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

Thursday Octob: 14.

Rose early – Busy in making Preparations – Had my Horse shod, Did sundry Pieces of Writing – This Eveng Mr Irwin, & Smith returned from Cape-May.

Friday Octob: 15.

Rose early – Did sundry Pieces of Writing – At twelve Mr Irwin gave us a Sermon, on Felix's trembling before Paul preaching – He preached without Notes; His Sermon was easy, well-digested, plain, yet pathetic, short, and in general much admired —

Mr Smith & Mr Hunter junr dined with me – In the Evening of this Day I had a severe Fit of the Fever & Ague – Violent Pains in my Head, & Back!

Saturday. Octob: 16.

Rose at seven; feel bewildered, & unesy – Finished some necessary Writings, & begin before noon to grow better.

Sunday Octob: 17.

Rose early – Not well – Attended Sermon; Mr Smith preached – Before the last Sermon was done I was obliged to come Home with my second fit of the Fever & Ague. It kept on me violently while about seven in the Evening; then went off in a gentle Sweat! —

Monday Octob: 18.

My Fit is well gone off, & I feel bravely – Finished & executed some Writings to Joel Fithian[42] for the Securing the Several Porttions to the Children – Took my Leave of Mr Wallings, & Mr Ewings Families. Mr Paterson in to see me in the Evening – In the Night we had a fine Shower – I have through this Day taken the Peruvian Bark, to try if by any Means I can break my Fits.

Teusday Octob: 19

Early went to Mr Hunters; took my Leave & left them by eleven – Rode & took Leave of all my Relations – How hard is it at last? My Heart misgives, is reluctant, in spite of me; But I must away!

Protect me, merciful Heaven, & keep me under the Wing of thy over-ruling Providence – Make me know myself, & my constant, & necessary Dependance on thee!

The Continuation of my Journal, &c.

Wednesday October 20th 1773.

Left Greenwich by six in the Morning. Rode to Michael Hoshels 8 Miles. Thence Mr Hoshel, & John Peck along, rode to Quintons-Bridge 8 Miles. Expence there is 1s/: Rode thence to Penn's-Neck Ferry by two oClock 10 Miles. Expence at Toll-Bridge /2. Ferriage over Delaware 4s/6d. Oats & Cordial in New-Castle 1s/2d. Rode thence to Mr Achans Tavern 12 Miles. Whole Distance 38 Miles. Whole Expence 6/10.

Octob: 21.

Expence at Mr Achans 3s/4d. Rode thence to North-East 12 Miles. Breakfast 1s/6d. Thence to Sesquehannah 10 Miles. Ferriage 1s/: Oats /9d. At Bush-Town by 4 °Clock 12 Miles. Whole Distance 34 Miles. Whole Expence 6s/7d.

Fryday 22d

Expence at Bush-Town 4/2. Rode thence to a small, mean Tavern to Breakfast, 13 Miles – Expence 1/6. Thence to Baltimore by one O-Clock 13 Miles. Whole distance 26 Miles – Whole Expence 5/8.

Saturday 23d

Expence at Baltimore 15/3. Rode and forded Petapsko[43] to a small Tavern 15 Miles. Expence 1/11. Rode thence to Blandensburg 23 Miles. Whole distance 38 Miles. Whole Expence 17/2.

Sunday 24.

Expence at Blandensburg 5/7.[44] Rode thence to Georgetown[45] 8 Miles. Expence 1/6. Ferriage /6. – From thence we rode by Alexandria,[46] 9 Miles – Thence to Colchester[47] 18 Miles – Dined – Expence 3/9. Ferriage /6. Rode thence to Dumfries 10 Miles.[48] Whole distance 45 Miles. Whole Expence 11/4.

Monday 25.

Expence at Dumfries 4/5. Rode thence to Aquia 10 Miles.[49] Expence 2/4– Rode thence to Stafford-Court-House 12 Miles.[50] Whole Distance 22 Miles. Whole Expence 6/6.

Teusday 26.

Expence at Stafford 5/. Stopped at Colonel Thomas Lees,[51] only a few Rods from Stafford Tavern. Continued there all day, and the following Night. Expence to Day 5/.

Wednesday 27.

Expence to boy 1/. Rode from Mr Lees to a small poor Ordinary 13 Miles – Expence /8 for Oats – Rode thence, without feeding to Captain Cheltons.[52] on the Potowmack 32 Miles – Whole Distance 45 Miles. Whole Expence 1/9.

Thursday 28.

Rode after Breakfast to the Honorable Rob: Carters the End of my Journey; 12 Miles, by two o-Clock in the Afternoon. Both Myself, and my Horse seem neither tired nor Dispirited – Occasional Expences on the Road. In Baltimore for some Buff-Ball, 1/6. In Blandensburg for having straps put to my Saddle-Bags 3/. In Colchester for Shaving and Dressing 1/3. The whole 5/9. So that my whole Distance appears to be 260 Miles, perform'd in seven Days. And my whole Expence appears to be 3£ 6s 6d.

Fryday 29.

Settled myself in the Room appointed me – and adjusted my Affairs after my Ride.

Saturday 30.

Rode with Mr Carters eldest Son[53] to a Store, about seven Miles – Bought half a Box of Wafers for 1/ – And a quire of paper for 1/6. Dined at three – And rode into Richmond Parish 15 Miles to Mr Fantleroys[54]– Was introduced to Mr Fantleroy – two of his Sons – Mr Christian[55] a dancing a dancing-Master —

Sunday 31.

Rode to Church six Miles[56]– Heard Mr Gibbern[57] preach on Felixes trembling at Pauls Sermon.

Monday Novemr 1st

We began School – The School consists of eight – Two of Mr Carters Sons – One Nephew – And five Daughters – The endest Son[58] is reading Salust; Gramatical Exercises, and latin Grammer – The second Son[59] is reading english Grammar Reading English: Writing, and Cyphering in Subtraction – The Nephew[60] is Reading and Writing as above; and Cyphering in Reduction – The eldest daughter[61] is Reading the Spectator; Writing; & beginning to Cypher – The second[62] is reading next out of the Spelling-Book, and begining to write – The next[63] is reading in the Spelling-Book – The fourth[64] is Spelling in the beginning of the Spelling-Book – And the last[65] is beginning her letters —

Teusday 2.

Busy in School – begun to read Pictete —[66]

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian To the Reverend Enoch Green]Westmoreland. Novr 2d 1773.

Revd Sir.

According as I appointed I take this early oppertunity 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 – I am situated in the Northern-Neck, in a most delightful Country; in a civil, polite neighbourhood; and in a family remarkable for regularity, and oeconomy, tho' confessedly of the highest quality and greatest worth of any in Virginia. I teach only Mr 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 English – I 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 connections at home – You may expect me in may at the Synod. Please to have my compliments to Mrs Green, to Miss Betsy if at Deerfield, and to my acquaintances that shall enquire and accept to yourself the

Respect of your humble Servt

Philip V Fithian[JOURNAL]

Wednesday 3.

Busy in School —

Thursday 4.

Busy in School – To day the two eldest Daughters, and second Son attended the Dancing School.[67]

Fryday 5.

Busy in School —

Saturday 6.

Catechised in School til twelve – the Children. And dismiss'd them. Afternoon rode with Ben Carter to the Bank of Potowmack[68]– 8 Miles – Returned in the evening – Expence Ferriage 1/.

Sunday 7.

Rode to Ucomico Church[69]– 8 Miles – Heard Parson Smith.[70] He shewed to us the uncertainty of Riches, and their Insufficiency to make us happy – Dined at Captain Walkers;[71] With Parson Smith, his Wife; her Sister, a young Lady; &c – Returned in the Evening.

Monday 8.

Busy in School – Finished reading the first, and begun to read the Second Book of Pictetes Theology. Expence to Boy /4.

Teusday 9.

Busy in School —

Wednesday 10.

Busy in School – The eldest Daughter taken off by her Teacher in Music; Mr Stadley[72] who is learning her to play the Forte-piano—

Thursday 11.

Rose by seven – Busy in School – Miss Carter still absent —

Fryday 12.

Rose by Seven – Ben begun his Greek Grammer – Three in the Afternoon Mr Carter returned from Williamsburg.[73] He seems to be agreeable, discreet, and sensible – He informed me more particularly concerning his desire as to the Instruction of his Children —

Saturday 13.

Catechised the Children and dismissed them about Eleven – Read in Pictete – and proceeded in writing my Sermon for the Presbytery[74]– Expence for my Horse 1/3.

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 Mr Carters to day Mrs Turbuville,[75] Miss Jenny Corbin,[76] and Mr Cunningham[77] a young Merchant.

Monday 15.

Busy in School – Wrote in the Evening at my Sermon.

Teusday 16.

In School – Writing at my Sermon.

Wednesday 17.

Busy in School —

Thursday 18.

Busy in School —

Fryday 19.

Busy in School —

Saturday 20.

Rode to Mr Fishers[78] dined with Mr Cunningham at 3 o-Clock – Rode in the evening to Mr Lancelot Lees,[79] 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 – Mr Smith preached on the Parable of the rich Man. Dined at home – Mr Lee dined with us – Reading in Pictete – Feel very home-Sick – Saw two Brothers quarrel – Doleful Sight. —

Monday 22.

Busy in School – Mr Lee gave us his Company in the morning in School, and was very chearful – he left us about twelve o-Clock —

Teusday 23.

Busy in School – Miss Carter rode out with her Dady and Mama to the County Court[80]– Writing at my Sermons.

[Poem Inserted in Journal]Who knows what heaven may have in view?What yet remains for me to do?But knowlege here might give me grief.Instead of pleasure and relief;I therefore yield and peaceful waitOn Providence to rule my fate;Nor if it long 'til' I must flyUnbodied to my judge on highWhy need I then disturb my mind?Why not lye humble and resign'd? —Yet tho' 'tis wrong for me to tryInto these mysteries to prySure I may sit and simply sing(I dare not strike a lofty string)The various scenes through which I've pastI may be now acting my last;Here in Virginia, far from friendsExcept those Heaven in pity sends!Novr 23d 1773.

Wednesday 24.

Busy in School.

Thursday 25.

Rode this morning to Richmond Court-house,[81] where two Horses run for a purse of 500 Pounds; besides small Betts almost enumerable.

One of the Horses belonged to Colonel John Taylor,[82] and is called Yorick– The other to Dr. Flood,[83] and is called Gift– The Assembly was remarkably numerous; 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 & 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 7½d —

Fryday 26.

Busy in School – Robin, & Nancy at dancing-School.

Saturday 27.

Robin and Nancy yet at Dancing-School – Mr Harry Fantleroy call'd after dinner to see us. In the Evening Ben & I rode with him to his fathers; I was introduced to one Mr Walker a Scotch Gentleman, lately a School-master but has quit, and is going in the Spring for the Gown to England.[84]

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, Miss Corbin, and Miss Turburville and Mr George Lee, brother to the Gentleman here last Sunday, & has lately returned from England – I was introduced by Mr Carter to the two latter —

Monday 29.

All our Scholars present – Mr Carter has put into my hands; Tyre's Dictionary, & the pronouncing Dictionary, to improve his Sons in Grammar classically, both Latin and English, and he has given me Fenning in Arrithmetic.

Teusday 30.

Busy in School – I was solicited the other Day at the Race by one Mr Gordon,[85] to take and instruct two of his Sons, Saturday also I was again solicited by Mr Fantleroy to take two of his Sons – But I must decline it —

Wednesday Decemr 1st 1773.

Busy in School – Wrote home by the Post, to Mr Green & Johnny Peck. Afternoon Vacant.

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian to the Reverend Enoch Green]Decemr 1st 1773.

Revd 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 vastly agreeable to me if it was in my power to give you particular intelligence concerning the state and plan of my employment here.

I set out from home the 20th of Octr and arrived at the Hon: Robert Carters, of Nominy, in Westmorland County, the 28th 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 Arithmetic. 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 Harpsicord – The others are smaller, and learning to read and spell. Mr Carter is one of the Councellors in the general court at Williamsburg, and possest 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 notwithstanding his rank, which in general seems to countenance indulgence to children, both himself and Mrs 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, 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. Mr Carter has an over-grown library 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, Swift, Dryden, &c. in Short, Sir, to speak moderately, he has more than eight times your number[86]– His eldest Son, who seems to be a Boy of Genius and application is to be sent to Cambridge University, but I believe will go through a course either in Philadelphia 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 wholly in a mistaken notion that persons must, when here frequent all promiscuous 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 extravagance, decline, and grow involved with debt, this seems to be the spring which induces the People of fortune who are the 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 Presbytery; and if they think proper I shall gladly accept of a licence 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 Mrs Green, Miss Betsy, your family, and Mrs Pecks – I must also beg you to transmit so much of this intelligence to Mr Hunter 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 Mr 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 Mr Philip V. Fithian at Mr Carters of Nominy, to be left at Hobes Hole[87]

I am, Sir, yours

Philip V Fithian[JOURNAL]

Thursday 2.

Busy in School.

Fryday 3.

Busy in School. Expence to Boy for trimming my Horse half a Bit. Evening after School walked in the fields with Mrs Carter, Miss Carter, and Miss Nancy.

Saturday 4.

About Eleven Ben and I rode to Mr Lees walked over a Part of his Farm; from his House we see the Potowmack, and a fine River putting from it. We returned in the Evening, found Mr Fantleroy, and Mr Walker at Home; at Supper I had the pleasure to toast in my turn Miss Corbin – But I meant the absent Laura!

Sunday 5.

Rode to Richmond upper Church, a Polite Assembly; Mr Gibbern gave us a Sermon on, O Death I will be thy Plague &c., a warm discourse Dined at Home.

Monday 6.

Mr Walker left us after Breakfast. Busy in School.

Teusday 7.

Mr Stadley Miss Priscilla's Music Master arrived this morning – He performed several peices on the Violin. Expence for an Orange half a Bit.

Wednesday 8.

Miss Priscilla with her Music Master, they performed together to day —

Thursday 9.

Mr Stadley left us. Busy in School.

Fryday 10.

Miss Nancy is beginning on the Guitar. Ben finished reading Salusts Cataline Conspiracy.

Saturday 11.

Rode and Dined with Captain Walker – Saw and dined with Miss Simpson & Mr Warden.[88]

Sunday 12.

Rode to Nominy-Church, parson Smith preached 15 minutes – Advertisement at the Church door dated Sunday Decemr 12th Pork to be sold to-morrow at 20/. per Hundred – dined with us to day Captain Walker. Colonel Richd Lee,[89] & Mr Lanclot Lee. sat after Dinner till Sunset, drank three Bottles of Medaira, two Bowls of Toddy! —

Monday 13.

Mr Carter is preparing for a Voyage in his Schooner, the Hariot,[90] to the Eastern Shore in Maryland, for Oysters: there are of the party, Mr Carter, Captain Walker, Colonel Richd Lee, & Mr Lancelot Lee. With Sailors to work the vessel – I observe it is a general custom on Sundays here, with Gentlemen to invite one another home to dine, after Church; and to consult about, determine 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 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 tye a white handkerchief over their Head and face, so that when I first came into Virginia, I was distress'd 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 certainly universal Characteristics of the Gentlemen in Virginia – some swear bitterly, but the practise seems to be generally disapproved – I 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 nor Betting of any kind except at the Richmond-Race. Almost every Gentleman of Condition, keeps a Chariot and Four; many drive with six Horses – I observe that all the Merchants & shopkeepers 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 heretofore 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 – Mr Carter is practising this Evening 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 Harpsichord, Forte-Piano, Harmonica,[91] Guittar, Violin, & German Flutes, & at Williamsburg, has a good Organ, he himself also is indefatigable in the Practice.

Teusday 14.

Busy in School – The Weather vastly fine! There has been no Rain of consequence, nor any stormy or disagreeable Weather, since about the 10th of last Month! From the Window, by which I write, I have a broad, a diversified, and an exceedingly 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 quantity 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 Carters family go down often, so many as can with convenience in a Boat rowed by four Men, and generally 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 Potowmack or where it falls into the Chessapeak-Bay. And about 12 Miles below the mouth of Nominy the River Ucomico[92] puts up into the country, near which River, and about three miles from the mouth stands the lower parish Church of Westmorland County call'd Ucomic Church.[93] The River Potowmack opposite to us the People say is 18 miles over, but I think it is not more than 8. Afternoon Captain Grigg,[94] who arrived last Sunday moning into the River Ucomico from London visited Mr Carter. Evening reading Picteete.

Wednesday 15.

Busy in School – To day Dined with us Mrs Turburville, & her Daughter Miss Letty[95] Miss Jenny Corbin, & Mr Blain. We dined at three. The manner here is different 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 commonly 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 Mr 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 til 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 & my Liberty, either to continue in the school room, in my own Room or to sit over at the great House with Mr & Mrs 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 political Regulations, and every way as suitable & agreeable as I can expect, or even 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.