 
 
 Mo7iday 16. 
 
 We set out for Philadelphia from M": Hunters by 
 five. Expence by the way 3/6. In Town by five. 
 
 Teusday ij. 
 
 Took lodgings at M? Cheesmans Expence for a 
 
 Register 3/9. Spoke for a mourning Ring. Motto 
 
 L & H. ob: Feb: 1772. 
 
 Met in Presbytery eleven at A. M. Business 
 
 of last Session looked over, at one adjourn'd til three 
 at three met, M^ Evans pronounced his first exer- 
 cise a Sermon, length an hour After him Mf Keith 
 
 produced his length 44 Minutes. Afternoon I spent 
 several hours with the Misses Sprouts 
 
 ' Charles Clinton Beatty, brother to Elizabeth and Reading Beatty, was 
 graduated at Princeton in 1775, and seems to have early imbibed the principles 
 of liberty, while at that institution. Writing under date of January, 1774, he 
 says : "Last week to show our patriotism, we gathered all the Steward's win- 
 ter store of Tea, and having made a fire in the Campus, we then burned near 
 a dozen pounds, tolled the bell, and made many spirited resolves. But this 
 was not all. Poor Mr. (Gov.) Hutchinson's Effigy shared the same fate with 
 the Tea ; having a Tea canister tied about his neck." This was the escapade, 
 for his share in which Samuel Leake lost his appointment as Latin Salutatorian, 
 before alluded to (p. 150, note 3). Charles Beatty obtained a commission at 
 the outbreak of the Revolution in a Pennsylvania regiment, probably Wayne's, 
 as he was with that officer on his expedition to Canada, in 1776. He was killed 
 by the accidental discharge of a musket, in the hands of a friend , in the spring 
 of 1776. 
 
l66 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Wednesday r8. 
 
 I passed my first examination before the Presby- 
 tery ; after which I read my thesis & Sermon both of 
 
 which were accepted In this examination I was 
 
 questioned on my personal Religion, & on the Latin, & 
 Greek Languages. I spent the evening at M^ Arm- 
 itages. 
 
 Thursday ig. 
 
 Waited on the Synod Preparing to set out to- 
 morrow — —Visited several Ladies Spent the after- 
 noon agreeably with the Miss Holinsheads Evening 
 
 I visited Miss Bedford Waited on D^ Witherspoon 
 
 on Colonel Carters & on M^ Lowes account. 
 
 Fry day 20. 
 
 Before noon 1 waited on the agreeable Miss Debby 
 Pratt. I spoke with Miss Sally Boyd. Afternoon I 
 took my Leave at M": McCalla's, & M":* Cheesmans 
 
 where I lodge At six with ^\s% Ruth Webster, her 
 
 Sister Althee, & Betsy, & Polly Armitage I walked to a 
 lovely Garden near the Hospital call'd Lebanon, drank 
 
 some Mead & had a most agreeable Ramble At ten 
 
 the same Evening I entered on Board the Sivallozu Cap- 
 tain Balinger for Cohansie 
 
 Saturday 21. 
 
 I waked & found myself only a little below the 
 
 Fort The morning pleasant The Wind a head 
 
 I wrote a Letter on Board to Johnn}- Peck to 
 
 acquaint him with D!: Witherspoons Opinion I 
 
 wrote also to Miss Webster, About five in the even- 
 ing we anchored off Marcus Hook, we went on Shore 
 Drank a bowl of punch with M". Andrew Ferguson who 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 167 
 
 has lately moved here He informed me that two 
 
 young Gentlemen of Fashion & Substance in Town are 
 
 making their addresses to Laura She is worthy the 
 
 Regard of the most worthy on Earth. 
 
 Sunday 22. 
 
 I found myself this morning a few miles above 
 
 Port Penn. Perfectly calm I wrote a Letter this 
 
 morning to Miss Beatty The Sea Nymph Captain 
 
 Blewer came in Sight, M^ Cook & M": Howel are pas- 
 sengers About twelve a Breese sprung up at South 
 
 & with the Tide we entered our Creek by four, & 
 
 I was at Home by five Spent the evening in writ- 
 
 Monday 2j. 
 
 Busy in getting ready to set awa3^ Wrote a Let- 
 ter to D": Beatty & one to Miss Pratt. The morning 
 
 warm. I took my leave of the People in town of my 
 acquaintance & set out for Virginia a little after noon 
 
 Mr Donaldson is very ill There are strange 
 
 and rediculous reports concerning him That he 
 
 has sent since his illness to M^. Ewing to be married to 
 Tempy Fithian 
 
 Left Home about two o Clock at the Ferry by 
 
 five. The Boat is on the other side Half after five 
 
 she set off, the wind fair over by half after six We 
 
 left the shore at Seven. The wind light at West North 
 
 West before we were over the wind fell I was 
 
 obliged to take to the Oar & pull like a Turk 
 
 The flood strong against us I rowed thus a full 
 
 hour My poor hands when I got ashore were sore 
 
 enough 1 was set ashore more than a mile above 
 
 Port Penn Had to ride down on high rotten Bank 
 
l68 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 through the dark Once I got mired On the 
 
 whole it has been the worst adventure I have had in 
 
 my travels 1 reached the Tavern in Port Penn by 
 
 half after Nine. Call'd for half a Gill of bitters to 
 qualify my humours; & a dish of Tea to cheer me, & 
 soon to Bed. Feriage 5/. 
 
 Teusday 24.. 
 
 The morning pleasant & cool. Expence at Port 
 Penn, 3/- Rode thence by the Trap five miles thence 
 to middleton five miles. Thence to Warwick four 
 miles. Here I breakfasted. Expence for myself & 
 Horse ///. Thence I rode to George Town. Ex- 
 pence for Oats -/d<^ Thence I rode to New-Town 
 
 fifteen Miles expence for 2/ For having my 
 
 Coat altered in the Sleeves and Shoulders 2/- Expence 
 
 for a pair of black worsted Stockings 6/ M": Stephen 
 
 Reeve is in George Town Working for Money to Gam- 
 ble This evening I feel more fatigued & dispirited 
 
 than since I first went to Virginia 
 
 Wednesday 2§. 
 
 Expence at Newtown 4/9. Rode before Breakfast 
 
 to Rock-Hall the morning rainy The Day calm & 
 
 (hard Disappointment) I must stay til tomorrow ! 
 
 My Land-Lord invited me to a race about four miles 
 off, & as the day grew better I went; the Purse was 
 fifty Dollars, I was surprised to see that almost, I think 
 
 quite one third of the People were in mourning A 
 
 discouraging aspect for one who has any intention to 
 settle in this part of Maryland, but none to leave the 
 
 World Many who wore black & scarfs I took notice 
 
 swore most desperately! Not Death the formidable 
 
 King of terrors can frighten men from provoking God 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 169 
 
 by Sin ! Afternoon I was troubled with a Tooth 
 
 Ach 1 returned about two Laid down til six 
 
 Slept but little A thousand things perplex me, 
 
 I am unwilling to leave Home. 1 have already over- 
 staid my Time I am vexed at having to continue 
 
 here I have left the Girl I love 1 am keeping 
 
 myself out of publick business O ten thousand diffi- 
 culties embarrass me! Heavenly Father, to thee in 
 
 trouble I fly, comfort, sustain, guide & uphold me 
 
 Evening Seven Gentlemen came in They went to 
 
 Cards 1 to Bed Troubled much with a Tooth 
 
 Ach 
 
 Thursday 26. 
 
 Slept but little Breakfasted Set off at 
 
 seven four in company expence 26/6. Arrived at 
 
 Annopolis Bought at Annopolis a pair of buckles 
 
 2/9. Expence -/lo'' Left Annapolis at five for 
 
 Marlborough Ferriage -/6^ Rode to a point 
 
 of Patuxen 22 Miles Tooth Ach still troubles me 
 
 In Bed by eleven, tired and discouraged! 
 
 Fry day 2y. 
 
 Expence at this little Town 2/9 Ferriage a full 
 
 mile up the River Patuxen i/. Rode from the River 
 to upper Marlborough three miles thence without stop- 
 ping to Piscatuway 15 miles Here I dined My 
 
 pain has wholly left me Two young Ladies Daugh- 
 ters of the Landlady, rather gay & noisy than discreet, 
 very forward in discourse, both in Love with Scotch 
 Merchants & both willing to be talked to, gave me 
 
 much Diversion Expence here 3/4 Rode thence 
 
 in the Evening to Port Tobacco 15 miles. Staid here 
 the night For company all the night in my Room I 
 
I70 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 had Bugs in every part of my Bed — — & in the next 
 Room several noisy Fellows playing at Billiards. 
 
 Saturday 28. 
 
 Left Port Tobacco by six, rode to M":^ Laidlers 
 Ferr3^ At Port Tobacco expence 3/10. 12 Miles 
 Breakfasted with M":^ Laidler Breakfast & Oats 1/7 
 Ferriage 6/- The broad beautiful Potowraack 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 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 
 
 Eight in the Evening 10 miles 1 found M^ & M"? 
 
 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 
 
 Crrt^j- & an elegant dish of Strawberries & cream 
 
 How natural, how agreeable, how majestic this place 
 seems! 
 
 Sunday 2g. 
 
 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 1 did not attend Church, 
 
 Ben out of kindness kept me company at Home I 
 
NoRTHKRN Neck ok Vik(;ixia 
 
 (From chart of X'irginia \n Jeff e/s oil's Xnfi's 18011 
 
LiJUiJii 
 
 this p 
 
 — J 
 
 E 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 1 71 
 
 had however chosen to stay alone The family is 
 
 invited to dine with M^ Turburville M^ & M":* Car- 
 ter, 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; Yil Stcp- 
 
 toc ;^ & M"; Cunningliani. Politicks were the topic 
 
 and indeed the Gentlemen seemed warm The Gov- 
 ernor 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 latel}- come over is to take place at Bos- 
 ton^ 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 1 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 Garden There is great plenty of Strawberries, 
 
 some Cherries, Gooseberries &c Drank Coffee at 
 
 ' A brother-in-law of Philip Ludwell Lee. 
 
 ^ The Boston Port Bill went into operation on June i, 1774. On May 
 24, 1774, the Virginia House of Burgesses passed a resolution expressing 
 sympathy with the people of Boston, and declaring it " highly necessary that 
 the said first day of June next be set apart by the members of this house as a 
 day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, devoutly to implore the Divine inter- 
 position for averting the heavy calamity which threatens destruction to our 
 civil rights, and the evils of civil war." In consequence of this act. Governor 
 Dunmore on the following day dissolved the house. (Am. Hist. Review, Vol. 
 5, No. 2, 309, n. I.) 
 
172 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 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 jo. 
 
 Our little beautiful Seminary collected. They 
 seem all glad to see me, & willing to enter on busi- 
 ness I am truely fond of the young growing beau- 
 ties Soon they will be the admiration of the world, 
 
 & ornaments in their family This morning I asked & 
 
 received four Guineas of M^ Carter to satisfy M^ Tay- 
 lor of whom I had a small Sum. M": 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 M^ & M":^ Carter on the 
 Times manners, &c. 
 
 Teusday ji. 
 
 Very warm 1 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 & compelled to go and 
 
 fight the Britains! Evening I asked the Colonel if 
 
 he proposes to observe the fast, & attend Sermon to- 
 morrow; 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 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 173 
 
 more than he has done before since I have been in the 
 Family 
 
 Wednesday June n' , 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, & M": Hammonds 
 Exposition of the New Testament. I toasted Miss 
 Bcatty to day in a Bumpper of old Madaira Even- 
 ing M^ Carter at the Harpsichord. 
 
 Fry day j. 
 
 The dancing School happens in course to day at 
 
 M": Washingtons^ M":* Carter takes j5^^ & 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. 
 
 Sat 11 r day 4. 
 
 The day cool & agreeable I kept the children 
 
 in til twelve tho' with great difificulty ; the}' were for 
 asserting their liberty. & pleaded the custom of last 
 
 winter 1 finished a rough incorrect plan of my 
 
 English Thesis, & laid it by for future examination 
 
 After dinner I begun the Lecture, wrote an introduc- 
 
 ' John Augustine Washington of Bushfield. 
 
174 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 tion 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 
 gi-ound is ver)^ 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, 
 and these were the choicest expectation of some, who 
 
 think Brandy their most valuable commodity! And 
 
 I am told that in Louden, & the other upper counties, 
 (which indeed are the best for grain) Wheat & Rice 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 & 
 
 melanchol}' ! ■ 
 
 Sunday j. 
 
 The weather cool & agreeable Sermon is to 
 
 Day at Ucomico, at the lower church, I choose there- 
 fore to stay in my Room How pleasant is retire- 
 ment! And how easy it is to enjoy it This may 
 
 seem strange, but it is true 1 have but very few 
 
 acquaintances, & they easily dispence with my Absence 
 
 I have an elegant inviting apartment for Study 
 
 I have plenty of valuable & entertaining Books 
 
 And 1 have business of my own that requires my atten- 
 tion x-\t Home my Relations call me proud and 
 
 morose if I do not visit them My own private busi- 
 ness often calls me off & unsettles my mind There 
 
 too lives the Girl who has subdued my heart! All 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 175 
 
 these put together, when they operate at once, are a 
 strong incitement to divert me from Study- Vet 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 I When 1 am Home I then seem 
 willing to remove, for other places seem full as desir- 
 able It is then Society which makes places seem 
 
 agreeable or the Contrarj^ It can be nothing else 
 
 Adam when he had no troublesome painful thoughts 
 within him ; and had a flowery Paradise for his habita- 
 tion & enjoyment, was not yet fully happy while he 
 possessed it alone ; much less can we his offspring, 
 frail, & variable, enjoy much sattisfaction without inter- 
 course with one another 1 have just spoken in 
 
 praise of Society & retirement , And I now observe 
 we are of siich 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 M":^ Carters request I waited on Miss Pris- 
 cilla, Nancy, & Fanny who rode on Horse-back for an 
 
 airing Wrote a Letter to the Rev^ M^ 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. 
 
 Monday 6. 
 
 M^ Carter rode to richmond court At Dinner I 
 
 had a long and useful conversation with M':^ Carter 
 She told me openly & candidly the Several failings of 
 her Children, and indeed She knows them perfectly 
 In particular she knows not what to do with her 
 
IJO PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 perverse Son Bob He abuses his Mama, Miss Sally, 
 
 the children, Family, and is much given to slander. 
 Poor unhapp}' youth, 1 fear he will come to an unhappy 
 end ! This afternoon I found it necessary to correct 
 
 Bob severely for impertinence in School M^ 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 cor- 
 rected tjarry this morning for telling me a Lie 
 
 Stomachful & sullen as any youth The day warm 
 
 but very bearable Breakfasted with us M": Blain 
 
 & M^ Warden, all the conversation is Politicks; But 
 People seem moderate & yet settled in their determina- 
 tion to stand out. 
 
 Wednesday 8. 
 
 The morning pleasant ]NL 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, M"! Carter returned, the day being smoky 
 introduced, at Coffee, a conversation on Philosoph}-, 
 on Eclipses; the manner of reviewing them; Thence 
 to Telescopes, & the information which they afford us 
 of the Solar System; Whether the planets be actually 
 inhabited &c. 
 
 Thursday g. 
 
 The morning is hazy, no Wind, & very warm 
 
 I wrote a Letter to Uncle Samuel Fithian After 
 
 Dinner M^ Carter set out for Williamsburg by him 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 177 
 
 I sent to the Post-oflfice at Hobbes-Hole, My Letters to 
 
 Ml Hunter, Uncle Fit/iiaii, W\ss B catty. 8a Ml Peck 
 
 After School in the evening 1 had an ag-reeable walk 
 with M"? Carter in the Garden 
 
 Fry day lo. 
 
 Cool but exceeding dry Writing at my Lec- 
 ture. Mj? Carter was to day sadly frighted with a 
 
 Lizard, that lives under the House After School, 
 
 with Ben I walked over to M^ Turburville's to gather 
 
 Cheries, which are there in great plenty M"'.' Carter 
 
 in the evening after our return, gave me a Lecture for 
 taking Ben to Annapolis when I went last Home with- 
 out a waiting-Man Wrote at my Lecture til eleven, 
 
 Ben sleeps at the Great-House in the absence of his 
 Papa. 
 
 Saturday ii. 
 
 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. 
 
 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 ^t**^ espec- 
 ially 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 
 
 ' Here occurs a list of the books, comprising 89 volumes folio, 76 quarto, 
 378 octavo, and 502 duodecimo, which, with the 458 volumes at Williamsburg, 
 gives a total of 1503. 
 
178 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 School, & for the Gardiners, Carpenters, & other work- 
 men 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 last bell is at three for School & for the 
 
 workmen to go to Labour 1 dismiss them by my 
 
 watch at half after Five After Dinner 1 rode alone 
 
 to M^ Blains Store; bought a pen-knife, nine Jacket- 
 Buttons, & a primmer for Miss Harriot j/. 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 24'^ of May, & then but a Scanty 
 Shower, & most of the time since windy. 
 
 Sunday 12. 
 
 Ben & M^ 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 1 lent my Horse to Ben, & staid myself at 
 
 Home to write my Lecture, M":^ Carter, the two Misses, 
 and Ben went to Church. M^ 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 and Lightning in the west but no rain. 
 
 Monday ij. 
 
 Ben gave Bob for some imprudent Language a drub- 
 bing this morning About nine we had a Shower 
 
 but soon over & of little use ; thanks be to God, how- 
 ever, that we have any 1 begun, to day my Sermon 
 
 for the Presbytery The change in the weather 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 1/9 
 
 since yesterday is remarkable. This afternoon is so 
 cool that I should be glad of a winter suit • yester- 
 day afternoon was so hot I could not be comfortably 
 cool in a thin gown, with all the windows of my cham- 
 ber up. Evening, John the waiting Man play'd, & the 
 
 young Ladies spent the evening merril}* in dancing 
 
 I staid til ten, saw them & conversed with Mr» Carter. 
 
 TcHsday 77. 
 
 I added last night to my Bed-Clothes a Quilt, 
 Blanket, &. my own Clothes and 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 dis- 
 miss them before the Bell 1 believe there is no 
 
 Frost Before Breakfast, Mt Stadley the musician 
 
 came from Colonel Tayloes at mount Airy. 
 
 Miss Priscilla & Nancy attended his instructions. 
 M^ Stadley shewed me some Verses he is carrying from 
 M": Washington to his Daughter they seem good and 
 are as follows. 
 
 A Hymn for a dying Believer. 
 
 ist Happy Soul thy Days are ended. 
 All thy mourning Days below, 
 Go by Angel-Guards attended 
 To the Sight of Jesus, go. 
 
 2^ Waiting to receive 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. 
 
l8o PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Spent the evening very agreeably with M":* 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 /j. 
 
 So cold that I ordered a Fire in the School-Room 
 M": Stadley with us yet 1 took out of the Lib- 
 rary to read for entertainment the " Amusement of the 
 
 German Spa ; it is a well written piece Designed 
 
 entirely for Amusement Before dinner M^ Tayloe, 
 with her two Daughters Miss Polly, & Kitty came in 
 
 a Chariot Bob was in a moment on Fire; He is 
 
 deeply Smitten with Folly'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, and to Day I have laid 
 
 aside Study, & read only for Relaxation 1 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 
 
 M":* Carter, however, in the evening lash'd me 
 
 severely. I told her I was engaged in reading a pleas- 
 ant Novel, That I was not perfectly well— — But 
 
 She would not hear none, & said I was rude, & censur- 
 able M": Stadley spent the evening in playing several 
 
 songs & Sonata's on the Harpsichord & Violin 
 
 TJmrsday 16. 
 
 M\ Stadley left us before Breakfast Reading at 
 
 the Amusement of Spa Drew ofif some Tunes 
 
 Fry day ij. 
 
 Bob was missing last night I was at his Room 
 at twelve o Clock he was absent This morning I 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS l8l 
 
 examined him, he told me he was at M^ Turburville's, 
 but told me several palpable Lies 1 Gave him how- 
 ever severe correction We had this morning about 
 
 5 o Clock a smart Gust of wind, Rain & Thunder, but 
 soon over. 
 
 Saturday i8. 
 
 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 TryaP Heaven only knows where these 
 
 tumults will End! He informed us likewise that 
 
 last Saturda}^ in Richmond (our neighbour County) the 
 people drest & burnt with great marks of Detestation 
 
 the infamous Lord North M"!^ Carter, after the 
 
 'Squire left us quite astonished me in the Course of 
 the evening, with her perfect acquaintance with the 
 American Constitution 
 
 Sunday ig. 
 
 The day cool Sermon is at Ucomiko, so that 
 
 we all stay at Home M^= Carter was in the morning 
 frightened 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 
 
 ' 14 Geo. in. c. 3g. 
 
l82 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 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 Ser- 
 mon, & 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 Break- 
 fasted with us M^ Cox Ben continues no better, he 
 
 lays by Study to day & keeps in 1 myself either 
 
 conceit or in reality have a Fever & head-Ach to Day 
 
 Before twelve we had a moderate Shower no wind 
 
 nor Thunder M":^ Carter wrote a note to Dl 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 It 
 
 lightens in the North. 
 
 Teusday 21. 
 
 Harry is unwel, takes this morning Physick, and 
 
 keeps his Room Ben is in the same way Pris- 
 
 cilla & Nancy are practising Musick, so that to Day we 
 
 have only four in School KX. five in the Evening, 
 
 Ben, Prissy & I rode out on Horse back for exercise; 
 before we returned Captain Dobby, of the Ship Susan- 
 nah an agreeable, sensible, polite Gentleman came & 
 
 'Squire Lee The conversation, at Coffee was on 
 
 American affairs, the 'Squire shew'd us one of Mr Dun- 
 laps^ papers in which are accounts that the Northern 
 
 ^John Dunlap established, in 1771, The Pennsylvania Packet; this 
 became, in 1784, the first daily paper in the United States. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 183 
 
 Colonies are zealous & steadfast in resolutions to main- 
 tain their Liberties We sat til eleven. 
 
 Wednesday 22. 
 
 Breakfasted with us Captain Dobby, & M": 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 M":? 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 2j. 
 
 Very warm all the morning From twelve to 
 
 two 1 was writing at my Sermon While we were 
 
 at dinner a very black cloud rose in the West : M? Car- 
 ter, 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 M? Carter & the young Ladies 
 I took a walk; She shewed me from a high Hill several 
 
 beautiful Prospects 1 was diverted tho it was a 
 
 little cruel, to see the Girls gather the Blossoms of 
 some Pricky-Pears. 
 
 Fry day 2^. 
 
 Last night we had a Gust of Rain & Thunder; 
 
 very acceptable To Day in course M^ Christians 
 
 Dance happens here He came before Breakfast 
 
 ^\\?,% Jenny Washington^ came also, & Miss Priscilla 
 
 ' Probably Jane, daughter of John Augustine Washington and Hannah 
 Bushrod, and a niece of Gen. George Washington. She subsequently married 
 her cousin, Col. William Augustine Washington. 
 
l84 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 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 pro- 
 portioned, and 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 Coiaitry- 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 
 young Ladies in the practice; She sings likewise to 
 her instrument, has a strong, full voice, & a well-judg- 
 ing 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, and on the top a small cap of beautiful Gauze and 
 
 rich Lace, with an artificial flower interwoven Her 
 
 person & carriage at a small distance resembles notja 
 little my much respected Lajira. But on close exam- 
 ination her Features are something masculine, those of 
 Lajira are mild and delicate. M^ CJiristien very politely 
 requested me to open the Dance by stepping a Minuet 
 with this amiable Girl, but I excused myself by assur- 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 185 
 
 ing 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 
 Beaut}' ; She looks innocent of every human Failing, 
 does not speak five Words in a Week, & I dare say 
 from her Character 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 her 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 particu- 
 lar 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 Chariot with five young 
 
 Misses These five, with Miss Washington & Miss 
 
 Hale, & Miss Nancy Carter, «& Bob are M": 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^ is about thirteen; a 
 tall slim genteel Girl; She is very far from Miss Hale's 
 
 'Jane Corbin and her niece, Lettice, daughter of John Turberville of 
 Hickory Hill. The uncle referred to was Gawin Corbin of "Yew Spring," 
 Caroline County, a member of the Council in 1775, and who married, in 1776, 
 Betsy, daughter of Thomas Jones of Northumberland County. 
 
 ^ Presumably Elizabeth, daughter of John Lee of Essex, a nephew of 
 President Thomas Lee. 
 
l86 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 taciturnity, yet is by no means disagreeably forward; 
 She dances extremely well, & is just beginning 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, & M^ 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 set til twelve drink- 
 ing loyal Toasts 
 
 Saturday 2^. 
 
 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 
 
 M? Carter & the young Ladies, with M": CJiristien Ben 
 & myself walked in the garden, & through the Pasture, 
 There are several beautiful prospects of the green Bot- 
 toms, & of the River Nomini from the High hills 
 
 By Miss Washington I wrote a letter to M": 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 1 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. 
 
 Sunday 26. 
 
 M^ 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 1 am sent for to see 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 1 8/ 
 
 Mr Lowe who is come 1 invite him to my Room, 
 
 where we sit til Dinner He informed me of the 
 
 Manner of Trials in Scotland, which Candidates under- 
 go. It is similar, & indeed almost the same, as with 
 our Presbytery Evening M^ 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 2j. 
 
 I feel myself perfectly relieved blessed be God 
 who upholds my Life M^ 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 live Guineas 
 
 We have to day several plentiful Showers Evening 
 
 at Coffee the Colonel shew'd me a book of vocal Musick 
 which he had 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 M^ Carter is much afraid, 
 & can never eat if a cloud is rising nor lie down to 
 sleep. 
 
 Teusday 28. 
 
 Warm this morning. M^ Carter rode to Court, I 
 wrote some at my sermon but it goes on slowly 
 
l88 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Ben is not perfectly well, he studies, however, at times 
 
 a little, to day he makes Docf; Jories a visit The 
 
 Day very hot ; people I understand are reaping in this 
 County Evening we have in the West & North- 
 West amazing Lightning M? Carter retired to her 
 
 Chamber, where she always chooses to sit quite alone 
 in bad Weather 
 
 Wednesday 2g. 
 
 Writing at my Sermon The day cool & agree- 
 able. I was never so much coniined 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 Neivington & spend an 
 
 Afternoon with that dear girl Laura Here in Vir- 
 ginia 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 jo. 
 
 The morning pleasant none too hot to be agree- 
 able 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 Com- 
 pound 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 Divis- 
 ion; She improves in writing, & reads tolerably 
 
 Nancy mends fast in writing, but reads carelessly thick 
 & inaccurately. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 189 
 I mentioned to Day M^ Peck to M^ 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 I. 1774. 
 
 I rose at six. The morning bearable Breakfasted 
 
 \vith us 'Squire Lee. About one came in Captain 
 
 Blackivell, M": Grubb, & Lancelot Lee,^ the two young- 
 sters 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. 
 
 M^ Grubb called again about twelve with an inten- 
 tion to ride out to the Potowmack but there came on 
 
 a Rain & kept us Home We spent the afternoon 
 
 sociably in our Room. Miss Nancy Carter last Night 
 or this morning in some whimsical freak, dipt 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. 
 
 ' Son of George Lee of Mt. Pleasant, and younger brother of George 
 Fairfax Lee, the proprietor of Mt. Pleasant at this date (1774). 
 
190 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Towards evening we rode out merely for exercise, 
 & straggled at last to M": 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 
 
 M^ 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, M^ & M":^ 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 Ser- 
 mon 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 M": Carter of the Over- 
 seer 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 
 
 M^ Carter, & then began his Narration He seem'd 
 
 healthy, but very old, he was well dress'd but com- 
 plained bitterly 1 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. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 191 
 
 Monday ^. 
 
 I begun to read the first Volume of Tristram- 
 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 preju- 
 dicial to the Harvest, but is generally thought, & I 
 believe almost never fails being a forerunner of Agues, 
 Fall-Fevers, Fluxes, & our Horse-Distempers Fear- 
 ing these, any of which so far from Home, would be 
 painful & expensive, I keep myself much at Home, con- 
 trary to the repeated & strong invitations of the young- 
 sters 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 M^ Turburville's a young Lady, from the Isle of 
 Wight, Miss Betsy Lee,^ a Sister of George & Lancelot 
 
 Lees 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 M^ George Turburville, his Wife, M^ Grnbb, 
 
 & 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 Com- 
 pany when we entered were laughing at Master Lee,''' 
 
 ' Elizabeth, daughter of George Lee of Mt. Pleasant, by his first wife, 
 Judith Wormeley of " Rosegnll," and a half sister of George Fairfax and 
 Lancelot Lee. This young lady was bom November 21st, and died, unmar- 
 ried, on the 19th of May, 1828. (Lee's Lee of Virginia, 184.) 
 
 ' Probably Lancelot, who at this date was eighteen years of age, and who 
 
192 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 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 
 M^ Lee, I had the opportunity, which I wanted, of 
 examining the person of his Sister, without being inter- 
 rupted either by the notice of others, or by m}- 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 pro- 
 priety, 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 Complec- 
 
 tion, 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 
 
 afterward married Mary Bathurst, daughter of Thomas Jones of Northumber- 
 land County. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS I93 
 
 Snowy Bosoms; and 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 & unyield- 
 ing 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 w^ell 
 
 upon her She wore a blue silk Quilt In one 
 
 word Her Dress was rich & fashionable Her behav- 
 iour 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 
 
 What made me desirous to see, & curious to recon- 
 noitre this young Lady, was, a Sentence that was dropt 
 yesterday by a respectable Member of our Family, inti- 
 mating 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, & con- 
 necting me with one of the best families in the Govern- 
 ment, 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 it is the pleas- 
 ure 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 separated from 
 
194 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 it But if a Princess should solicit me to accept, 
 
 together with Herself, 50000^^ a j^ear I declare, 
 
 with as grQ,cit pleasure as truth, that the esteem, & Fidel- 
 ity which I possess for my dear, dear Eliza would 
 make me without reflection, evade & refuse the propo- 
 sal 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- 
 Hole M":^ Oakly a Woman who has acted as nurse for 
 
 several of M":^ Carters Children with great credit 
 
 All the family speak of her with Love & regard 
 
 This day is very warm, but no rain 1 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 
 
 M": 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;if 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 M"".^ Carter, I lectured 
 for half an hour on the Milky-Way, on several of the 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 195 
 
 Stars, on Jupiter in particular, & on the Course of 
 Comets. In bed by half after ten as usual. 
 
 Wednesday 6. 
 
 Ben seems pretty well recovered We dined to 
 
 day on the Fish call'd Sheeps-Head, with Crabs 
 
 Twice ever}^ Week we have fine Fish, & every Day 
 good Fruit for Dinner, caudled Apples, Hurtle-Berries 
 
 with milk &ic Yes, says M":' Carter at Supper, this 
 
 hot weather takes away all my life ; the small Light- 
 ning that we now have makes me uneasy & melancholy 
 
 1 love to see her in such Distress Beauty &. 
 
 Virtue when combined together & Strugling against 
 Misfortune; O how such objects move, & awaken the 
 
 most delicate sensations of our Souls Call in Nancy 
 
 to her Guitar, says the Colonel. In She minces slow 
 & silent from her supper She scratches her Instru- 
 ment, after a long preparation, into the Air of " Water 
 parted from the Sea." What, pray Miss Nancy, what 
 bewitched you with a desire of clipping your Eye- 
 Brows The Genius of Woman shines forth in this 
 
 little Girlish trick Pray M": Fithian, was you ever 
 
 taught Singing? Yes Sir, I attended two years 
 
 Had you any instructions in particular for using the 
 
 Shake 1 am giving Nancy some Lessons, but she 
 
 is vastl}^ indolent Nancy, play over and sing the 
 
 Funeral Hymn Excuse me. Papa, I have lost the 
 
 Verses Happy Soul, th}^ Daj's are ended, Go 
 
 on How steady & how sharp it lightens in the 
 
 North too. 
 
 Thursday j. 
 
 Yes Fanny may sit down to Breakfast Where's 
 
 Ben The Weather is hot & Ben for enjoyment had 
 
196 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 stript himself naked Of everything but his shirt & 
 
 trowsers Where's Ben He is not very well, 
 
 Madam This Day says the Colonel after having 
 
 Prefac'd our Breakfast with a "God bless us in 
 
 what we are to receive" is our Rye yonder to be 
 
 mown down ; mown down thinks I, do they mow their 
 
 Grain in Virginia Yes two Negroes take naked 
 
 Sythes & mow down the Grain ; others are employ'd in 
 
 raking it into heaps, but much of it is left Shall 
 
 I help you, M^ Fithian, to a Dish of Coffee? 1 
 
 choose a deep Plate, if you please, Ma'am, & Milk 
 
 Our Corn, Madam, in Jersey is inferior to yours in this 
 
 Province Or your Cooks, Sir, are less Skilful in 
 
 managing it Well, Nancy, I have tuned your Gui- 
 tar : you are to practice to Day, with Priscilla, who is 
 to play the Harpsichord, til twelve o Clock; You can 
 
 repeat the Verses of the Funeral Hymn? 1 can Sir 
 
 What, Harry, do you hesitate at that plain Sum 
 
 in Arithmetical Progression? Bob, attend to your 
 
 Business When I am bedizened with these clamor- 
 ous children, sometimes I silently exclaim Once I 
 
 was told, now I know I feel how irksome the Pedagog- 
 
 ing Scheme is Fanny I say, Fanny, don't you 
 
 hear me, Fanny, and Betsy, sit down pray, Sir, 
 
 must I multiply here by 32 Yes, thick-Scull 
 
 But M": Fithian, I don't know how to divide by 5? 
 
 Look, Sir, do you see what Mouth's Harry Willis is 
 
 making? I can say my Lesson Buz, Buz 
 
 To divide by 55 you must double both your Dividend 
 
 & divisor Half after two we were rung to Dinner; 
 
 poor Taskcr,^ his Fever has continued high since yes- 
 terday afternoon, he lies quiet, and asks for nothing 
 
 ^ Benjamin Tasker Carter, the Councillor's eldest son, was named after 
 his grandfather, Hon. Benjamin Tasker of Maryland. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS I97 
 If his Disorder does not abate to night, I shall 
 
 give him in the morning a dose of "James's Powder" 
 
 Will you lend me Jack, he meant my Horse, says 
 
 M^ Randolph, to ride to-morrow to Captain Cheltons; 
 yes M^ Randolph, I will oblige Jenny so far. 
 
 Fryday 8. 
 
 I swear, says Bob, Harry belies me. \ never told 
 the Nurse that Harriot should stay in School all Day 
 
 It was Mama's order that so long as M":^ Oakly the 
 
 Nurse stays, Harriot is to go into School after Break- 
 fast, & after Dinner, & say a lesson each time I 
 
 was passing through the Hall from Breakfast The 
 
 Nurse, a short Stump of a Woman, who blundered by 
 mere accident, when she was young, out of the road in 
 which Virgins commonly travel, & felt the difficulties 
 of being a Mother several years before She enjoyed 
 
 the pleasures of being a Wife She call'd to me, & 
 
 begg'd me to close the Quarrel; you shall have, said 
 I, dear Madam, with the greatest Freedom my consent 
 
 Harriot shall be with you At Breakfast 
 
 Where is Ben? He breakfasts with the House- 
 keeper Madam At School What a likeness 
 
 there is in the manners of Boys; Bob, & Harry had 
 skulk'd behind the writing-Table with their Slates on 
 their Knees, & their Faces close together, just as I 
 have done a thousand Times, in our little School-House 
 in Greenwich But once I was threshed confound- 
 edly for a piece of such hidden play Tom Parks 
 
 was asleep, poor Fellow he is now sleeping in the 
 
 Dust; Then he was fast asleep on a Bench, with 
 
 his mouth open 1 fiU'd his mouth with Snuff! 
 
 He sprung up Nature was in distress, & found all 
 
 her Avenues too scanty at that time to clear out at 
 
198 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 once the tickling penetrating Powder He snuffed 
 
 He coughed He — He told the Master, & then 
 
 I was tickled Indeed he made my Feet beat time 
 
 to his Lash Says Bob to Harry, behind the Table, 
 
 I wonder M": Fit/nan has not fallen in Love yet with 
 
 some of our Nominy-Girls Here he sits from Month 
 
 to Month (Not many Months longer said I to 
 
 myself) ^\\ Marshal was always out ; I suppose Mr 
 
 Fithian never thinks of Girls Indeed says Harry, 
 
 drawing his chair close & lowering his voice, I never 
 in my Life saw a Man who thought so little of these 
 
 things -Here Tom the Coachman came in with a 
 
 wood Tarripin which he brought to be a resident in 
 
 our Room to catch the Bugs & Cockroaches 
 
 yes, Harry, & Bob, Fithian is vulnerable by Cupid's 
 
 Arrows 1 assure you. Boys, he is. Not by the Girls 
 
 of Westmorland O my dear Laura, I would not 
 
 injure your friendly Spirit; So long as I breathe Heav- 
 ens vital air I am unconditionally & wholly yours 
 
 At Dinner, Wf Carter call'd for the Chariot, W? Tur- 
 burville will think me rude, unless I welcome her 
 Home; I will take Priscilla this Afternoon & make her 
 
 a visit I saw in a moment that Miss was better 
 
 pleased with the notion of trotting off in the Carriage, 
 
 than to be caged up with Multiplication & Division 
 
 O yes, says M? Oakly, I know Dadda Guniby at Will- 
 iamsburg. I think you look as brisk, as hearty & as 
 
 young now as you did ten years ago Guniby I 
 
 & my old Woman, here Master, are the two oldest 
 Negres in M': Carters Estate. Here we live. Master, 
 
 on our worthy Landlords Bounty The Nurse, Betsy, 
 
 & Harriot were at Gumby's House which stands about 
 
 twenty Rod from the Garden I was walking, with 
 
 a Book in my Fist, musing & stumbling along I 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS I99 
 
 saw them, 1 went up, & with a lower Bow than I 
 should give to a Nurse, if Women were plenty, says 
 I, pray M"? Oakly do you know Dadda Gumby? We 
 stood chattering- with the old African, or rather he stood 
 chattering with us, relating one story after another, 
 leaving some of his Narrations half untold, beginning 
 others in the middle having entered into the true Spirit 
 
 of Loquacity Dennis, in the Height of a Story, 
 
 about his Grand-fathers Uncle's harpooning a Porpoise 
 
 summoned me to Coffee M? Oakly, will you walk? 
 
 Come Betsy Where's Ben? Says the Col- 
 onel has Ben retired from the World? He rode out 
 
 this Evening, Sir, about five o Clock for Exercise 
 
 ^V? Carter, ISP. Carter, good night 
 
 Saturday g. 
 
 I was waked by Savi the Barber thumping at my 
 Door I was dressed In Powder too; for I pro- 
 pose to see & dine with yi\ss Jenny Washington to Day. 
 D — n the Bugs & Chinches, says Ben rolling over on 
 the Bed, & rubbing his Eyes, I have slept none for them 
 M": Fithian, do you rest any o-Nights? Dont these 
 
 cursed Bugs keep you awake? No Sir; for you see 
 
 I commonly sit & read til half after ten, or eleven 
 
 So that by the Time I lay my poor Skin & Bones on 
 the Bed, I am so much fatigued with the tumultous 
 Business of the Day, & the Study of the Evening that 
 
 my sleep the rest of the night is sound & unbroken 
 
 Priscilla hangs her head a little this morning. She looks 
 feverish, dispirited, sits on a low bench, with her Elbow 
 in her Lap, & leaning her head upon her hand, swings 
 backwards and forwards, just as I have seen beautiful 
 Quaker Girls when they are weepr'ng at the frightful 
 distortions and Grimaces of some deep-inspired Father. 
 
200 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 But Priscilla & Tasker are unwell Fanny teizes me 
 
 for a Picture, I must draw her a slip, she says, on 
 Paper like the one I drew for Her the other Day with 
 
 my finger in the Sand 1 love the little careless 
 
 Girl, & will oblige her. On the writing-Table in 
 
 the School-Room I found this morning an old Book of 
 Esops Fables done into English Verse ; In the Margins 
 of the Book up & Down Bob had in his scribbling Way 
 recorded the names of several young Ladies of West- 
 morland & Richmond Counties. I shall set them down, 
 
 as I turned over the Leaves & found them I do not 
 
 insinuate by writing this Story, the smallest reproach 
 to either of the Ladies; I mention it solely to shew 
 Bob's Taste, & the Meditations of his heart when wholly 
 alone. In the Life of Esop, page 23, at the Bottom 
 of the Leaf his own Name is written at full length & 
 in as elegant a hand as he is master of with a Dash 
 below. 
 
 Robert Bladen Carter. 
 
 He has in the same manner introduced it a few 
 leaves further on, he has done this to be a kind of 
 Preface for what is to follow ; he has also very cleverly 
 interspersed it with the Ladies, either that the Ladies 
 Names should be a foil to set his off to advantage, or 
 
 that his name be a Foil to adorn the Ladies In the 
 
 Life of Woglog the Great at the first page 
 
 Miss Lucy Carter' of Sabine-Hall. 
 
 Page 3d at Bottom of the Leaf 
 Miss Lettitia Turberville of Hickory Hill. 
 
 Page 8. 
 
 ^A daughter of Col. Landon Carter of Sabine Hall (an uncle of the 
 Councillor's), and Elizabeth Wormeley, his third wife. Lucy Carter married 
 William Colston. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 20I 
 
 Miss Betsy Carter' of Sabine-Hall. 
 
 Page 9. 
 Miss Priscilla Carter of Nomini-Hall — his Sister, 
 
 Esops Fables Page i!' he writes the Name of the Girl he 
 
 loves above all others 
 Polly Tayloe the Lovely of Mount-Airy. 
 
 Page 39t^> Miss Betsy Lee. 
 
 Page 41. 
 Miss Kitty Tayloe. Mount Airj-. 
 
 Page 43. 
 Miss Lydia Pettit has d — m'd ugly Freckles in her Face, other- 
 wise She is handsome & tolerable 
 
 Page 45. 
 Miss Betsy Gaskins.' 
 
 Page 47. 
 Miss Sally Tayloe. 
 
 Page 50. 
 Miss Jenny Washington of Bushfield is very Pretty, 
 
 then he Bolts in 
 
 Robert Carter. 
 
 Page 57. 
 Miss Polly Tolliver.' 
 
 Page 59. 
 Miss Steerman is a beautiful young Lady. 
 Miss Jane Corbin. 
 
 Aphia Fantleroy. 
 
 Edwards. 
 
 Betsy Jones. 
 
 Sally Panton. 
 
 But this afternoon M^ Oakly'x^ taken with a Fever; 
 I suppose, She was out last evening without anything 
 
 ' Elizabeth Wormeley, daughter of Landon Carter and a sister of Lucy 
 Carter, married Nelson Berkely of Airwell, Hanover County. 
 
 ' Doubtless Elizabeth, daughter of Col. Thomas Gaskins of Northumber- 
 land, who married (nth June, 1775) Edward Digges. A sister, Mrs. Anne 
 (Gaskins) Pinckard, was the second wife of Richard Henry Lee. 
 
 ' For Polly Taliaferro. 
 
202 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 on her head rather too late, when I saw her at Daddy 
 Gumby's 
 
 Sunday 10. 
 
 A Sunday in Virginia dont seem to wear the same 
 
 Dress as our Sundays to the Northward Generally 
 
 here by five o-Clock on Saturday every Face (especially 
 
 the Negroes) looks festive & cheerful All the lower 
 
 class of People, & the Servants, & the Slaves, con- 
 sider it as a Day of Pleasure & amusement, & spend 
 
 it in such Diversion, as they severally choose The 
 
 Gentlemen go to Church to be sure, but they make that 
 itself a matter of convenience, & account the Church a 
 
 useful weekly resort to do Business I am told, for 
 
 I have not yet been to Church since my Return, that 
 all the Sermons are in the forensic Style, & on political 
 
 Subjects. But I shall go to Church to Day I am 
 
 sorry that I may relate an accident which happened 
 last night- — ■ — By some accident; or by the carelessness 
 of some Negroes M": Turburville's Barn took fire and 
 
 burnt Down His loss is judged at 300;^ which is 
 
 something considerable for a Man who is with the 
 greatest Anxiety turning every ear of Corn into Money 
 At Church Parson Smith Read to the Congrega- 
 tion an Order Issued out lately by the Governor to elect 
 
 Burgesses ^ in the several Counties He preached 
 
 us a Sermon on Brotherly Love Dined with us to 
 
 Day M": Parker, a Lawyer of this County, & his Son, a 
 young man about 20 who is also licensed to plead Law 
 
 And M^ Cumiinghatn 1 am not very well to 
 
 Day, I have pain in several parts of my Body 
 
 ^ Writs had been issued by Governor Dunmore for tlie election of a new 
 Assembly, to fill the place of the one dissolved May 25th, 1774, because of its 
 indignant protest against the Act of Parliament shutting up the port of Boston. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 203 
 
 M^ Lowe informed me that Colonel Washington is 
 unwell of a sort of CJiolic. 
 
 Monday 11. 
 
 Indeed says M''.^ Carter at Breakfast a Fire this 
 
 morning would be very pleasant Yes says I, for I 
 
 have had the look and feeling of November all the 
 morning; My room shut up, My Coat buttoned, & yet 
 
 my Body cold Besides ! M^ Carter on this advanced 
 
 a strange Assertion, that there is not a single Person in 
 this whole Continent, if this Change is as powerful 
 through the Continent as it is here, who is not to day, in 
 
 a greater or less Degree affected with a Fever! My 
 
 poor skinny Body, I know is in a prodigious Tumult; 
 I impute it tho to ray ride yesterday to Church in the 
 scorching Sun ; and to drinking five or six glasses of 
 
 Wine extraordinary Priscilla & Harriot are confined 
 
 at Home of an eruptive Fever, some think it a Swine 
 Pox at an}' Rate they are sick, & break out into Pus- 
 tules I am in such a Ferment to Day that I cannot 
 
 sit nor Walk, nor Write with any Stomach I made 
 
 out tho' with some Difficulty to finish a rough Draught 
 of my Sermon, & laid by for future Perusal. 
 
 Tetisday 12. 
 
 Indeed I enjoy this fine cool weather, says Ben as 
 he lay on his Back in the Bed rubbing his Eyes, & ears 
 about half after six o-Clock; Lancelot Lee had never I 
 am sure, more sensible Pleasure in swallowing a well 
 
 prepared Dinner To be sure I have slept last 
 
 Night with the sweetest composure in Spight of the 
 
 Chinches, & in spight of my Disorder! Get up, 
 
 Lump of Indolence, said I to him ; Get up & clap to 
 Virgil instead of lying there & boasting Break- 
 
204 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 fasted with us Captain Guthrie, of a Small Schooner of 
 
 Norfolk; & M": Stadley the Musician 1 love this 
 
 good German, He used to teach in New York & Phila- 
 delphia He has much simplicity & goodness of 
 
 heart He performs extremely well He is kind 
 
 & sociable with me Dined with us one one 
 
 M^ M^ I forgot his name 1 know his 
 
 trade tho' : An Inspector He is rather Dull, & 
 
 seems unacquainted with company for when he would, 
 at Table, drink our Health, he held the Glass of Porter 
 fast with both his Hands, and then gave an insignificant 
 nod to each one at the Table, in Hast, & with fear, & 
 
 then drank like an Ox 
 
 The good Inspector, at the second toast, after 
 having seen a little our Manner " Gentlemen & Ladies 
 (but there was none in Womans Cloathing at Table 
 except M? Carter) The King" 1 thought that dur- 
 ing the Course of the Toasts, he was better pleased 
 with the Liquor than with the manner in which he was 
 
 at this Time obliged to use it 1 made a begining of 
 
 my Latin Thesis " Cuinam Usui inserv : at Lex 
 
 moralis sub Evangelis." I made out to write this 
 
 much Duabus hisce Propositionibus sequentibus 
 
 sinulatim Respondeo. But if I wrote so much every 
 
 Day for a twelve Month my thesis will be short. The 
 Day is pleasant, cool enough ; & my disorder which 
 has been for several days a growing painful Dysentery y 
 seems to have subsided. 
 
 Wednesday ij. 
 
 I drew off this morning for Dadda Giimby a List of 
 
 his Children, & their respective ages He himself is 
 
 94 For this office I had as many Thanks, as I have 
 
 had blessings before now from a Beggar for Sixpence 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 205 
 Thank you, thank you, thank you. Master, was the 
 
 language of the old Grey-headed pair. Call on us 
 
 at any time, you shall have Eggs, Apples, Potatoes 
 
 You shall have everything we can get for you Master! 
 
 In this Torrent of Expressions of Gratitude I was 
 
 rung- to Breakfast; I bow'd to the venerable Old 
 Negroes, thank'd them in my Turn for their Offers, & 
 
 left them Indeed, said the Colonel at Breakfast, 
 
 cool as it was last Night, I kept my Window up the 
 
 whole night I am not fond of your hot dusty Air 
 
 Was yours up M": Fithian no truly; so long as 
 
 I can breath without panting I am for keeping my 
 Window down, & my Room close on summer nights ; 
 especially here in Virginia, Madam, where the Dews 
 
 are so heavy, and so dangerous The Postilion keeps 
 
 a fox at the Stable & I am often much diverted with 
 his Cunning Tricks. The other Day, M":^ Carter was 
 lying in the long room among the Books on the Couch ; 
 In jumps Reynard, through a broken Pane of Glass, & 
 begins to frisk & hue about the Room like a Bedlam 
 
 How is Nurse, pray, says the Colonel at Dinner? 
 
 She has her Ague & Fever again to Day, Sir This 
 
 is a fine Sheeps-Head, M^ Stadley shall I help you? 
 Or would you prefer a Bass or a Perch ? Or per- 
 haps you will rather help yourself to some picked Crab 
 
 It is all extremely fine. Sir, I'll help myself 
 
 Well says the Colonel when we had almost finished our 
 Dinner with a Glass of sparkling Porter on the Table 
 before him, we have but fasted to Day ; here stands 
 a fine Ham, & a Shoulder of excellent Mutton yet 
 
 untouched At least, says the merry, good-hearted 
 
 Man, we have kept Letit Yesterday I scribled a 
 
 little for Laura, & to Day I drank her Health from 
 my Heart in generous Medaira Yes, best of 
 
206 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Women, when you are the Toast I drink wine with 
 pleasure 
 
 Thursday i^. 
 
 To Day is the election of Burgesses in Richmond 
 
 the neighbouring County Come, Fithian, will you 
 
 go? My old objection recurs; I am too busy 1 
 
 met this morning in Wingates Arithmetic, with the 
 following merry Problem "To discover a Num- 
 ber which any one shall have in his mind, without 
 requiring him to reveal any part of that or any number 
 
 whatsoever" After any one has thought upon any 
 
 number at Pleasure; bid him double it, & to that 
 double bid him add any such even number as you 
 please to assign : Then from the Sum of that Addition 
 let him reject one half, & reserve the other half: lastly, 
 from this half bid him subtract the Number which he 
 first thought upon ; then you may bodily tell him what 
 Number remains in his mind after that Subtraction is 
 made, lor it will be always half the Number which you 
 
 assigned him to add A Reason for the Rule is 
 
 added. " Because, if to the double of any number 
 (which number for Distinction sake I call the first) a 
 second number be added, the half of the Sum must 
 necessarily consist of the said first number, & half the 
 Second : Therefore, if from the said half sum the first 
 Number be subtracted, the remainder must of necessity 
 
 be half the second Number which was added Mf 
 
 Inspector dined with us again to day We had after 
 
 Dinner, Lime Punch & Madaira : but he chose & had a 
 Bowl of Grogg You are a mean Puppy, a treacher- 
 ous ungenerous Scoundrel, says Bob, to Harry just as I 
 
 entered the School after Dinner you told M.I Lowe, 
 
 you did more, you published in M^ Washington's 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 20/ 
 
 Family that M^ Fithian horsed me for Staying out all 
 
 night That he call'd in John the Waiter to help 
 
 him & that you was sent to cut & bring in Whips 
 
 After School with Ben I rode out the Day is 
 
 warm, & the Ground grows to be very dry I was 
 
 not a little Surprised to see Corn out in Tassel 
 
 But the Tobacco looks dismal, it is all poor, much of it 
 is dead with the drouth ; I think, however, that the 
 Season is ten days or two Weeks earlier here than in 
 
 New Jersey 
 
 M^ Stadley, left us to Day, I love that Man, he is 
 gone to Colonel Tayloes 
 
 Fry day /j. 
 
 I got up a little before six & as it is very warm, I 
 threw up the window to enjoy the Morning's fine salu- 
 brious 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 1 had 
 
 the Idea in a moment of a Woman in some kind of 
 
 Difficulty But how can such a Woman have been 
 
 to M^ Carters & done Business, who was not there last 
 
 night? It was M":* 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 busi- 
 ness Please to excuse me from Dinner, says M^^ 
 
 Carter, & retired to her Chamber There appears 
 
208 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 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 1 
 
 have made a part}^ says M^ Carter at Coffee, for a Trip 
 
 by Water to morrow, M^ Fithian will you be one? 
 
 With all my heart Sir, if it is agreeable We are to 
 
 ride then to M': Aizvels says he, & there enter my new 
 Barge, with her we will go down the River Machodock 
 into Potowmack then up the Potowmack & enter the 
 River Nomini, & up that River Home 
 
 Saturday 16. 
 
 The Colonel, Ben & myself rode on Horse-back 
 about Six to Ml 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 M": 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 will not do Justice to -A 
 
 Scetch of three Rivers Their Beautiful Banks 
 
 Several Gentlemens Seats Their commodious har- 
 bours In particular that near which y[\ Carter is 
 
 erecting Store-Houses The whole is to be an 
 
 account of our peregrination this i6'> 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 was sum- 
 moned to Coffee M^^ Carter gave us a Dish round 
 
 Amazing what a Flash of Lightning I How fast it 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 209 
 
 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 alarm- 
 ing alternate Cracks of Thunder! It brings, how- 
 ever 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 1 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 
 
 M": Bcal ; it was small, but it was neat We arrived 
 
 at M": Carters Store-Houses in 50 minutes, they are 5 
 Miles from M^ Atwels, & one from Potowmack 
 
210 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 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 oi a Bay 
 
 which is a safe & spacious harbour Here we Break- 
 fasted 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 1 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 
 
 into the Mouth of Nominy We went on Board a 
 
 small Schooner from Norfolk which lav in Nominy-Bay 
 
 M': 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 Washington's 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 num- 
 bers 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, cS: lies close to the Eastermost 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 or 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 1 went to my room to take 
 
 off an Account of the expedition When the Gust 
 
 soon hindred. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 211 
 
 Sunday ij. 
 
 The Air this morning serene & cool 1 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 M' Fithian, 
 
 says M^ Carter at Dinner with a serious Air, you see 
 we cannot with conveniency attend Ucomico Church. If 
 I should propose having prayers read in the great 
 Room on that vacant Day would you encourge & assist 
 
 me? 1 answered him that I was heartily agreed 
 
 You then, Sir, says he, may read the prayers 
 
 & I will read the Lessons. The Afternoon extremely 
 hot I could not leave my Room til the Sun had hid 
 
 his flaming Face behind the Earth Then I walked 
 
 through the Garden The whole Family seem to be 
 
 now out Black, White, Male, Female, all enjoving the 
 
 Monday iS. 
 
 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 1 
 
 scribbled over a letter to M^ John Peck, & one to Miss 
 
 pi"'iy ^^^- 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 • M"? Carter excused herself from Dinner; 
 
 while we were dining the Cloud came over, ver}- mod- 
 erate tho' with plenty of Rain It is now, says M^® 
 
 Carter at Coffee, cool enough, a fine fall evening, a 
 Northerly breeze & lovely evening M^.^ Oakly came 
 
212 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 into my Room this evening It was to take her 
 
 leave; she is to leave us early tomorrow morning 
 
 Good night, said 1 to the little Woman, I wish you 
 a safe passage over the Rappahannock, & a pleasant 
 
 journey home 1 drew off as well as I could a rough 
 
 plan of Nominy-Hall for Nancy. 
 
 Teiisday ig. 
 
 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 1 put Harry into decimal Arith- 
 metic 
 
 Wednesday 20. 
 
 Shut the Door, Harriot, says Fanny I'm so cold I 
 
 shake indeed the morning is cool enough to sit 
 
 with December clothes on ! 1 spent the little time I 
 
 have for myself to Day in forming my Latin Exegesis 
 
 M^ 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 tholc-pm or where it 
 lies on the Boat to the water, than from the Thole-pin 
 to the Rowers hand in a mathematical sense; He 
 allowed 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 called the chief & primary Power 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 213 
 
 Thursday 21. 
 
 Lazv Fellows! Ben, Bob, Harry, & Myself all this 
 Morning slept til near seven ! It was a sleepy Morn- 
 ing 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 accus- 
 tomed Resort the Corn-field, now many of the Hills 
 
 are in Silk We returned to Coffee The Da}^ 
 
 has been very warm ; the evening is light & pleasant, 
 &, Thank, to our common, & bountiful Preserver, I am 
 in good Health 
 
 Fry day 22. 
 
 My Exegesis goes on lustily; 1 have finished three 
 
 pages Indeed Sir, says Harry I cannot reduce 7^6'' 
 
 into the decimal of a Pound Sterling you must 
 
 reduce 7^ &: 6'' to pence for a numerator; then you 
 must reduce a Pound Sterling to Pence for a Denom- 
 inator; this Numerator you divide by the denominator 
 
 & the Quotient will be the Decimal sought Well 
 
 Be7i you & M"^ Fithian are invited bv M^. Turberville, to 
 a Fish feast to-morrow, said M^ Carter when he 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 2j. 
 
 Priscilla, & Fanny, each presented me with a fine 
 Jesamine Nose-gay this morning At eight I dis- 
 missed 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 be- 
 lieve the Boys will commend my choice now) It rained, 
 
214 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 it Thundered hard, & continued exceeding stormy til 
 after six in the Evening ; I spent the Afternoon how- 
 ever 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 agreeable exercise 
 
 There were many at the River, the Boys tell 
 
 me, among others Miss Betsy Lee I do not, how- 
 ever, 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 j^esterdays Voyage I rode to Nomini-Church 
 
 The Parson invited me home but we have com- 
 pany M^ Turbcrvillc, ls\\ Cuiininghaui, George &. Lan- 
 celot 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 man- 
 ner, that I left the Room, and went over to M": & M^ 
 Carter, with whom nothing is heard indecent or pro- 
 fane After the Company were gone as we were 
 
 walking near the Poplar Avenue, says M^^ 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 Tayloes compliments, who begs I will wait on 
 him soon ; He wants to know if I have provided a 
 Tutor for M"? Thornton Mt Leek told me something 
 about coming, but not til next Spring, & I judge that 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 21$ 
 M? 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 reputa- 
 tion 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. 
 
 Monday 3j. 
 
 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 1 wish they were half as inno- 
 cent 1 myself, after having added a Waistcoat, am 
 
 notwithstanding disagreeably Cold The air is clear, 
 
 the wind strong from the West 1 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 my- 
 self 
 
 Teusday 26. 
 
 The morning cool enough Order me a Horse 
 
 & Chair, says the Colonel after Breakfast, for I must 
 go to Westmoreland-Court 1 piddled at my Exege- 
 sis, 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 
 
2l6 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Bob conducted me on board, She is a neat vessel, car- 
 ries 1400 Bushels Bob strip'd & swam around us 
 
 half an hour Coffee; Well, Sir, says the Colonel at 
 
 last 1 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 f On this he gave me Letters from, 
 
 1. Rev^ Enoch Green, Dated Feb: 1774. 
 
 2. From Laura, Dated Feb: 13^.^ i774- 
 
 3. From John Peck Dated Nassau Hall, July 2. 
 
 1774- 
 
 4. From John Peck dated Feb: 25*.'' 1774- 
 
 5. From the Rev? Andrew Hunter, dated Cohan- 
 sie June 24'^ 1774. 
 
 6. From Andrew Hunter Jun": Dated June 24'.'' 
 1774. Cohansie. 
 
 7. From M": James Ewing. Dated Bridgetown 
 July 7'.h 1774. 
 
 For these Letters I paid 12^ /^^^ Pennsylvania 
 
 Currency, & I very proud of my Bargain 
 
 M": Peck informs me that he is to succeed me in 
 
 this place M^ Hunter & M': 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 M^ Hiinter 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 2j. 
 
 Somehow I have taken a bad Cold, & am low- 
 spirited to Day The Colonel was all the forenoon 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 217 
 
 down at the Harriot in the Sun, so that when he went 
 
 in to dine he seem'd fatigued & eat nothing We 
 
 have an addition to our numerous Family, one M^ 
 
 I forgot his name, he is a Cooper, tho', & an Irishman, 
 & seems to be pretty smart; I sat the Evening with 
 him in M": 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 
 
 1 spent in finishing off my Latin Exercises. 
 
 Fry day 2g. 
 
 I feell wholly relieved of my cold I wrote & 
 
 sent to the Post a Letter to M": JoJin Peck, to remind & 
 
 & hurry him in his way here O! it is very hot 
 
 The wind itself seems to be heated I — —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; & I laugh'd cordially to see the contrivance 
 of Fanny, the loveliest of them all, to grow cool, She 
 set 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 ! Mi:^ 
 
 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 thick Cloud where it Thunders The Corn is 
 
 roll'd up with the heat & Drouth ! Yet it is strange 
 there is no Musquetoes 1 have seen one & heard 
 
2l8 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 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 jo. 
 
 The Weather is something cooler & bearable this 
 
 Morning Frank Christien one of M^ Lowe's Scholars 
 
 came to visit Harry & Bob, so that I discharged them 
 
 about eleven, & retired to my Chamber to writing 
 
 I sent M^ George Lee a note this morning begging him 
 to excuse Be7t & I from attending his Fish-Feast this 
 
 Day Captain Dobby dined with us; he is a Man of 
 
 much Spirit & Humour; A great Mimick 
 
 He acquainted us that at Hobbe'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 1 believe both X\\e Rowers Si da7icers, 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 burn- 
 ing hot I shall go provided the Others go likewise. 
 Ben towards evening rode to Colonel Tayloe's 
 
 Sunday ji. 
 
 Daddy Giunby %2.\\ me walking 1 had just got 
 
 up, it was early I had only a Gown thrown round 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 219 
 
 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 Mas- 
 ter will burn Lyers with Fire & Brimstone ! 1 speak 
 
 Truth I will not deceive you Men are wicked, Mas- 
 ter; 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 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. 1 felt a little non pluss'd, I confess, but 
 
 walk'd to my Room & went none to Church 1 
 
 expected that we should have had prayrs at home, 
 
 but it was not mentioned Fanny towards Evening 
 
 brought me half a Water-Melon 1 accepted & thank'd 
 
 the little pretty chit, she seems so artless, & delicate 
 
 I esteem her exceedingly 1 walked out about Sunset, 
 
 when it is a little cool, along the River Nominy 
 
 MoxDA y August I'.' 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 M? Carter kept her Chamber 
 
 There is almost no Rain I looked to day over D^ 
 
 Burncy's^ present State of Musick in Germany I 
 
 ' Dr. Charles Burney's Present State of Music in Germany, The Nether- 
 lands, and United Provinces (Lond. 2 v. 8vo, 1773) ; but he is best known by 
 his General History of Music, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Period 
 (Lond., 4 V. 4to, 1776-89'). 
 
220 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 think it more entertaining than realy useful Ben to 
 
 Day begun the Eneid Poor M^ Randolph seems to 
 
 be sickening with the Ague & Fever ! Evening the 
 
 Colonel returned & gave us Captain Dobby's repeated 
 Invitation. 
 
 Teusday 2. 
 
 Ben & I drest ourselves pretty early with an inten- 
 tion to Breakfast with Colonel Tayloe, but the Servant 
 who went with us was so slow in preparing that we 
 
 breakfasted before we set out We arrived at Colonel 
 
 Tayloe's^ however by half after nine The young 
 
 Ladies we found in the Hall playing the Harpsichord 
 
 The morning cool with a fine Breeze from the 
 
 North for I forgot to mention that about Midnight last 
 Night a violent Gust of Blackness, Rain, & Thunder 
 came on & gave us present relief from the scorching 
 
 Sun ; there was no Dust & the riding was pleasant 
 
 The Colonel, his Lady, Miss Polly, ^ Miss Kitty, Miss 
 Sally, rode in their Great Coach to the Ferry Dis- 
 tance about 4 miles Ben & I on Horseback 
 
 From Colonel Tayloe's to this Ferry opposite to Hobb's 
 Hole the Land is levil & extremely good ; Corn here 
 looks very rank is set thick with Ears, & they are high 
 
 & large, three commonly on a Stalk Here I saw 
 
 about an Acre & a half of Flax, which the people were 
 
 just pulling, exceedingly out of Season This is the 
 
 only Flax I have seen since I have been in the Colony; 
 
 I am told they raise much in the upper Counties 
 
 Here too is a great Marsh covered with thick high 
 
 Reed The Face of this part of the Country looks 
 
 fertile, but I apprehend it is far from being healthy 
 
 ' Colonel John Tayloe of Mount Airy. See note 2, page 148. 
 ^ See note 2, page 149. 
 
Mount Airv 
 Richmond Coiintv X'irofinia 
 
[1774 
 repealcU 
 
 ttv early with an intcn- 
 
 , but the Servant 
 
 A in p ;■ that we 
 
 — We a. . iv^v^i at Colonel 
 
 after nine The young 
 
 ing the Harpsichord 
 :ie Br< m the 
 
 ;l>.M!i . __. -.-,-;ht last 
 
 violent l^va'i/ [/ i, & Thunder 
 
 on & gave us prcsiiit rcii.M imm the scorching 
 
 Kinii^-rrV vlriwoO bf)0(firl'ji>l . i ,^j. 
 
 Miss 
 
 oh 
 
 itofS* h<^' 
 
 Mnce I have been in the Colony; 
 
 •"'- ■" *' ' ■per Counties 
 
 with thick hi,^:. 
 ^ part Jountry looks 
 
 ! is far iiom being healthy 
 
 )unt Airy. Sc-. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 221 
 
 We came to the Bank of the Rappahannock ; it is 
 
 here about 2 Miles over the Shipping- on the other Side 
 near the Town lying at Anchor looks fine; no large 
 Vessels can haul along the Wharves on account of 
 
 shoal Water There were six Ships riding in the 
 
 Harbour, and a number of Schooners & smaller Ves- 
 sels Indeed, says M? Tayloe, Captain Dobby has 
 
 forgot us, here we have been waiting for a full half 
 hour, shall we take the Ferry Boat Colonel & cross 
 
 over, & not stand any longer in the burning heat? 
 
 I was pleased not a little with the proposal, tho' at the 
 same time, I laughed with myself at M":* Tayloe's truely 
 
 Womanish impatience I At last they are coming 
 
 The long-Boat came, well furnished with a large 
 
 Awning, and rowed with four Oars We entered the 
 
 Ship about half after twelve where we were received 
 by Captain Dobby, with every possible token of wel- 
 come 
 
 Since I have been in Virginia, my inclination, & 
 my fixed purpose before I left home, both of which 
 were very much assisted by a strict Attention to the 
 instructing my little Charge, these have kept me pretty 
 constantly, almost wholly, indeed out of that kind of 
 Compan}^ where dissipation & Pleasure have no re- 
 straint This entertainment of Captain Dobby's, 
 
 elegant indeed, & exceeding agreeable, I consider as 
 one among a prodigeous throng of more powerful simi- 
 lar Causes, of the fevers & other Disorders which are 
 common in this Colony, & generally attributed to the 
 Climate which is thought to be noxious & unhealthy. 
 The Weather here indeed is remarkably variable But 
 taking awa}' & changing the usual and necessary Time 
 of Rest; Violent Exercise of the Body & Spirits; with 
 drinking great quantities of variety of Liquors, these 
 
222 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 bring on Virginia Fevers The Beaufort is a stately 
 
 Ship ; Captain Dobby had an Awning from the Stern 
 over the Quarter quite to the Mizen-Mast, which made 
 great Room, kept off the Sun, & yet was open on each 
 Side to give the Air a free passage. At three we had 
 on Board about 45 Ladies, and about 60 Gentlemen 
 besides the Ships Crew, & Waiters Servants &c. We 
 
 were not throng'd at all, & dined all at twice I 
 
 was not able to inform myself, because it seemed im- 
 proper to interrupt the General pleasure, with making 
 circumstantial inquiries concerning Individuals, & say- 
 ing pray. Sir, what young Lady is that yonder in a 
 Lute-String Gown? She seems genteel; where does 
 her Father live? Is she a Girl of Family & Breeding? 
 Has She any Suitors? This when one could not be 
 out of the Inspection of the Company, would have 
 seemed impertinent so that I did not much enlarge my 
 Acquaintance with the Ladies, which commonly seems 
 pleasing &; desirable to me; But I took Notice of Sev- 
 eral, & shall record my remarks 
 
 The Boats were to Start, to use the Language 
 of Jockeys, immediately after Dinner; A Boat was 
 anchored down the River at a Mile Distance Cap- 
 tain Dobby and Captain Benson steer'd the Boats in 
 
 the Race Captain Benson had 5 Oarsmen; Captain 
 
 Dobby \\?lA 6 It was Ebb-Tide The Betts were 
 
 small & chiefly given to the Negroes who rowed 
 
 Captain Benson won the first Race Captain 
 
 Purchace offered to bett ten Dollars that with the same 
 Boat & same Ilands, onl}' having Liberty to put a 
 small Weight in the Stern, he would beat Captain 
 
 Benson He was taken, & came out best only half 
 
 the Boats Length About Sunset we left the Ship, & 
 
 went all to Hobb's Hole, where a Ball was agreed on 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 223 
 This is a small Village, with only a few Stores, & 
 
 Shops, it is on a beautiful River, & has I am told com- 
 monly six, eight, & ten Ships loading before it the 
 Crews of which enliven the Town M": Ritche Mer- 
 chant;' he has great influence over the People, he has 
 great Wealth; which in these scurvy Times gives Sanc- 
 tion to Power; nay it seems to give countenance to 
 Tyranny 
 
 The Ball Room. 
 
 25 Ladies 40 Gentlemen The Room very 
 
 long, well-finished, airy &. cool, & well-seated two 
 
 Fidlers ^l". Ritche stalk'd about the Room He 
 
 was Director, & appointed a sturd}- two fisted Gentle- 
 man to open the Ball with M":* Tayloe He danced 
 
 midling tho'. There were about six or eight married 
 
 Ladies At last Miss T^/Zr/zr danced a Minuet with 
 
 She is a tall slim Girl, dances nimble & grace- 
 ful She was Ben Carters partner Poor Girl She 
 
 has had the third Day Ague for twelve months past, 
 and has it yet She appeared in a blue Silk Gown ; her 
 Hair was done up neat, without powder, it is very 
 
 Black & Set her to good Advantage Soon after her 
 
 danced 'Slxss, Dolly Edmundsou A Short pretty Stump 
 
 of a Girl; She danced well, sung a Song with great 
 applause, seemed to enter into the Spirit of the enter- 
 tainment A young Spark seemed to be fond of her; 
 
 She seemed to be fond of him; they were both fond, & 
 
 the Company saw it He was M": Ritche's Clerk, a 
 
 limber, well dress'd, pretty-handsome Chap he was 
 
 The insinuating Rogue waited on her home, in close 
 
 ' This was Archibald Ritchie, father of the celebrated Thomas Ritchie, 
 who was for many years editor of the Richmond ' Enquirer," and afterwards 
 (1845-49) o^ 'he " Union," the organ of the Polk administration. 
 
224 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Hugg too, the moment he left the Bali-Room Miss 
 
 Aphia Fatitleroy^ danced next, the best dancer of the 
 
 whole absolutely And the finest Girl Her head 
 
 tho' was powdered white as Snow, & crap'd in the 
 
 newest Taste She is the Copy of the goddess of 
 
 Modesty Very handsome; she seemed to be loved 
 
 by all her Acquaintances, and admired by every Stran- 
 ger, Miss McCall Miss Ford Miss Brokenberry^ 
 
 Ball Two of the younger Miss Ritche s 
 
 Miss Wade They danced till half after two, Captain 
 
 Ritche invited Ben & I, Colonel Tayloe & his Family 
 
 with him We got to Bed by three after a Day spent 
 
 in constant Violent exercise, & drinking an unusual 
 Quantity of Liquor; for my part with Fatigue, Heat, 
 Liquor, Noise, Want of sleep. And the exertion of my 
 Animal spirits, I was almost brought to believe several 
 times that I felt a Fever fixing upon me, attended with 
 every Symptom of the Fall Disorders 
 
 Wednesday j. 
 
 We were call'd up to Breakfast at half after eight 
 
 We all look'd dull, pale, & haggard! From our 
 
 Beds to Breakfast Here we must drink Hot Coffee 
 
 on our parching Stomachs! But the Company was 
 
 enlivening Three of the Miss Tayloe's Three 
 
 Miss Ritche's And Miss Fantlcroy This love- 
 liest of all the Ring is yet far below Laura If they 
 
 were set together for the choice of an utter Stranger; 
 he would not reflect, but in a moment spring to the 
 Girl that I mean to regard After Breakfast the 
 
 ' A daughter of Col. William Fauntleroy of Richmond County. She 
 married Captain John Champe Carter of Revolutionary fame, a nephew of 
 Charles Carter of Shirley. 
 
 ' For Brockenbrough. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 22$ 
 
 young Ladies favoured us with several Tunes on the 
 
 Harpsichord They all play & most of them in good 
 
 Taste at eleven we went down to the River; the 
 
 Ships Long Boat was waiting. Captain Purchace of the 
 
 Beaufort^ helped us on Board 1 gave the Boatswain 
 
 a Pisterene for his trouble Half a Bit for the Pas- 
 ture of my Horse We rode to Colonel Tayloe's 
 
 The Ladies all retired for a nap before Dinner, we 
 
 sat in the Hall, & conversed with the Colonel a sensi- 
 ble, agreeable Sociable person Miss Garrot is Gov- 
 erness of the young Ladies; she too is chatty, satirical, 
 neat, civil, had many merry remarks at Dinner, we 
 
 staid till about six took our Leave, & rode Home 
 
 Found all well ; gave an account of ourselves, of our 
 entertainment, & of our Company to M*; & M":^ Carter 
 at Coffee & retired soon to Bed 
 
 TJmrsday ^. 
 
 I made out to get up by seven A little fatigued 
 
 tho' Many are sickening with a Fever, & great 
 
 numbers have the Ague Protect me if it be thy 
 
 will, God of my Life, & give me a Heart to praise 
 
 thy name for all my Favours Dined with us the 
 
 Inspector 1 walked through the Garden, several 
 
 times banishing my solitude, as much as possible reflec- 
 ting on several Days past. 
 
 Fry day 5. 
 
 I have no Stockings, & I swear I wont go to the 
 
 Dancing School This was the first I heard of Bob 
 
 Are Bob & Nancy gone -to Mi: Turberville's said the 
 
 Colonel at Breakfast Nancy is gone Sir, Bob stays 
 
 at Home he has no shoes! poh ! What nonsense! 
 
 says the Colonel He sent M^ Randolph to the Store 
 
226 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 for a pair of Shoes, Bob he took to his Study and flogg'd 
 severely for not having given seasonable Notice, & sent 
 him instantly to the Dance 
 
 Saturday 6. 
 
 Last night. & this morning haizy mistty the Wind 
 South East threatens a Rain — — Transcribing my 
 pieces, yesterday and to Day I had a strong invi- 
 tation to D! Thompsons Fish-Feast, but the Rainy 
 Weather hindred ; I spent the Day in Quiet in my 
 
 Chamber writing Dadda Gumby sent me a small 
 
 Water-Melon. 
 
 Sunday j. 
 
 I set out for Church It was cloudy, it Thun- 
 dered in the West ; But I rode on Bob was with me 
 
 We arrived at the Church & had our Saddles put 
 
 into a Chariot When a violent Gust came on 
 
 We were all in the Church : many Ladies were present 
 
 The Thunder was violent I Many discovered great 
 
 Terror Neither the Parson, nor Clerk attended 
 
 There we sat in Silence til the Storm was over, when 
 
 each sallied out & splashed homewards M^ & M"? 
 
 Carter were to have gone bv Water Thev had set 
 
 off But saw the Cloud befor they had rowed far, & 
 wisely returned Towards Evening Miss Betsy Car- 
 ter, Miss Polly Carter^ of Richmond, & Miss Turberville 
 came over to see our Girls. Miss Betsy plays the 
 Harpsichord extremely well, better I think than any 
 young Lady I have seen in Virginia. 
 
 * Daughters of Landon Carter of Sabine Hall, in Richmond County 
 See note i, page 201. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 227 
 
 Monday 8. 
 
 All once more in School Dined with us George 
 
 Lee &. yil Grubb The_v spent the afternoon at the 
 
 great House After Coffee Lee rode Home Mf 
 
 Grubb staid with us all night Dennis came into our 
 
 Room to bring us a Bowl of Punch; Grubb shut the 
 Door, and accused him of having been caught with 
 Bett, the Dairy Girl, in the Stable last Saturday Night 
 
 Dennis seem'd in great distress, he denied the 
 
 Fact tho' with great steadiness Nelson our Boy 
 
 came in with a candle Dennis here, says Grubb to 
 
 Nelson, has been accusing you, Sir, of several crimes; 
 he says 3'ou gave him half a Bitt last Saturday Night, 
 
 to stand at the Stable-Door while he with Bett 
 
 Nelson star'd Grubb opened a huge Molls Atlas 
 
 that lay in the Room ; & read off their Case & indict- 
 ment The Boys seem'd crazy We dismissed 
 
 them when all the novelt}" was over, but the}- darted 
 
 like Indians so soon as the}- were at liberty We 
 
 sat up til eleven Ben drank for his Toast, Miss 
 
 Julia Stockton^ of New Jersey; Grubb Miss Betsy Car- 
 ter 1 with pleasure the Rival of them all 
 
 Teusday g. 
 
 I propose to visit Dt Jones to Day, say's M? Carter 
 
 at Breakfast See & have the Carriage ready for me 
 
 by ten o-Clock Benny She took with her Priss, & 
 
 Nancy We have a thin School M^ Grubb dined 
 
 with us Staid til evening, when with Ben he rode 
 
 home 1 finished & glad enough I feel my Latin 
 
 Thesis The "Weather is now very tolerable, we had 
 
 to Day a fine Shower about twelve 
 
 •■ Perhaps Jiilia, dang-hter of Richard Stockton, the Signer, -who married 
 Benjamin Rush, M.D. 
 
228 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Wednesday 10. 
 
 All in School Miss Fanny very much troubled 
 
 with the festered Bites of Seed Ticks M\ Stadley, 
 
 whom I always see with Pleasure came towards even- 
 ing After School he gave the Girls a lesson each 
 
 About Six we have a fine Shower, with Thunder 
 
 and Lightning, especially in the evening the Lightning 
 Sharp. 
 
 Thursday il. 
 
 Dined with us two Gentlemen Names unknown 
 
 They informed us that a Flux is in a neighbouring 
 
 County, of which many die ! The Ague too is 
 
 grov/ing frequent Fanny has a fit this afternoon I 
 
 begin to be a little alarmed at the early approach of 
 these Disorders, which I fear will be distressful here! 
 Through the kindness of heaven I am yet in perfect 
 
 health M^ Carter & M^ Stadley performed both on 
 
 the harmonica I am charm'd with the Sounds! The 
 melody is swelling, grave & grand! The weather 
 vastly hot 
 
 Fry day 12. 
 
 Very hot Sam our Barber is Seized with the 
 
 Ague & Fever Fanny is confined to her chamber 
 
 with a Fever occasioned, 1 am apt to believe, by the 
 inflamed bites of the Seed-Ticks, which cover her like a 
 
 distinct Small Pox. Dined with us by particular 
 
 invitation, M": Tnrbervillc s Family, and Miss Betsy Lee 
 
 The conversation at Table was on the Disorders 
 
 which seem growing to be epidemical. Fevers, Agues, 
 
 Fluxes A gloomy train! Fearing these, I keep 
 
 myself at home; make my diet sparing & uniform; Use 
 constant moderate Exercise; Drink as little Wine as 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 229 
 
 possible, & when I must drink Toasts I never fail to 
 dilute them well with Water; I omit almost every 
 kind of fruit ; & make my time for Sleeping from Night 
 to Night the same, Viz to Bed by ten, & rise b}^ six 
 
 invariably 1 never lived so much by Rule as I do 
 
 this Summer; & I am taught the Art, & have a Steady 
 
 example in M^ & M? Carter M^ Stadley played on 
 
 the Harpsichord & harmonica several Church Tunes & 
 Anthems, with great propriety 
 
 Saturday ij. 
 
 Prissy took the Ague last Night, She had an easy 
 
 Fit This Morning is quite cold, & will, I fear hasten 
 
 on or at least provoke the present disorders The 
 
 good M^ Stadley left us this morning Breakfasted with 
 us a Gentleman from Maryland. At Dinner he was 
 join'd by another from the same Province they are 
 
 both unknown 1 rode out with M{s,s Prissy to the 
 
 Cornfield for Exercise We gathered & brought 
 
 home some good Roasting-Ears of Corn Evening 
 
 came in Colonel Henry Lee He is chosen ^ to be one of 
 the seven who represent this Colony in the general 
 
 Congress to be held next month in Philadelphia 
 
 He starts out next Sunday night 
 
 Sunday i/j.. 
 
 Colonel Lee stays Breakfast (to Speak in the 
 
 phrase of Ladies) The morning fine Sermon is 
 
 to Day at Ucomico so that I am to stay in my Room ; 
 Ben^ however, & Bob, & Harry, & M"! Randolph all go 
 Fanny is yet confin'd to her Chamber 
 
 * By the first convention of Virginia, August 1-6, 1774. Richard Henry 
 Lee is intended. 
 
230 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Monday 75. 
 
 Began a Letter to Jack Peck, giving him advice in 
 
 Respect to his coming into this Colony The People 
 
 are better, only Miss Fanny with her Sores continues 
 in her Chamber; I bought & sent her however this 
 
 evening a present a \?irge. Musk Melon Dined with 
 
 us Squire Lee, he talks of going to Philadelphia to the 
 Congress; He informs us that in Maryland is a Tea- 
 Ship, from the India Company 
 
 Teusday 16. 
 
 The Colonel is summoned to a Meeting of Vestry- 
 Men,' at the Glebe Nothing very extraordinary 
 
 occurs, unless I mention that Bob in the former part of 
 this Day kept very quiet in his Seat, and worked out 
 three Sums in Reduction compound without much 
 
 direction! About five from the South East came on 
 
 suddenly a Gust of Rain & Wind, Evening the Colonel 
 returned but a good deal vexed One of the Mem- 
 bers were absent so that the Remainder could do no 
 Business 
 
 Wednesday ly. 
 
 This Day is the annual Examination at Nassau- 
 Hall 1 wish the candidates Success, & Honour. 
 
 Last year I had the Pleasure to be present & hear the 
 
 Examination 1 saw Laura too; & the Vixen abused 
 
 me! She shall repent of that insult; Indeed She must 
 feel, tho' I wound myself in the experiment, the Conse- 
 
 ^A list of the Vestry of Cople Parish in 1755, as given in Meade's Old 
 Churches of Virginia, is as follows: "John Bushrod, Daniel Tibbs, Richard 
 Lee ("Squire" Lee of Lee Hall), Benedict Middleton, Willowby Newton, 
 Robert Middleton, George Lee, John Newton, Samuel Oldham, Robert Car- 
 ter, Fleet Cox, and Thomas Steptoe." 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 23 1 
 
 quence of Slighting good-humour & Civility There 
 
 likewise I saw Belinda^ my late agreeable Correspond- 
 ent. She had left town this unlovely Month, for the 
 
 Benefit of Princeton's pure salubrious Air She 
 
 laboured in a Consumption There too I took my last 
 
 fare-well! For soon after her return to Town the 
 
 disorder fixed, & in a few Months destroy'd a wise, use- 
 ful, religious G'xxX Her death surely was untimely, 
 
 since she took with her all her virtues, which, with 
 great pleasure & Sincerity She used to diffuse among 
 
 her giddy Equals ! I am at a Loss to express my 
 
 feeling for the Death of a young Lady, with whom I 
 
 had only a short, yet a beneficial Intimacy The 
 
 Circumstance of my first Acquaintance with her was 
 wholly Accidental, yet I soon believed & accounted it 
 
 advantageous 1 thought her capable of improving 
 
 me with Sentiment, & I speedily found that my expec- 
 tation was true We commenced a Litterary Cor- 
 respondence, of which I only say that She always 
 express'd herself with so much Truth, Ease & Humour 
 as to make me read her Letters with eagerness and 
 
 satisfaction If I would record a Motto for her, it 
 
 Should be "Virtue without Melancholy." Break- 
 fasted & dined with us two Gentlemen from Maryland 
 
 They came over for the benefit of M": Carter s Mill; 
 
 as Mills are scarce near the Potowmack in Maryland; 
 
 but the reason I am a stranger to Read some in Df 
 
 Swift Writing on to M^ Peck The weather is 
 
 close & this evening I heard two Musquetoes, onl}' one 
 
 of which ventured to light upon me 1 dare say they 
 
 are thicker at Cohansie! Each Wednesday & Satur- 
 day we dine on Fish all the Summer, always plenty of 
 Rock, Perch, & Crabs, & often Sheeps-Head and Trout! 
 
 'Probably Polly Bullock, mentioned on page 155. 
 
232 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Thursday 18. 
 
 Very ill most of last night with a violent Dysen- 
 tery ; I fear a frequency of this disease will at length 
 
 fix & ruin me^ It continues to Day, & with no less 
 
 rage, I cannot eat nor drink, am low Spirited Think 
 
 constantly of Home ; Sometimes repent my having 
 
 come into this Colony, & blame myself for having been 
 persuaded to turn out of my road to public Business 
 
 But when I reflect closely I justify the Conduct, 
 
 & resign myself Body & Soul & Employment to God who 
 has the Hearts of all in his hand, & who I am per- 
 suaded, if he has anything for me to do in Life, will 
 preserve, & in a measure fit me for it, if not, I am in 
 
 his Hand, let him do as seems good in his Eyes At 
 
 Dinner the Colonel invited me to ride with him to a 
 Mill of his which is repairing, about eight miles Dis- 
 tance ; I accepted his Invitation, gave the children a 
 few Hours for Play, & went with the Colonel Ben was 
 
 along The Face of the earth seems covered with 
 
 mocking-Birds, but not one of them sing, they seem 
 
 vastly busy but it is in collecting Food Not a bird, 
 
 except now & then Robbin-Redbrcast is heard to sing in 
 
 this Feverish Month Nature seems cheerless and 
 
 gloomy ! The Evening is hot, but the Ride was agree- 
 able, it was useful too ; for I grew much better ; The 
 Jolting of the Horse seemed salutary, my Pain sub- 
 sided, I returned almost wholly relieved in the even- 
 ing, drank my Coffee, went soon to my Room, gave 
 thanks to my divine restorer, & laid me down to 
 rest 
 
 ' A foreboding soon to be realized. Falling a victim to this malady, which 
 ravaged the army camps, Philip Fithian died in the service of his country, 
 October 8, 1776. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 233 
 
 Fry day ig. 
 
 I slept through the night in qtiiet and ease, & rose 
 perfectly relieved. M": Carter at Breakfast advised me 
 to take with him Some Salt-Pctrc, as a useful Dieu- 
 
 retick but I declin'd M"! Griibb came in about twelve 
 
 o-clock from Sabine-Hall. Colonel Carter^ gave an 
 Entertainment yesterday to celebrate his Birth-day ; & 
 had a numerous & gay Company. This young Gen- 
 tleman (M": Grubby appears to be a person of Capacity & 
 Improvement; he was Educated in England, & has 
 been assistant to a Merchant on James's River in this 
 Colony for some time past. This Summer he has been 
 
 totally Idle He proposes week after week to set 
 
 out for Williamsburg, & Sail thence home, but he 
 stays, He has much good nature, is an agreeable com- 
 panion I pity him. He seems fond of yixss Betsy 
 
 Lee But he is too fluctuating in his mind to settle 
 
 there, or with any Girl whatever yet 
 
 Saturday 20. 
 
 Beti, Ml Taylor, M^ Grubb, & Harry went to the 
 
 Potowmack to a Fish Feast Come, Fithian, what 
 
 do you mean by keeping hived up sweating in your 
 
 Room Come out & air yourself But I choose 
 
 to stick by the Stuff. The Colonel too, very kindly, 
 offered me a Seat in his Chariot to Nomini Court 
 House, but I declin'd M": Lane & M^ Warden came in 
 
 towards evening Both in high Spirits, But lAl Lane 
 
 was (as they say) "Half Seas over" they sat & 
 
 chated noisily til nine Evening clear & full Moon, 
 
 ' Col. Landon Carter of Sabine Hall, in Richmond County, an uncle of 
 the Councillor's. Sabine Hall is still standing ; it was built by Col. Landon 
 Carter in 1730, and remains today a fine type of the old colonial houses of 
 Virginia. 
 
234 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 & very light Our neighbourhood seems alive with 
 
 little Negro Boys playing in every part 
 
 Sunday 21 . 
 
 Nomini Church Parson Smith gave us after 
 
 Prayrs, which he was obliged to read himself, a useful 
 
 Sermon ; poor man he seemed to labour hard Dined 
 
 with us Captain Walker, W. Lane, M? Lane, Vi\ Wad- 
 man, yi\ Warden. 
 
 Soon after Dinner I left the company & retired to 
 my chamber where I seem commonly most happy 
 
 Monday 22. 
 
 M": Grubb & Ben returned last evening They 
 
 spent their Day in Richmond' I wrote to day sev- 
 eral letters to Philadelphia One to Miss Webster. To 
 
 her Brother. To John M'.Calla ]\xn\ To M^ Donald 
 
 These I send by 'Squire Lee who is to be of the 
 
 Party After School Ben, Grubb, & Myself rode to 
 
 the 'Squires He took us into his Garden, shewed 
 
 and gave us great Plenty of fine Peaches, Nectarines &c 
 
 He has a large Garden, & great abundance of fruit 
 
 His People were shaking the trees to prepare the 
 
 Peaches for Brandy. 
 
 Teusday 2j. 
 
 Blessed be God who yet preserves me in perfect 
 health^ Priss has another titt of the Ague these Dis- 
 orders are giving Alarms, in a few Weeks I suppose 
 
 they will grow numerous & troublesome A violent 
 
 Gust of Wind, Rain, & some Thunder we had about 
 
 twelve o Clock, the Country seems to be afloat I 
 
 received this Morning a Note from a School Master in 
 
 ' i,[e., Richmond County. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 235 
 
 the Village, who signs himself " Brother Quill." He 
 sends me with his compliments a Question. To multi- 
 ply 12^-12^-122'^ by itself in Cross multiplication 
 
 And tells me the Answer is i6o£-i'-6'^ his way, Viz by 
 
 Decimals 1 did not alter his answer, but suffered 
 
 him to continue satisfied with his own performance. 
 
 Wednesday 2^. 
 
 Stormy A poor Man arrived from Maryland 
 
 with Grain to grind. It was wet He saw M^ Car- 
 ter and M": Randolph M^ Randolph wore a red Coat 
 
 the Marylander asked Bob which was the mas- 
 ter of the House Bob with his usual impudence 
 
 answered, the Man you see drest in a scarlet Coat 
 
 Who then says he is the other in a frowsled Wig? 
 
 He is says Bob my fathers Clerk The Colonel heard 
 
 this Anecdote of Bob, which entertained him, While we 
 were dining. I hear nothing of the Ague abroad, it 
 seems to go by turns, sometimes brief then exceeding 
 scarce All this day the wind North East rainy. 
 
 Thursday 2j. 
 
 Still stormy. The Gentlemen who are sailing up 
 
 the Bay to the Congress have a disagreeable time 
 
 This is a true August Northeaster, as we call it in 
 
 Cohansie Ben is in a wonderful Fluster lest he shall 
 
 have no company to-morrow at the Dance But 
 
 blow high, blow low, he need not be afraid; Virginians 
 
 are of genuine Blood They will dance or die! 
 
 I wrote some at my Letter for M^ Peck .The people 
 
 here pronounce Shower "Sho-er" And what in 
 
 New-Jersey we call a Vendue here they call a " Sale" 
 
 All Taverns they call "Ordinary's" When a 
 
 Horse is frolicsome & brisk, they, say at once he is 
 
236 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 ' ' gayly " she is mischievous, they call him ' ' vicious " 
 
 At five, with Bob, I rode out for exercise After 
 
 a while we arrived at George Lees He gave us some 
 
 excellent Peaches He returned with us to M^ Tur- 
 
 berville's We met here with Miss Betsy Lee, M! 
 
 Griibb, Lancelot Lee & here we spent the evening 
 
 Fish-Feasts, & Fillies, Loud disputes concerning the 
 
 Excellence of each others Colts Concerning their 
 
 Fathers, Mothers (for so they call the Dams) Brothers, 
 Sisters, Uncles, Aunts, Nephews, Nieces, & Cousins to 
 the fourth Degree! All the Evening Toddy con- 
 stantly circulating Supper came in, & at Supper I 
 
 had a full, broad, sattisfying View of Miss Sally Panton 
 1 wanted to hear her converse, but poor Girl any- 
 thing she attempted to say was drowned in the more 
 
 polite & useful Jargon about Dogs & Horses For 
 
 my Part, as I was unwilling to be singular, if I at- 
 tempted to push in a word, I was seldom heard, & 
 never regarded, & yet they were constantly refering 
 their Cases to me, as to a supposed honest fellow, 1 
 suppose because I wear a black Coat, & am generally 
 silent; at Home I am thought to be noisy enough; here 
 
 I am thought to be silent & circumspect as a Spy 
 
 How different the Manners of the People! I try to be 
 as cheerful as I can, & yet I am blamed for being stupid 
 as a Nun 
 
 Fry day 26. 
 
 M": Christian came while we were at Breakfast 
 
 Soon after came Miss Washington, Miss Hale & the Miss 
 
 Lee's 1 kept m^'self in my Room pretty Close 
 
 Towards evening M? Carter, Miss Washington, Miss 
 Hale, MP Christien & Myself had a thorough ramble, 
 first thro' the Garden We gathered some Figs, the 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 237 
 Ladies seem fond of them, 1 cannot endure them 
 
 Then we stroll'd down the Pasture quite to the River 
 admiring the Pleasantness of the evening & the delight- 
 some prospect of the River, Hills, Huts on the Sum- 
 mits, low Bottoms, Trees of various Kinds, and Sizes, 
 Cattle & Sheep feeding some near us, & others at a 
 great distance on the green sides of the Hills, People, 
 some fishing, others working, & others in the Pasture 
 
 among the Horses;- The Country emphatically in 
 
 her goodly Variety ! I love to walk on these high 
 Hills where I can see the Tops of tall Trees lower than 
 
 my Feet, at not half a miles Distance Where I can 
 
 have a long View of many Miles & see on the Summits 
 of the Hills Clusters of Savin Trees through these 
 often a little Farm-House, or Quarter for Negroes; 
 these airy Situations seem to me to be the Habitations 
 
 of Health, and Vigor We returned, & all were 
 
 apparently well satisfied with the walk Evening 
 
 was spent jovially in Dancing, at Supper, I left the 
 Company, being not very well, & retired to my Cham- 
 ber, Thanks to my heavenly Father, that I can enjoy a 
 competent Measure of Health when many are sick 
 
 around A note from M^ Lowe. Miss Betsy Lee, & 
 
 her Brother came in just at night Miss Lee seems 
 
 cheerful, dances well, sings agreeably, appears free of 
 formality, & Haughtiness the Common foible here 
 
 Saturday ^7. 
 
 The morning spent in setting coppies. Sums &c. 
 
 for the School After Breakfast, I spent a couple of 
 
 Hours in the Dancing-Room V[.\ Lee in our Room 
 
 raved against the Scotch He swore that if his 
 
 Sister should marry a Scotchman, he would never 
 speak with her again ; & that if he ever Shall have a 
 
238 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Daughter, if She marries a Scotchman he shoots her 
 dead at once ! At twelve I rode to Mt Washing- 
 tons, the Country extremely pleasant Dined with the 
 Parson, his Brother, ySj? Smith, Miss Pettit, M^ Blain- 
 M^ Buckner, & several of M^ Lowes Boys; M^ Lowe 
 was from home, On my return I found no company, 
 except Grubb who has come in my absence. We spent 
 the Evening after sipping our Coffee, in Chat with Mr 
 & Mr^ Carter. 
 
 Sunday 28. 
 
 M^ Grubb rose very early, having yesterday made 
 every previous necessary preparation, & set out for 
 Home about One hundred miles Distance. 
 
 He has so much good Nature, is always so cheer- 
 ful, & at the same time void of anything malicious, 
 clamarous & impudent, that I cannot but esteem & 
 very much respect him On some whimsical unsub- 
 stantial Miff or other, however, our Girls cannot endure 
 
 him he wrote them some Copies the other Day, & 
 
 tho' he writes a much finer neater hand than I they 
 
 would not allow it, nor hardly Strive to imitate 
 
 1 laughed at the ridiculous, the perfect Picture of 
 
 Female Caprice, & Obstinacy in Miniature Sermon is 
 
 to Day at Ucomico, so that I keep my Room 1 
 
 wrote several Letters which are to be forwarded by 
 M^. Blain, one to Jack Peck, one to John Duffield,^ at 
 D^ Shippen's Jun^ ^ Philadelphia, & one to Laura. I 
 begun also a Sermon. I understand by M"^ Carter & 
 
 ^John Duffield graduated from Princeton College in 1773, and was a 
 tutor at that institution from 1773-75. 
 
 * William Shippen, Jr. (1736-1806) was graduated from Princeton College 
 in 1754, and delivered the valedictory for his class. He studied medicine in 
 England under Dr. John Hunter and Dr. McKenzie, and graduated M.D. at 
 Edinburgh in 1761. Returning to America, he commenced the practice of his 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 239 
 
 Ben who were at Church, that the Parson was unable 
 to read Prayrs or Preach, having a Fever, but that 
 there was a thronged Assembly ; many I am told, have 
 the Ague & Fever, but none are dangerous or have it 
 fixed 
 
 Monday 2g. 
 
 Miss Fanny in School to Day, but not entirely well 
 
 of her Sores made by the Ticks Ben complains of a 
 
 pain in his breast; he seems to have many symptoms of 
 
 Weakness in his breast 1 attempted to take a rough 
 
 Draught of the Great House for myself Evening 
 
 after Coffee the Colonel entertained us by playing on 
 the Harmonica. 
 
 Teusday jo. 
 
 M"" Carter rides to Westmoreland Court By him I 
 send my Letters to M^ Blaifi, who is going to the Con 
 
 gress Ben seems to be no better; has a slight 
 
 Fever, pain in his Breast, & Uneasiness, I fear he is 
 bordering on a Consumption His fond Mother dis- 
 covers great Anxiety, & true affection. Once I too had 
 a fond indulgent Mother; when 1 was sick, or other- 
 wise distress'd. She was always impatient til my Health 
 
 profession at Philadelphia, and on Nov. i6th, 1762, began the first course of 
 lectures on anatomy ever delivered in this country, notice of which was pub- 
 lished in The Pennsylvania Gazette for Nov. nth, 1762. Dr. Shippen's 
 School of Anatomy continued until the 23rd of Sept., 1765, when he was 
 chosen professor of anatomy and surgery in the newly established medical 
 school of the College of Philadelphia, which was the first in America. He 
 was appointed chief physician of the Flying Camp, July 15, 1776, and on 
 April II, 1777, was unanimously elected " Director-General of all the Military 
 Hospitals for the Armies of the United States." Dr. Shippen was charged 
 with improper administration of his office, which led him to resign in 1781, but 
 an investigation before a military court failed to disclose any matters reflecting 
 on his integrity. (Appleton's Cyclopedia of America Biography.) 
 
240 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 & Ease returned ; & She used to urge me likewise by 
 precept & example to strive for an habitual Prepara- 
 tion for Sickness & Death! But oh! She has gone & 
 left me, & Friendship seems to have been buried with 
 
 her! Formality & Pretence are common enough, 
 
 but Sincerity & affection are exceeding are M^^ 
 
 Carter thinks it better for Ben to sleep at the Great- 
 House til he grows better, for the advantage of giving 
 
 him medicine I seem now when it is late in the 
 
 Evening, lonely, & a little fearful, at least I think on 
 what I made a subject for a merry Hour, when I was 
 at Home last, & a young Lady was complaining of 
 being fearful at Night, & afraid to sleep in a Room 
 
 alone There are now (asleep I suppose) in this 
 
 House, below Stairs M^ Randolph, & M^ Burney the 
 Cooper; two clever lusty youngsters, & in the Room 
 
 next to mine Bob & Harry sleep 1 feel yet gloomy ; 
 
 Ben is missing, & which is worse, he is sick 
 
 Wednesday ji. 
 
 Last Fryday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Teus- 
 day, & this Day have been perfectly fair, but yesterday 
 
 & to Day are very hot Ben quits reading & is 
 
 quite unwell Dined with us M^ Wadtnan ; He is, I 
 
 believe, a Man of good understanding, but desperate 
 in his religious Principles 
 
 Thursda V Septemb^. i'.' 1774. 
 
 One other Calm, sunny, swclterhig day The Col- 
 onel says it is the hottest Day we have had 1 keep 
 
 myself caged up in my Room, & cannot venture out on 
 
 my usual ivalk or Ride for exercise Through divine 
 
 goodness I continue in perfect Health, but as skinny & 
 meagre as tho' I was continually sick Ben seems 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 241 
 
 a little more pert today Evening it Lightens in 
 
 the North West. 
 
 Fry day 2. 
 
 Extreme hot today Yesterday a Negro Child 
 
 about six years old sickened as to appearance with the 
 Ague & Fever, & to Day about eleven in the morning 
 it expired! It is remarkable that the Mother has now 
 lost seven successively, none of which have arrived to 
 
 be ten years old ! The Negroes all seem much 
 
 alarmed, & our School make it a Subject for continual 
 Speculation ; They seem all to be free of any terror at 
 the Presence of Death ; Harry in special signified a 
 Wish that his turn may be next. 1 should be glad if 
 his desire were wise ; & he was as fit for the business 
 of the other world, as he seems willing to leave the 
 
 business of this In the evening this unexpected 
 
 Death was the Subject of Conversation in the House 
 
 M^ Carter observed, that he thought it the most 
 
 desirable to die of a Short Illness. If he could have 
 his Wish he would not lie longer than two days; be 
 taken with a Fever, which should have such an unusual 
 effect on his Body as to convince him that it would be 
 fatal, and gradually increase till it effected a Dissolu- 
 tion He told us that his affairs are in such a state 
 
 that he should be able to dictate a Will which might be 
 written in five Minutes, & contain the disposal of his 
 
 estate agreeable to his mind He mentioned to us 
 
 the Substance " That he would leave M":^ Car- 
 ter 6000 ;^ Sterling; & leave the remainder of his 
 Estate to be disposed among his children as the Law 
 directs." 
 
 He told us likewise, with great firmness, that if he 
 lives to see his children grown, he will pay no regard 
 
242 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 to age, but give his wealth to Him who bids fairest to 
 
 be useful to mankind That he allows all an equal 
 
 oppertunity of improvement, but the One who is found 
 then improved shall with the Learning inherit also the 
 
 Substance Dennis the Lad who waits at Table, I 
 
 took into the School to day at his Fathers request, He 
 can spell words of one syllable pretty readily. He is 
 to come as he finds oppertunity. 
 
 Saturday j. 
 
 Indeed says M? Carter at Breakfast, the Light- 
 ning, Rain, & Thunder, disturbed me, & kept me pad- 
 ding from Room to Room all Night; I first had the 
 Girls Beds removed as far as possible from the Chim- 
 neys then had lights placed in the passage; and 
 
 then but without rest or pleasure, I wandered through 
 
 the house silent & lonely like a disturbed Ghost I 
 
 It has however effected an agreeable change in the 
 Air; which is now cool & agreeable. I was invited 
 this morning by Captain Fibbs to a Barbecue : this 
 differs but little from the Fish Feasts, instead of Fish 
 the Dinner is roasted Pig, with the proper apendages, 
 but the Diversion & exercise are the very same at both 
 
 1 declined going and pleaded in excuse unusual 
 
 & unexpected Business for the School By appoint- 
 ment is to be fought this Day near M^ Lanes two fist 
 Battles between four young Fellows. The Cause of 
 the battles I have not yet known ; I suppose either that 
 they are lovers, & one has in Jest or reality in some 
 way supplanted the other; or has in a merry hour 
 call'd him a Lubber, or a thick-Skull, or a Buckskin, or a 
 Scotchman, or perhaps one had mislaid the others hat, 
 or knocked a peach out of his Hand, or offered him a 
 dram without wiping the mouth of the Bottle; All 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 243 
 
 these, & ten thousand more quite as triffling & ridicu- 
 lous, are thought & accepted as just Causes of imme- 
 diate Quarrels, in which every diabolical Stratagem 
 for Mastery is allowed & practised, of Bruising, Kick- 
 ing, Scratching, Pinching, Biting, Butting, Tripping, 
 Throtling, Gouging, Cursing, Dismembring, Howling, 
 &c. This spectacle, (so loathsome & horrible!) gen- 
 erally is attended with a crowd of People ! In my 
 opinion, (others may think for themselves) animals 
 which seek after & relish such odious and filth}' amuse- 
 ments are not of the human species, they are destitute 
 of the remotest pretension to humanity ; I know not 
 how they came by their form, by the help of which 
 they are permitted to associate with Men, unless it has 
 been (unfortunate for the World!) b}' an intermixture 
 of the meaner kind of Devils with prostitute Monkeys ! 
 
 This, however, I cannot determine; But I think 
 
 all such should be deemed by the community infectious, 
 & suspended at least any kind of intercourse, til, either 
 the lineage be settled & recorded, or those shrew'd 
 Characteristicks of a spurious illegitimate claim to kin- 
 dred with men be in a good Measure abated. 
 
 Stinday 4. 
 
 We had last night a flood of rain, the wind North 
 
 East stormy No Church to Day M^ Carter sent 
 
 down to his Mill-Dam, & channel all his people to try 
 if they can secure them; he gives them Rum, & a 
 Shilling a man 
 
 I read Prayrs, by the desire of the Parents, at the 
 Grave over the deceased Child Priscilla, Nancy, Fanny, 
 Betsy, Ben, Bob, Harry, & Myself, & about forty or fifty 
 Negroes were present. Neither the Father nor the 
 Mother of the Child went out; imitating the example 
 
244 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 they see in others, & stay from an affectation of over- 
 flowing Grief. 
 
 Monday 5. 
 
 There is a wonderful To do, this morning among 
 the House keeper & children, at the great house. They 
 assert that a Man or a Spirit came into "the Nursery 
 
 about one o-Clock this morning That if it was 
 
 indeed a Spirit the Cause of his appearance is wholly 
 unknown ; but if it was Flesh & blood they are pretty 
 confident that the design was either to rob the House, 
 or commit fornication with Sukey, (a plump, sleek, 
 
 likely Negro Girl about sixteen) That the doors & 
 
 windows were well secured, but that by some secret 
 manner, unknown to all, the Thing opened the Cellar 
 door, went through the Cellar, & up the narrow dark 
 Stairs (which are used only on necessary occasions, as 
 when the great Stair way is washing or on some such 
 
 account) That it left the said Cellar door standing 
 
 open, & besides unbar'd & threw open the East Win- 
 dow in the little Room, in order, as they wisely sup- 
 posed, to have, if it should be hurried, a ready passage 
 
 out That it had previously put a small wedge in the 
 
 Lock of the Nursery Door, where several of the young 
 Ladies, & the said Sukey sleep, so that when they were 
 going to Bed they could not Lock nor bolt the door, 
 but this they all believed was done in mischief by the 
 children, & went thereupon to bed, without suspicion 
 
 of harm, with the door open That Sukey some 
 
 time in the Night discovered Something lying by her 
 Side which she knew to be a Man by his having 
 
 Breeches That she was greatly surprised, & cry'd 
 
 out suddenly to the others that a Man was among them, 
 & that the Man tickled her, & said whish, whish 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 245 
 
 That on this She left the Bed & run & squeased herself 
 in by the side of Miss Sally the House-keeper, but that 
 
 by this time the whole Room was awake & alarmed 
 
 That when the thing knew there was a discovery it 
 stamped several times on the lioor, shook the Bedstead 
 by the side of which it lay, rattled the Door several 
 Times & went down Stairs walking very heavy for one 
 bare-foot That on its leaving the Room the House- 
 keeper went to Ben Carters Chamber, & that he rose & 
 they all went down & found the Doors & window as I 
 
 have mentioned All this with many other material 
 
 accidents is circulating through the family to Day ; 
 some conclude it was a Ghost because it would not 
 speak But, more probably it was one of the warm- 
 blooded, well fed young Negroes, trying for the com- 
 pany of buxom Sukey The Colonel however, at 
 
 Breakfast gave out that if any one be caught in the 
 House, after the famil}' are at Rest, on any Pretence 
 
 whatever, that Person he will cause to be hanged ! 
 
 This Afternoon Nelson the Lad who waits in our School, 
 was in the woods about half a mile off, where he met 
 
 with & kill'd a Rattle-Snake having six Rattles He 
 
 cut off the head, & brought Home the remainder of the 
 
 Body, which we have skin'd & stuff'd M":^ Carter 
 
 complains to Day of the Tooth-Ach, & a slight Fever. 
 
 Tetisday 6. 
 
 The day fine It is whispered to Day that B 
 
 is the Ghost that walk'd in the Nursery the other night, 
 but I think the report is false, & arises from Calumny. 
 We had an expectation of company to day, but are dis- 
 appointed. We dined on Fish & Crabs, which were 
 provided for our company, tomorrow being Fish-Day 
 1 begun a Sermon Job XXIII. 3. 4. We have two 
 
246 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 vagrant Tinkers with us mending several articles, one 
 of whom is this afternoon violent sick with Fever & 
 
 Ague 1 rode to my old spot, the Cornfield, by 
 
 chance met with Mr. Taylor, I walked with him among 
 the Tobacco Cotton &c. He gave me Directions for 
 
 raising the latter Cotton must be planted about the 
 
 middle of M.ay in rich Land, prepared with Hills, & 
 made very mellow. When up it must be weeded & 
 kept clean, it must be top'd & suckered as Tobacco, 
 otherwise it runs too much to vine. Towards the Fall 
 it will begin to open, when the opened pods must be 
 gathered & laid by til dry, then the Cotton pick'd out 
 & clean'd 
 
 Wednesday 7. 
 
 M^^ Carter not very well ; is troubled with a small 
 
 Tooth- Ach Fever & a Cold Every leisure minute I 
 
 spend in writing at my Sermon Dined with us Mf 
 
 Sorrel, & M': on Fish, Rock, Perch, fine Crabs, 
 
 & a large fresh Mackerel. Yesterday & to day 1 have 
 been a little pained, & pretty much alarmed, at an 
 unusual feeling in my right arm. But now it is a 
 trembling steady knawing down the under part of my 
 arm & Wrist, without unless when 1 move it suddenly 
 
 Evening 1 walked through the pasture to the 
 
 River, the Hills are green, since the late rains, & look 
 fine tip'd with the setting Sun. 
 
 Thursday 8. 
 
 Cloudy & cool. I rise now by half after six 1 
 
 found it necessary to flogg Bob & Harry on account of 
 
 lying in bed, after 1 come into School At twelve 
 
 M^ & NP? Carter, with all the Family except Ben, Harry 
 & Myself; Ben staid of choice, & Harry I kept at home 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 247 
 
 on account of a sullen Impudence when I dismiss'd 
 
 them I told them that they both had my leave to 
 
 go but at the same time it was my advice that they 
 
 should stay Harry then answered " D — n my Soul 
 
 but i'll go!" At this I informed him that he had at 
 once dismiss'd himself from my authority, & without 
 singular signs of Submission I should never take him 
 
 under my direction more And therefore that he 
 
 had general & unbounded Liberty to go not only to the 
 
 Horse Race, but wliere & zvJien he chose He seem'd 
 
 startled, & began to moderate his answer: I ordered 
 him out of the Room, & told him to use his liberty. 
 M":* Carter took with her all the young Ladies & all her 
 
 children Ben &. I with great satisfaction dined alone. 
 
 Nelson, to Day, kill'd another Rattle Snake; near the 
 place where he kill'd the other, which had twelve 
 
 Rattles Harry grew sick and refused to go to the 
 
 Race, he came soon to my room & with every Sign of 
 Sorrow for his conduct begg'd me to forgive him, at 
 first I refused, but at length I took him in, yet informed 
 him that I shall pass over no other instance of what 
 
 may be called rudeness only. The Colonel on his 
 
 return, in the evening informed us that the Race was 
 curious, & that the Horses were almost an even match 
 
 That the Betts were Drawn & no Money paid 
 
 That the Rider of one of the Horses weighed only 
 
 forty Seven pound Strange that so little substance 
 
 in a human Creature can have strength & skill suffi- 
 cient to manage a Horse in a Match of Importance 
 
 Something alarming happened a few nights ago in the 
 
 Neighbourhood at M": Sorrels a House in Sight It 
 
 is supposed that his Negres had appointed to murder 
 him, several were found in his bed chamber in the 
 middle of the night his Wife waked She heard 
 
248 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 a whispering, one perswading the other to go On 
 
 this She waked her Husband, who ran to his Gun; but 
 
 they escaped in the dark Presumption is so strong 
 
 together with a small confession of the fellows, that 
 
 three are now in Prison The ill Treatment which 
 
 this unhappy part of mankind receives here, would 
 almost justify them in any desperate attempt for gain- 
 ing that Civility, & Plenty which tho' denied them, is 
 
 here, commonly bestowed on Horses! Now, Laura, 
 
 I sleep in fear too, though my Doors & Windows are 
 all secured ! 
 
 Fry day p. 
 
 M": Stadley came in before Breakfast. He inform'd 
 us that Governor Duninorc has gone to the Frontiers' 
 
 with about 400 Men to subdue the Indians That 
 
 the Indiams seem disheartened, & leave their towns, & 
 are unwilling to fight M":^ Carter, out of Compli- 
 ment, this morning presented to Ben & / for staying at 
 
 home yesterday, a large fine Cake Dined with us a 
 
 Stranger Ben with good Humour either out of a 
 
 Bravado or for Revenge gave out in the Family to day 
 that it is the opinion of a certain Female, of consider- 
 able Note in the family, that all the male Children 
 which shall be born in this unlucky year, tho' they may 
 be fair to the Sight, will be yet unable, from a Debility 
 
 ^ In April, 1774, some extraordinary hostilities occurred between the 
 Indians and whites on the Virginia frontier, in which the whites are said to 
 have been the aggressors. Open hostilities resulted, and the confederated 
 tribes, comprising Delawares, Wyandots, Shawnees, and others, under the 
 celebrated chief. Cornstalk, were decisively beaten in the sanguinary battle of 
 Point Pleasant by the Virginians, led by Gen. Andrew Lewis. It was a costly 
 victory for the Colonists, however, as their loss in killed and wounded was two 
 hundred, from a total force engaged of five hundred and fifty. (Campbell's 
 History of Virginia, pp, 582-589.) 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 249 
 
 of Constitution, to do their Duty, with respect to 
 
 Women, either married or single That She has two 
 
 reasons for this opinion, 
 
 1. Because the Air appears to be extremely barren, 
 weak, & uttgetierative 
 
 2. Because the Peaches, & other Fruit are observed 
 this 3ear to have in them very few Kernels, at the same 
 time that the Peaches are sweet & fair 
 
 I think that Ben, by this stratagem, whether it be 
 real or otherwise, is levil with the invidious Vixen 
 which suspected him of entering the Nursery to visit 
 black-faced Sukey 
 
 Saturday 10. 
 
 With the Boys I Surveyed a small field lying along 
 the Richmond Road ; the Colonel has a good Theodolite 
 & other Aparatus for Surveying English Maga- 
 zines & Reviews arrived to Day One of the Books 
 
 lately published I am desirous to purchase viz Df 
 
 Henry s^ History of Great Britain on a new Plan. This 
 history is to be contained in ten Books, each of which 
 will be divided into seven chapters. In the first Chap- 
 ter of ever}' Book, the Author relates, the civil & mili- 
 
 tar}- History of Great Britain The second chapter 
 
 contains the ecclesiastical History of the same period : 
 the third presents us with the history of our political 
 constitution. Government, Laws, & Courts of justice ; 
 the fourth is employed upon what relates to Learning 
 & Learned men : the fifth investigates the State of the 
 useful & ornamental Arts: the sixth enquires into that 
 of commerce, Shipping, Mone3% with the prices of com- 
 modities: & the last Chapter of every Volume is alloted 
 
 ' Robert Henry's History of Great Britain from the first invasion of it 
 by the Romans under Julius Caesar. (Lond. 1 771-93, 6 v., 4to.) 
 
250 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 to a Detail of the Manners, Virtues, Vices, remarkable 
 Customs, Language, Dress, Diet, & Diversions of the 
 
 Great Britains Six o-Clock, M'.= Turberville, Miss 
 
 Jenny Corbin, and Miss Turberville came in ; Miss Corbin 
 has been, all the Summer, at her Brothers^ on Rapa- 
 
 hanock forty miles distant. 1 saw, in the evening, 
 
 in M^. Randalls^ Room, a Young man about twenty 
 years old, totally deaf, & dumb! He is well-set, 
 lusty, & likely; he is cheerful, good natur'd, extremely 
 dextrous, quick of apprehension, &, in short, very 
 
 conversable, & sociable by signs he was taken to 
 
 the much famed D^ Graham, when he was in this Colony 
 trumpeting about his own unproved Abilities; he fum- 
 bled with the unfortunate Lad, by blooding, gouging, 
 boreing &c. putting him to torture and expence with- 
 out any possible expectation of help He Sustains 
 
 among his neighbours the Reputation of being, Jionest, 
 
 industriojis, & useful He supports by Labour his 
 
 mother, & himself; He is remarkably fond of Cloths, 
 & vastly curious, & nice in examining every article 
 
 of dress, where he has the smallest intimacy He 
 
 abstains entirely from strong Liquor And what 
 
 most of all produced admiration in me, was his taking 
 a Pen & writing his Name '■'■Coley Reed'' in a good 
 legible Hand, better indeed, than the Bulk of planters 
 are able to do! But he can write nothing more 
 
 Sunday 11. 
 
 Ben rode out yesterday after Dinner and returned 
 this morning; but came on foot, I begin to suspect him 
 of being actually engaged in what several allege against 
 him But I will keep off so long as I possibly can, 
 
 ' Gawin Corbin of Yew Spring, Caroline County, See page 185, note I. 
 ' Doubtless Randolph is intended. Councillor Carter's clerk. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 2$ I 
 SO unwelcome & so Base a thought of its Reality 
 
 After Breakfast M^ Stadley left us; I feel always Sorry 
 when he leaves the Family ; his entire good-Nature, 
 Cheerfulness, Simplicity, & Skill in Music have fixed him 
 
 firm in my esteem None go to Ucomico Church to 
 
 day Towards evening, 1 took a book in my hand, 
 
 & strolled down the Pasture quite to the Bank of the 
 
 River Miss Stanhope, Priss, Nancy, Fanny, & Betsy 
 
 Carter were just passing by They walked to the 
 
 Mill ; there they entered a Boat, and for exercise & 
 amusement were rowed down the River quite to the 
 
 granary, & then went to angling 1 walked to them, 
 
 & together we all marched Home to Coffee. 
 
 Monday 12. 
 
 We threatened having a Fire this morning 1 
 
 wrote at my Sermon From the Ship lying at Leeds, 
 
 arrived this afternoon our new Coach It is a plain 
 
 carriage, upper part black, lower Sage or Pea-Green 
 
 The Harness is neat strong, & suitable for the 
 
 Country Price 120^ Sterling^ In the same Ship 
 
 M":^ Carter imports about 30^ value in plate in a pair of 
 fashionable Goblets; Pair of beautiful Sauce-Cups; & 
 
 a Pair of elegant Decanter-holders Ben introduced 
 
 into our Room a plain useful Book-Case, in which 
 we class »& place our Books in order, after School, I 
 took a Book, and walked through the Pasture, strolling 
 among Horses, Cows, & Sheep, grazing on the Hills & 
 by the River. 
 
 Teusday ij. 
 
 We thought of Fire this morning, but put it off 
 Ben's mare is not yet heard of, though he has had 
 
 'See Glenn's Some Colonial Mansions, V. I, 237. 
 
252 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 a Boy almost constantly searching about for her It 
 
 is curious to see the Girls imitating what they see in 
 the great House; sometimes tying a String to a Chair 
 & then run buzzing back to imitate the Girls spinning; 
 
 then getting Rags & washing them without water 
 
 Very often they are knitting with Straws, small round 
 
 stockings, Garters &c Sometimes they get sticks & 
 
 splinter one end of them for Brushes, or as they call 
 them here Clamps, & spitting on part of the floor, they 
 
 scrubb away with great vigor & often at a small 
 
 game with Peach-stones which they call checks 
 
 Evening after School I rode to the much Frequented 
 Corn-field, M^ Taylor was from Home the evening 
 cloudy, cool, but fine. The Planters now begin to cut 
 their Tobacco. 
 
 Wednesday i^. 
 
 M^ Carter received word to day that he has had 
 brought very lately for his Mill 7000 Bushels of Wheat 
 
 at 4^.6'^ pr. Bushel. 1 am at a Loss to know where 
 
 he will dispose of such vast Quantities! The Col- 
 onel who is often pidling in some curious experiment, 
 
 is to day making some Printers Ink He tells me 
 
 the Materials are Lintseed-Oil, Wheat-Bread, Onions, 
 
 & Turpentine, a rank compound truely then for 
 
 Black, Lamp-Black, red, Vermillion Ben, found his 
 
 mare lost in last Saturday's Visit, poor Brute! She 
 was confin'd in the Pasture where he left her, in which 
 
 being very large She had been concealed M": Smith,^ 
 
 who was wounded last Spring by a Shot of his Brother 
 is lately Dead, & it is said by the Wounds which he 
 received from his Brother! 
 
 ' See page 138, et seq. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 253 
 
 Thursday ij. 
 
 Bett is much better; he has return'd to his Bed in 
 mv Room, but complains often of the pain in his Breast 
 
 I put him to begin & read some select odes in 
 
 Horace He works arithmetic but is only in Reduc- 
 tion He dispises Greek, & therefore makes little 
 
 or no progress in that Language He is reading in 
 
 course the Eneid Lib 3 He has an unconquerable 
 
 Love for Horses; he often tells me that he should have 
 been a skillful, & useful Groom; that he should be 
 more fond & careful of a favourite Horse than of a 
 Wife, or than his victuals, or than any thing whatever! 
 I never saw a Person, in any Diversion, Recreation or 
 amusement, who seemed so full of Pleasure & enjoy- 
 ment as he is when on Horse back, or even in the 
 company of a Horse ! He seems to possess as warm a 
 regard for them as D": Swift had for the Houyhnhnms 
 
 But 1 cannot discover that Ben has so cordial an 
 
 enmity to Mankind as Swift had for the Yahoos. 
 
 Bobs passion for the same Animal is no less strong, but 
 it is furious, & cruel, he rides excessive hard, & would 
 
 ride always //i^rrj/i- Genius seems towards Cocks, 
 
 & low Betts, much in company with the waiting Boys, 
 &, against my strongest Remonstrances, & frequent 
 severe corrections, he will curse, at times, horribly, & 
 swear fearfully ! He always, however, omits it when 
 I am Present. 
 
 Fry day 16. 
 
 M^ Carter, this morning, with Prissy, Nancy, & Bob 
 went in the New-Coach to the Dance at Stratford, the 
 
 morning is mild, fair & cool The Colonel informed 
 
 me that now his Mill-House, Bake Houses, Store 
 Houses &c. with a clear unobstructed navigation is 
 
254 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 compleated, & that, he will rent them all to a Person 
 
 properly qualified or gladly employ a person who 
 
 is capable, trusty & industrious enough to be the sole 
 
 Director of so great & valuable Property Dined 
 
 with us captain Walker He threw out several 
 
 exceeding unpopular Sentiments with regard to the 
 present amazing Disturbances through the Colonies 
 
 One in special I think proper to record because 
 
 it fixes his Character, & declares him, in Spite of all 
 
 pretence, an enemy to America He asserted that 
 
 no Officers (at Boston or elsewhere) are obliged, either 
 by Law, or Right, to question or refuse any kind of 
 orders which they receive from their Sovereign, or 
 
 commanding Officer But 1 account every man, who 
 
 possesses & publishes such sentiments in this Crisis 
 of the Fate of a vast Empire, as great an enemy to 
 America at least, as Milton's Arch-Devil was to Man- 
 kind! After School, we took the Theodolite, the 
 
 Colonel along, & run several Lines, He seems perfectly 
 well acquainted with the Art. 
 
 Saturday ij. 
 
 At eight I dismiss'd my small charge. Immedi- 
 ately after Breakfast I took some Boys, & went a 
 Surveying ; Ben, impatient of tiresome scurvy Home, 
 strain'd off through the County 1 run in to Din- 
 ner, the Colonel & I dined alone, we drank a Glass of 
 Madeira, as a Health to absent Friends, after which I 
 went again to the Field & survey'd till six in the even- 
 ing; The Business of this Day has been to go round 
 the inner Pasture About half an Hour after Sunset 
 (when Women who love their Husbands & Families 
 always come Home) M^^ Carter & the Girls arrived 
 from Stratford She informed us that there was a large. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 255 
 
 genteel, & agreeable Company at the Dance ; that the 
 Ague & Fever have been & continue troublesome in 
 that Neighbourhood ; & that word is arrived from 
 Boston that Governor Gage has fired on the Town, & 
 that it is expected his orders are to burn & beat it 
 
 to Destruction! Ben returned about seven from 
 
 Westmoreland Courthouse He informed us that 
 
 Mr Sorrels Negroes had their trial there to Day, con- 
 cerning their accusation of entering their Masters 
 House in the night with an intention to murder Him 
 
 It was there proved (so far as Negroes evidence 
 
 will go) that a Brother of this Sorrel early last Spring 
 bribed some Negroes to Poison his Brother; & when 
 that diabolical Attempt could not succeed, he has since 
 
 tried to perswade them to murder Him ! But all 
 
 evidence against the Negroes was so weak & dark that 
 the judges ordered them to be whiped & dismissed 
 
 them Though the Law considers all Testimony 
 
 given by a Negro against a White-Man as weak & 
 unsubstantial; 3'et what the Negro said to Day on 
 Oath of the younger M^ Sorrel, seems to gain much 
 Belief with many who are candid & unbiased Judges; 
 & with me beyond all Scruple, it fixes on him the 
 cursed Character of Fratricide ! 
 
 Sunday 18. 
 
 The Colonel gave me, at Breakfast the offer of a 
 Seat in his Boat to Church. The morning was fine, & 
 Nomini-River alive with Boats Canoes &c some going 
 
 to Church, some fishing, & some Sporting M^ Smith 
 
 gave us a very practical Sermon against the common 
 vices here, in particular against the practise of abusing 
 
 ing Slaves The report concerning Boston is much 
 
 talked off &: still confirmed! We dined all at Mi; 
 
256 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Turberville's ; Miss Corbin looks fresh & plump as ever. 
 Towards evening arose a pretty furious Thunder-Gust, 
 which we hardly escaped on our way home I observed 
 that several, but in special M^ Carter is not pleased 
 with M": Smith's Sentiments of Slavery. 
 
 Monday ip. 
 
 The morning fine & cool, & produces in our School 
 at last a fine Fire ! Fire looks & feels most wel- 
 come ; and I observe it makes our children remarkably 
 
 garrulous & noisy 1 took cold by Saturdays unusual 
 
 exercise, & to Day have a Pain through my head, sore 
 
 throat, & the other common troubles in a Cold 
 
 This Day begins the examination of the Junior class at 
 Nassau-Hall. Every time I reflect on that Place of 
 retirement & Study, where I spent two years which I 
 call the most pleasant as well as the most important 
 Period in my past life— — -Always when I think upon 
 the Studies, the Discipline, the Companions, the Neigh- 
 bourhood, the exercises, & Diversions, it gives me a secret 
 & real Pleasure, even the Foibles which often prevail 
 there are pleasant on recollection ; such as giving each 
 other names & characters ; Meeting & Shoving in the 
 dark entries: knocking at Doors & going off without 
 entering; Strowing the entries in the night with greasy 
 Feathers; freezing the Bell; Ringing it at late Hours 
 of the Night 1 may add that it does not seem dis- 
 agreeable to think over the Mischiefs often practised 
 
 by wanton Boys Such are writing witty pointed 
 
 anonymous Papers, in Songs, Confessions, Wills, Solili- 
 
 ques, Proclamations, Advertisements &c Picking from 
 
 the neighbourhood now & then a plump fat Hen or 
 Turkey for the private entertainment of the Club " in- 
 stituted for inventing & practising several new kinds of 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 257 
 
 mischief in a secret polite Manner" Parading bad 
 
 Women Burning Curse -John Darting Sun- 
 Beams upon the Town-People Reconoitering Houses 
 
 in the Town, & ogling Women with the Telescope 
 
 Making Squibs, & other frightful compositions with 
 Gun- Powder, & lighting them in the Rooms of timor- 
 ous Boys, & new comers The various methods used 
 
 in naturalizing strangers, of incivility in the Dining- 
 Room to make them bold ; writing them sharp & 
 threatening Letters to make them smart; leading them 
 at first with long Lessons to make them industrious 
 
 And trying them by Jeers & Repartee in order to 
 
 make them choose their Companions &c &c Even- 
 ing after School with M? Carter, & the Girls I took a 
 Walk thro' the Pumpkin & Potatoe Vines, the Air is 
 clear, cold & healthful. We drank our Coffee at the 
 great House very sociably, round a fine Fire, the House 
 And air feels like winter again. • 
 
 Teusday 20. 
 
 Among the many womanish Fribbles which our 
 little Misses daily practise, I discovered one to Day no 
 less merry than natural; Fanny & Harriot by stuffing 
 rags & other Lumber under their Gowns just below 
 their Apron-Strings, were prodigiously charmed at 
 their resemblance to Pregnant Women! They blushed, 
 however, pretty deeply on discovering that I saw them 
 
 We have to day both in the School & great-house 
 
 steady Fires M^ Thomas Edwards a reputable Plan- 
 ter in the Neighbourhood died this day about one 
 
 o-Clock I saw him last Sunday at Church when he 
 
 was in good Health , was taken the same Evening, & 
 hurried off at once ! Frail Man, how easily sub- 
 dued ! 
 
258 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Wednesday 21. 
 
 We have a more particular account of the Death 
 of M": Edwards. About a twelve-month ago, he was 
 suddenl)^ siezed with a Fit of the Palsy, his Foot, Side, 
 Arm, & part of his Face then failed, & became useless, 
 after some time, however, he grew better, & has since 
 been apparently well; til Sunday evening last after the 
 Shower, as he was walking in his Garden, he fell down 
 in an instant, there happened to be help at hand, he 
 only said these emphatical words — '^ Nozv I must die" 
 He was carried in, & expired as I mentioned yes- 
 terday ! 1 am told that the Flux is in the upper 
 
 part of this County My cold continues; in the 
 
 Evening on going to bed, I took a dose of Honey & 
 Rum 
 
 Thiers day 22. 
 
 A pure cold northerly wind still blows, & we all 
 
 keep Fires Peaches & Fruit are omitted at Dinners, 
 
 & Soup or Broth is brought in; Milk & Hominy at 
 Breakfast too are laid by & Coffee & Sage Tea brought 
 in; Our Suppers are Coffee & Bred & butter Neat- 
 ness variety & Plenty are reigning Characters in our 
 worthy oconomist M^= Carter. 1 read to Day, & am 
 
 charmed with a of Lord Chesterfield. Letters to 
 
 his natural Son, which I propose to purchase After 
 
 School, with Ben, I took a walk to M": Turberville's 
 He has received a line from Colonel Lee at Phila- 
 delphia that the Congress is going on That the 
 
 account concerning Boston is false Evening Lance- 
 lot Lee came in, & staid the night He gave Ben 
 
 & myself an Invitation to dine with him tomorrow, 
 I took out of the Library & began to read Watts's 
 Logic 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 259 
 
 Fry day 3j. 
 
 I spent some time in reviewing Geography & Logic 
 
 Mr Lee left us about twelve, & Ben rode out with 
 
 him Evening from M^ Turberville's I saw some 
 
 Barberry's, Sloes, & Pomegranates, neither of which 1 
 had seen before 
 
 Saturday 2^. 
 
 Together with my Cold I have to Day a most dis- 
 agreeable gathering on my middle Finger 1 keep 
 
 myself at home reading Logic Evening the Colonel 
 
 invited me to walk with him ; he took me to his Mill, 
 Coopers, House, Chamicl, Meadows &c. and was vastly 
 
 particular in describing to me their particular uses 
 
 I begin to look with eager Sollicitude to the time of my 
 
 revisiting my friends & Relations It is, happily 
 
 near 
 
 Sutiday 2j. 
 
 The morning clear cool & very dry I rode to 
 
 Ucomico-Church. I was surprised when the Psalm 
 begun, to hear a large Collection of voices singing at 
 the same time, from a Gallery, entirely contrar}' to 
 what I have seen before in the Colony, for it is seldom 
 in the fullest Congregation's, that more sing than the 
 Clerk, & about two others! I am told that a sing- 
 ing Master of good abilities has been among this society 
 lately & put them on the respectable Method which 
 
 they, at present pursue I dined at M": Fishers, 
 
 among others, I saw there, D^ Steptoe & Ml Hamiltoyi 
 
 who have lately been to Philadelphia They give 
 
 various reports concerning political affairs, & as to the 
 Congress nothing certain, so that I say nothing on that 
 Score Their Remarks on the City & Inhabitants; 
 
26o PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 The Country &c are curious They allow the City 
 
 to be fine, neat & large; they complain a little of the 
 small Rooms, Uniformity of the Buildings, & several 
 
 other like faults They call the Inhabitants grave & 
 
 & reserved ; & the Women remarkably homely, hard 
 
 favour'd & sour! One Colonel Harrison' from a 
 
 lower County in this Colony, offer'd to give a Guinea 
 for every handsome Face that could be found in the 
 City, if any one would put a Copper on every Face 
 
 that did not come up to that Character! This is an 
 
 impeachment of the Ladies which I have never heard 
 before, I do not give my opinion either for or against 
 it The face of the Country, & the method of farm- 
 ing that way delights them : but at this I dont wonder. 
 
 Monday 26. 
 
 Yesterday the Inspector, whom 1 have named & 
 described before, desired the Parson to wait on them 
 
 in his family and christen his Child Is the child 
 
 sick? No Sir Why then to day? it is the Mothers 
 
 Desire Sir Why was it not brought to Church? 
 
 The Mother is unwell, Sir The Parson excused 
 
 himself, & promised to come some Days hence, but the 
 long winded ofificer, innured to Stubbornness, hung on, 
 &, without moderation or Apology demanded his pres- 
 ence ! And prevail'd Something in our palace 
 
 this Evening, very merry happened M? Carter made 
 
 a dish of Tea.^ At Coffee, she sent me a dish • & the 
 
 ^ Doubtless Col. Benjamin Harrison of Berkely, the Signer. 
 
 ^" It is further our opinion, that as tea on its importation to America is 
 charged with a duty, imposed by parliament for the purpose of raising a reve- 
 nue without the consent of the people, it ought not to be used by any person 
 who wishes well to the constitutional rights and liberty of British America ..." 
 (Extract from a paper adopted by the members of the Virginia Assembly, upon 
 their being dissolved by Governor Dunmore, May 26, 1774.) 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 261 
 
 Colonel both ignorant He smelt, sipt look'd 
 
 At last with great gravity he asks what's this? 
 
 Do 3-ou ask Sir Poh ! And out he throws 
 
 it splash a sacrifice to Vulcan 
 
 Tcusday 2j. 
 
 This morning the Colonel with his Theodolite 
 observed the Centre of the Sun at his rising, & found 
 
 it bore East 5° South This he is doing to fix a true 
 
 East &; West Line for regulating the Needle at any 
 time. This Bearing he corrected b}' finding the Suns 
 
 Declination, & fixed his Points After the morning 
 
 we let our fire go down Both 3'esterday, & this 
 
 evening I rode out to exercise myself & horse against 
 
 our approaching Journey M^ Hodge, a Merchant of 
 
 Leeds & M^ Leech a Merchant of Dumfries came Home 
 
 with the Colonel from Westmoreland Court Both 
 
 chatty, in special M": Leech; both well-bred, sensi- 
 ble & sociable The loyal toast was Wisdom & unity 
 
 to the Conferrences now assembled And when 
 
 Women were to be toasted, I gave Miss Jenny Wash- 
 ington. 
 
 Wednesday 28. 
 
 The weather remarkably dry, since Sunday night, 
 we have not had a drop of Rain, not even a cloudy 
 Sky, & till yesterday, & steady, cold, serene northerly 
 
 Wind To day is the annual Commencement at 
 
 Nassau Hall 
 
 Thursday zg. 
 
 Warm to day, but dry & clear. M^ Leech & Mf 
 Hodge spent last evening with us ; the Conversation 
 was on exchange Loyal Toasts, Agreement, & Firm- 
 
262 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 uess through the american Colonies Ladies, mine 
 
 was Miss Corbin The Colonel informed us that 
 
 early next week he shall set out for Williamsburg 
 
 Soon after I hope to set out for Cohansie ! 
 
 Fry day jo. 
 
 Warm, but clear & Dry Dined with us Mr 
 
 Blain ; he gave us a large account of affairs at the Con- 
 gress, of the City, Country, Manners, Persons, Trade 
 
 &c But he swears the Women are coarse & hardy 
 
 Evening I informed the Colonel that it is hardly 
 
 probable I shall continue in his family til his return 
 from the general Court, & at the same time, desired 
 him to give me a discharge, so that I expect to have all 
 
 things adjusted before he leaves Home We have 
 
 now entered on the Winter plan, have Coffee just at 
 
 evening & Supper between eight and nine o-Clock 
 
 It is wonderful to consider the Consumption of provis- 
 ions in this family 1 have before spoken of Meat, & 
 
 the steady Rate of flour weekly, for the great House is 
 
 100 Lb of which 50 is the finest, & 50 the Seconds 
 
 But all the Negroes, & most of the Labourers eat 
 Corn. 
 
 Saturday October n' 1774. 
 
 Wind South West cloudy. After Breakfast with 
 the Boys I went a Surveying along the River round 
 the lower pasture at twelve, Be7i, Bob, Harry all gallop 
 
 off I spent the afternoon plotting my work I 
 
 paid Sam our Barber for Blacking, Dressing &c 12/. 
 
 Sunday 2. 
 
 Parson Smith is out of the Parish so that we have 
 no service With Ben I rode to M": Washingtons. 
 
I774J JOURNAL AND LETTERS 263 
 
 M^ Lowe again absent Dined with us M'.^ Turber- 
 
 ville, Miss Corbin, Miss Pierce we found the Col- 
 onel in the evening busy with his Instrument of Music 
 
 We drank our Coffee & retired early to our Room, 
 
 & read til ten, then thanking our bountiful Preserver 
 we retired to our bed. 
 
 Monday j. 
 
 I gave Tom the Hostler, for his care of my Horse 
 
 3/ After Breakfast the Colonel settled & paid me 
 
 for my Years Service 40;^ Sterling This is better 
 
 than the scurvy annuity commonly allowed to the Pres- 
 byterian Clergy He is very Busy in adjusting his 
 
 affairs, he set out however, by twelve for Williams- 
 bui"g, after taking final leave of me Ben accom- 
 panies him to Richmond Court Afternoon Miss 
 
 Corbin & Miss Turberville came in to stay a while with 
 M"? Carter. 
 
 Bob went yesterday to M": Lanes there was Parson 
 Gibbern ' ill of his last weeks Bout ; he was up three 
 nights successively drinking & playing at Cards, so 
 that the liquor & want of sleep put him quite out of his 
 
 Sences A rare tale this to relate of a Man of God! 
 
 To use the language of the vulgar, " Old Satan will 
 sadl}' belabour such overgrown Sinners"! 
 
 Teusday ^. 
 
 Dined with us M? Turberville & Miss Letty we 
 
 were all Tete a Tete, vastly merry & garrulous I 
 
 gave Nelson for a Stirrup Buckle a Bit I am pre- 
 paring my Saddle, Cloth's, Bags, Horse, & myself for 
 the intended Ride 
 
 ' See page 50, note i. 
 
264 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Wednesday 5. 
 
 Dined with us M": Taylor, He informs us that the 
 
 crops of Tobacco are like to be good Evening I 
 
 wrote a letter to M^^ Thornton, Northumberland, con- 
 cerning M^ Leek's coming into her Family as a Tutor 
 
 1 had a fine walk with the young Ladies through 
 
 the Pasture They make me proud by expressing 
 
 much concern at my necessary Departure, throwing 
 out many Wishes that I would continue with them 
 
 Tlmrsday 6. 
 
 I paid Natt who drives the Team half a Bit as 
 
 a Forfeit for taking hold of his plough And to 
 
 Harry 1%/^ for a stirrup-leather & sundry other Arti- 
 cles The School presented me with a petition form- 
 ally drawn up for a holiday to day on account of the 
 
 race at M^ Turberville's, which I granted Pris- 
 
 cilla, Nancy, Ben, & Bob go Harry & I, making in my 
 opinion the wisest choice both stay. 
 
 Fry day 7. 
 
 Nancy, & Bob go to the Dance at Schantille ' 
 
 M":^ Carter after Breakfast took Prissy, Fanny & Harriot, 
 and made M":* Washington a Visit, Ben, Harry, Betsy & 
 I are left at Home alone. I spent to Day in writing off 
 
 M^ Peck's Letter Evening I am troubled with a 
 
 drunken Carpenter; he saw a Light in my Chamber 
 
 up he bouzes, with a Bottle of Rum in his hand; 
 
 Who keeps Home? 1 asked him in Have you 
 
 any water Sir? Not any I told him Not a drop, 
 
 Sir? No My flute was lying on the Table, he 
 
 took it for a Trumpet & tooted in it for two or three 
 
 'Chantilly, the home of Richard Henr)' Lee. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 265 
 
 Minutes Then again he begs, O Sir call in a Servant 
 
 & have me some Water But I left the Room glad 
 
 to be free of his foolish Impertinence. At Supper M":^ 
 Carter informed us that Captain Walker s little Son has 
 the putrid Quinsey, but we hope it is only a bad sore 
 
 Throat by a Cold 1 have a complaint of a painful 
 
 Jaw, for these several Days 
 
 Saturday 8. 
 
 Expence to the Smith for mending my Stirrup a 
 
 Pisterene 1/3 Ben this morning Wrote a letter to 
 
 his Papa 1 finished off mine for M^ Peck The 
 
 Pain in my face is a good deal troublesome. Dined 
 with us Colonel Frank Lee & his Lady, M^ Turberville 
 M"? Turberville & Miss Letty. 
 
 Sunday g. 
 
 Ben & Harry ride to Ucomico Church I at home 
 spend the day in my Room, I walked out towards even- 
 ing & saw a number of Negroes very busy at framing 
 
 together a small House Sundays they commonly 
 
 spend in fishing making Potatoes &c, building & patch- 
 ing their Quarters or rather Cabins 
 
 Monday 10. 
 
 The General Court at Williamsburg begins to sit 
 
 this Day We have no intelligence of the carryings 
 
 on of the Congress; our Papers this Summer came 
 vastly seldom, it is said that the Post Men are bribed & 
 give away the News Papers. I expect that M^ Peck is 
 
 about setting out from Home for this place I wish 
 
 him a speedy & successful passage, for 1 am now impa- 
 tient of Delay til I visit again my acquaintance & Home 
 
 The Day is cold, the wind at North, & the ground 
 
 extremely dry 
 
266 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Teusday 11. 
 
 M^ Stadley came this morning. He brings no. news 
 of the Congress, but much of the great Race lately at 
 
 Fredricksburg Every Evening for the Benefit of 
 
 exercise I ride out, and commonly carry with me one 
 of the small Girls, who partaking of the prevailing 
 Spirit, are passionately fond of Riding 
 
 Wednesday 12. 
 
 I was told often before I left Home that coming 
 into Virginia would bring me into the midst of many 
 dangerous Temptations; Gay Company, frequent enter- 
 tainments, little practical devotion, no remote preten- 
 tion to Heart religion, daily examples in Men of the 
 highest quality, of Luxury, intemperance, & impiety; 
 these were urged, by my kind acquaintances, as very 
 strong dissuasions against my leaving home; the admo- 
 nitions I accepted with great Thankfulness, tho' I could 
 not allow them to turn me off from my purpose & I 
 resolved with as much sincerity & Firmness as I could 
 to carry them with me in every part of my behaviour. 
 The close of the time of my Stay here is I expect now 
 near at hand: And if I may judge myself of the carry- 
 ing my resolutions into practice, I should pronounce 
 that I have not been wanting in my duty in this respect. 
 Some few who frequently ask me to go from home, say 
 I am dull, unsociable, & splenetic: But the Gentlemen 
 generally here have a good & reasonable manner of 
 judging in this case they are well pleased with strict 
 & rigid virtue, in those who have the management of 
 their children, if it does not grow to factious enthu- 
 siasm ; so that Levity, tho perhaps they would wink at 
 it lessens, & in a while would take away the Reputa- 
 tion & business of a Family Tutor Of this I was 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 267 
 
 fully convinced in a short time after my coming into 
 the Colony, & saw too the very great advantage of the 
 Precaution which 1 received of my friends, for they 
 assisted me in setting out in a safe, and prudent Plan, 
 which has, I hope directed me to propriety of conduct 
 with regard to my private character, & likewise to my 
 little lovely Charge, 
 
 Thursday /j. 
 
 Good M": Stadley left us this morning. 1 took 
 leave with great reluctance of this worthy Man, & do 
 
 not expect to see him more! After Breakfast M^^ 
 
 Carter with the young Ladies, rode to Colonel Tay- 
 loe's. My Jaw continues growling & keeps me uneasy, 
 I very much fear some hurtful humours are collecting 
 
 themselves there together To day at twelve o-Clock 
 
 Bob providentially escaped with his life He went 
 
 up into a tall Chesnut tree to cut down Boughs & 
 gather Chesnuts & foolishly he began to cut the Limb 
 on which he was standing, at a little distance from his 
 
 feet Chesnut splits extremely easy, so that when 
 
 the Limb was about half cut off it split down ; this so 
 weakened the part on which Bob stood that his weight 
 instantly split it too, & down he must have tumbled 
 upwards of thirty feet but he happily caught a bough 
 on his way down. 
 
 Fry day i^. 
 
 The Disorder in my face continues, slow, uniform, 
 & Steady ; it does not hinder me from rest by night, or 
 from any exercise or business by day ; But It keeps me 
 in continual doubt, & anxiety, whether it be not some- 
 thing gathering which will be peculiarly distressful 
 
 But my temper, 1 fear, in these respects is very 
 
 phlegmatic; 1 find it unpleasing to myself, & it would 
 
268 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 be certainly unpleasant to anyone who was interested 
 
 in my complaints 1 am of so strange a constitution 
 
 that very trifles make me utterly unhappy A mere 
 
 conceit, frivolous & unsubstantial often takes away my 
 
 rest This feeling I have possest from my infancy, 
 
 I remember very well that a Cuff on my Ear would 
 make me sullen for Several days when I was too young 
 to go out to school; Afterwards a disappointment of 
 an hours play would make me disrelish for a long time 
 both play-fellows and all Diversion ! When I was at 
 the College one Blunder at recitation, or in any per- 
 formance of my duty would make me dull, low-Spirit- 
 ted, & peevish; In fact any disappointment, even the 
 most inconsiderable seems to have a general Effect on 
 my Passions & mingle fear, & anger, & rage, together 
 with many others which are excited by different & dis- 
 agreeable modifications of our Bodies, &, tho' I am 
 conscious of this frailty in myself, I have not yet 
 brought myself under so good subjection, as to make 
 these humours give way intirely to Philosophy or 
 
 Religion It is, however, my constant study how I 
 
 may accomplish this much wish'd for habit While 
 
 we were dining there is a large shower of rain but by 
 no means plentiful, for the earth is uncommonly dry 
 
 M? Carter to day asked me if M": Peck is to be here 
 
 before my setting out; I answered that he is And 
 
 says she, is he grave as you? 
 
 Saturday /j. 
 
 I rode after Breakfast to D^ Thompsons with a 
 settled purpose of having my troublesome tooth drawn 
 out but on examination he found it to be too far back, 
 
 & too short to be extracted More sorry I. 
 
 Dined with us besides the famil}', M^ Munro, young M*: 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 269 
 
 Washington, and Master Christien Here is a fine 
 
 Prospect from an exceeding high eminence, of the 
 Potowmack; River Nominy; our House, which is six 
 
 miles distant; Lee-Hall, Bush-field; all remote. 
 
 Evening 1 rode Home, the country pleasant Bought 
 several articles as presents for the young Ladies, a neat 
 gilt paper Snuff Box for Miss Priscilla, a neat best 
 
 clear Hair-Comb a piece for Miss Nancy & Fanny 
 
 A broad elegant Sash apiece for Miss Betsy & Harriot 
 Value of all 15/. Soon after my return, when I was 
 in the Chamber adjusting my articles Ben came bawl- 
 ing at my window M^ Peck's come, M^ Peck's come. 1 
 step'd to the window, & saw presently that what he 
 said was fact, my Heart bounc'd & I with it bolted 
 down to meet him. But he comes empty of a letter, & 
 barren of news, at least all he brings seems gloomy ; 
 none at all of the great Congress ; very little of the 
 present momentious political affairs; that it has been at 
 Cohansie an unhealthy season ; that good & useful Mr 
 Hunter has been ill of a disorder in his head ; that M"? 
 Reve is gone & left a Brood of infants! that young Tom 
 Jennifer of Port-Tobacco, my acquaintance at College 
 too is dead I that matters go in their usual course at 
 Cohansie & Princeton ; that Laura is not in new Jersey ! 
 All his intelligence is similar to this, which is to me 
 harsh & unharmonious as a Ravens ominous Croak! 
 To Day Harry boil'd up a Compound of Poke-Berries, 
 
 Vinegar, Sugar &c to make a red Ink or Liquid 1 
 
 spent the evening til two in the morning in conver- 
 sation. 
 
 Sunday 16. 
 
 A fine morning We rose by Seven but we 
 
 were informed that there is no Sermon so that out of 
 
270 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 compliment to M": Peck's weariness we kept close at 
 home rather than ride to Richmond. We spent the 
 Day in our chamber til towards evening when with the 
 young Ladies we took a turn down the River Many 
 we saw fishing M"".^ Carter with Priss rode to Cap- 
 tain Turberville's We all returne'd and assembled 
 
 by evening at the great House. 
 
 Mofiday ij. 
 
 Before Breakfast I heard all the School a lesson 
 
 round M^ Peck present After Breakfast I heard 
 
 their Tables, Grammer, &c & then in Spite of my reso- 
 lution with great reluctance, I resigned up to M": Peck 
 
 my little much loved Charge! The pain in my Face 
 
 is quite gone To day I saw a Phenomenon, M^* 
 
 Carter without Stays! She complains of a pain in 
 
 her breast, that prevents her wearing them, and says 
 that She is always supposing the worst, & fears that it 
 
 is a Cancer breeding there I hope it may be only 
 
 fear I am more & more every day pleased with the 
 
 manner. Temper, Oconomy, & whole management of 
 
 this good Lady Now I am to take my final Leave ! 
 
 Towards evening we all went down on the River 
 
 & had a pleasant exercise 
 
 Teusday 18. 
 
 Early to Day I wrote a Note to M\ Lowe and 
 Harry Fantleroy to dine with us to day, & soon re- 
 ceived their promise After Dinner with M'^ Lowe 
 
 on the violin, I play'd over many tunes on the Flute, 
 
 he plays with good Taste and accuracy At five we 
 
 all walk'd over to M": Turberville's 1 gave to our 
 
 Wash- Woman some old Linen & as a Box 2/4 We 
 
 spent the evening in Music Chat & pleasantry But 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 271 
 
 this sad thing which 1 hear of that turn-Coat Laura, 
 that She loves & courts one M^ Rodman this distresses 
 me exceedingly But this relieves me, for I have had it 
 always in my View that Varium & mutabile sem- 
 per Foemina Tho I have made a Solemn vow 
 
 which I have no inclination at all to forego, yet if it 
 shall appear that she has listened to another, my dear- 
 est vow is not inviolable; I will retreat from every 
 former Promise, I will not hearken to womanish solici- 
 tations, but I shall in return for her want of goodness 
 treat her with contempt; & sincerely pity, instead of 
 resent, her ineffectual Caprice 
 
 Wednesday ig. 
 
 M^ Lowe & Fantleroy left us early But I agreed 
 
 to stay till tomorrow I gave to Nelson on going 
 
 away 2/2 To Miss Sally the House-Keepers/. 
 
 Thursday 20. 
 
 I rose bv three, & left Home b}^ half after four 
 
 Gave Nelson & Dennis half a bit a piece rode 
 
 thence to Westmoreland Court House ten Miles by half 
 
 after six Fed my Horse & drank some Brandy 
 
 Expence a Bit Rode thence to Mattox Bridge 18 
 
 miles Fed here three quarts of Bran & Corn for a 
 
 Bit The Bloody-Flux is now extremely bad in this 
 
 Neighbourhood I am told that scarce a Family is 
 
 clear of it, & of every family some die ! Rode 
 
 thence to Tylers Ferry 8 miles the road extremely dry 
 
 & dusty At two I set off for Maryland, the wind 
 
 fresh at South East arrived at M":^ Laidlers by five 
 Ferriage "j /^ 1 gave the Ferrymen a Bottle of Rum 
 
 Here I dined on fryed Chicken, Ham, with good 
 
 Porter Accommodations good In bed by half 
 
 after Seven 
 
272 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Fry day 21. 
 
 Directly over my Room was a sick Woman that 
 kept a dismal groaning all night My window-Shut- 
 ters Clapt the Potowmack howl'd, yet I slept My 
 
 Bill at M^= Laidlers A Bottle of Porter 2/. Dinner 
 
 1/3 Bed ./6d Stable & Foder i/. A smart 
 
 looking Girl at M":^ Laidlers made me smile She 
 
 was complaining to me of the unhealthy Climate, that 
 these three months past she has had a constant Ague & 
 
 Fever, & been in the Country only six months 
 
 Pray Miss said I did you come from Britain? No 
 
 Sir, I came from London Rode thence to Port- 
 Tobacco It has been extremely sickly here this 
 
 Fall Bill to Barber i!/8 Breakfast i/. Hay 
 
 & Oats 1/3 M":^ Halkinson my Land Lady, a poor 
 
 aged, distress'd Widow, when she found that I was 
 acquainted with her little son at Princeton, seemed a 
 little to revive; she beg'd me to encourage her Son to 
 be diligent & industrious, to caution & admonish him 
 from her against bad company and wicked practices 
 
 She told me of her great & sore loss of an only 
 
 Daughter, a young woman of 15 this Summer, since 
 which, she told me in tears, that She has been a stran- 
 ger to health & Quiet O relentless Death ! How 
 
 universal & severe are thy Commissions ! From M? 
 
 Laidlers to Port Tobacco is called 13 miles 1 rode 
 
 thence thro' a fog of Dust to Piscatua, 14 miles 
 
 The Landlady here is very ill That dismal disor- 
 der the bloody-Flux, has been extremely bad at Port 
 Tobacco, & in the Neighbourhood of this town, but is 
 
 subsided Expence here half a Gill of Brandy ./i^ 
 
 Oats & Fodder ./6<' Left this Village half after 
 
 four, and rode to upper-Marlborough, almost blinded 
 with sweat & dust! Arrived by seven, a little tired 
 
% 
 
 1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 273 
 
 this Evening- Distance 16 Miles Whole distance 
 
 yesterday including the Ferry 8 Miles 44 miles 
 
 Whole Expence 8/7 That epidemical distemper 
 
 above mentioned has been likewise raging in the Neigh- 
 bourhood of this Town Bill at Marlborough To 
 
 Tea 1/3 To lodging ./8 To Oats i/i To 
 
 stabling i/. 
 
 Sat2(rday 22. 
 
 Rode thence to Patuxen Ferry 4 mile Ferriage 
 
 ./6^ Thence to South River 12 miles, Ferriage .6/^ 
 
 To Boy ./4'* Thence to Annapolis 4 miles 
 
 Bill here to Dinner & Club 4/6 To Hay & Oats 
 
 1/3 To two Silver watch Seals 15/6 To half 
 
 Gallon Rum for Ferryman 2/6 To Hay for Horse 
 
 /8 To Barber 1/ Left Annapolis at 6 no wind 
 
 returned about 8 to the Coffee-House To Ferriage 
 across the Bay 17/6 
 
 Sunday 2j. 
 
 Teusday evening last the people of this Town & of 
 Baltimore obliged one Anthony Stewart a Merchant 
 here to set fire to a Brig^ of his lately from London in 
 
 which was 17 Chests of Tea The People seem indeed 
 
 to be full of patriotic Fire Second bill at Annapolis 
 
 Supper 1/6 Lodging ./g Hay 1/3 2 Gallons 
 
 Oats 1/6 Articles for the Voyage 4/ Landed 
 
 about 5 at Kent-Island, road thence to a small Ferry 
 
 for Oats & Ferriage i/. thence we rode to Queens 
 
 Town 15 miles Bill there 5/22 
 
 Monday 2^. 
 
 Rode from Queens Town over a low levil Country 
 
 'The "Peggy Stewart." This was the last attempt at tea importation 
 into the Anglo-American colonies. 
 
274 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 7 miles to a small Tavern Breakfasted 1/7 rode 
 
 thence by a small Town call'd Churchill thence to 
 
 the Head of Chester River 22 miles here I dined 
 
 my Company gone to the Chester Races which happen 
 
 to morrow Expence 2/4 Rode thence to Warwick 
 
 12 miles My Horses feet swell this Evening. 
 
 Teusday 2j. 
 
 Bill at Warwick supper 1/3 Oats ./8 
 
 Stable Hay & Lodging 2/. Glass of Wine Bitters 
 
 ./4 Rode thence to Port Penn 15 miles expence 
 
 there 1/7 Ferriage 5/. Arrived once more by 
 
 Gods Kindness in New Jersey among my friends & 
 relations I found many of m}^ Acquaintances have 
 gone off the Stage Uncle Sceley ; Damon James ; Mrs. 
 Reeve; James Boyd ; & several others — - — And many 
 
 are Sick Our Family through divine Goodness are 
 
 in Health' 
 
 'Philip Fithian was licensed by the Presbyter)- December 6th, 1774. 
 For his snbsequent life, see introduction. 
 
LETTERS FROM VIRGINIA 
 1773—1774 
 
LETTERS FROM VIRGINIA 
 
 [To THE Rev. Enoch Green.'] 
 
 Westmoreland, Novi 2'? 1773. 
 Rev'i) Sir. 
 
 According as 1 appointed I take this early opper- 
 tunity of acquainting you that I am arrived safe ; and I 
 am to assure you that I find the place fully equal to my 
 
 highest expectations 1 am situated in the Northern 
 
 Neck, in a most delightful Country ; in a civil, polite 
 neighbourhood ; and in a famil}^ remarkable for regu- 
 larity, and oeconomy, tho' confessedly of the highest 
 quality and greatest worth of any in Virginia. I teach 
 only M"" Carters children, and only one of them is to 
 learn Languages, and he is reading Salust and the 
 Greek grammer, is seventeen years old, and seems to 
 
 be a Boy of Genius the other two learn writing 
 
 and Arithmetic But he has four Daughters, young 
 
 Misses that are at times to be taught writing and Eng- 
 lish 1 have the terms as I expected, and find the 
 
 place wholly agreeable and am strongly solicited 
 
 to stay many years But money nor conveniency 
 
 shall detain me long from my most important connec- 
 tions at home you may expect me in may at the 
 
 Synod. Please to have my compliments to M":^ Green, 
 to Miss Betsy ^ if at Deerfield, and to my acquaint- 
 ances that shall enquire and accept to yourself the 
 Respect of your humble serv^ 
 
 Philip V. Fithian. 
 
 ' Rev. Enoch Green of Deerfield, N. J. See page 55, note 3. 
 ' Elizabeth Beatty was at that time living with her sister, Mrs. Enoch 
 Green, at Deerfield. 
 
278 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1773 
 
 [To THE Rev. Enoch Green.] 
 
 Decemr i!'^ I773- 
 Rev'd Sir. 
 
 As you desired I may not omit to inform you ; so 
 far as I can by a letter, of the business in which I am 
 now engaged, it would indeed be vastl}- agreeable to 
 me if it was in my power to give you particular intelli- 
 gence concerning the state and plan of my employment 
 here. 
 
 I set out from home the 20'.^ of Oct^ and arrived 
 at the Hon : Robert Carters, of Nominy, in Westmor- 
 land County, the aS'.*" I began to teach his children 
 the first of November. He has two sons, and one 
 Nephew; the oldest Son is turned of seventeen, and is 
 reading Salust and the greek grammer ; the others are 
 about fourteen, and in english grammer, and Arith- 
 metic. He has besides five daughters which I am to 
 teach english, the eldest is turned of fifteen, and is 
 reading the spectator; she is employed two days in 
 every week in learning to play the Forte-Piana, and 
 
 Harpsichord The others are smaller, and learning 
 
 to read and spell. M": Carter is one of the Councellors 
 in the general court at Williamsburg, and posesst of as 
 great, perhaps the clearest fortune according to the 
 estimation of people here, of any man in Virginia. He 
 seems to be a good scholar, even in classical learning, 
 and is remarkable one in english grammar; and not- 
 withstanding his rank, which in general seems to coun- 
 tenance indulgence to children, both himself and M'? 
 Carter have a manner of instructing and dealing with 
 children far superior, I may say it with confidence, to 
 any I have ever seen, in any place, or in any family. 
 They keep them in perfect subjection to themselves, 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 279 
 
 and never pass over an occasion of reproof; and I 
 blush for many of my acquaintances when I say that 
 the children are more kind and complaisant to the 
 servants who constantly attend them than we are to 
 our superiors in age and condition. M". Carter has an 
 overgrown librar)- of Books of which he allows me the 
 free use. It consists of a general collection of law 
 books, all the Latin and Greek Classicks, vast number 
 of books on Divinity chiefly by writers who are of the 
 established Religion ; he has the works of almost all 
 the late famous writers, as Locke, Addison, Young, 
 Pope, Svt'ift, Dryden, &c. in Short, Sir, to speak 
 moderately, he has more than eight times )'our number 
 
 His eldest Son,' who seems to be a Boy of genius 
 
 and application is to be sent to Cambridge University, 
 but 1 believe will go through a course either in Phila- 
 delphia or Princeton College first. As to what is 
 commonly said concerning Virginia that it is difficult 
 to avoid being corrupted with the manners of the 
 people. I believe it is founded wholl}- in a mistaken 
 notion that persons must, when here frequent all pro- 
 miscuous assemblies; but this is so far from truth that 
 any one who does practise it, tho' he is accused of no 
 crime, loses at once his character; so that either the 
 manners have been lately changed, or the report is 
 false, for he seems now to be best esteemed and most 
 applauded who attends to his business, whatever it be, 
 with the greatest diligence. I believe the Virginians 
 have of late altered their manner very much, for they 
 begin to find that their estates by even small extrava- 
 gance, decline, and grow involved with debt, this seems 
 
 ' Ben Carter did not take a course at Princeton ; he is said to have died in 
 youth, probably before entering any college, as it is shown by letters of Fithian 
 that he was in very delicate health in 1775. 
 
28o PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 to be the spring which induces the People of fortune 
 who are pattern of all behaviour here, to be frugal, 
 and moderate. You may expect me at home by the 
 permission of Providence the latter end of april next, 
 or the beginning of may ; and as I proposed I shall 
 present my exercises for the examination of the Pres- 
 bytery ; and if they think proper I shall gladly accept 
 of a license in the fall: I must beg your favour to 
 mention me to such of my acquaintances in Deerfield as 
 you think proper, but especially to M^^ Green, Miss 
 
 Betsy, your family, and M? Pecks 1 must also beg 
 
 you to transmit so much of this intelligence to M^ Hun- 
 ter as that my relations in Greenwich may know that I 
 am through the mercy of heaven in good health. I 
 beg. Sir, you will not fail to write, and let it be known 
 to M^ Hunter, that a Letter will come as secure by the 
 Post as from Cohansie to Philadelphia; the Letters 
 are to be directed to me thus. To M": Philip V. Fithian 
 at M^ Carters of Nominy, to be left at Hobes Hole. 
 I am. Sir, yours 
 
 Philip V. Fithian. 
 
 [To THE Rev. Andrew Hunter.'] 
 
 NoMiNi Hall, Virginia, June 3^ 1774. 
 Rev? & 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 recep- 
 tion of this, that the Governor dissolved the Assembly 
 in this province on their resolve to keep the first day 
 of June on which the Act of Parliament^ is to take 
 
 ' Rev. Andrew Hunter, Sr., of Greenwich, N. J. See page 21, note i. 
 ''Known as the Boston Port Bill. To this dissolution of the Virginia 
 Assembly, and the subsequent action of its members in issuing the first call for 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 28 1 
 
 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 trad- 
 ing Cities, and by their example to influence all the 
 Colonies, not to make any resistance to the Britains, 
 but to keep themselves independent, 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 emi- 
 nent house in London was yesterday refused any more 
 Tobacco til' there is intelligence from the Northward.^ 
 
 The frost which happened the 4^*^ of May, was by 
 far more severe and fatal here than either in Mary- 
 land, New-Jersey, or Pennsylvania The expected 
 
 produce of Gardens and Peaches, (which were some 
 planters chief dependence) are not only almost wholly 
 destroy'd, but in y^ 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. 
 
 the annual convening of a federal congress, is due much of the perfection of 
 government and the unity of purpose exhibited by the Colonies in the defense 
 of their rights. The Virginia Assembly, also, was the first to recommend the 
 appointment of intercolonial committees of correspondence. 
 
 ' The plan of forcing a redress of grievances by commercial non-inter- 
 course was generally suggested. The Boston Committee, writing to the coun- 
 ties and towns of Massachusetts, said : "It is the last and only method of 
 preserving the land from slavery, without drenching it in blood." The Virginia 
 Convention, which met at Williamsburg, August 1-6, 1774, for the purpose of 
 appointing delegates to the Continental Congress, agreed, that unless American 
 grievances were redressed before August 10, 1775, they would not, after that 
 date, export tobacco or any other article whatever to Great Britain. (Henry's 
 Patrick Henry, Life, Correspondence and Speeches, V. I, 185, et seq). 
 
282 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Please to make my compliments to M":^ Hunter, 
 
 Miss Nancy, Andrew, and to Uncles family 1 am, 
 
 Sir. Your most obedient 
 
 Most humble serv^ 
 
 Philip V. Fithian. 
 
 [To John Peck.] 
 
 NoMiNi Hall June 3^ 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 D": Witherspoon who promised me in 
 Philadelphia that he would recommend you here ; the 
 reason of my demanding dispatch is, that M'! 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 4^'' 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! 1 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. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 283 
 
 To M? George Lee.* 
 
 July 30'.'' 1774. 
 Sir. 
 
 With my compliments I am to inform you that 
 Ben: Carter is, of necessity, to go this day into Rich- 
 mond ; 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, 
 
 1 am, 
 with many thanks for your 
 Invitation, Sir, 
 
 Your most humble serv^ 
 
 P. V. FiTHIAN. 
 
 [To John Peck.'] 
 
 NoMixi Hall August lal** 1774. 
 
 " Si bene moneo, attende." 
 
 Sir. 
 
 1 never reflect, but with secret, and peculiar pleas- 
 ure, on the time when 1 studied in Deerfield with you, 
 & several other pleasant Companions, under our com- 
 mon, & much respected instructor, M^ Green. And 1 
 acknowledge now, with a thankful heart, the many 
 favours, which I received from your family while I was 
 a member of it. This sense of obligation to your 
 
 ' George Lee of Mt. Pleasant. The curt tone of this note may be 
 explained by the fact that it was probably this George Lee who was guilty of 
 a rudeness to Fithian at the ball given by Squire Lee, January iS, 1774. See 
 page 96. 
 
 ' This lengthy but interesting letter to John Peck, who was about to 
 succeed Fithian as tutor at Nomini Hall, was intended to serve as an introduc- 
 tion to some of the peculiarities of the position and as a guide for his future 
 course of conduct. It shows Hthian to have been a close obser\'er as well as a 
 deep student of human nature. 
 
284 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Family, And personal friendship for you, have excited 
 me, when it was in my power, to introduce you to the 
 business which I now occupy; into a famil}^ where, if 
 you be prudent and industrious, I am confident you 
 will speedily acquire to yourself both Honour & Profit 
 
 But inasmuch as 3'ou are wholly a stranger to this 
 
 Province ; & have had little or no experience in the 
 business which you are shortly to enter upon; & lest, 
 from common Fame, which is often erroneous, you 
 shall have entertained other notions of the manners of 
 the People here, & of your business as a Tutor, than 
 you will find, when you come, to be actually true; 1 
 hope you will not think it vain or untimely, if I venture 
 to lay before you some Rules for your direction which 
 I have collected from a year's observation. I shall 
 class what I have to say in the following order. First. 
 I shall attempt to give you some direction for the plan 
 of your Conduct among your neighbours, & the People 
 in General here, so long as you sustain the character of 
 a Tutor. Then I shall advise you concerning the 
 rules which I think will be most profitable & convenient 
 in the management of your little lovely charge, the 
 School. Last of all. I shall mention several Rules for 
 your personal conduct. I choose to proceed in the 
 order I have laid down, as well that you may more 
 fully & speedily receive my mind, as that you may also 
 the more readily select out and apply what you shall 
 find to be most necessary. 
 
 First. When you have thought of removing, for 
 a Time, out of the Colony in which you was born, & 
 in which you have hitherto constantly resided, I make 
 no doubt but you have at the same time expected to 
 find a very considerable alteration of manners, among 
 your new acquaintances, & some peculiarities toto Coelo 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 285 
 
 different, from any you have before been accustomed 
 to. Such a thought is natural ; And you will if you 
 come into Virginia, in much shorter time than a year, 
 be convinced that it is just. In New-Jersey Govern- 
 ment throughout, but especially in the Counties where 
 you have any personal acquaintance. Gentlemen in the 
 first rank of Dignity & Quality, of the Council, general 
 Assembly, inferior Magistrates, Clergy-men, or inde- 
 pendent Gentlemen, without the smallest fear of bring- 
 ing any manner of reproach either on their office, or 
 their high-born, long recorded Families associate freely 
 & commonly with Farmers & Mechanicks tho' they 
 be poor & industrious. Ingenuity & industry are the 
 Strongest, & most approved recommendations to a Man 
 in that Colony. The manners of the People seem to 
 me, (probablv I am overborn by the force of prejudice 
 in favour of my native Soil), to bear some considerable 
 resemblance of the manners in the ancient Spartan 
 
 Common-Wealth The Valour of its Inhabitants — 
 
 was the best, & only security of that State against the 
 enemy ; & the wise laws of its renowned Legislator 
 were the powerful Cement which kept them firm & 
 
 invincible In our Government, the laborious part 
 
 of Men, who are commonly ranked in the midling or 
 lower Class, are accounted the strength & Honour of 
 the Colony ; & the encouragement they receive from 
 Gentlemen in the highest stations is the spring of 
 Industry, next to their private advantage. The Levil 
 which is admired in New-Jersey Government, among 
 People of every rank, arises, no doubt, from the very 
 great division of the lands in that Province, & con- 
 sequently from the near approach to an equality of 
 Wealth among the Inhabitants, since it is not famous 
 for trade. You know very well that the Lands in a 
 
286 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 small township are divided, & then again subdivided 
 into two & three Hundred Separate, proper, creditable 
 estates ; for example Deer field & Fairfield two Town- 
 ships, or Precincts, in which you & I are tolerably well 
 acquainted, in the former of which, are the Seats of 
 two Judges of the Sessions; & in the latter resides one 
 of the representatives in General Assembly for the 
 County; But if 16000^ would purchase the whole 
 landed estates of these three Gentlemen, who are sup- 
 posed to be the most wealthy in the County, if we rate 
 their Land at the Low Consideration of 4^ p": acre, 
 with all conveniences, each would have 4000 Acres. 
 Now you may suppose how small a quantity many must 
 have when two or three hundred Landholders reside in 
 each of these small Precincts ; Hence we see Gentle- 
 men, when they are not actually engaged in the publick 
 Service, on their farms, setting a laborious example to 
 their Domesticks, & on the other hand we see labourers 
 at the Tables & in the Parlours of their Betters enjoy- 
 ing the advantage, & honour of their society and Con- 
 versation 1 do not call it an objection to this, that 
 
 some few, who have no substance but work like Slaves 
 as necessity drives them for a few Months in the year; 
 with the price of this Labour they visit Philadelphia; 
 & having there acquired a fashionable Coat, & a Stock 
 of Impudence, return home to spend the remainder of 
 
 the year, in idleness & disgrace! But you will find 
 
 the tables turned the moment you enter this Colony. 
 The very Slaves in some families here, could not be 
 bought under 30000;^. Such amazing property, no 
 matter how deep it is involved, blows up the owners to 
 an imagination, which is visible in all, but in various 
 degrees according to their respective virtue, that they 
 are exalted as much above other Men in worth & pre- 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 287 
 
 cedency, as blind stupid fortune has made a difference 
 in their property; excepting always the value they put 
 
 upon posts of honour, & mental acquirements For 
 
 example, if you should travel through this Colony, with 
 a well-confirmed testimonial of your having finished 
 with Credit a Course of studies at Nassau-Hall; you 
 would be rated, without an}- more questions asked, 
 either about your family, your Estate, your business, 
 or your intention, at lo.oooii^ ; and you might come, & 
 go, & converse, & keep company, according to this 
 value ; and you would be despised and slighted if you 
 rated yourself a farthing cheaper. But when I am 
 giving directions to you from an expectation that you 
 will be shortly a resident here, altho you have gone 
 through a College Course, & for an3-thing I know, have 
 never written a Libel, nor stolen a Turkey, yet I think 
 myself in duty bound to advise you, lest some pow- 
 dered Coxcomb should reproach your education, to 
 cheapen your price about 5000^!" ; because any young 
 Gentleman travelling through the Colony, as I said 
 before, is presumed to be acquainted with Dancing, 
 Boxing, playing the Fiddle, & Small-Sword, & Cards. 
 Several of which you was only entering upon, when I 
 left New-Jersey; towards the Close of last year; and if 
 you stay here any time your Barrenness in these must 
 be detected. I will, however, allow, that in the Family 
 where you act as tutor you place yourself, according 
 to your most acute Calculation, at a perfect equidis- 
 tance between the father & the eldest Son. Or let the 
 same distance be observed in every article of behaviour 
 between you & the eldest Son, as there ought to be, 
 by the latest & most approved precepts of Moral- 
 Philosophy, between the eldest Son & his next young- 
 est Brother. But whenever you go from Home, where 
 
288 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 you are to act on your own footing, either to a Ball ; or 
 to a Horse-Race, or to a Cock-FigJit, or to a Fish-Feast, I 
 advise that you rate yourself very low & if you bett at 
 all, remember that io,ooo;^ in Reputation & learning 
 does not amount to a handfull of Shillings in ready 
 
 Cash ! One considerable advantage which you 
 
 promise yourself by coming to this Colony is to extend 
 the Limits of your acquaintance; this is laudable, & if 
 you have enough of prudence & firmness, it will be a 
 
 singular advantage Yet attempt slowly & with the 
 
 most Jealous Circumspection If you fix your famil- 
 iarity wrong in a single instance, you are in danger of 
 
 total, if not immediate ruin You come here, it is 
 
 true, with an intention to teach, but you ought like- 
 wise to have an inclination to learn. At any rate I 
 solemnly injoin it upon you, that you never suffer the 
 Spirit of a Pedagogue to attend you without the walls 
 of your little Seminary. In all promiscuous Company 
 be as silent & attentive as Decency will allow you, for 
 you have nothing to communicate, which such com- 
 pany, will hear with pleasure, but you may learn many 
 things which, in after life, will do you singular service. 
 
 In regard to Company in general, if you think it 
 
 worth your while to attend to my example, I can easily 
 instruct you in the manner of my Conduct in this 
 respect. I commonly attend Church; and often, at the 
 request of Gentlemen, after Service according to the 
 
 custom, dine abroad on Sunday 1 seldom fail, when 
 
 invited by M": & M":^ Carter, of going out with them ; 
 but I make it a point, however strongly solicited to the 
 
 contrary, to return with them too Except in one 
 
 of these cases, I seldom go out, but with a valuable 
 variety of books I live according to Horace's direc- 
 tion. & love "Secretum Iter et fallentis Semita Vitae." 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 289 
 
 Close retirement and a life by Stealth. The last direc- 
 tion I shall venture to mention on this head, is, that 
 you abstain totally from Women. What I would have 
 you understand from this, is, that by a train of faultless 
 conduct in the whole course of 3-our tutorship, you 
 make ever}- Lady within the Sphere of your acquaint- 
 ance, who is between twelve & forty years of age, so 
 much pleased with your person, & so satisfied as to 
 your ability in the capacit}- of a Teacher; & in short, 
 fully convinced, that, from a principle of Duty, you 
 have, both by night and by day endeavoured to acquit 
 yourself honourably, in the Character of a Tutor; & 
 that, on this account, you have their free and hearty 
 consent, without making any manner of demand upon 
 you, either to stay longer in the County with them, 
 which they would choose, or whenever 3'our business 
 calls you away, that they may not have it in their 
 Power either by charms or Justice to detain you, & 
 when you must leave them, have their sincere wishes 
 & constant prayrs for Length of days & much pros- 
 perity, I therefore beg that you will attend literally to 
 this advice, & abstain totally from Women. But this 
 last precaution, which I have been at some pains to 
 dress in the plainest language, I am much inclined to 
 think, will be wholly useless in regard to you, notwith- 
 standing it is founded in that Honor and Equity which is 
 on all hands allow'd to be due from one Sex to the 
 other, & to many of your age, & Standing would be 
 entirely salutary. Because the necessary connections 
 which you have had with the Fair, from your Puberty 
 upwards have been so unfavourable & ill-fated, that 
 instead of apprehending any danger on the score of 
 your fondness, I am fearful your rancour has grown so 
 inveterate at length, as, not only to preserve you, in 
 
290 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 thought & practice, pure of every Fleshly foible, but 
 has carried you so far towards the other extreme, that 
 you will need many persuasions, when your circum- 
 stances shall seem to require it, to bring you back to 
 a rational & manly habit of thinking & acting with 
 respect to the Sex; which yet, after all (& eternally 
 will continue to be, tho' it is so much courted & whined 
 after) if considered in the fullest manner, & set forth to 
 the best advantage, never rising above its divine defini- 
 tion Viz "The weaker Vessel." But without detaining 
 you any longer with a matter merely depending on 
 accident or Circumstance I pass on to the second Gen- 
 eral Head; in which " Ludis atque Jocis amotis " I 
 shall offer to your consideration and recommend for 
 your practice several Rules concerning the manage- 
 ment of the School. 
 
 Second. You will act wisely, if, from the begin- 
 ing, you convince all your Scholars which you may 
 easily do, of your abilities in the several branches, 
 which 3^ou shall profess to teach ; you are not to tell 
 them, totidem Verbis, " that you understand, perhaps 
 as well as any man on the Continent both the Latin & 
 Greek Classics;" "& have gone through the usual 
 Course in the noted College of New-Jersey, under Dr 
 Witherspoon, so universally known & admired, where 
 you have studied Criticism, Oratory, History, not to 
 mention Mathematical cS: philosophical Studies & dipt a 
 good way into the French-Language, & that you have 
 learned a smattering of Dancing, Cards, &c. &c. &c." 
 For Dun — p or Hach — n or the most profound dunce 
 in your College or School would have too much sense 
 to pass such impudence by, & not despise and reproach 
 it; but you may speedily & certainly make them think 
 you a " Clever Fellow" (which is a phraise in use here 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 29I 
 
 for a good Scholar) if you never mention anything 
 before them, only what you seem to be wholly master 
 
 of This will teach them never to dispute your 
 
 determination, & always to rely upon your judgements; 
 two things which are most essential for your peace, & 
 their advantage. That you may avoid yourself of this 
 with certainty, I shall recommend for your practice 
 the following method, as useful at least, if not entirely 
 necessary. Read over carefully, the lessons in Latin 
 & Greek, in your leisure hours, that the story & Lan- 
 guage be fresh in your memory, when you are hearing 
 the respective lessons; for your memory is treacherous, 
 & I am pretty certain it would confound you if you 
 should be accosted by a pert School-Boy, in the midst 
 
 of a blunder, with " Physician heal thyself"! You 
 
 ought likewise to do this with those who are working 
 Figures; probably you may think that because the 
 highest Cypherer is onh' in decimal arithmetic, it is 
 not therefore worth your critical attention to be look- 
 ing previously into the several Sums. But you are to 
 consider that a sum in the Square-Root, or even in the 
 Single-Rule of three direct, is to your Pupils of as 
 great importance, as the most abstrvise problem in the 
 Mathematicks to an able artist; & you may lay this 
 down for a Maxim, that they will reckon upon your 
 abilities, according as they find you acquainted & expert 
 in what the}' themselves are studying. If therefore 
 you have resolution (as I do not question your ability) 
 to carry this plan which I have laid down into execu- 
 tion ; you will thereby convince them of the propriety 
 of their Subordination to you, & obedience to your 
 instructions, so that you may lead them, without any 
 resistance, and fix them to the Study of whatever 
 Science you think proper, in which they will rise 
 
292 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 according to their respective capacities. I have said 
 that 3^ou ought to strive " from the beginning " in fixing 
 this very material article in the minds of your Scholars, 
 Viz a Sense of your authority ; for one error of Judg- 
 ment, or false determination will diminish your ability 
 with them more than doing forty things with truth 
 would increase your authority — - — - They act in this 
 case as you would do in the company of a number of 
 
 Strangers A whole evenings conversation, if it was 
 
 tolerable good Sense, would perhaps make little or no 
 impression on you ; But if through hast in speaking, or 
 inattention, any one would let fall a sentence either 
 remarkably foolish, or grossly wicked, it would be 
 difficult if not impossible to persuade you presently that 
 the author was not either a thick-Skull, or a Villain ! 
 The education of children requires constant unre- 
 mitting attention. The meanest qualification you can 
 mention in a useful teacher is diligence. And without 
 diligence no possible abilities or qualifications can bring 
 children on either with speed or profit. There must 
 be a Combination of qualifications which must all oper- 
 ate strongly & uniformly. In short, give this said 
 Pedagogizing the softest name you will, it is still a 
 " difficult Task." You will meet with numberless diffi- 
 culties in your new imployment, which you never 
 dreamt had yet existence. All these you must en- 
 deavor to resist & Subdue. This I have seen compared 
 to a Man swimming against a current of Water. But I 
 am mistaken if you will agree, after having six months 
 practice, that the comparison be strong as the truth : 
 You will add to the figure, I am certain, & throw into 
 the Current sharp fragments of Ice, & Blocks, which 
 would make swimming not only difficult but danger- 
 ous! I am not urging these things to discourage you; 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 293 
 
 they are hints for your direction, which, if you will 
 attend to, tho' at first the practice seem rough and 
 unpleasant, shall yet make the remainder of your task 
 pleasing, & the whole of it useful. I will mention 
 several of these Obstacles that you may the more easily 
 guard against them. You will, in the first place, be 
 often solicited probably oftner than you would wish, to 
 ride abroad ; this, however, if you do it moderately, & 
 in seasonable time, & go to proper compan}-, I recom- 
 mend as conducive to health to one in your sedentary 
 manner of living. But if you go much into company, 
 A'ou will find it extremely difficult to break away with 
 any manner of credit till very late at night or in most 
 cases for several days, & if you are wanting to your 
 School, you do manifest injury to your Imployer. In 
 this case, I advise you to copy M": Carter. Whenever 
 he invites you, ride. You may sta}-, and talk, & drink, 
 & ride to as great excess as he ; & ma}' with safety 
 associate yourself with those whom you find to be his 
 intimates. In all other Cases, except when you ride 
 to Church, at least till you are ver}- intimate in the 
 Colon}', you had better ride to a certain Stvimp, or to 
 some noted plantation, or pretty landscape; you will 
 have in this every advantage of exercise, the additional 
 advantage of undisturbed Meditation, & you will be 
 under no Jealous apprehension in point of behaviour, 
 nor any restraint as to the time of your return. 
 
 Another current difficulty will be petitions for 
 holidays. You must have good deal of steadiness if 
 you are able to evade cleverly this practice which has 
 grown so habitual to your little charge from a false 
 method in their early education that they absolutely 
 claim it as a necessary right. 
 
 You must also as much as vou can, avoid visible 
 
294 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 partiality. At least you must never suffer your fond- 
 ness for one Scholar to grow so manifest, as that all 
 your School shall see you look over a fault in him or 
 her which same fault, if committed by another, you 
 severely chastise. This will certainly produce in the 
 others hatred & contempt. A fourth difficulty, and the 
 last I shall mention, consists in knowing when, & in 
 what measure to give the Boys Liberty to go from 
 Home. The two younger Boys are wholly under your 
 inspection ; so that not only the progress the}' make in 
 learning, but their moral Conduct (for both of these are 
 critically observed & examined) either justifies or con- 
 demns your management to the World. If you keep 
 them much at home, & close to business, they them- 
 selves will call you unfeeling and cruel; & refuse to be 
 industrious; if you suffer them to go much abroad they 
 are certainly out of the way of improvement by Study, 
 probably, by discovering their gross Ignorance, they 
 will expose to ridicule both themselves and all their 
 former instructors, & possibly they may commit actual 
 Crimes so as very much to injure themselves, & scan- 
 dalize their family ; but in each of these you will have 
 a large share of blame, perhaps more than the parents, 
 
 or even the Boys themselves It will be said that 
 
 the parents gave them no license relying wholly on 
 your judgment & prudence, this will in a good measure 
 justify them to the world. And as to the Boys they 
 are full of youthful impetuosity & vigour, & these com- 
 pel them, when they are free of restraint, to commit 
 actions which with proper management they had surely 
 avoided. 1 say, when you lay these things together, & 
 view them on every side you will find so many perplex- 
 ities arising in your mind, from a sense of ignorance of 
 your duty, that you will proceed with caution & moder- 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 295 
 
 ation, & will be careful! to examine with some precision 
 into the circumstances of time, company, & Btisiness 
 when you license them to go out entirely at the risk of 
 
 your Reputation But the practice of three or four 
 
 Weeks will give you a more full notion of these and 
 many other incidents that I am able now either to 
 recollect or express ; I shall have gained my End if 
 these hints prevent you from setting off wrong, & doing 
 inadvertently at first what your Scholars will assert to 
 be precedents for your after conduct. I go on, there- 
 fore, in the third place as I proposed. 
 
 Third. To mention several Rules for your per- 
 sonal conduct. The happy education which you have 
 had in point of religion, you ought to consider as an 
 important and distinguishing Blessing of Heaven. That 
 train of useful Instruction, Advice, & Example to which 
 you have been accustomed from your infancy is a more 
 perfect, & will be a safer guide in your future walk, 
 than any directions I am able to give you. You have 
 taken notice of a method for assistance in Composition, 
 which Longinus recommends. 
 
 Place, says he, in imagination, several eminent 
 ancient Authors before your Eyes, & suppose that they 
 inspect your Work, a Sense of inferiority would make 
 you diligent, & your composition accurate. Perhaps 
 the same advice when transferred to Morality, would 
 be equally salutary. Unless it be objected that a Belief 
 of Gods presence at all times in every place is the 
 strongest possible restraint against committing sin. 
 This I constantly admit; but when 1 consider how 
 easily our minds are put in motion, & how strongly 
 they are sometimes agitated merely by the senses, & 
 that the senses are affected most by things which fall 
 under their immediate notice, 1 am fully convinced that 
 
296 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 if some such plan as I have just mentioned should be 
 fallen upon, & practised, it would make a visible and 
 
 useful change in our behaviour In this place I 
 
 think it needful to caution you against hasty and ill 
 founded prejudices. 
 
 When you enter among a people, & find that their 
 manner of living, their Eating, Drinking, Diversions, 
 Exercise, &c, are in many respects different from any- 
 thing you have been accustomed to, you will be apt to 
 fix your opinion in an instant, & (as some divines deal 
 with poor Sinners) you will condemn all before you 
 without any meaning or distinction what seems in your 
 judgment disagreeable at first view, when you are smit- 
 ten with the novelty. You will be making ten thousand 
 Comparisons. The face of the Country, The Soil, the 
 Buildings, the Slaves, the Tobacco, the method of spending 
 Sunday among Christians; Ditto among the Negroes; 
 the three grand divisions of time at the Church on Sun- 
 days, Viz. before Service, giving & receiving letters of 
 business, reading Advertisements, consulting about the 
 price of Tobacco, Grain, &c. & settling either the 
 lineage. Age, or qualities of favourite Horses. 2. In 
 the Church at Service, prayrs read over in haste, a 
 Sermon seldom under & never over twenty minutes, 
 but always made up of sound morality, or deep studied 
 Metaphy sicks. 3. After Service is over three quarters 
 of an hour spent in strolling round the Church among 
 the Crowd, in which time you will be invited by several 
 different Gentlemen home with them to dinner. The 
 Balls, the Fish-Feasts, the Dancing-Schools, the Christ- 
 nings, the Cock fights, the Horse-Races, the Chariots, 
 the Ladies Masked, for it is a custom among the West- 
 morland Ladies whenever they go from home, to muffle 
 up their heads, & Necks, leaving only a narrow passage 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 297 
 
 for the Eyes, in Cotton or silk handkerchiefs ; I was in 
 distress for them when I first came into the Colony, for 
 every Woman that I saw abroad, I looked upon as ill 
 
 either with the Mumps or Tooth-Ach ! I say, you 
 
 will be often observing & comparing these things which 
 I have enumerated, & many more that now escape me, 
 with the manner of spending Money time & credit at 
 Cohansie: You are young, &, (you will allow me the 
 Expression) in the morning of Life. But I hope you 
 have plann'd off, and entered upon the work which is 
 necessary to be performed in the course of your Day ; 
 if not, I think it my duty to acquaint you, that a 
 combination of the amusements which I have just now 
 mentioned, being always before your Eyes, & inviting 
 your Compliance will have a strong tendency to keep 
 you doubtful & unsettled, in your notions of Morality 
 & Religion, or else will fix you in a false & dangerous 
 habit of thinking & acting, which must terminate at 
 length in Sorrow & despair. You are therefore, if you 
 count anything upon the value of my advice, to fix the 
 plan in which you would spend your life; let this be 
 done with deliberation. Candour, & precision, looking 
 to him for direction, by fervent Prayr, who is the 
 " Wonderful Counsellor"; & when you have done this, 
 let no importunity of whatever kind prevail over you, 
 & cause you to transgress your own Limitations. I 
 have already exceeded the usual bounds of an Epistle. 
 But you will easily pardon a little prolixity, when I 
 assure you it flows from a heart deeply impressed with 
 a sense of the many difficulties which you must encoun- 
 ter, & the dangers which will surround you when you 
 come first out from the peaceful recess of Contempla- 
 tion, & enter, young and unexperienced, into the 
 tumultuous undiscerning World. I submit these hints 
 
298 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 to your consideration, & have nothing more than sin- 
 cere & ardent wishes for your present & perpetual 
 Felicity. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 To Ml John Peck, yours, 
 
 on going to Virginia in Phiilip V. Fithian. 
 
 Character of a Tutor. 
 
 [To Peletiah Webster.'] 
 
 Nomini-Hall Virginia, aug^ 2V}. 1774. 
 Sir. 
 
 I have an oppertunity b}^ some gentlemen, who go 
 from this Colony to the Congress, of writing you a line 
 according to promise, since I saw you, I have been in 
 good health ; 
 
 The reigning spirit in Virginia is liberty And 
 
 the universal topic politicks I suppose it to be the 
 
 same with you. God Almighty knows where these 
 civil tumults will end ; probably not without War & 
 
 Blood ! I have but little to say but to present you 
 
 my best regards; remember me to your sister To 
 
 Miss Cunningham The Miss Armitages Miss 
 
 Cooks I hope to see you the last of October, when 
 
 I expect to be in Town Probably you can make it 
 
 convenient for you to take a ramble into the country at 
 that time, I hope to be at leisure, & shall be proud to 
 attend you M^ Blain ; who favours me with carry- 
 ing these is a gentleman of my acquaintance in this 
 
 'Peletiah Webster (1725-1795), to whom this letter is addressed, during 
 the Revolution became noted as a writer on questions of finance and currency, 
 aiding the patriot cause with both pen and purse. He was graduated at Yale 
 in 1746, and becoming engaged in business in Philadelphia, succeeded in 
 acquiring a fortune. Among his works, his Dissertation on the Political 
 Union of the Thirteen United States of America (Phil. 1783), is said by 
 Madison to have influenced the public mind toward a better form of government. 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 299 
 
 Colony, a Merchant of Note, I shall thank 3'ou if you 
 
 will take some notice of him, and by him, as he is 
 
 to return immediately I beg you write Tell me 
 
 how matters go in Town Tell me what you know 
 
 of the Country Tell me much about the Sex you 
 
 love Remember to ask M^ Blain the hour he 
 
 returns, and don't fail to send me a line 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 with great regard. 
 Yours, 
 
 Philip V. Fithian. 
 To PalatiaJi Webster. 
 
 [To Nathaniel Donnald, Jr.'] 
 
 NoMiNi Hall, Aug^ 21^^ i774- 
 Sir. 
 
 I wrote 3'ou a line in great haste, just before I left 
 home, and two days before that I had the pleasure of 
 
 your company with ladies in an evening excursion 
 
 We have here no artificial gardens; Nor can we select 
 out a company of sociable equals whenever we are in a 
 humour for a walk 
 
 Here we either strain on Horse back from home to 
 Church, or from house to House if we go out at all 
 
 Or we walk alone into a dark Meadow, or tall 
 
 wood But I love solitude, and these lonely recesses 
 
 suit exactly the feeling of m}^ mind 1 recived lately 
 
 a letter from Cohansie, in which I am informed of the 
 
 ' The following is taken from the Pennsylvania Gazette of September 7, 
 1774. The " Captain Nathaniel Donnell " referred to is no doubt a relative of 
 the " Nath'l Donnald Jun'r" mentioned above. 
 
 " On Wednesday, 31st ult. departed this life . . . Mrs. Anna Donnell, the 
 beloved and affectionate wife of Captain Nathaniel Donnell, of this City " 
 (Philadelphia). 
 
300 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 Death of Uncle Sccley The family and neighbour- 
 hood will have suffered a great loss! 1 suppose you 
 
 join in the general language, and assert your liberties 
 and oppose oppression. I hope at least you are on the 
 right side of the question. The City, I dare say, is in 
 great tumult it not in consternation. I wish it was con- 
 venient for me to be in town when the gentlemen from 
 the respective Colonies shall meet in general Congress 
 
 This is out of my power, but I can wish for their 
 
 union, and usefulness. M^ Blain, the gentleman who 
 forwards my letter, is a Merchant of Note, in this 
 Colony, you will oblige me if you take notice of him 
 
 while he is in Town. You will not fail to write me 
 
 a line, and give to M^ Blain the moment you receive 
 mine, least he leave town and I be disappointed. 
 My compliments to all friends, 
 from Sir, 
 
 Yours 
 
 P. V. FiTHIAN. 
 
 M^ Nath! Donnald, JunT 
 
 [To John McCalla, Jr.] 
 
 NoMiNi Hall Virginia, Aug^ 22^ i774- 
 Sir. 
 
 Since I left you I have not heard a syllable about 
 you, whether the ague had left you, whether you have 
 left the City removed to Alexandria, as you proposed 
 in the spring, in short both yourself and fame have 
 been, as to you, wholly silent 
 
 I have now an oppertunity which 1 gladly improve 
 of sending you a line, and I beg that by the same con- 
 veyance you will send me an Answer There are 
 
 many from this Colony to attend the general Congress, 
 
1774] JOURNAL AND LETTERS 3OI 
 
 seven by appointment/ the others out of curiosity, 
 by M^ Blaiii, a gentleman of my acquaintance in this 
 Colon3^ a Merchant of Note 1 forward this; you will 
 oblige me if you use him with civility. 
 
 I cannot write home at present; if you should 
 write soon to Cohansie, please to mention to whoever 
 you write to that I am in good health ; that the neigh- 
 bourhood is in good health; and that I propose to 
 return home about the latter end of October 
 
 I can transmit nothing now concerning public 
 affairs, you will know by the gentlemen from this 
 
 province that the reigning spirit is liberty I hope 
 
 M^ & M":^ Hollingshead keep clear of the fevers this 
 fall; but I fear they will suffer in that common calamity. 
 I think they ought to remove to the City for a few 
 weeks in September when the disorder rages where they 
 
 reside My best compliments attend your family, 
 
 and to Miss Pratt, Miss Boyd and others of my acquaint- 
 ance in town as shall be convenient. 
 
 I am. Sir, with great truth 
 
 and Regard your most obedient 
 Most humble Serv^ 
 
 P. V. FiTHIAN. 
 M^ John M^Calla, Jun^ 
 
 I shall thank you if you will send me the latest 
 Journal, Gazette, and the Packet. 
 
 [To Harry Willis and Robert Carter, Jr.] 
 
 NoMiNi Hall Oct!: 6'.^ 1774. 
 For Masters Harry & Bob. 
 
 I approve highly of the method you have taken in 
 
 ' The seven Virginia delegates were, Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry 
 Lee, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison, 
 and Edmund Pendleton. 
 
302 PHILIP VICKERS FITHIAN [1774 
 
 asking for liberty to attend the race this afternoon, and 
 think myself bound to give you an answer in the same 
 manner. 
 
 This Race, happening so soon after the other, 
 which was at the same place, and so much like it seems 
 to promise nothing that can require your attendance, it 
 is therefore my desire and advice that you stay con- 
 tented at home. But if your inclination be stronger 
 than either of these, and you still choose to go, you 
 have my consent provided you return by Sunset in the 
 Evening. 
 
 Yours 
 
 Philip V. Fithian. 
 
INDEX 
 
INDEX 
 
 Italics refer to notes. 
 
 Achan's Tavern, Del., 47. 
 
 Adams, John, Life and Works of , jo ; 
 
 Visits Princeton, jo. 
 Aiken, 161. 
 
 Airwell, Hanover County, Va., 201. 
 Alexandria, Va., 48, 124, 153. 
 Allen, Moses, 35. 
 American Historical Review, £o, ji, 
 
 jj, 6j, 66, J2, 82, g6, 107, 118, 128, 
 
 148, 171, 
 American Philosophical Society, 113. 
 American Whig Society (of Princeton 
 
 College), 13; Sketch of , ij ; 14. 
 Anabaptists. See Baptists. 
 Annapolis, Md., xviii, 100, 124, 151, 
 
 153, i6g, 177, Burning of the 
 
 "Peggy Stewart" at, 273. 
 Anne, Queen of England, ji. 
 Appleton's Cyclopaedia of American 
 
 Biography, xx, 2JQ. 
 Archibald, Richard, 15. 
 Armitage, 166. 
 Armitage, Betsy, 166, 298. 
 Armitage, Polly, 166, 298. 
 Ashtoii, Grace, 1^2. 
 Ashton, Henry, ij2. 
 Assemb ly . See under respective States. 
 Atwell, 208, 20q. 
 Augusta County, Va., 97. 
 
 Baldwin, Jonathan, 33; Sketch of, 
 
 33- 
 
 Balinger, Capt., 166. 
 
 Ball, 224. 
 
 Ball, Spencer, 7/. 
 
 Ballantine, 89, 94. 
 
 Baltimore, Md., 48, 49, 90, 99, 128, 
 138, 139, 273. 
 
 Baptists, xix, growth of in Va., 117; 
 118, 165. 
 
 Barron, James, duel with Stephen De- 
 catur, 48. 
 
 Bathurst, Va., 71. 
 
 BaiUe- Abbey Roll, 141. 
 
 Beal, 209. 
 
 Beatty, Charles, xv, ^j. 
 
 Beatty, Charles CHnton, 165, Sketch 
 of i6s. 
 
 Beatty, Charles Clinton^, The Beatty 
 Family Record, xx. 
 
 Beatty, Elizabeth, xiii, xv. Marriage 
 (2d) to Joel Fithian, xv ; 28, 32, 36, 
 Marriage to Philip Fithian, j6 ; 
 Referred to as ^' Laura," j6 ; 43, 
 56, 61, 64, 67, 82, 89, go, 97, 114, 
 123, 132, 134, 139, 157, 160, 161, 
 162, 163, 164, i6j, 167, 172, 173, 
 
 177, 184, 188, 194, 205, 216, 224, 
 230, 238, 248, 269, 271, 277, 280. 
 
 Beatty Family Record, xx. 
 
 Beatty, John, ij, Letter to Philip 
 Fithian, 27 ; j6, 43, 90, Sketch of, 
 go; 165, 167. 
 
 Beatty, Mary. See Green, Mary 
 Beatty. 
 
 Beatty, Reading, 157, Sketch of , rj7 ; 
 164, j6s. 
 
 Beaty. See Beatty. 
 
 Bedford, Gunning, g. 
 
 Bedford, Miss, 166. 
 
 Belcher Hall. See Nassau Hall. 
 
 Belcher, Jonathan, Governor of N. J., 
 6. 
 
 Bellevue, Stafford Co., Va., g6. 
 
 Benson, Capt., 222. 
 
 Bere Regis, Dorset, England, 141. 
 
 Berkeley, Charles City Co., Va., 260. 
 
 Berkeley, Nelson, 201. 
 
 Berkeley, Robert, 71. 
 
 Beverley, Robert, I4g. 
 
 Bishops s History of American Manu- 
 factures, 128. 
 
 Blackwell, Capt., 122, 147, 178, 189. 
 
 Bladensburg, Md., 37, 48, 48, 49. 
 
 Blain, 58, 60, 66, 88, 92, 93, 104, 176, 
 
 178, 238, visits Philadelphia, 239; 
 his impressions of the city, 262 ; 
 298, 299, 300, 301. 
 
3o6 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Bland, Richard, joo. 
 
 Blandensburg. See Bladensburg. 
 
 Blewer, Capt., 167. 
 
 Booth, 83. 
 
 Booth, Billy, 62. 
 
 Booth, Miss, no, 152. 
 
 Bordentown, N.J., 7. 
 
 Boston, Mass., arrival of tea ships at, 
 99; destruction of tea, 105; 117, 
 118, the Boston Port Bill, 171 ; 
 ryi, 172, reports concerning arrival 
 of British troops at, 175 ; the trial 
 of British officers and troops for 
 homicide removed to England, 181 ; 
 202, 254, rumor that Gage has fired 
 on the town received in Virginia, 
 255 ; report false, 258 ; 280, 280, 
 sympathy of the Virginians, 281. 
 
 Boston Committee of Safety, recom- 
 mends 7ion - commercial intercourse 
 with Great Britain, 281. 
 
 Boudinot, Elias, go. 
 
 Bowen, Dr., 163. 
 
 Boyd, 156. 
 
 Boyd, James, 274. 
 
 Boyd, Matty, 159, 160. 
 
 Boyd, Miss, 301. 
 
 Boyd, Mrs., 159, 160, 161, 164. 
 
 Boyd, Sally, 159, 160, 166. 
 
 Bracken, John, professor at William 
 and Mary College, 107 ; dispute 
 with Samuel Henley, 107 ; sketch 
 of, loj ; 127. 
 
 Brackenridge, Hugh H., g. 
 
 Brewster, Mrs., 162, 163. 
 
 Bridgeton, N. J., 164, 216. 
 
 Bridge-Town, N. J. See Bridgeton. 
 
 British America, Constitutional rights 
 of, 260. 
 
 Brockenbrough, Miss., 224. 
 
 Brokenberry. See Brockenbrough. 
 
 Brown, 159. 
 
 Brown, Mrs. Elizabeth, xx. 
 
 Brown, Samuel, 15. 
 
 Brown University, xxi. 
 
 Bruton Church, Williamsburg, Fa., 
 loy. 
 
 Bryan, Andrew, 35, jj, 90, 138. 
 
 Buckner, 238. 
 
 Bullock, Polly, 155, 2JI. 
 
 Bull Run, Va , Councillor Carter owns 
 lajid in the vicinity of, xviii ; 128. 
 
 Burgesses, Virginia House of. See 
 Virginia Assembly, 
 
 Burnet, M., xiv. 
 
 Burnet, Priscilla, wife of William 
 Fithian, xiv ; xv. 
 
 Burney, 240. 
 
 Burney, Charles, Present State of 
 Muisc in Germany, 219 ; 2iq. 
 
 Burr, Aaron, xiii, graduates from 
 Princeton College with Philip Fith- 
 ian, q ; a founder of the Cliosophic 
 Society, ij. 
 
 Bushfield, Westmoreland County, Va., 
 ho7ne of Jolin Augustine Washing- 
 ton xvi ; y4, 88, 108, 109, anecdote 
 of the Bushfield lane, log ; ijg, 
 ijj, 201, 210, 269. 
 
 Bushrod, Hannah. See Washington, 
 Hannah (Bushrod). 
 
 Bushrod, John, Ijg, 2jo. 
 
 Bushtown, Md., 47. 
 
 Calmet's Scripture Prints, 133. 
 
 Cambridge University, England, 279. 
 
 Camel. See Campbell. 
 
 Cameron, Henry Clay, History of the 
 American Whig Society, ij. 
 
 Campbell, 109, 122, 123. 
 
 Campbell, Charles, History of Vir- 
 ginia, 248. 
 
 Campbell, Pinkstone, 123, 135. 
 
 Caroline, Queen of England, and 
 Stratford mansion in Va., 87. 
 
 Caroline County, Va., I4g, i8j, 2^0. 
 
 Carr, 88. 
 
 Carter, Amelia (daughter of Coun- 
 cillor Carter'), yo. 
 
 Carter, Ann (of Shirley), 95. 
 
 Carter, Ann Tasker (daughter of Coun- 
 cillor Carter), 47, begins school 
 with Philip Fithian, 50 ; her studies, 
 50 ; attends dancing school, 54 ; 
 56, 57, 66, 69, marries (/st) John 
 Peck, yi ; marries (2d) Quinlan, 
 ji ; 72, 75, 76, 78, character and 
 attainments, 85 ; 86, 87, 89, 92, 94, 
 98, 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 
 107, 108, 115, 120, 121, 127, 137, 
 142, 171, 173, 175, 179, 182, 185, 
 188, 189, 195, 207, 211, 215, 225, 
 227, 243, 251, 253, 264, 269. 
 
 Carter, Benjamin Tasker (son of 
 Councillor Carter), 49, commences 
 school under Philip Fithian, 50 ; his 
 studies, 50; 51, 58, 67. 68, 70, 71, 
 72, 75, 76, 77, 82, character and 
 disposition, 84 ; 86, 91, 93, 97, 99, 
 100, 102, 103, 104, 107, 108, 109^ 
 
INDEX 
 
 307 
 
 no, III, n2, 113. 114, 115, 117, 
 iig, 120, 121, obstinacy and ava- 
 rice, 125 ; 130 132, 135, 137, 140, 
 
 141, 143, 146, 147, 150, 151, ac- 
 companies Fithian to Annapolis, 
 152; 170, 171, 173, 174, 177, 178, 
 
 181, 182, 183, i86, 187, 18S, 191, 
 
 194, 195, 796, 197, 199. 200, 203, 
 207, 208, 20g, 213, 215, 218, 223, 
 224, 227, 22g, 232, 233, 234, 235, 
 239, 240, 243, 245, 246, 248, 250, 
 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 258, 262, 
 264, 265, 269, 278, 279, 283. 
 
 Carter, Betsy Landon (daughter of 
 Councillor Carter), begins school 
 with Philip Fithian, 50 ; studies, 
 50 ; married Spencer Bali, 7/ / 72, 
 75, 82, character and disposition, 
 85 ; 87, 88, 122, 170, 171, 196, 
 
 195, 199, 243, 251, 264, 269. 
 
 Carter, Charles {of Shirley), gj, 324. 
 
 Carter, Elizabeth Wormeley (daugh- 
 ter of Landon Carter of Sabine 
 Hall), 201, married ATelson Berke- 
 ley, 201 ; 226, 227. 
 
 Carter Family Chart, edited by R. R. 
 Carter, xx, 70, 7/. 
 
 Carter, Frances (daughter of Coun- 
 cillor Carter), begins school with 
 Philip Fithian, 50 ; her studies, 50 ; 
 marries Thomas Jones of Bathurst, 
 ji ; 11, 75, character and disposi- 
 tion, 85 ; 87, 85, 105, 107, 122, 127, 
 
 142, 170, 171, 175, 195, 196, 200, 
 211, 212, 213, 217, 228, 229, 230, 
 
 239, 243, 251, 257, 264, 269. 
 Carter, Frances Ann Tasker (wife of 
 
 Councillor Carter), marriage to Rob- 
 ert Carter, xviii ; 53, 56, 61, 62, 
 63> 65, 67, 70, list of the children 
 of, 7T ; 72, 73. 74- 75, 77, 7S, 79. 
 82, character and attainments, 83 ; 
 87, 90, 92, 94, 95, g6, 97, 100, loi, 
 religious views, 102 ; a daughter of 
 the Hon. Benjamin Tasker, loz ; 
 103, 104, 105, 107, 109, no. III, 
 112, 113, 115, llS, 120, 121, 126, 
 129, 133, 134, 135, 138, 141, 142, 
 
 143, opinions concerning slavery, 
 145 ; 147, 150, 151, 170, 171, 172, 
 173. 175. 177. 178, 179, 180, 181. 
 
 182, 183, 186, 188, 190, 194, 195, 
 198, 199, 203, 204, 207, 208, 211, 
 214, 217, 225, 227, 229, 236, 238, 
 
 240, 241, 242, 245, 246, 247, 248, 
 
 invoice of silver plate imported from 
 England, 251 ; 253, 254, 257, 258, 
 260, 263, 264, 265, 267, 268, Fith- 
 ian's high opinion of, 270 ; 278, 
 288. 
 
 Carter, George, of Oatlands {son of 
 Councillor Carter), ji. 
 
 Carter, Harriet (daughter of Coun- 
 cillor Carter), begins school with 
 Philip Fithian, her studies, 50 ; 
 married John Maund, 7/ ; 72, 77, 
 character and disposition, 85 ; 91, 
 132, 134, 171, 178, 197, 198, 203 
 212, 257, 264, 269. 
 
 Carter, John {son of Councillor Car- 
 ter) , JI. 
 
 Carter, John Champe, 224. 
 
 Carter, Julia {daughter of Councillor 
 Carter) , 7/. 
 
 Carter, Landon (of Sabine Hall), mar- 
 ried Catharine Tayloe, I4g ; 200, 
 201, 226, builder of Sabine Hall, 
 2JJ ; entertains at Sabine Hall, 233. 
 
 Carter, Lucy (daughter of Landon Car- 
 ter) , 200 ; married Williani Cols- 
 ton, 200 ; 201. 
 
 Carter, Mary {daughter of Councillor 
 Carter) , jo. 
 
 Carter, Polly (daughter of Landon 
 Carter), visits Nomini Hall, 226. 
 
 Carter, Priscilla (daughter of Coun- 
 cillor Carter), laegins school with 
 Fithian, her studies, 50 ; 51, 52, 
 53, 56, 66, 69, married Robert 
 Mitchell, JI ; 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 
 78, 79, 82, disposition and attain- 
 ments, 84 ; 87, 88, 89, 92, 93, 94, 
 97, 98, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 
 106, 107, 108, no, 112, 120, 121, 
 
 127. 133. 134, 142, 146, 171. I75> 
 179, 182, 188, 198, 199, 200, 201, 
 203, 213, 215, 227, 229, 234, 243, 
 251, 253, 264, 269, 270. 
 
 Carter, Rebecca {daughter of Council- 
 lor Carter), jo. 
 
 Carter, Robert,^ The "King," xvii, 
 
 lOI. 
 
 Carter, Robert,'' of Nomini (father of 
 the Councillor), builder of Nomini 
 Hall, xvii ; grave at Nomini Hall, 
 loi ; joi. 
 
 Carter, Robert,' "The Councillor," 
 xiv, XV, xvi, sketch of, xvii-xx ; 
 the Nomini Hall estate, xvii ; xix, 
 XX, applies to Dr. Witherspoon for 
 
$p» 
 
 INDEX 
 
 a tutor, 35 ; jj, ^7, Fithian arrives 
 at home of, 49 ; 4<p, 50, 50, returns 
 from Williamsburg, 52 ; 53, 55, 57, 
 an accomplished musician, 58 ; col- 
 lection of musical instruments, 59 ; 
 description of the harmonica, ^g ; 
 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, fellow-member 
 with Philip Ludwell Lee in the 
 governor's council, 65 / 66, 67, 68, 
 69, 70, list of the children of Robert 
 and Frances A. T. Carter jo-yi ; 
 13< 74. 75. 76, invention for tuning 
 harpsichord, 77 ; 78, 79, 82, Fith- 
 ian's high opinion of his character 
 and attainments, 83 ; 84, 86, 87, 
 88, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 
 100, disapproves of public burying 
 grounds, loi ; 103, to manufacture 
 30,000 bushels of wheat in his new 
 mill, 104; 105, 106, 109, no. III, 
 112, 113, 114, opinion concerning 
 poetry, 115 ; 118, 119, 120, 121, 
 124, 124, 127, I2J, large estate, 
 possessions in Virginia and Mary- 
 land, 128 ; description of the Nom- 
 ini Hall mansion, 129 ; the granary 
 and mill, 131 ; 132, 133, would 
 leave his fortune to the most capa- 
 ble of his sons in business, 134, 135, 
 136, 137, liquor distilled from per- 
 simmons, 138 ; the dance at Nomini 
 Hall, 139 ; 140, plans with other 
 gentlemen to establish a town at 
 Horn Point, Va., 141 ; 142, 143, 
 145, emancipated many oj his slaves, 
 14s ; letter to Dr. Witherspoon ap- 
 proving Fithian's method of teach- 
 ing, 147 ; 14S, travels to Williams- 
 burg, 149; 160, 166, 170, 171, 172, 
 refuses to allow the family to ob- 
 serve the fast, to be kept upon 
 going into effect of the Boston 
 Port Bill, 172 ; 173, 175, sets out 
 for Williamsburg, 176, his library, 
 177; number of volumes, 17J ; re- 
 turns from Williamsburg, 187, 189, 
 190, 194, igS, 199, a nephew of 
 Landon Carter, 200 ; 205, 207, 208, 
 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 
 216, 219, 220, 225, 228, regularity 
 of his life. 229 ; member of the 
 vestry of Cople Parish, 230 ; 2jo, 
 231, 232, 233, 235, 238, 239, 240, 
 disposition of his estate in the event 
 of his death, 241 ; 243, 246, 247, 
 
 249, 2£o, imports a new coach from 
 London, 251 ; 252, 253, 254, is not 
 pleased with Parson Smith's sen- 
 timents of slavery, 256 ; 259, tea 
 and patriotism, 261 ; 262, pays 
 Fithian ;^40 for his year's services 
 263 ; 265, 277, scholarly attain- 
 ments, 278 ; analysis of his library, 
 279 ; 280, 282, 288, 293. 
 Carter, Robert* (son of Councillor 
 Carter), commences school under 
 Fithian, his studies, 50 ; 54, 67, 
 68, 7/, 72, 73, 75, 76, disposition 
 and character, 84; 86, 87, 89, 91, 
 92, 93, 94, 97, 103, 106, 107, 108, 
 109, no, 114, 115, 117, 118, 119, 
 121, 124, 125, 126, 127, 130, 132, 
 
 134. 137. 140. 170. 171. 173. 176, 
 177, 178, 180, 181, 183, 185, 188, 
 196, 197, 198, 200, 201, 206, 207, 
 211, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 
 225, 226, 229, 230, 235, 236, 240, 
 243, 246, passion for horses, 253 ; 
 262, 263, 264, 267, letter of Philip 
 Fithian, to, 301, 302. 
 
 Carter, R. R. {^of Shirley), xx ; Ed. 
 of Carter Family Chart, 70. 
 
 Carter, Sally (^daughter of Councillor 
 Carter), 7/. 
 
 Carter, Sophia [daughter of Council- 
 lor Carter), 7/. 
 
 Century Dictionary, 62. 
 
 Chantilly, Westmoreland County, Vir- 
 ginia, xvi, xvii, ST, 264, 264- 
 
 Charles County, Md., 1^2. 
 
 Charlotte Sophia, Queen of England, 
 99, 105, 190. 
 
 Chatham, Earl of. See Pitt, William. 
 
 Cheeseman, Mrs., 165, 166. 
 
 Chelton, Captain, 49, 96. 
 
 Chesapeake Bay, 59, 120, 154. 
 
 Chester River, Md., 274. 
 
 Chesterfield, Lord, Letters to his Son, 
 258. 
 
 Chestertown, Md., 154. 
 
 Chinn, John, 7/. 
 
 Christian, Frank, 218. 
 
 Christian, Master, 269. 
 
 Christian, Mr., a dancing-master, 49 ; 
 62 ; a strict disciplinarian, 63 ; 64, 
 65, 89, 109, 139, 183, 184, 185, 186, 
 236. 
 
 Christian, Mrs., 236. 
 
 Church of England, xix, //. 
 
 Churchill, Md., 274. 
 
 I 
 
INDEX 
 
 309 
 
 Churchill, Winston, Richard Carvel, 
 xvi. 
 
 Cliosophiaa Club. See CHosophic 
 Society. 
 
 CHosophic Society {of Princeton Col- 
 lege^, organization and prominent 
 founders, ij ; Paper contention 
 with Whig Society, 13-15 ; 14. 
 
 Coffee House, Annapolis, Md., 153, 
 273. 
 
 Cohansey, N. J., 18, 20, 36, 60, 70, 
 82, 91, 143, 154, 155, 156, 158, 164, 
 166, 175, 216, 231, 235, 262, 269, 
 280, 297, 299, 301. 
 
 Cohansey Creek, .V. jf., xv. 
 
 Cohansey Tea Party, xiv, xv. 
 
 Colchester, Va., 48, 49. 
 
 Cole's Point, Westmoreland Co., Va., 
 xix. 
 
 College of Philadelphia, 2jg. 
 
 Colston, William, aoo. 
 
 Columbia University, qq. 
 
 Concord, N. H., ji. 
 
 Congress, Continental, 229, 230, 235. 
 239, 258, 259, 262, 265, 266, 269, 
 298 ; Virginia delegates of IJ74, 
 SOI. 
 
 Cook, 21, 167. 
 
 Cook, Miss, 298. 
 
 Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, 
 Va. , Thomas Smith rector in 1774, 
 JI, 74 ; list of the vestry in 17JJ. 
 
 Corbin, 149. 
 
 Corbin, Gawin (of Peckatone), ij6. 
 
 Corbin, Gawin (of Yew Spring), 185, 
 notice of, i8j, 250. 
 
 Corbin, Jane, 52, 55, notice of jj ; 
 56, 60, 63, 66, 89, no, 138, 139, 
 146, 147, 148, 185, i8j, 201, 250, 
 256, 262, 263. 
 
 Corbin, Martha. See Turberville, 
 Martha Corbin. 
 
 Corbin, Richard {of Laneville) , I4q. 
 
 Cormans, N. J., 27, 
 
 Cornstalk, Indian chief, 248. 
 
 Corotoman, Lancaster Co., Va., xvii. 
 
 Cox, 67, 182. 
 
 Cox, Fleet, 2jo. 
 
 Cumberland County, N. J., xiv, xv, 
 80, iij. 
 
 Cumberland Island, Ga., qj. 
 
 Cunningham, 52, 53, 58, 66, 92, 94, 
 99, 121, 141, 143, 171, 202, 214. 
 
 Cunningham, Jack, 96. 
 
 Cuaniagham, Miss, 298. 
 
 Daily North .\>»f,ric.\n, iij. 
 
 Davjkins, Henry, Ss' Co. [Publishers), 
 158. 
 
 Debow, John, 35, jj. 
 
 Decatur, Stephen, duel with fames 
 Barron, 48. 
 
 Deerfield, N. J., /, 3, 36, 38,55, 
 157. 159. 161, 163, 277, 280, 283, 
 286. 
 
 Delaware Indians, campaign against 
 in 1774, 248. 
 
 Delaware River, 47, go, 282. 
 
 Dennis, Capt., 171, 172. 
 
 Dennis, Sarah, xv. 
 
 Digges, Edivard, 201. 
 
 Digges, Ignatius, 153, ijj. 
 
 Digges, Mary, ijj. 
 
 Dobby, Capt., 182, 183, 218, 220, 
 221, 222. 
 
 Donaldson, 167, 
 
 Donnald, Nathaniel, Jr., 234 ; letter 
 of Philip Fithian, to, 299 ; 2qg, 300. 
 
 Donnell, Mrs. Anna {wife of Na- 
 thaniel Donnell), 299. 
 
 Donnell, Nathaniel, 2gq. 
 
 Dorset, England, 141. 
 
 Duffield, John, 238, 2j8. 
 
 Dumfries, Va., 48, 95, 113, 128, 261. 
 
 Dunlap, John, 182, 182. 
 
 Dunmore, Countess of, arrives at 
 New York, 104, 105, 127. 
 
 Dunmore, John Murray, Earl of, 
 threatened incursion upon Carter es- 
 tate, in 1776, xix ; 99, qq, 105 ; dis- 
 solves the Virginia Assembly, 171, 
 ///, 190 ; orders election of bur- 
 gesses, 202 ; expedition against the 
 Indians, 248, 248, 260, 280. 
 
 East Hampton, N. Y., xiv. 
 
 East India College, Hertford, Eng 
 land, 107. 
 
 Edinburgh, Scotland, 70, 2j8. 
 
 Edinburgh University, 151. 
 
 Edmundson, Dolly, 223. 
 
 Edwards, Jonathan, and Princeton 
 College, 2q. 
 
 Edwards, Miss, 201. 
 
 Edwards, Thomas, 257, 258. 
 
 Elmer, Jonathan, created a member of 
 the Am. Philosophical Society, 113; 
 sketch of, 1 1 J. 
 
 Elmer, Lucius Q. C, Hist, of Cum- 
 berland Co. {N. J.), XX. 
 
 Elsinborough, N. J., 156. 
 
3IO 
 
 INDEX 
 
 England, xiv, xviii, 53, 54, 55, 171, 
 
 233, 282. 
 Essex Co., Va., 7^9. 
 Evans, Israel, letter to Philip Fithian, 
 
 30 ; sketch of, ji ; 165. 
 Ewing, 159, 167. 
 Ewing, Amy, 162, 163. 
 Ewing, James, 216. 
 
 Fairfax, Lord Thomas, xvH. 
 
 Fairfield, N. J., 2S6. 
 
 Fantleroy. See Fauntleroy. 
 
 Fauntleroy, 56, 62, 70, 104, iii, 118, 
 127, 139, 140. 
 
 Fauntleroy, Aphia, 201, 224. 
 
 Fauntleroy, Dr., 79. 
 
 Fauntleroy, Harry, 54, 270, 271. 
 
 Fauntleroy, Mrs., 118. 
 
 Fauntleroy, Samuel, 103. 
 
 Fauntleroy, William, 49, 55, 224. 
 
 Fenning's Arithmetic, 55. 
 
 Ferguson, Andrew, 166. 
 
 Fibbs, Capt., 242. 
 
 Field, Mrs., 39. 
 
 Fisher, 53, 259. 
 
 Fithian, 155, 156. 
 
 Fithian, Amos (son of Joseph ' Fith- 
 ian), 157, 161. 
 
 Fithian, Enoch ' {son of William ' 
 Fithian), xiv. 
 
 Fithian, Enoch'' (son of Joseph' Fith- 
 ian), transcribes papers of Philip 
 Fithian, xv ; an invalid, 12. 
 
 Fithian, Enoch^ [^son of Joel Fithian), 
 inherits Philip Fithian' s papers, xv. 
 
 Fithian, Esther ', xv. 
 
 Fithian, Esther ^, xv. 
 
 Fithian family, sketch of, xiv~xv. 
 
 Fithian, Hannah ', xiv. 
 
 Fithian, Hannah ^, xv, 
 
 Fithian, Hannah Vickers (wife of 
 Joseph Fithian), marriage, xv ; let- 
 ter to her son, Philip Fithian, at 
 Princeton College, 10 ; letter to 
 P. F. concerning his soul's welfare, 
 II ; letter of P. F. to, 16; death 
 of, 21. 
 
 Fithian, Jeremiah [son of Josiah ' 
 Fithian), xv. 
 
 Fithian, Joel, marries Elizabeth, 
 widow of Philip Fithian, xv. 
 
 Fithian, John ^ [son of Samuel ' Fith- 
 ian), XV. 
 
 Fithian, John ' (son of Josiah ' Fith- 
 ian), XV. 
 
 Fithian, Joseph ' (son of Josiah' Fith- 
 ian), marriage to Hannah Vickers, 
 XV ; letter from his son, Philip 
 Fithian, asking to be sent to school, 
 I ; letter of P. F. to, gratitude for 
 his schooling, 3 ; letter from P. F. 
 at Princeton College, to, describing 
 some of the customs of that place, 
 6; 12, letter from P. F. to, 18; 
 death of. 21 ; 21. 
 
 Fithian, Joseph^ {son of Joel Fithian), 
 
 XV. 
 
 Fithian, Josiah^ {son of Samuel^ 
 Fithian), xv. 
 
 Fithian, Josiah'^ (son of Josiah ' Fith- 
 ian), XV. 
 
 Fithian, Margaret {wife of William 
 Fithian), xiv. 
 
 Fithian, Martha, xiv. 
 
 Fithian, Mary C, sketch of Fithian 
 family, xiv ; .vx. 
 
 Fithian, Mathias {son of Samuel^ 
 Fithian), xv. 
 
 Fithian, Philip Vickers (son of Joseph ' 
 Fithian), sketch of, xiii ; account 
 of his journals and papers, xiii— 
 XV ; sketch of his ancestry and life, 
 by Mary C. Fithian, xiv, xv ; im- 
 pressions of the life and customs of 
 Virginia contained in his journal, 
 XV, xvi ; xviii, letter to his father, 
 asking that he may be sent to 
 school, I ; /, letter to his father, 
 expressing gratitude for his school- 
 ing, 3 ; letter to his father, describ- 
 ing the manners and customs of 
 Princeton College, 6 ; letter from his 
 mother, Hannah Fithian, admon- 
 ishing religion, 10 ; letter of Han- 
 nah Fithian, to, 1 1 ; fnember of the 
 Whig Society, ij ; letter of John 
 McCalla, to, 15 ; letter to his 
 mother, the advantage of an educa- 
 tion, 16 ; letter to his father, 18 ; 
 extract from an oration on Fash- 
 ions ; a college exercise, 19 ; letter of 
 Andrew Hunter, Sr., to, announc- 
 ing death of his parents, 20 -,20, let- 
 ter of Andrew Hunter, Jr., to, reli- 
 gious revivals at Princeton College, 
 
 21 ; exercise at college commence- 
 ment of 1772, on Political Jealousy, 
 
 22 : letter of John Beatty, to, 27 ; 
 letter of Oliver Reese, to, 27 ; let- 
 ter of Andrew Hunter, Jr., to 28 ; 
 
INDEX 
 
 311 
 
 letter of Israel Evans, to, Princeton 
 College and turkey stealing, 30 ; 
 letter of Oliver Reese, to, a divinity 
 student and the ladies, 31 ; letter of 
 William Smith, to, Princeton news, 
 32 ; letter of Andrew Hunter, Jr., 
 to, 35 ; letter to Andrew Hunter, 
 Jr., 36 ; letter of William Smith de- 
 scribing improvements at Princeton, 
 to, 38 ; letter to Dr. Witherspoon, 
 the dissatisfaction of his relatives 
 upon his going to Va., 40 ; letter 
 of Andrew Hunter, Jr., to, 41 ; 
 letter of William Smith, to, describ- 
 ing the college commencement of 
 1773, 42 ; leaves Greenwich, N. J., 
 for Virginia, 47 ; account of the 
 journey, 47-49 ; 47, arrival at Coun- 
 cillor Carter's, 49 ; commences his 
 school, his scholars and their studies, 
 50 ; jj, first impressions of Vir- 
 ginia, 58 ; daily life at Nomini 
 Hall, 60 ; preference for Cohan- 
 sey, 61 ; bi, describes Mr. Chris- 
 tian's dancing lessons, 63 ; Christ- 
 mas in Va., 71, 72 ; appreciation of 
 the Councillor and Mrs. Carter, and 
 the family at Nomini Hall, 83 ; Mrs. 
 Carter, 83 ; the "Councillor," 83 ; 
 the Nomini household, 84, 85 ; 90, 
 attends the ball given by " Squire " 
 Lee at Lee Hall, 95 ; meets a fel- 
 low-student, Henry Lee (Light- 
 Horse Harry), 95 ; account of the 
 ball, 95, 96 ; predicts rapid growth 
 of the Colonies, 104 ; " Bushfield," 
 home of J. A. Washington, 109 ; 
 account of James Waddell, the 
 blind preacher, 118 ; 120, 122, de- 
 scription of Nomini Hall, 127-132 ; 
 Hickory Hill, home of John Tur- 
 ben'ille, 141 ; thinks slaves should 
 be sold, 145 ; the Councillor's ap- 
 proval of his method of teaching, 
 147 ; Mt. Airy, home of Col. John 
 Tayloe, 148 ; visits New Jersey, 
 152-167 ; attends meeting of Pres- 
 bytery at Philadelphia, and an ac- 
 count of the examination of candi- 
 dates, 165 : his examination before 
 the Presbytery, 166 ; the return to 
 Virginia and the difficulties of the 
 journey, 167-170 ; love of solitude 
 and retirement, 174 ; catalogue of 
 Councillor Carter's library, 177; 
 
 191, comments on the new London 
 fashions, 192 ; 195, ig6, ig8, 199, 
 205, 206, 207, 208, 211, 213, visit 
 to Mt. Airy, 220 ; dissipation and 
 the Virginia fevers, 221 ; entertain- 
 ment aboard the " Beaufort," 221 ; 
 the ball at Hobbe's Hole, 223, 224 ; 
 regular habits a safeguard against 
 disease, 229 ; a foreboding of his 
 death, 232 ; visits Squire Richard 
 Lee at Lee Hall, 234 ; an evening 
 at Hickory Hill — the company and 
 conversation, 236 ; the practice of 
 fighting and the trivial causes, 242, 
 243 ; reflects on his life at Prince- 
 ton College, 256 ; is paid for his 
 year's service as tutor, 263 ; false 
 impression concerning intemperance 
 and impiety in Virginia., 266 ; visits 
 Dr. Thompson, view from his house, 
 268, 269 : peculiarities of disposi- 
 tion, 268 ; resigns to John Peck, 
 the succeeding tutor, regrets at leav- 
 ing, 270; leaves Nomini Hall, 271 ; 
 arrives in New Jersey, 274 ; letter 
 to Rev. Enoch Green, 277 ; letter 
 to Rev. Enoch Green, his arrival in 
 Virginia, and an account of the 
 family at Nomini Hall, 278 ; 2jq, 
 letter to Andrew Hunter, Sr., sym- 
 pathy with Boston, upon the closing 
 of that port, 280 ; letter to John 
 Peck, 282 ; letter to George Fair- 
 fax Lee, 283 ; letter to John Peck, 
 his successor as tutor at Nomini 
 Hall, a g^ide and an introduction 
 to the difficulties of the position, 
 283 ; warns Peck against hasty pre- 
 judices, 296 ; letter to Peletiah Web- 
 ster, 298 ; letter to Nathaniel Don- 
 nald, Jr., 299 ; letter to John Mc- 
 Calla, Jr., 300; letter to Rob- 
 ert Carter, Jr., and Harry Willis, 
 301. 
 
 Fithian, Rebecca, ig. 
 
 Fithian, Snmtiel^ {son of IVilliam ' 
 Fithian), xiv, xv. 
 
 Fithian, Samuel^ {son of SamtieP 
 Fithian, ) xv. 
 
 Fithian, Samuel' (son of Josiah' Fith- 
 ian), XV, 176, 177. 
 
 Fithian, Sarah^, xiv. 
 
 Fithian, Sarah', xv. 
 
 Fithian, Seeley, 157. 
 
 Fithian, Tempy, 167. 
 
312 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Fithian, Thomas (son of Joseph ' Fith- 
 ian), 12. 
 
 Fithian, William ', xiv. 
 
 Fithian, William'^, {soil of Samuel^ 
 Fithian), xv. 
 
 Flood, Dr., 54, 148. 
 
 Foate's Sketches in Virginia, 118. 
 
 Ford, Miss, 224. 
 
 Ford, Mrs., 108. 
 
 Fort Washington, N. Y., xiii, i^y. 
 
 Frankfort, Pa,, J4. 
 
 Franklin, Benjamin, ^g, iij. 
 
 Franklin, William, Gov. of N. J., at- 
 tends Princeton College commence- 
 ment in 1773, 43 ; 4j. 
 
 Franks, Dr., 76, 88, no. 
 
 Frederick, Md., 155. 
 
 Frederick County, Va., manufacture 
 of gunpowder in, 214 
 
 Fredericksburg, Va., 65, 113, 266. 
 
 Freneau, Philip, g. 
 
 Gaa, Gilbert, 39, jg. 
 
 Gage, Thomas, Governor of Mass., 
 
 255- 
 Galloway, Nancy, 152. 
 Garrot, Miss, 225. 
 Gaskins, Elizabeth, 201, 201. 
 Gaskins, Thomas, 201. 
 Gentleman's Magazine, 114. 
 George III, King of England, xix, 
 
 99, 105. 116, igo, 204. 
 Georgetown, D. C, 48. 
 Georgetown, Kent County, Md., 154, 
 
 155, 168. 
 Georgia, gj. 
 Germany, 219. 
 
 Gibbern. See Giberne, Isaac Wil- 
 liam. 
 Giberne, Isaac William, 50 ; sketch 
 
 of,jo; 56, 96, 112, 118, 172, 293. 
 Giger, J. Musgrave, History of the 
 
 Cliosophic Society, ij. 
 Glebe, Westmoreland Co., Va., 210, 
 
 230. 
 Glenn, Thomas Allen, Some Colonial 
 
 Mansions, xvii, xix, xx, jg, yi, 
 
 128, 2JI. 
 
 Gloucester, N. J., 27. 
 Glover, 22, 22, 30. 
 Goodlet, 64, 103, 104. 
 Gorden, 55. 
 Graham, Dr., 250. 
 
 Great Britain, 28/ ; Parliament of, 
 116, 171. 
 
 Great Meadows, Va., xviii, 128. 
 
 Green, Ashbel, 2g. 
 
 Green, Enoch, i, 29, 36, 55, sketch 
 "/' SS' 80, 157, 159, 160, 216, let- 
 ter of Philip Fithian, to, 277 ; 
 letter of Philip Fithian, to, 278 ; 
 283, 
 
 Green, Mary Beatty (wife of Enoch 
 Green), 29, 36, marriage, _^j ; 157, 
 164, 277, 280. 
 
 Greene, Nathaniel, g^. 
 
 Greenman, 159. 
 
 Greenman, Thomas, 157. 
 
 Greenwich, N. J., xiv, Fithian family 
 of, XV ; tea-burning at, xv ; xx, i, 
 7, ID, II, 40, 41, 47, 4.7 ; deaths at 
 in winter of 1774, 156; 159, 160, 
 162, 164, ig7, 280. 
 
 Gregory, in, 120, 126. 
 
 Grigg, Capt., 60, 89, 122. 
 
 Grigsby, Hugh Blair, The Virginia 
 Convention of 1776, 4.8. 
 
 Grubb, 186, 189, igo, 191, 227, 233, 
 234, 236, 238. 
 
 Guthrie, Capt., 204. 
 
 Gwinn's Falls, Maryland, 128. 
 
 Hageman, John F., Princeton and 
 its Institutions, xx, jo, jj, J4, jg. 
 
 Hale, Priscilla, 139, 183, description 
 of, 185 ; 236. 
 
 Halifax, N. S., 158. 
 
 Halkinson, Mrs., 272. 
 
 Hamilton, 58, 112, 259. 
 
 Hammond, Henry, Exposition of the 
 New Testament, 173. 
 
 Hannah, Mrs., 157. 
 
 Hanover County, Va., 201. 
 
 Harlem Heights, battle of, xiii. 
 
 Harrison, 112. 
 
 Harrison, Benjamin (the Signer), 260, 
 260 ; delegate to the Continental Con- 
 gress, JOI. 
 
 Harrison, Col. (of Maryland), 98. 
 
 Hasard, 13, 14, 18. 
 
 Heard, Nathaniel, xiii, 7. 
 
 Heith, 37. 
 
 Henley, Samuel, dispute with John 
 Bracken, 107 ; sketch of, 107 ; 127. 
 
 Henry, Patrick, delegate to the Conti- 
 nental Congress, 300. 
 
 Henry, Robert, History of Great 
 Britain, 249 ; 24g. 
 
 Henry, William Wirt, Lift of Patrick 
 Henry, 381. 
 
INDEX 
 
 313 
 
 Hickorj' Hill, Westmoreland County, 
 Va., -x-vi, home of John Tnrberville, 
 55 >■ 79^ SJ^ '3t>> '^5^ 200. 
 
 Hills, David, 156. 
 
 Hire. See Hyer, Jacob. 
 
 Hitchcock, Mrs. hdzuard W.,xiii, xv, 
 
 XX. 
 
 Hobbe's Hole, Va., 72, 127, 149, 177. 
 
 194, 21S, 220, importance as a 
 
 shipping center, 221 ; account of a 
 
 ball at, 223 ; 280. 
 Hodge, 261. 
 
 HoUingshead, Miss, 166. 
 Hollingshead, Sally, 104. 
 HoUingshead, William, xv, 160, 161, 
 
 301. 
 Hollingshead, Mrs. William, 301. 
 Homer, 173. 
 Horn Point, Va., 122, 123, 124, plan 
 
 to establish a town at, 141. 
 Home, George, Bishop of Norwich, 
 
 144. 
 Hoshel, 161, 164. 
 Hoshel, Michael, 47. 
 Houston, William Churchill, 34, sketch 
 
 ".f' 34- 
 Howel, 163, 164, 167. 
 Howel, Dicky, 160. 
 Hudibras Inn, Princeton, N. J., jo, 
 
 39- 
 
 Hunt, 153. 
 
 Hunter, Andrew, Sr., 7, 10; letter to 
 Philip Fithian, 20 ; 21, 80, 80, 93, 
 156- 157. 158, 159. 162, 164, 165, 
 175. 177. 216, 269, 280, letter of 
 Philip Fithian, to, 280. 
 
 Hunter, Mrs. Andrew, 164, 282. 
 
 Hunter, Andrew, Jr. (son of David 
 Hunter), a member of the Cohansey 
 Tea Party, xv ; enters Princeton 
 College with Philip Fithian, 7 ; 
 sketch of, J ; 10, II, letter to Philip 
 Fithian, 21 ; letter to Philip Fithian 
 acquainting him with the opportu- 
 nity of going to Va. as tutor, 35 ; 
 jj, letter of Philip Fithian, to, 36 ; 
 letter to Philip Fithian, 41 ; 157, 
 216, 282. 
 
 Hunter, David, 7. 
 
 Hunter, John, 2j8. 
 
 Hunter, IVilliam, editor of ike Virginia 
 Gazette, isy. 
 
 Hunterdon County, N. J., 34.. 
 
 Hut, Mrs., 103. 
 
 Hutchinson, Thomas {Gov. of Mass.), 
 burned in effigy by Princeton stu- 
 dents, 1^0 ; i6j. 
 
 Hyer, Jacob, 30, 30, 31, 34, 39, jg. 
 
 Imlay, William Eugene, 41, 41. 
 Indians, expedition against, by Gov. 
 
 Dunmore in 1774, 248 ; 248. 
 Isle of Wight County, Va., 191. 
 
 James, Damon, 274. 
 
 James River, Va., 233. 
 
 Jameson, J. Franklin, xiv, xxi. 
 
 Jennifer, Thomas, 269. 
 
 Jennings, 58, 141. 
 
 Jones, 30. 
 
 Jones, Elizabeth, i8j, 201. 
 
 Jones, Mary Bathurst, jgs. 
 
 Jones, Miss., 138. 
 
 Jones, Roger, jj. 
 
 Jones, Thomas, 104, 18^, iqa. 
 
 Jones, Thomas ap Catesby, jj. 
 
 Jones, Thomas ap Thotnas \^of Bath- 
 urst'), 7/. 
 
 Jones, Walter, 70, sketch of , yo ; ill, 
 112, created a member of the Am. 
 Philosoph. Society, 113 ; 182, 188, 
 227. 
 
 Jones, Mrs. Walter, 112. 
 
 Joneses Falls, Maryland, 128. 
 
 Junius' Letters, 144, 145. 
 
 Keimer, Samuel, //j. 
 Keith, 165. 
 
 Kent Island, Md., 273. 
 Kepple, Patrick, 15. 
 King, Andrew, 22, 30. 
 Kings College, N. Y., confers degree 
 upon Gov. Tryon, gg. 
 
 Laidler, Mrs., 170, 271, 272. 
 
 Lancaster County, Va., 118. 
 
 Lane, 135, 233, 234. 
 
 Lane, Joseph, 66, 121, 122, 123, 242, 
 
 263. 
 Lane, Mrs. Joseph, 95, 94, 95, 97, 
 
 234- 
 Lane, Joseph F. (of Loudon Co.), 
 
 1X2, 112, 113, 114, 117, 121, 133. 
 Laneville, Virginia, seat of Richard 
 
 Corbin, i4g. 
 Leake, John, 157. 
 Leake, Nathan, 159. 
 Leake, Samuel, Jr., 150, sketch of 
 
 1^0; 160, /^f, 214, 264. 
 
314 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Lebanon Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa., 
 1 66. 
 
 Lee, xvi, 66, 93, 137, 237. 
 
 Lee (of Augusta Co.), 97. 
 
 Lee (son of Richard Lee of Md.), 152. 
 
 Lee, Edmund Jennings, Lee of Vir- 
 ginia, XX, 55, 87, IS2, igi. 
 
 Lee, Elizabeth (daughter of George 
 Lee of Mt. Pleasant), 191, notice 
 of, igi ; described by Fithian, 192, 
 193 ; 201, 214, 228, 233, 236, 237. 
 
 Lee, Elizabeth (daughter of John Lee 
 of Essex Co.), 66, 66, described by 
 Fithian, 185 ; i8s- 
 
 Lee, Elizabeth Steptoe (wife Philip 
 Ludwell Lee), 63, 65. 
 
 Lee, Francis Lightfoot, 98, sketch of, 
 g8 ; 147, married Rebecca Tayloe, 
 i4g ; visited by Fithian, 174 ; 265. 
 
 Lee, George (son of Thos. Ludwell 
 Lee of Bellevue), g6. 
 
 Lee, George (of Mt. Pleasant), ^j,jj, 
 gj, i8g, igi, member of Cople 
 Parish Vestry, 2jo. 
 
 Lee, George Fairfax (son of George 
 Lee of Mt. Pleasant), jj, 55, jj, 
 56,56, 69, 96, g6, 141, 186, notice 
 of, i8g ; 191, igr, 214, 215, 218, 
 227, 236, letter of Philip Fithian, 
 to, 283, 28j. 
 
 Lee, Hancock, gS. 
 
 Lee, Henry (of Leesylvania), 95, 
 sketch of, gj, 96. 
 
 Lee, Henry (" Light Horse Harry "), 
 student at Princeton College, xiii ; 
 g, ij, 43, 4j, 66, attends the ball at 
 Lee Hall, 95 ; sketch of, gj ; visits 
 Nomini Hall, 103 ; loj. 
 
 Lee Hall, Westmoreland Co., Va., 
 xvi, 82, residence of " Squire '' 
 Richard Lee, go ; grand ball given 
 at, 94-97 ; loj, no, 2J0, 269. 
 
 Lee, John {of Essex Co.), /8j. 
 
 Lee, John (of Orange Co.), 98, g8, 
 105, 138- 
 
 Lee, Lancelot (son of George Lee of 
 Mt. Pleasant), 53, notice of, jj- ; 
 57, 189, 191, marriage, igi, 192, 
 203, 214, 236, 258, 259. 
 
 Lee, Mary Willis {-wife of Hancock 
 Lee), g8. 
 
 Lee, Matilda, 66, notice of 66 ; gS- 
 
 Lee, Miss, 186, 236. 
 
 Lee, Philip {of "Blenheim," Md.), 
 152- 
 
 Lee, Philip Ludwell, 65, sketch of, 
 6s ; 66, 87, 89, gs, 139, 171, 185, 
 207, 210. 
 
 Lee, Rebecca Tayloe (wife of Francis 
 L. Lee), 265. 
 
 Lee, Richard, "Squire" (of Lee 
 Hall), 82, sketch of, 82 ; go, gives 
 a ball at Lee Hall, 94-97 ; 103, 
 136. 137. 141. 181, 182, i8g. 194, 
 230, 2JO, attends the Congress, 
 234 ; 283. 
 
 Lee, Richard, "Squire" (of Mary- 
 land), 152, sketch of, IJ2. 
 
 Lee, Richard Henry, xix, 48, 57, 
 sketch of, S7 ; gS, g8, 201, chosen 
 delegate to Congress, 229 ; 23g, 
 258, 264, joo. 
 
 Lee, Robert Edward, gj. 
 
 Lee, Thomas [of Stratford), 48, 65, 
 66, 87, g8, 1 8s. 
 
 Lee, Thomas Ludwell (of Bellevue), 
 48, sketch of, 48 ; 49, g6. 
 
 Lee, Thomas Sim (Gov. of Md.), 1S3. 
 
 Leech, 261. 
 
 Leeds, Virginia, 104, 251, 261. 
 
 Leek. See Leake. 
 
 Leesylvania, Prince William Co., Va., 
 seat of Henry Lee, gs. 
 
 Lewis, Andrew, defeats Lndians under 
 Cornstalk at Point Pleasant, 248. 
 
 Lewis, Betty, 71. 
 
 Livingston, Henry Brockholst, g, 30. 
 
 Livingston, William (Gov. of H. /.), 
 
 33- 
 
 Lloyd, Edward (Gov. of Md.), 14^. 
 
 Lomax, Thomas (of Caroline Co."), I4g. 
 
 London, England, 59, 60, 176, 181, 
 189, 192, 272, 281. 
 
 Long Island, 28. 
 
 Long Lsland, battle of, xiii. 
 
 Longstreet, Richard, j6. 
 
 Loudon County, Va., 9c?, 113, Bap- 
 tists in, 117 ; 138, 174. 
 
 Lowe, 142, 151, 166, 186, 187, 203, 
 206, 218, 237, 238, 270. 
 
 Lunenburg Parish, Richmond Co., 
 Va. , so. 
 
 Lyon, James, 158, sketch of, is8. 
 
 Lynn, 37. 
 
 McCall, Miss, 224. 
 
 McCalla, 166. 
 
 McCalla, John, letter to Philip Fith- 
 ian, 15 ; 27, 234, letter of Philip 
 Fithian, to, 300. 
 
INDEX 
 
 315 
 
 McCorkle, Samuel Eusebius, 35, 35. 
 
 McFarland, ji . 
 
 Machodoc River, Va., 208, descrip- 
 tion of, 2og ; 210. 
 
 McKenzie, 2j8. 
 
 Maclean, John, Hist, of the College of 
 N.J., XX, 22, 2g, 42, ijo. 
 
 Madison, Janus, xiii, g, ij, 106, 2g8. 
 
 Madison, James {bishop of Va.), loy. 
 
 Manning, 39. 
 
 Marcus Hook, Pa., 166. 
 
 Marshall, 84, 198. 
 
 Mary, Queen of England, lob. 
 
 Maryland, xvii, xviii, 50, 5g, 61, 93, 
 98, 102, prevalence of diphtheria, 
 105 ; log, iig, currency, 121, 124, 
 12S, 138. 143, i4g, 152, 132, 133, 
 156, 163, 168, 173, igb, 22g, 230, 
 231, 235, 271, 281. 
 
 Maryland Gazette, xviii. 
 
 Massachusetts, xix, 281 . 
 
 Mathews, 138. 
 
 Mattox Bridge, Va., 152, 271. 
 
 Mattox Church, Va., 152, 170. 
 
 Maund, John, 7/. 
 
 Meade, William [bishop of Va.'), Old 
 Churches and Families of Va., xvi, 
 xix, XX, 5/, 87, i4g, 230. 
 
 Menokin, Richmond Co., Va., seat of 
 Francis Lightfoot Lee, g8. 
 
 Middlesex Co., N.J.,34. 
 
 Middlesex Co., Va., i4g. 
 
 Middleton, 122, 123. 
 
 Middleton, Benedict, 230. 
 
 Middleton, Robert, 230. 
 
 Middleton, Delaware, 168. 
 
 Miller, Squire, 156. 
 
 Mills, Mrs., 156. 
 
 Milton, John, 126, 254. 
 
 Mitchell, Robert, married Priscilla 
 Carter, jj. 
 
 Montcalm, Louis Joseph, Marquis de, 
 113. 
 
 Morgan, 69. 
 
 Morgan, John, 150, sketch of, 130. 
 
 Morris, Robert, 148. 
 
 Mount Airy, Richmond Co., Va., xvi, 
 seat of John Tayloe, 34 ; g8, 124, 
 described by Fithian, 148 ; notice 
 of, 148 ; 179, 201. 
 
 Mounteer. See Mountier, William. 
 
 Mountier, William, 39, notice of, 3g. 
 
 Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland Co., Va., 
 xvii, 33, 33, 3b, 37, 96, i8g, jgi,283. 
 
 Mundy's Point, Va., 124. 
 
 Munro, 268. 
 
 Murray, John. See Dunraore. 
 
 Myrtle Prison Ship, 137. 
 
 Nassau Hall, origin of the name, 
 
 (> ; 33- 
 
 Nassau Hall College. See Princeton 
 College. 
 
 Neal, 125. 
 
 New Castle, Del., 47. 
 
 A^ew Hampshire, 31, Provincial and 
 State Papers, 31. 
 
 Newington, Pa , 123, 188. 
 
 New Jersey, xiii, xiv, xv, xvi, xx, 
 7, 43, 61, 80, climate of, compared 
 with Virginia, loi ; 113, 119, 133, 
 147, 156, 175, igi, 194, ig6, 207, 
 227, 235, 2O9, 274, 281, manners 
 and customs of compared with Vir- 
 ginia, 284, 285 ; wealth and the 
 division of property in, compared 
 with Virginia. 286 ; 287. 
 
 New Jersey Assembly, petition of the 
 inhabitants of Princeton, to, 3g ; 
 286. 
 
 Newton, John. 230. 
 
 Newton, Willowby, 230. 
 
 Newtown, Md., 168. 
 
 New York, burning of the residence 
 of Gov. Tryon by patriots of, gg ; 
 arrival of tea ships, 99 ; gg. Coun- 
 tess of Dunmore arrives at, 104 ; 204. 
 
 Neiu York Assembly, gg. 
 
 Nomini Church, Westmoreland Co., 
 Va. , 52, advertisements on church 
 door, 57 ; 59, log, 2og, 214, 234. 
 
 Nomini Hall, Westmoreland Co., Va., 
 xvi, xvii, burned in 1830, xviii ; 
 xix, the home of Councillor Carter, 
 47 ; Fithian arrives at, 4g ; yearly 
 consumption of provisions at, 121 ; 
 described by Fithian, 127-132 ; 128, 
 170, 201, 210, 212, 215, 262, 278, 
 280, 282, 283, 2g8, 2g9, 300. 
 
 Nomini River, VVestmoreland Co., 
 Va., 59, 73, log, 124, 128, 131, 
 186, 20S, description of, 210; 215, 
 2ig, 255, 26g. 
 
 Norfolk, Va., gi, 204, 210. 
 
 North, Frederick, Earl of Guilford, 
 burned in effigy in Richmond Co., 
 Va., 181. 
 
 Northern Neck of Virginia, xviii, 277. 
 
 Northumberland County, Va., 104, 
 1/8, 183, ig2, 201, 264. 
 
3i6 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Oakley, Mrs., 194, 197, ig8, 199, 
 
 201, 205, 207, 211. 
 Oatlands, Loudon Co., Va., 7/. 
 Ogden, Aaron, g. 
 Ohio River, settlements on, 97. 
 Old Dominion. See Virginia. 
 Oldham, Samuel, sjo. 
 Orange County, Va., g8. 
 
 Page, Mann, i4.g. 
 
 Parker, 202. 
 
 Parks, Thomas, 197. 
 
 Parliament. See Great Britain, Par- 
 liament of. 
 
 Patapsco River, 48. 
 
 Patterson, 162, 163. 
 
 Patterson, Richard, 34, 39, jg. 
 
 Patuxent Ferry, Md., 273. 
 
 Patuxent River, Md., 153, 169. 
 
 Panton, Sally, 142, 143, 144, 146, 171, 
 201, 236. 
 
 Peck, Benjamin, 162. 
 
 Peck, John, xvi, 47, sketch of, 4J ; 
 55, married Ann Carter, ji ; agrees 
 to succeed Fithian at Nomini Hall, 
 160; 163, 166, 177, 189, 211, 216, 
 217, 230, 231, 234, 235, 264, 265, 
 268, arrives at JSIomini, 269 ; 270, 
 letter of Philip Fithian, to, 282 ; 
 28j, letter of Philip Fithian, to, the 
 difficulties of a private tutor, and 
 the customs of Virginia and New 
 Jersey compared, 283-298. 
 
 Peck, Mrs., 27, 157, 163, 164, 265, 
 280. 
 
 Peck, Rachel, 156. 
 
 Peckatone, Westmoreland County, Va., 
 xvi, ij6, seat of George Turber- 
 ville, 1^2. 
 
 "Peggy Stewart," tea-ship, burned at 
 Annapolis, 2JJ. 
 
 Pelham, Peter, chief musician of 
 Williamsburg, Va., jg. 
 
 Pendleton, Edmund, delegate to the 
 Continental Congress, joi. 
 
 Pennsylvania, 133, currency of, 216; 
 281. 
 
 Pennsylvania Gazette, xx, 113, sketch 
 
 "/> ^^3 ; ^n^ ^39' ^99, 301. 
 Pennsylvania Historical Society, xxi ; 
 
 MSS. genealogy of Carter family, 
 
 property of, yo, 7/. 
 Pennsylvania Packet, 182, sketch of, 
 
 182 ; 301. 
 Penn's-Neck Ferry, N. J., 47. 
 
 Petapsko. See Patapsco River. 
 
 Pettit, Lydia, 201, 238. 
 
 Philadelphia, Pa., xiii, xx, 15, 21, 27, 
 42, 43,591 9I1 arrival of tea-ships, 
 99; Jij, 114, 121, 122, 124, 125, 
 137, 146, 148, 150, /JO, 152, 155, 
 164, 165, 186, 204, 229, 230, 234, 
 238, 2jg, 258, a Virginian's opinion 
 of the city, in 1774, 260 ; 262, 279, 
 280, 282, 286, 2g8, 2gg. 
 
 Philadelphia, Presbytery of, xv, 37. 
 
 Pictet, Benedict, Theologia Christi- 
 ana, 50, and frequently. 
 
 Pierce, Miss, 109, 263. 
 
 Pinckard, Mrs. Anne Gas kins, mar- 
 ries, 2d. , Richard Henry Lee, 201. 
 
 Piscataway, Md., 152, described, 153 ; 
 169, 272. 
 
 Piscatua. See Piscataway. 
 
 Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham, 144. 
 
 Plain Dealing Club, of Princeton Col- 
 lege, suppressed, ij. 
 
 Plater, George {Governor of Mary- 
 land), 124. 
 
 Plater, Rebecca. See Tayloe, Rebecca 
 Plater. 
 
 Poijit Pleasant {Va.), battle of, 248. 
 
 Polk, James K. , 22j. 
 
 Poor, Enoch, ji . 
 
 Pope's Homer, 173. 
 
 Port Penn, Del., 155, 156, 167, 168, 
 274. 
 
 Port Tobacco, Md., 152, 169, 170, 
 269, 272. 
 
 Potomac River, 51, 56, 59, 60, 73, 
 7^, 91, 93, 109, //j>, 122, 124, 128, 
 141, 143, 170, 174, 208, 209, 210, 
 231, 233, 269, 272. 
 
 Potter, 39, 157, 161. 
 
 Pratt, Debby, 160, 161, 166, 167, 301. 
 
 P)ince George County, Md., ijj. 
 
 Princeton, N. J., xxi, 6, 18, 28, 31, 
 JI, jj, news items of the town, 
 34 ! 34t 3(>> changes and improve- 
 ments, in 1773, 39; British troops 
 quartered at, jg ; petition to the 
 Assembly, jg ; 4j, 70, 91, 93, 1 12, 
 113, 194, 231, 269, 272. 
 
 Princeton College (Nassau Hall), xiii, 
 xiv, I, known as Nassau Hall, 6; 
 Fithian's account of the life, man- 
 ners, and customs of, 7-10 ; number 
 of students in 1 770, 9 ; }toted men 
 who were at college with Fithian, g ; 
 10, 13, literary sociUies, ij ; stu- 
 
INDEX 
 
 317 
 
 dents from many provinces and 
 countries, 16 ; expulsion of stu- 
 dents, 18 ; 21,21, religious revivals 
 at, 22 ; 22, 28, 2S, 2g, turkey steal- 
 ing, 30 ; j-o. jr^ 33. JJ", 34^ 35^ 
 growth in 1773, 36 ; the new stew- 
 ard, 39 ; 41, tiiKi of commencement 
 changed to June, 42 ; account of the 
 commencement of 1773, 42, 43 ; 
 
 47y SS' <?0, 95. <?J, 103, tI2, I7J, 
 
 122, Gov. Hutchinson hur)ied in 
 effi-gy by the students, r^o ; ijS, 165, 
 tea-burning on the front campus by 
 the students, l6j ; 216, 230, 2jS, 
 hazing in, 1772, and other diver- 
 sions, 256, 257 ; 261, 269, 279, 
 value of an education, 287 ; 290. 
 
 Princeton College, Board of Trustees, 
 7, minutes of, ijo. 
 
 Princeton Council of Safety, fines 
 Jonathan Baldwin for violation of 
 the act of 7777, jj ; 34. 
 
 Princeton University Library, xiii, 
 xxi. 
 
 Prince William County, Va., g^. 
 
 Purchase, Capt., 222, 225. 
 
 Quebec, Canada, //j, 116. 
 Queen Anne County, Md., 173. 
 Queenstown, Queen Anne Co., Md., 
 
 273. 
 Quintan, ji. 
 Quinton's Bridge, N. J., 47. 
 
 Racing and racehorses, race be- 
 tween John Tayloe's " Yorick" and 
 Dr. Flood's "Gift," 54; 148, 168, 
 247, 266. 
 
 Ramsey, James, 157. 
 
 Ramsey, John, 157. 
 
 Ramsey, Mrs., 159. 
 
 Randolph, clerk at Nomini Hall, 73 ; 
 91, 93, 102, 107, 119, 120, 121, 126, 
 130, 144, 172, 178, 197, 217, 220, 
 225, 229, 235, 240, 2^0. 
 
 Randolph, Peyton, xix, delegate to the 
 Continental Congress, joo. 
 
 Ranney, Stephen, 157, 164. 
 
 Rappahannock River, Va., 65, 72, 
 104, 148, 149, 212, 218, 221, 250. 
 
 Reed, Coley, 250. 
 
 Reese, Oliver, letter to Philip Fithian, 
 27 ; sketch of, 28 ; letter to Philip 
 Fithian, 31 ; 35, j>j, 122, 122. 
 
 Reeve, Mrs., 269, 274. 
 
 Reeve, Stephen, 168. 
 
 Reynolds, Joshua, Cottncillor Carter's 
 
 portrait painted by, xviii. 
 Richards, John, 15. 
 Richmond, Va., 113. 
 Richmond County, Va., xx, 47, 49, 
 
 70, 70, gS, III, 14S, i4g. Lord 
 
 North burned in effigy by people of , 
 
 181 ; election of Burgesses in, 206 ; 
 
 224, 126, 226, 2JJ, 234, 270, 283. 
 Richmond County Church, Va., 112, 
 
 124. 
 Richmond County C. H., Va., 53, 
 
 court held at monthly, 82 ; 120, 143, 
 
 175, 219, 263. 
 Richmond County Upper Church, Va. , 
 
 56. 
 Richmond Enquirer, 22j. 
 Riddell, Ann, 7. 
 Rind. William, I2J. 
 Ritchie, Archibald, 223, notice of, 
 
 223; 224. 
 Ritchie, Miss, 223, 224. 
 Ritchie, Thomas. 223. 
 Ritter, FrM^ric Louis, Music in 
 
 America, ij8. 
 Rodman, 271. 
 
 Rock Hall, Md., 153, 154, 168. 
 Rocky Hill, N. J., 27, 31. 
 Rosegill, Middlesex Co., Va., igi. 
 Round Hill Church, King George 
 
 County, Va., 152. 
 Ryley, Miss, 155. 
 Ryley, Mrs. Rachel Stockton, 155. 
 
 Sabine Hall, Richmond County, Va. , 
 i4g, 200, home of Landon Carter, 
 
 200; 201, 226, 233, 2JJ. 
 
 Sanford, 91. 
 
 Sanford, Miss, 109. 
 
 Scotland, merchants, schoolmasters, 
 
 and tutors, in Virginia, from, 58 ; 
 
 /50, 187. 
 Scott, Capt., 124. 
 Seeley, 159. 
 
 Seeley, Ephraim, Jr., 159. 
 Selim, the Algerine, xix. 
 Shawnee Indians, campaign against in 
 
 1774, 248. 
 Shippen, William, Jr., 238, sketch of, 
 
 238. 
 Shirley, Charles City County, Va., 
 
 XX, 70, gj, 224. 
 Simpson, 138, 190. 
 Simpson, John, 135. 
 
3i8 
 
 INDEX 
 
 Simpson, Miss, 57, 
 
 Smith, 137, 139, 252. 
 
 Smith, Philip, 134. 238. 
 
 Smith, Stephen Reeve Silver, 164. 
 
 Smith, Thomas, rector of Cople Par- 
 ish, 51 ; J/, 52, 53, 54, 74, 74, 75, 
 88, 94, 95, 96, 104, 109, 135, 140, 
 141, 171, 186, 202, 210, 214, 226, 
 234, 238, 239, preaches against the 
 abuse of slaves, 255 ; 256, 260. 
 
 Smith, Mrs. Thomas, 75, 140, 238. 
 
 Smith, William Richmond, letter to 
 Philip Fithian, 32 ; notice of, J4 ; 
 letter to Philip Fithian, 38 ; 40, 
 letter to Philip Fithian, the college 
 commencement, Princeton, in 17.73, 
 42, 43- 
 
 Snodgrass, Simon, 15. 
 
 Somerset County, N. J. , ^^4. 
 
 Sons of America, 96. 
 
 Sons of Liberty, 99. 
 
 Sorrel, 246, 247, 255. 
 
 South Hampton, N. Y., xiv. 
 
 South River, Md., 153, 273. 
 
 Spottsytvania County, Va., i4g. 
 
 Sprout, Miss, 165. 
 
 Stadley, a music teacher, 51 ; 56, 
 57, 127, 132, 133, 179, 180, 204, 
 205, 207, 228, 229, 248, 251, 266, 
 267, 
 
 Stafford County, Va., 98. 
 
 Stafford County C. H., Va., 48. 
 
 Stanhope, Sally, 92, no, 134, 171, 
 176, 245, 251, 271. 
 
 Steerman, Miss, 201. 
 
 Steptoe, 140, 171, 259. 
 
 Steptoe, Thomas, 2jo. 
 
 Steward, 155. 
 
 Stewart, Anthony, compelled by citi- 
 zens of Annapolis to burn his brig, 
 the " Peggy Stewart," 273. 
 
 Stockton, Julia, 227. 
 
 Stockton, Mary, 7. 
 
 Stockton, Rachel. See Ryley, Rachel 
 Stockton. 
 
 Stockton,, Richard [^the signer), 7. 
 
 Stratford, Westmoreland County, Va., 
 xvi, xvii, jy, 6j, 66, home of 
 Philip Ludwell Lee, 87 ; notice of, 
 87 ; 89, g8, 210, 253, 254. 
 
 Stuart, House of, John Murray a 
 descendant of, gg. 
 
 Susquehanna River, 47. 
 
 Swedenborg, Emanuel, xx. 
 
 Swift's Works, 231, 253. 
 
 Taliaferro, Polly, 201. 
 Tappahannock, Va.i I4g. See also 
 
 Hobbes Hole. 
 Tasker, 128. 
 
 Tasker, Benjamin, xviii, 102, ig6. 
 Tasker, Frances Ann. See Carter, 
 
 Frances Ann Tasker. 
 Tayloc, xvi. 
 
 Tayloe, Ann Corbin, i4g. 
 Tayloe, Catherine, 149, i4g, 180, 201, 
 
 220. 
 Tayloe, Eleanor, i4g. 
 Tayloe, Elizabeth^, i4g. 
 Tayloe, Elizabeth'^, i4g. 
 Tayloe, Henry A., xx, 148. 
 Tayloe, Jane, i4g. 
 
 Tayloe, John (of Mt. Airy), 54, notice 
 of, ^4; g8, 124, 124, 148, 148, 
 149, i4g, 150, 160, 179, 207, 214, 
 218, 220, 224, 267. 
 Tayloe, Mary, i4g. 
 Tayloe, Polly, 149, 180, 201, 220. 
 Tayloe, Rebecca, g8, I4g. 
 Tayloe, Rebecca Plater (wife of John 
 Tayloe of Mt. Airy), 124, 124, 125, 
 180, 220, 221, 223. 
 Tayloe, Sarah, notice of, 147 ; 201, 
 
 220. 
 Tayloe, William, 148. 
 Taylor, 87, 103, 112, 138, 144, 172, 
 
 183, 212, 233, 246, 252, 264. 
 Taylor's Ferry, Va., 152. 
 Templeton, Harry, 15. 
 Thompson, Dr., 88, 89, 226, 268. 
 Thornton, Mrs., 149, 214, 215, 264. 
 Tibbs, Daniel, 2jo. 
 ToUiver. See Taliaferro. 
 Tory, Society. See Cliosophic Society 
 
 (of Princeton College). 
 Tour de Ville, original spelling of 
 
 Turberville, 141. 
 Trenton, N. J., 31, 32, j4, go, 122, 
 
 188. 
 Tryon, William, Governor of N. Y., 
 patriots of N. Y. burn house of, 
 99; account of , gg ; 105. 
 Turberville, xvi, 66, 141, 213, 214, 
 
 264. 
 Turberville, George (of Hickory Hill), 
 
 136. 
 Turberville, George Richard, 136, no- 
 tice of, ij6 ; 191. 
 Turberville, John (of Hickory Hill), 
 75, 79, 82, 83, }totice of, 8j ; 90, 
 94, no, 119, 121, 131, 140, 141, 
 
INDEX 
 
 319 
 
 143, 171, 177, 181, i8s, 191, 202, 
 
 225, 228, 236, 255, 258, 259, 265, 
 270. 
 
 Turberville, Lettice Corbin, 55, sketch 
 of, 55 ,• 60, 139, 142, 1S5, /(ff, 200, 
 
 226, 250, 263, 265. 
 Turberville, Martha Corbin (wife of 
 
 George Richard Turberville), 136, 
 notice of , / ?6 .■ 141, is 3, 191 ■ 
 
 Turberville, Martha Corbin (wife of 
 John Turberville), 52, 55, 60, 83, 
 140, 142, 19S, 250, 263. 265. 
 
 Turberville, Martha Lee {wife of 
 George Turberville^, ij6. 
 
 Turberville, Sir Payne, 14.1. 
 
 Tyler, Lyon G., xx. 
 
 Tyler's Ferry, Va., 170, 271. 
 
 Tyro's Dictionar)', 55. 
 
 UcoMico Church. See Yeocomico 
 
 Church. 
 Union, The (newspaper) , organ of the 
 
 Polk n:lininistration, 22j. 
 Universal Magazine, 115, 118. 
 University of Pennsylvania, xxi, ijj. 
 Upper Marlborough, Md., 153, 169, 
 
 272, 273. 
 
 Van Doren, Boyd, j>6. 
 
 Vickers, Hannah. See Fithian, Han- 
 nah Vickers. 
 
 Virgil, 19, 120, 132, 133, 134. 
 
 Virginia, xiii, xiv, xv, xvi, ruins of 
 old buildings in Westmoreland Coun- 
 ty, xvii ; xviii, xix, xx, 35, 37, 40, 
 41, 43, 4^, ji, hospitality of the 
 Virginians, 58 ; 59, 70, private bury- 
 ing grounds for the gentry upon their 
 estates, J4 ; 78, 81, 89, 93, 95, sym- 
 pathy for the people of Massachu- 
 setts in their patriotic resistance, 
 99 ; gg, climate of, compared with 
 New Jersey, loi ; prevalence of 
 diphtheria ("putrid quinsy"), 105 ; 
 loj, log, yellow ("jail") fever 
 brought in a ship of convict servants 
 to. III ; itS, 119, 121, 123, 128, 
 135, hospitality of the people of, 
 142; 145, 149, 150, 152, 156, 160, 
 168, 170, the fast to be observed, 
 on the going into effect of the Bos- 
 ton Port Bill, 171 ; feeling among 
 the lower classes in regard to a war 
 with England, 172 ; determined 
 spirit to resist British oppression. 
 
 176 ; 185, 188, i8g, 193, 194, 196, 
 observance of the Sabbath, 202 ; 
 205, 215, 218, 221, 226, prevalence 
 of fever, 228 ; Convention of 1J74, 
 22g ; 229, ornithology, 232; 2jj, 
 Indian hostilities, 248 ; battle of 
 Point Pleasant, 248; 255, "wis- 
 dom and unity to the conferrences 
 now assembled," 261 ; false im- 
 pression concerning intemperance 
 and impiety in Virginia, 266 ; 277, 
 278, 279, the spirit of 1774, 280 ; 
 customs and manners compared with 
 New Jersey, 284, 285 ; wealth and 
 the division of property in, com- 
 pared with New Jersey, 2S6 ; value 
 of a college education, 287 ; church 
 service a social function, 296 ; the 
 reigning spirit liberty, 298 ; delegates 
 of, to the Continental Congress, joo. 
 
 Virginia Assembly, dissolved by Gov- 
 ernor Dunmore, 171 ; ///, non- 
 exportation resolutions, 260 ; 280, a 
 leading factor in the union of the 
 colonies, 280 ; 282. 
 
 Virginia Gazette. See Williamsburg 
 Gazette. 
 
 Virginia Historical Collections, xx. 
 
 Virginia Historical Magazine, ^4. 
 
 Voorhees, 154, 155. 
 
 Waddell, James, account of, 118; 
 sketch of, 118. 
 
 Wade, Miss, 224. 
 
 Wadman, 234, 240. 
 
 Wakefield, Westmoreland Co., Va., 
 xvii. 
 
 Walker, 54, 56. 
 
 Walker, Capt., 51, 57, 61, 140, 234, 
 254. 265. 
 
 Wall, the comedian, 154. 
 
 Ward, Dr., 36, 155, 156. 
 
 Ward, James, 165. 
 
 Ward, Mrs., 156, 162. 
 
 Warden, 82, 121, 176, 233, 234. 
 
 Warder, 140. 
 
 Ware, 156. 
 
 Ware, Rachel, 156. 
 
 Warwick, Md., 155, 168, 274. 
 
 Washington, xvi, 179, 268. 
 
 Washington, George, ji, 95, 1 ij, i8j. 
 delegate to the Continental Con- 
 gress, joo. 
 
 Washington, Jane, 88, notice of, 88 ; 
 139. 183, i8j, Fithian's description 
 
320 
 
 INDEX 
 
 of, 184 ; 185. 186, 199, 201, 214, 
 
 236, 261. 
 Washington, John Augfustine (of Bush- 
 field), 74, 74, 88. 88, 108, /oc?, jog, 
 
 131, 134, 142, 173, 183, 203, 206, 
 
 210, 238, 262. 
 Washington, Miss, 152. 
 Washington, Hannah Bushrod (wife 
 
 of J. A. Washington of Bushfield), 
 
 139, notice of , rjg; i8j, 264. 
 Washington, William Augustine, 88, 
 
 i4g, 183. 
 Washington, D. C, 7. 
 Watts' Logic, 258. 
 Wayne, Anthony, ib^. 
 Webster, Althee, 166. 
 Webster, Peletiah, 234, letter of 
 
 Philip Fithian, to, 298, 299 ; sketch 
 
 of, 2q8 ; 299. 
 Webster, Ruth, 166, 234. 
 Well Meaning Club, jj ; see also 
 
 Cliosophic Society (of Princeton 
 
 College). 
 West Indies, students at Princeton 
 
 College from, 16. 
 West, 153. 
 
 Westminster Abbey, England, iij. 
 Westmoreland County, Va., xvi, ruins 
 
 of old ?nansions in, xvii ; xx, jj, 
 
 47, 53. 60, 82, g4, g8, 128, i4g, 
 
 IS2, ig8, 278, 296. 
 Westmoreland County C. H., Va., 
 
 no, 152, 170, 215, 233, 239, 255. 
 
 261, 261, 271. 
 Wheatley, John, i ly . 
 Wheatley, Phillis, W], sketch of, i if ; 
 
 Fithian's opinion of her writings, 
 
 118 ; verses of, 119. 
 Whig Society. See American Whig 
 
 Society- 
 White Plains, battle of, xv. 
 Whitehead, W., 39, jg. 
 William III, King of England, 6, 
 
 grants charter for William and 
 
 Mary College, 106. 
 William and Mary College, Va., xx, 
 
 70, badly directed in 1774, 106; 
 
 Atheism and dissipation at, 106; 
 
 wealth of, 107 ; yearly expense of a 
 
 student at, in 1774, 107. 
 William of Normandy ( The Con- 
 queror), 141. 
 
 Williams, John Rogers, xxi. 
 
 Williamsburg, Virginia, xviii, 52, 59, 
 59, 65, 72, 78, 88, 106, 106, 113, 
 127, 128, 149, 150, 176, 177, 187, 
 198, 233, 262, 263, 265, 278, 281, 
 107. 
 
 Willing, Thomas, 148, notice of, 148. 
 
 Willis, Elizabeth Carter, jo. 
 
 Willis, Harry, commences school un- 
 der Philip Fithian, 50 ; 67, 68, 72, 
 character and disposition, 84 ; 86, 
 87, 91, 93, 97, 99, 100, 102, 103, 
 105, 107, 114, 119, 122, 130, 132, 
 134. I37> 140, 173, 176, 182, 183, 
 188, 196, 197, 198, 206, 212, 213, 
 215, 217, 218, 229, 233, 240, 241, 
 243, 246, 247, characteristic traits. 
 253 ; 262, 264, 265, 269, 278, letter 
 of Philip Fithian, to, 301, 302. 
 
 Wilmington, Del., 162. 
 
 Wilson, Lewis Fuielleteau, 22, sketch 
 
 of, 22. 
 Wirt, Williatn, 118. 
 
 Witherspoon, John, President of 
 Princeton College, 8 ; his sermons, 
 9 ; 22, 28, account of his lectures, 
 29, 2g ; J/, 35, j6, 37, letter of 
 Philip Fithian, to, 40 ; 41, 42, 80, 
 81, go, 142, letter of Robert Carter, 
 to, 147 ; 150, sketch of, Jjo ; 166, 
 282, wide reputation, 290. 
 
 Woddel. See Waddell, James. 
 
 Wolfe, James, monument in West- 
 minster, 115; iij, 116. 
 Woodbury, N. J., xv. 
 Wormeley, Elizabeth, 200. 
 Wormeley, Judith, igi. 
 
 Wormly, Ralph, i4g. 
 
 Wyandot Indians, campaign against, 
 
 in 1774, 248. 
 Wythe, George, xix. 
 
 Yale College, Conn., 2g8. 
 Yeocomico Church, Westmoreland 
 
 Co., Va., xvii, 51, account of ji ; 
 
 60, 140, 151, 174, 181, 211, 229, 
 
 238, 251, 259, 265. 
 Yeocomico River, Va., 59, 60, 122, 
 
 124, 141. 
 Yew Spring, Caroline Co., Va., seat 
 
 of Gawin Corbin, ij8 ; 2^0.