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

The Family in which I live, is so kind, & suitable to my Wish, that I would gladly continue in it – Or, at least, provide some well-qualified Person to succeed me since I must by previous Agreement, shortly leave it, as I do not propose to let my coming here put off my entering on the Great-World.

If I shall be so happy as to meet with you in the Spring, I will tell you many curious Occurrences of this Winter; but none with greater Truth than that I have been your constant Admirer.

Philip. V. Fithian.[JOURNAL]

Monday 10th

The Morning very cold – Dined with us to-day Mr Sanford a Captain of a Sloop which trades out of Potowmack to Norfolk– I wrote out some Exercises for Bob & Harry– In the Evening the Colonel began with a small Still to distill some Brandy from a Liquor made of Pisimmonds. I set Ben this Evening to writing. I likewise gave Catalines Speech in Salust to commit to memory in Latin, which he is to pronounce Extempore. In the Evening I borrowed of Ben Carter 15s. – I have plenty of Money with me, but it is in Bills of Philadelphia currency & will not pass at all here.

Teusday 11.

The morning very cold – As cold I think, and the Frost seems to be as intense & powerful as I have ever known it either at Cohansie or at Princeton. This morning I put Ben to construe some Greek, he has yet no Testament, I gave him therefore Esops Fables in Greek, and Latin. I also took out of the Library, and gave him to read Gordon, upon Geography. Ben seem'd scared with his Greek Lesson, he swore, & wished for Homer that he might kick Him, as he had been told Homer invented Greek.

Wednesday 12.

I gave Sam Mr Carters Barber, for shaving & dressing me, & for mending my Shoes, two pisterenes, which pass here for half a Crown – The morning is serene, pleasant, but cold yet. Miss Hariot this morning being over curious tasted some Mercury Mixture in Mr Randolph's Room, it made her very sick; I was frighted, the family was frighted! she puked, & threw it off her Stomach, & was soon relieved —

I gave Martha who makes my Bed, for a Christmas Box, a Bit, which is a pisterene cut into two equal parts – I gave to John also, who waits at Table & calls me to Supper a Bit. So that My whole Expence to-Day has been 3/9. Mrs Carter invited me to Day to go to the Ball, I excused myself, & declined it.

Thursday 13.

Mr Cunningham came before Noon to skait – At twelve we all went down to Mr Carters Millpond – none had skaits but Mr Cunningham – we diverted ourselves on the Ice til two, when we went up to dinner – Immediately after Dinner Mr Carter Miss Prissy & Nancy rode out to Mr Lanes. – Mr Cunningham staid the Night, Prissy play'd for us – She has since I came made great advances —

Fryday 14.

The morning very foggy, & warmer – I gave to Tom the Coach-man who cured my Horse two pisterenes & half a Bit, which is two & ninepence 2/9. Mr Cunningham breakfasted with us – When I went into School there came a complaint from Miss Sally Stanhope[114] of Bob that he was rude, swore, & quarrell'd at Breakfast, poor untoward, unfortunate Boy he gives me great Trouble —

Saturday 15.

I rose at seven – The morning fair the ground muddy —Ben asked me to ride with him to Mr Blains Store I chose rather to stay at Home – Ben is preparing for the approaching Ball – Bob urged me to let him go to Mr Lees, but he is so unruly & mischeivous when abroad that I was obliged to refuse him the liberty of going. I spent some hours to Day with the Girls when they were practising Music on the Guitar, & Forte-piano, Priscilla plays her tunes true and exceeding finely – In the Evening Ben returned from Mr Blains – He told me the Store was thronged with company – Sup'd on chocolate, & hoe-Cake, so called because baked on a Hoe before the fire – The Colonel and his Daughter busy at Music.

Sunday 16.

The morning frosty & cold —Ben, Bob, Harry, & Mr Randolph went to Church – I stay at Home; Read Pictete – I feel very desirous of seeing Home: of hearing good Mr Hunter Preach; of seeing my dear Brothers & Sister; Indeed the very soil itself would be precious to me! – I am shut up in my chamber; I read a while, then walk to the North window, & look over Potowmack through Maryland towards Home; then throw myself down into my Chair again & console myself that I have every necessary, & convenient Accommodation here, which I should have; nay much more than I should allow myself were I at Home. I am contented – This whole world is only a Point almost unnoticeable, when compared with the numerous Systems which compose the universe, & yet they all are under the particular Direction & Government of Almighty God; How insignificant therefore is it for me and how foolish to be uneasy, & solicitous whether I live in Cohansie, in Princeton, or in Virgininia; Or in America, or in Europe, so long as I am still supported, & upheld by the Divine Agency! – I am fully satisfied – Guide me, propitious Heaven! Help me to Glorify my God; To honour the holy Religion which I profess; & If I shall be fitted, & introduced to the Ministry, may I still go on and be of advantage to my fellow Mortals! —

Evening, The Boys are returned; Bob brings me the parsons Compliments; Mr Cunninghams; & that Miss Corbin enquired If I was well! – Bob [also] informed me that the Parson, Mr Blain, Cunningham, Balantine, & others are to come to Captain Turburvilles Mill-Pond to Skate before they go to the Ball —

Monday 17.

At Breakfast the Colonel gave orders to the Boys concerning their conduct this Day, & through the course of the Ball – He allows them to go; to stay all this Night; to bring him an Account of all the company at the Ball; & to return tomorrow Evening – All the morning is spent in Dressing. – Mr Carter & Mrs Carter pressed me to go; But, mindful of my Promise when I left Home, I stay and enjoy myself in quiet. – I give the Children a Holiday to Day – I gave Dennis the Waiter half a Bit a Present – Mrs Carter, Miss Prissy, & Nancy dressed splendidly set away from Home at two.

Teusday 18.

Mrs Carter, & the young Ladies came Home last Night from the Ball, & brought with them Mrs Lane, they tell us there were upwards of Seventy at the Ball; forty one Ladies; that the company was genteel; & that Colonel Harry Lee,[115] from Dumfries, & his Son Harrey who was with me at College, were also there; Mrs Carter made this an argument, and it was a strong one indeed, that to-day I must dress & go with her to the Ball – She added also that She Desired my Company in the Evening when she should come Home as it would be late – After considering a while I consented to go, & was dressed – we set away from Mr Carters at two; Mrs Carter & the young Ladies in the Chariot, Mrs Lane in a Chair, & myself on Horseback – As soon as I had handed the Ladies out, I was saluted by Parson Smith; I was introduced into a small Room where a number of Gentlemen were playing Cards, (the first game I have seen since I left Home) to lay off my Boots Riding-Coat &c – Next I was directed into the Dining-Room to see Young Mr Lee; He introduced me to his Father – With them I conversed til Dinner, which came in at half after four. The Ladies dined first, when some Good order was preserved; when they rose, each nimblest Fellow dined first – The Dinner was as elegant as could be well expected when so great an Assembly were to be kept for so long a time. – For Drink, there was several sorts of Wine, good Lemon Punch, Toddy, Cyder, Porter &c. – About Seven the Ladies & Gentlemen begun to dance in the Ball-Room – first Minuets one Round; Second Giggs; third Reels; And last of All Country-Dances; tho' they struck several Marches occasionally – The Music was a French-Horn and two Violins – The Ladies were Dressed Gay, and splendid, & when dancing, their Silks & Brocades rustled and trailed behind them! – But all did not join in the Dance for there were parties in Rooms made up, some at Cards; some drinking for Pleasure; some toasting the Sons of america; some singing "Liberty Songs" as they call'd them, in which six, eight, ten or more would put their Heads near together and roar, & for the most part as unharmonious as an affronted – Among the first of these Vociferators was a young Scotch-Man, Mr Jack Cunningham; he was nimis bibendo appotus; noisy, droll, waggish, yet civil in his way & wholly inoffensive – I was solicited to dance by several, Captain Chelton, Colonel Lee, Harry Lee, and others; But George Lee,[116] with great Rudeness as tho' half drunk, asked me why I would come to the Ball & neither dance nor play Cards? I answered him shortly, (for his Impudence moved my resentment) that my Invitation to the Ball would Justify my Presence; & that he was ill qualified to direct my Behaviour who made so indifferent a Figure himself – Parson Smiths, & Parson Gibberns Wives danced, but I saw neither of the Clergymen either dance or game[117]– At Eleven Mrs Carter call'd upon me to go, I listned with gladness to the summons & with Mrs Lane in the Chariot we rode Home, the Evening sharp and cold! – I handed the Ladies out, waited on them to a warm Fire, then ran over to my own Room, which was warm and had a good Fire; oh how welcome! Better this than to be at the Ball in some corner nodding, and awaked now & then with a midnight Yell! – In my Room by half after twelve; & exceeding happy that I could break away with Reputation. —

Wednesday 19.

Rose at Nine while the Bell was ringing – Breakfasted at ten, Mr Carter and I alone, the Ladies yet in Bed – I gave the Children the third Holiday; Bob Ben & Harry are yet at the Dance – Mrs Carter declines going to Day, I took a Walk out before Dinner, & with my Pen-knife carved Laura's much admired Name, upon a smooth beautiful Beech-Tree – Towards Evening Mrs Lane left us & rode home —Bob came Home about six, but so sleepy that he is actually stupified! —

Thursday 20.

Ben came Home late in the Night – This morning he looks fatigued out. We began to study to Day but all seem sleepy and dull. Dined with us to-day Mr 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[118]– But I drew the Picture from Laura.

Fryday 21.

All seem tolerably recruited this morning; we hear, the company left the Ball last Evening, quite wearied out; tho' the Colonel intreated them to stay the proposed Time.

To Day about twelve came to Mr Carters Captain John Lee, 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 set in my Room all Day working at my Verses for Miss Carter.

Sunday 23.

None went to Church on account of the Cold – Afternoon the Sun shone fair – I took my Horse & rode about a Mile & returned – Captain Lee left us this Day.

Monday 24.

Still very cold snows some – Dined with us Colonel Frank L. Lee,[119] & Colonel Harrison of Maryland – Miss Nancy unwel of a cold. – There are great Professions of Liberty here expressed in Songs Toasts, &c. Yesterday News came of the Arrival of Ships with Tea; into Boston, New-york, Philadelphia. & of the New-Yorkers burning the House of his Excellency Governor Tryon. 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 25.

Still sharp & cold – Miss Nancy much indisposed with a sore throat – Dined with us Mr Cunningham. Toasts the King, Queen, Governor & Colonel, of Virginia. Northern Sons of Liberty. & a good price for our comodities. – This Day the Person who carried my Letters to Baltimore returned without any Letters or Intelligence.

Wednesday 26.

The weather this morning seems to have moderated – Miss Nancy is poorly but better – In the Evening I ran a Foot Race with Ben & Harry fo 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 to my Chamber and lay down, sick, fainty, & quite distressed. I puked several times; after having rested a while, however, I revived & 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! —

Thursday 27.

The morning mild Serene and moderate – The Colonel is making preparations for a Journey to Anapolis, where he Designs next Month. In the Evening, (for here they call the time between Dinner and day-light-End Evening,) He & Mrs Carter shewed me their House; the original Design, the present form; & what is yet to be Done – Miss Nancy came down stairs to Day —

Fryday 28.

Snows this morning Briskly – Ben in a great Fever lest the Weather shall stop him from a Ride he has alloted for tomorrow – At twelve the Snow ceased, Depth about five Inches – I corrected Harry for the first time to-day for expressing himself indecently to Prissy.

Saturday 29.

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 floor, it took fire, & when I entered it was burning rapidly – It had burnt 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 – Mr Carter has a Cart & three pair of Oxen which every Day bring in four Loads of Wood, Sundays 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 Mrs Carter, Mr Carter & Myself, the Conversation being on serious Matters, Mr Carter observed that he much dislikes 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 & strongly inclosed, and the Graves kept up decent, & plain, but would have no splendid, nor magnificent Monument, nor even Stone to say "Hic 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 to be put over him – And that he would choose to be laid under a shady Tree where he might be undisturbed, & sleep in peace & obscurity – He told us, that with his own hands he planted, & is with great diligence raising a Catalpa-Tree at the Head of his Father who lies in his Garden – Mrs Carter beg'd that She might have a Stone, with this only for a Monument, "Here lies Ann Tasker Carter."[120] 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 30.

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 – Mrs Carter & I after Breakfast had a long conversation on religious affairs – Particularly on differing Denominations of Protestants – She thinks the Religion of the established Church without Exception the best of any invented 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 Evening 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 Mr Randolphs Room; – I went among them, Ben, & Harry were of the company —Harry was dancing with his Coat off – I dispersed them however immediately.

Monday 31.

Excessive sloppy – Miss Nancy came to School to Day – I finished my verses which are to be presented as a Valantine to Miss Prissy Carter.

Teusday February 1st 1774.

Fair & mild but vastly muddy – About twelve Squire Lee & 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 & Mrs 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 day began Multiplication. We had also a large elegant Writing Table brought to us, so high that the Writers must stand.

Thursday 3.

Prissy, & Nancy practising music – We had last night Thunder, Lightning, & a very great shower.

Fryday 4.

I put Ben this day into virgil – We had our Room mended & came into it – at twelve I rode out to Mr Taylors about two Miles, in again by Dinner-Time – Dined with us one Mrs Hut – This Evening, in the School-Room, which is below my Chamber, several Negroes & Ben, & 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 Mr Goodlett, & Saml Fantleroy;[121] I spent the remainder of the day with them. – At Dinner when call'd upon for a Toast I gave Miss Sally Hollinshead. Mr Goodlett told me he has had an Invitation, to accept a School in Leeds,[122] a town on the River Rapahannock, about 25 Miles from this up & across the Country.

Sunday 6.

I rode to Church; Mrs Carter & Miss Prissy & Nancy were out – Mr Smith gave us a Sermon 14 Minutes long on Charite – But poor Fellow he seem'd Cold as his Subject! Mr Fantleroy; & Mr Goodlett dined with us and set off for Home as soon as we rose from Dinner – This day two Negro Fellows the Gardiner & cooper, wrangled; & 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 has been into Northumland to see one Mr Jones. Mr 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 appearance of Spring – Mr Blain call'd this Affternoon, & told us that by a Letter he hears Lady Dunmore is arrived from New-York[123]– and that many good & wealthy Families arrived in the same Ship – It is indeed amazing, & it will soon astonish the whole World, to consider the Rapidity of the growth of these Colonies —

At Supper, Mr Carter informed me it is his purpose to manifacture 30.000 Bushels of wheat in his New-Mill which is yet scarcely finished.

Teusday 8.

Before Breakfast Nancy & Fanny had a Fight about a Shoe Brush which they both wanted – Fanny pull'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 & affraid lest he should be brought in, ran and informed me – I made peace, but with many threats —

Mrs Carter has ordered the Gardener to sew Lettice, & plant Peas this Day in the Garden. —

Wednesday 9.

This day very blustry & cold – I gave Prissy a Coppy of Secretary-Hand, at her particular Request —

Thursday 10.

We had the Virginia Gazette[124] to day in which the accounts concerning the destroying the Tea at Boston are confirm'd – & also an account of the Burning of the House of Governor Tryon. Dined with us Colonel Frank Lee; his Wife & Captain John Lee. Toasts after Dinner, the King. Queen. Absent Friends, Governor of Virginia, & his Lady just arrived, & Success to American Trade & Commerce

Fryday 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 Quinsy." Mr Carter has a Man lying now dangerously ill of it!

What they do in the Disorder is, when the Inflamation is first observ'd, 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 concerning 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 had so strong an Effect on him (as all the Children are in remarkable Subjection to their Parents) that he firmly pomised 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 dismised the School I went over to Mr Carters Study – We conversed on many things, & at length on the College of William & Mary at Williamsburg. He informed me that it is in such confusion at present, & 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, and has often seen them drunken in the Street! – That the Charter of the College is vastly Extensive, & the yearly income sufficient to support a University being about 4.000£. Sterling. – That the Necessary Expence for each Scholar yearly is only 15£ Currency.

Two of the officers of the Institution, Mr Bracker, & Mr Henly[125] Clergymen are at present engaged in a paper War published weekly in the Williamsburg Gazette's.

Miss Fanny quite unwell of a Cold with a pain in her Breast. Evening Mrs Carter complain'd of a sore throat; and Ben also, complains that his Throat is quite troublesome – Mr Randolph too is confin'd in his Room all day! We seem to be all sickning! —

Sunday 13.

Things look better this morning Mrs Carter, & Ben seem relieved, Mr Randolph, & Fanny are better. The morning very blustry with wind & Snow – None go to Church from here to day – In my Room I read Pictete.