Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.

My compliments to acquaintances —

From, Sir, yours

Philip V. Fithian[Letter of Philip V. Fithian to the Reverend Andrew Hunter]Nomini-Hall, Virginia. June 3d. 1774.

Revd: & 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 reception of this, that the Governor dissolved the Assembly in this province on their making a resolve to keep the first day of June on which the Act of Parliament is to take 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 trading Cities, and by their example to influence all the Colonies, not to make any resistance to the Britains, but to keep themselves independant, 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 eminent house in London was yesterday refused any more Tobacco til' there is intelligence from the Northward —

The frost which happened the 4th. of May, was by far more severe and fatal here than either in Maryland, New-Jersey, or Pennsylvania – The expected produce of Gardens and Peaches, (which were some planters chief dependance) are not only almost wholly destroy'd, but in the 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 —

Please to make my compliments to Mrs Hunter, Miss Nancy, Andrew, and to Uncles family – I am, sir

Your most obedient

Most humble Servt:

Philip V. Fithian[JOURNAL]

Saturday 4.

The day cool & agreeable – I kept the children in til twelve tho' with great difficulty; they were for asserting their liberty. & pleaded the custom of las winter – I finished a rough incorrect plan of my English Thesis, & laid it by for future examination —

After dinner I begun the Lecture, wrote an introduction – 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 ground is very 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, & these were the choisest expectation of some, who think Brandy their most valuable comodity! – And I am told that in Louden, & the other upper counties, (which indeed are the best for grain) Wheat & Rie 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 & melancholy! —

Sunday 5.

The weather cool & agreeable – Sermon is to Day at Ucomico, at the lower church, I choose therefore to stay in my Room – How pleasant is retirement! And how easy is it to enjoy it – This may seem strange, but it is true – I have but very few acquaintances, & they easily dispense with my Absence – I have an elegant inviting apartment for Study – I have plenty of valuable & entertaining Books – And I hav business of my own that requires my attention – At Home my Relations call me proud and morose if I do not visit them – My own private business often calls me off & unsettles my mind – There too lives the Girl who has subdued my heart! – All these put together, when they operate at once, are a strong incitement to divert me from Study. Yet 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! When I am Home I then seem willing to remove, for other places seem to be full as desirable – It is then Society which makes places seem agreeable or the Contrary – It can be nothing else – Adam when he had no troublesome painful thoughts within him; and had a flowery Paradise for his habitation & enjoyment, was not yet fully happy while he possessed it alone; much less can we his offspring, frail, & variable, enjoy much sattisfaction without intercourse with one another – I have just spoken in praise of Society & retirement; And I now observe we are of such 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 Mrs Carters request I waited on Miss Priscilla, Nancy, & Fanny who rode on Horse-back for an airing – Wrote a Letter to the Revd Mr 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.

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian to Elizabeth Beatty]Nominy-Hall Virginia June 5: 1774.

To Laura.

I have the Pleasure, since you allow me the Honour of corresponding with you, to acquaint you that I had a speedy & delightsome Passage from Home to this Place: It was you know, in the best Time of the lovliest of Months.

The Delaware, the broad Chesapeak, & the beautiful Potowmack were mild & lovely as a handsome, Woman's Presence when her Mind is at Rest – But are fine Women, Laura, as easily thrown into Confusion & Tumult as they – ?

I expect these, if you receive them at all, will find you at N – n. If they should, please to make my kind Respects to your Brother – & compliment him on his new Alliance.

I shall wish, very much, to see you at C – e in the Fall, but if it be inconvenient I do not ask you to pay any Manner of Regard, in this Case, to my Inclination. The Face of this Part of Virginia is now indeed beautiful. I wish often that you was here for a While to see, because I am unable to describe, the charming Landskips, & long delightsome Prospects of our winding River which we have from the high Hills! But especially in the Evening when I commonly (as it is the Custom of the Family) walk for half an hour through the Garden in Company generally with three brisk mischievous Girls you would I am certain, for you delight in Gardens, & love the Company of noisy, gay, & agreeable young Girls, be highly entertain'd. – And as for myself, if you was here, I should take these Walks & Arbours to be a verdant flowery Elysium! – I must not omit to thank you for your Letter of Feb: last; because a Line from you is rare & valuable as the Phenix of Arabia.

Write to me, best of Girls, the Moment you receive this, that I may know how, & where you be; & let me hear often from you this Summer.

You may rest assured of my Constancy in continuing a free & full Correspondence.

Philip V. Fithian.[JOURNAL]

Monday 6.

Mr Carter rode to richmond court – At Dinner I had a long and useful conversation with Mrs Carter She told me openly & candidly the Several failings of her children, & indeed She knows them perfectly – In particular she knows not what to do with her perverse Son Bob– He abuses his Mama, Miss Sally, the children, Family, and is much given to slander. Poor unhappy youth, I fear he will come to an unhappy end! This afternoon I found it necessary to correct Bob severely for impertinence in School – Mr 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 corrected Harry this morning for telling me a Lie – Stomachful & sullen as any youth – The day warm but very bearable – Breakfasted with us Mr Blain & Mr Warden, all the conversation is Politicks; But People seem moderate & yet settled in their determinations to stand out

Wednesday 8.

The morning pleasant – Mr 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, Mr Carter returned, the day being smoky introduced, at Coffee, a conversation on Philosophy, on Eclipses; the manner of viewing them; Thence to Telescopes, & the information which they afforded us of the Solar System; Whether the planets be actually inhabited &c.

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian to Samuel Fithian]Nomini Hall Virginia June 8th. 1774.

Sir.

After I acquaint you that, by the kindness of providence I arrived safe and am in good health, I shall not neglect to inform you that the Virginians are warm and active in supporting the liberties of America; the first day of June throughout this Colony, by a resolve of the House of Burgesses, or Assembly of Representatives for the province was kept a solemn Fast, and kept religiously too, to invoke almighty God to assist our falling country, and save us from oppression and Tyranny – The ware-Houses are already hindring the Shipping Tobacco, and it is expected there will shortly be a general embargo laid on all exportable commodities – The people here wish for the union of all the Colonies, and for firm perseverance in what shall seem most conducive to the good of America, notwithstanding this Colony and Maryland will suffer vastly, because Tobacco is a comodity less saleable among ourselves than most of the produce of the Northern Colonies, and it is in these the staple —

I am seated once more to great sattisfaction in my business, the family and neighbourhood are well, but I propose and expect by the permission of providence to return home the latter end of October; in the mean time, I am,

Dear Unkle

Your most obliged Nephew

Philip V Fithian

P. S. Please to remember me to the family, &c.

[JOURNAL]

Thursday 9.

The morning haizy, no Wind, & very warm – I wrote a Letter to Uncle Samuel Fithian– After Dinner Mr Carter set out for Williamsburg – by him I sent to the Post-office at Hobbes-Hole, My Letters to Mr Hunter, Uncle Fithian, Miss Beatty. & Mr Peck– After School in the evening I had an agreeable walk with Mrs Carter in the Garden —

Fryday 10.

Cool but exceeding dry – Writing at my Lecture. Mrs Carter was to day sadly frighted with a Lizard, that lives under the House – After School, with Ben I wakked over to Mr Turburville's to gather Cheries, which are there in great plenty – Mrs Carter in the evening after our return, gave me a Lecture for taking Ben to Annapolis when I went last Home without a waiting-Man – Wrote at my Lecture til eleven. Ben sleeps at the Great-House in the absence of his Papa.

Saturday 11.

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.[178]

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 —Bob especially 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 School, & for the Gardiners, Carpenters, & other workmen 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 las[t] bell is at three for School & for the workmen to go to Labour – I dismiss them by my watch at half after Five. – After Dinner I rode alone to Mr Blains Store; bought a pen-knife, nine Jacket-Buttons, & a primmer for Miss Harriot 3/. 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 24th of May, & then but a Scanty Shower, & most of the time since windy.

Sunday 12.

Ben & Mr 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 – I lent my Horse to Ben, & staid myself at Home to write my Lecture, Mrs Carter the two Misses, & Ben went to Church, Mr 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 & Lightning in the west but no rain.

Monday 13.

Ben gave Bob, for some imprudent Language a drubbing this morning – About nine we had a Shower but soon over & of little use; be to God, however, that we have any – I begun, to day my Sermon for the Presbytery – The change in the weather since yesterday is remarkable. This afternoon is so cool that I should be glad of a winter suit – yesterday afternoon was so hot I could not be comfortably cool in a thin gown, with all the windows of my chamber up. Evening, John the waiting Man play'd, & the young Ladies spent the evening merrily in dancing – I staid til ten, saw them & Conversed with Mrs Carter.

Teusday 14.

I added last night to my Bed-Clothes a Quilt, Blanket, & my own Clothes & 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 dismiss them before the Bell – I believe there is no Frost – Befor Breakfast, Mr Stadley the musician came from Colonel Taylors at mount Airy.

Miss Priscilla & Nancy attend his instructions. Mr Stadley shewed me some Verses he is carrying from Mr Washingtons to His Daughter they seem good and are as follow.

A Hymn for a dying Believer  1st Happy Soul thy Days are ended,All thy mourning Days below,Go by Angel-Guards attendedTo the Sight of Jesus, go.2d   Waiting to recieve my Spirit,Lo thy Saviour stands above,Shews the purchase of his meritReaches out the Crown of Love.3d   For the Joy he Sets before theeBear a momentary pain,Die to live the Life of GlorySuffer, with thy Lord to reign.

Spent the evening very agreeably with Mrs 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 15.

So cold that I ordered a Fire in the School-Room – Mr Stadley with us yet – I took out of the Library to read for entertainment the "Amusement of the German Spa; it is a well written piece – Designed entirely for Amusement Before dinner Mrs Taylor,[179] with her two Daughters Miss Polly, & Kitty came in a Chariot —Bob was in a moment on Fire; He is deeply Smitten with Polly'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, & to Day I have laid aside Study, & read only for Relaxation – I 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 – Mrs Carter, however, in the evening lash'd me severely. I told her I was engaged in reading a pleasant Novel. – That I was not perfectly well – But She would not hear none, & said I was rude, & censurable – Mr Stadley spent the evening in playing several songs & Sonata's on the Harpsichord & violin —

Thursday 16.

Mr Stadley left us before Breakfast – Reading at the Amusement of Spa– Drew off some Tunes —

Fryday 17.

Bob was missing last night I was at his Room at twelve o Clock he was absent – This morning I examined him, he told me he was at Mr Turburville's, but told me several palpable Lies – I gave him however severe correction – We had this morning about 5 °Clock a smart Gust of wind, Rain & Thunder, but soon over.

Saturday 18.

Ben not very well – At twelve Bob teaz'd me for leave to go to a Cock-Fight & Horse-Race about two Miles off, I gave him Leave with his promising to be home by Sun Set. – Spent the Afternoon in my room writing – Towards evening 'Squire Lee call'd in, & brought a late London News-Paper in which we are informed that another Act of Parliament has pass'd taking from the People of Boston all power of trying any Soldier, or Person whether for commiting any Crime; & obliging all such offenders to be sent home for legal Tryal – Heaven only knows where these tumults will End! – He informed us likewise that last Saturday in Richmond (our neighbour County) the people drest & burnt with great marks of Destestation the infamous Lord North– Mrs Carter, after the 'Squire left us quite astonished me in the Course of the evening. with her perfect acquaintance with the American Constitution —

Sunday 19.

The day cool – Sermon is at Ucomico, so that we all stay at Home Mrs Carter was in the morning frightned thinking that several of the Negro-Girls in the Family are unwell with the Measles, but I believe it to be only a Frett of the Heat Ben is unwel; He has a sick Stomach; at Times aguish; complains of Pains in his Breast & Side; & in the morning Spits Blood. He keeps about however, but his fond Mama discovers great anxiety. – I spend the Day in my Room writing at my Sermon, & reading the plain & useful Pictete.

Monday 20.

So cool that I sit with my Cloths buttoned, & am chilly. the children also complain of the cold; this must certainly be unwholesome weather – Breakfasted with us Mr Cox– Ben continues no better, he lays by Study to day & keeps in – I myself either conceit or in reality have a Fever & head-Ach to Day – Before twelve we had a moderate Shower no wind nor Thunder – Mrs Carter wrote a note to Dr Jones & Desired him to call & See Ben, towards evening he came; He thinks Ben has only Symptoms of an Agu approaching – He prescribed some Physick – Drank Coffee with us, & went home about six – I lightens in the North.

Teusday 21.

Harry is unwel, takes this morning Physick, and keeps his Room – Ben is in the same way —Priscilla & Nancy are practising Musick, so that to Day we have only four in School – At five in the Evening, Ben, Prissy & I rode out on Horse back for exercise; before we returned Captain Dobby, of the Ship Susannah an agreeable, sensible, polite Gentleman came, & 'Squire Lee– The conversation, at Coffee was on American affairs, the 'Squire shew'd us one of Mr Dunlaps papers,[180] in which are accounts that the Northern Colonies are zealous & stedfast in resolutions to maintain their Liberties – We sat til eleven —

Wednesday 22.

Breakfasted with us Captain Dobby, & Mr Taylor, their conversation promiscuous – Clear & warm, not sultry, Harry better & in School, but Ben continues indisposed. I wrote to Day some at my Sermon – After School, with Mrs Carter & the young Ladies & Bob, I walked through the Garden – But I seem not suited in being confin'd wholly at Home, yet my stay is quite voluntary —

Thursday 23.

Very warm all the morning – From twelve to two I was writing at my Sermon – While we were at dinner a very black cloud rose in the West: Mrs Carter, is fearful when it thunders, so that I did not leave the Room till it was over, about four, there was a strong Gale of wind, some thunder, & a refreshing Shower. At five with Mrs Carter & the young Ladies I took a walk; She shewed me from a high Hill several beautiful Prospects – I was diverted tho it was a little cruel, to see the Girls gather the Blossoms of some Prickly-Pears.

Fryday 24.

Lat night we had a Gust of Rain & Thunder; very acceptable – To Day in course Mr Christians Dance happens here – He came before Breakfast – Miss Jenny Washington came also, & Miss Priscilla Hale while we were at Breakfast – Miss Washington is about seventeen; She has not a handsome Face, but is neat in her Dress, of an agreeable Size, & well proportioned, & has an easy winning Behaviour; She is not forward to begin a conversation, yet when spoken to She is extremely affable, without assuming any Girlish affectation, or pretending to be overcharg'd with Wit; She has but lately had oppertunity of Instruction in Dancing, yet She moves with propriety when she dances a Minuet & without any Flirts or vulgar Capers, when She dances a Reel or Country-Dance: She plays well on the Harpsichord, & Spinet; understands the principles of Musick, & therefore performs her Tunes in perfect time, a Neglect of which always makes music intolerable, but it is a fault almost universal among

young Ladies in the practice; She sings likewise to her instrument, has a strong, full voice, & a well-judging Ear; but most of the Virginia-Girls think it labour quite sufficient to thump the Keys of a Harpsichord into the air of a tune mechanically, & think it would be Slavery to submit to the Drudgery of acquiring Vocal Music; Her Dress is rich & well-chosen, but not tawdry, nor yet too plain; She appears to Day in a Chintz cotton Gown with an elegant blue Stamp, a Sky-Blue silk Quilt, spotted apron; Her Hair is a light Brown, it was crap'd up, with two Rolls at each Side, & on the top a small cap of beautiful Gawze and rich Lace, with an artificial Flower interwoven – Her person & carriage at a small distance resembles not a little my much respected Laura. But on close examination her Features are something masculine, those of Laura are mild and delicate: Mr Christien very politely requested me to open the Dance by stepping a Minuet with this amiable Girl, but I excused myself by assuring Him that I never was taught to Dance. – Miss Hale is about fourteen; a slim, puny silent Virgin; She has black Eyes, & black Hair, a good sett of Eye-Brows, which are esteem'd in Virginia essential to Beauty; She looks innocent of every human Failing, does not speak five Words in a Week, & I dare say from her Carriage that her Modesty is invincible; She is drest in a white Holland Gown, cotton Diaper quilt very fine, a Lawn apron, has her Hair crap'd up, & on it a small Tuft of Ribbon for a Cap She is but just innitiated into the School, and only hobbles yet Once I saw her standing; I rose immediately and begg'd her to accept my Chair; She answered most kindly, "Sir I thank you." that was all I could extract from this Wonder of the Sex for the two Days she stay'd, & I seemed to have an equal Share too in the Favours of her Conversation; so that I cannot be any way particular in describing the mental faculties of Miss Hale. it is sufficient to say that I think She is far removed from most of the foibles of Women – Some time after these came Colonel Lee's[181] Chariot with five young Misses – These five, with Miss Washington & Miss Hale & Miss Nancy Carter, & Bob are Mr Christiens Compliment of Scholars in this School except Miss Turburville who is just now up the country with an Uncle, where She is to Stay some time together with Miss Corbin. Miss Betsy Lee[182] is about thirteen; a tall slim genteel Girl; She is very far from Miss Hale's taciturnity, yet is by no means disagreeably forward; She dances extremely well, & is just begining to play the Spinet – She is drest in a neat shell Callico Gown, has very light Hair done up with a Feather, & her whole carriage is easy inoffensive, & graceful – The other Miss Lee's are small Towards evening came in George Lee, & Mr Grubb, an English Gentleman; the Company danced after candle-light a Minuet round, three Country Dances, several Reels, when we were Rung to Supper after Supper we sit til twelve drinking loyal Toasts —

Saturday 25.

Ben & I slept til eight – we breakfasted at nine, soon after Christien collected his School and gave them a Lesson round – About ten the two Gentlemen left us. They quit Dancing about two – After Dinner Mrs Carter & the young Ladies, with Mr Christien Ben & Myself walked in the garden, & through the Pasture, There are several beautiful prospects of the green Bottoms, & of the River Nominy from the High hills – By Miss Washington I wrote a letter to Mr Lowe, acquainting him with what was done for him in the business he sent by me to Philadelphia. The Day is cool, & intirely agreeable & the Ground has been refreshed by a Shower or two lately – I am told that the people are already reaping not only Rye but Wheat in the Neighbourhood; certainly it is earlier than we reap to the Northward. —