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.
Mr Carter heard this Evening that Captain Walker cannot go to Maryland, he is thus stop'd.
Thursday 16.
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 lead him to the Stable, applied Spirits of Turpentine 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 Mrs Carter; She shewed me her stock of Fowls & 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 Cattle, Horses, & domestic Poultry, would be a manner of life too tedious to endure; Dined at three.
Fryday 17.
I dismissed the children this morning til' monday on account of Mr Christian's Dance, which, as it goes through his Scholars in Rotation, happens to be here to Day—and I myself also am unwell, so as not to go out;—Mrs 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, from her undistinguished kindness, to send me before Dinner some hot Barley Broth,—Ben Carter before Noon introduced into my Room, Mr Billy Booth,[96] a young Gentleman of Fortune, who is one of Mr Christians pupils—The two Master Fantleroys 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!—
Mrs 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 intirely contrary to my Expectation, the Company were separated to their respective apartments before half after nine oClock.
Saturday 18.
Rose by Seven, Sent for Mr Carters Barber and was drest for Breakfast—We went in to Breakfast at ten;—I confess I have been seldom more dash'd than when I entered the dining-Room, for I must of necessity be interrogated by Mr Carter before them all, about my indisposition, and if I was better.—I went through the several Ceremonies with as much resolution, and speed as possible, and soon mixed with the Company in promiscuous conversation. There were present of Grown persons Mr & Mrs. Carter, Mrs Lee, & Miss Jenny Corbin; young Misses about Eleven: & Seven young 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 propriety; after which the whole company Joined in country-dances,[97] 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' apparently in the utmost Disorder—The Dance continued 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 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 himself from the School—I thought this a sharp reproof, to a young Gentleman of seventeen, before a large number of Ladies!—When it grew too dark to dance, the young Gentlemen walked over to my Room, we conversed til half after six; Nothing is now to be heard of in conversation, but the Balls, the Fox-hunts, the fine entertainments, and the good fellowship, which are to be exhibited at the approaching Christmas.—I almost think myself happy that my Horses lameness will be sufficient Excuse for my keeping at home on these Holidays.—Mr Goodlet[98] was barr'd out of his School last Monday by his Scholars, for the 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 the permission of Providence 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 Mr Christian retired; and at the proposal of several, (with Mr Carters approbation) we played Button, to get Pauns for Redemption; here I could join with them, and indeed it was carried on with sprightliness, and Decency; in the course of redeeming my Pauns, I had several Kisses of the Ladies!—Early in the Evening cam colonel Philip Lee,[99] in a travelling Chariot from Williamsburg—Half after eight we were rung in to Supper; The room looked luminous and splendid; four very large candles burning on the table where we supp'd, three others in different parts of the Room; a gay, sociable Assembly, & four well instructed waiters!—So soon as we rose from supper, the Company form'd into a semicircle round the fire, & Mr Lee, by the voice of the Company was chosen Pope, and Mr Carter, Mr Christian, Mrs Carter, Mrs Lee, and the rest of the company were appointed Friars, in the play call'd "break the Popes neck"—Here we had great Diversion in the respective Judgments upon offenders, but we were all dismiss'd by ten, and retired to our several Rooms.
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 Fredricksburg, which lies upon the Rapahannock, 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 sore down to his knee is much swell'd!—It runs however, and the Hostler tells me it is mending. Dined at three; Miss Betsy Lee[100] dined with us—Writing to day my Sermon for the Presbitery. Sup'd on Oysters.
This is the first day I 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[101] 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 Mr Blain and Mr Lee who were going to one Mr Lanes[102] to a Christning, which I understand is one of the chief times for Diversion here—Miss Carter, this afternoon told me that her Mama thought of giving a small Ball at the approaching Christmas for select friends.
[Philip V. Fithian To Elizabeth Beatty]
Nominy-Hall Virginia. Decem: 21. 1773.
To Laura.
If these shall be so fortunate, as to come to your Hands, I beg leave to acquaint you that I am as agreeably settled as I can possibly be when so remote from the chief object of my Esteem on Earth—And, that I am, & have been, since I left Home, through the Kindness of Heaven, in good Health.
You will be surprized if I tell you that I should have been now in Cohansie, had I never seen you, or had you been less uncertain of your future Purpose! That you may not be wholly without a Reason for what I say, I must tell you, that in your Absence last Summer I found it difficult to restrain myself from Writing frequently to you; And after I was compell'd, tho' unwilling, to believe that you would grant me no Return; lest I should be troublesome or impertinent, when I had an advantageous Offer from the Gentleman with whom I now reside, I determined to leave Home a few Months. So far I have jested—But to be serious, Laura, I hope to see you in the Spring as I propose to be at Home by the Beginning of May—Perhaps the fine Air; the sprightly Conversation; the sociable Balls; & various Pleasures so common here, will have made so very a "Coxcomb" of musty Philander, that you will blush to confess you ever knew him! Be not hasty to judge—Possibly, on the other Hand, Laura; even Laura, may appear so dull & unfashionable that Philander tho' a Coxcomb will look down & despise her—No Laura, for tho, we have fine Ladies; Gay Fellows, charming Music; rich & I may say luxurious Entertainment; to all which I am almost every Week strongly invited; Yet I find greater Pleasure at Home, where I have every genteel Accomodation I could wish, and a Family of lovely Children to instruct—You would envy me if I was able to tell you how kind, obedient, & beautiful the Children are which I teach!—I have three Boys the youngest of which is about the Age & Size of your Brother R—Also five Girls between five & fourteen years Old. The Girls all dress in White, & are remarkably genteel. They have been educated in the City Williamsburg in this Colony—The two eldest are now learning Music, one to play the Harpsichord; the other the Guittar, in the practice of which they spend three Days in the Week—I have only further to acquaint you that every one is now speaking of the approaching Christmas.—The young Ladies tell me we are to have a Ball, of selected Friends in this Family—But I, hard Lot, I have never learn'd to dance!
I am, however,
my dear Eliza, thine
Phi: V. Fithian.
Wednesday 22.
Mr 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 Presbitery—I read Pictete, The Spectator, Salust, History of England, English Grammar, Arithmetic, and the Magazines by turns. Miss Priscilla, and Miss Nancy rode this morning in the Chariot over to Mr Turburvills—Bob, every day at twelve o-Clock, is down by the River Side with his Gun after Ducks, Gulls &c.—Ben is on his Horse a Riding, Harry, is either in the Kitchen, or at the Blacksmiths, or Carpenters Shop. They all find places of Rendesvous so soon as the Beell rings, and all seem to choose different Sports!—To day dined with us Mr 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.[103]—The Notes are clear and inexpressibly Soft, they swell, and are inexpressibly grand; & 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.
Thursday 23.
Rose at eight—Rains this morning, the weather is also warmer. Mr Carter has sent his son Ben to his head Overseer, to take notice and account of the measuring 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 Mr & Mrs Carter gave their opinion concerning what they thought pleasing and agreeable in a person; Mrs Carter said she loved a sociable open, chatty person; that She could not bear Sullenness, and stupidity—Mr Carter, on the other-hand, observed that it is just which Solomon says, that there is a "time for all things under the Sun"; that it discovers 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 27th Chapter of Deuteronomy 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 exceedingly Pleased, yet astonished at the Boy on two accounts.—1st At the end of every verse, befor he came to this, he would pronounce aloud, "Amen." But on Reading this verse he not only omitted the "Amen," but seem'd visibly struck with confusion!—2d 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 dismiss'd the Children, & was sitting in the School-Room cracking Nuts, none present but Mr 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, their weekly allowance is a peck of Corn, & a pound of Meat a Head!—And Mr Carter is allow'd 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 Mr George Lees Overseer, one Morgan, say the other day that he himself had often done to Negroes, and found it useful; He said that whipping of any 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 experiments 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 scrap'd; & 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 inhuman 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 Dexterity of the Negro, while he was releiving his Feet on the sharpen'd Peg!—I need say nothing of these seeing there is a righteous God, who will take vengeance on such Inventions!—Miss Priscilla and Nancy returned in the evening.
Fryday 24.
Ben Rode off this morning before day to Mr Fantleroys, for Christmas I dismiss'd the children while next Wednesday. I was introduced by Mr Carter at Dinner, to Dr Jones[104] 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 princeton, or Cohansie! & by Gods blessing I hope to make it as profitable. In the Evening I read the two first Books of popes Homer. Dr Jones supped with us, & is to stay the Night. The conversation at supper was on Nursing Children; I find it is common here for people of Fortune to have their young Children suckled by the Negroes! Dr Jones told us his first and only Child is now with such a Nurse; & Mrs Carter said that Wenches have suckled several of hers—Mrs 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 Neighbourhood, and the Negroes seem to be inspired with new Life.[105] The Day has been serene and mild, but the Evening is hazy.
Supp'd on Oysters.
Saturday 25.
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 wish'd 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 very 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 possible.—Soon after my Cloths and Linen were sent in with a message for a Christmas Box, as they 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.—I gave Tom the Coachman, who Doctors my Horse, for his care two Bits, & am to give more when the Horse is well.—I 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 3s 1½d.—
At Breakfast, when Mr 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.
Mrs Carter was, as always, cheerful, chatty, & agreeable; She told me after Breakfast several droll, merry Occurrences that happened while she was in the City Williamsburg.—
This morning came from the Post-office at Hobbes-Hole, on the Rappahannock, our News-papers. Mr Carter takes the Pennsylvania Gazette, which seems vastly agreeable to me, for it is like having something from home—But I have yet no answer to my Letter. We dined at four o-Clock—Mr Carter kept in his Room, because he breakfasted late, and on Oysters—There were at Table Mrs Carter & her five Daughters that are at School with me—Miss Priscilla, Nancy, 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 otherwise than common, yet as elegant a Christmas Dinner as I ever sat Down to—The table Discourse was Marriage; Mrs Carter observ'd that was she a Widow, she should scruple to marry any man alive; She gave a reason, that She did not think it probable a man could love her grown old when the world is thronged with blooming, ripening Virgins; but in fact Mrs Carter looks & would pass for a younger Woman than some unmarried Ladies of my acquaintance, who would willingly enough make us place them below twenty!—We dined at four; when we rose from table it was growing dark—The wind continues at South East & is stormy and muddy.
Mr Randolph the Clerk told me this Evening a Circumstance concerning Bob which tho it discovered stupidity, yet at the same time discovered great thoughtfulness.—It was about his sleeping with the Dog; Mr Randolph told me Bob asked him with great solemnity if he thought God Almighty knew it!—While we supped Mr Carter as he often does played on the Forte-Piano. He almost never sups. Last Night and to night I had large clear, & very elegant Spermaceti Candles sent into my Room;
Sunday 26.
I rose at eight—The morning is fair; all seem quiet—I went to the window before I was drest, having only a Gown thrown about me & enjoy'd a beautiful Prospect of the high Banks of the River Nomini gilded by the morning Sun—I could not help casting my Eyes with eagerness over the blue Potowmack and look homewards.—After having paid my morning secret Devotion to the King of Kings, I sat myself to the correcting and transcribing my Sermon—I had the pleasure to wait on Mrs Carter to Church She rode in the Chariot, & Miss Prissy and Nancy; Mr Carter chose to stay at Home—The Sacrament was to have been administred but there was so few people that he thought it improper, and put of til Sunday fortnight. He preach'd from Isaiah 9.6. For unto us a child is Born &c. his Sermon was fifteen Minutes long! very 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 Expression from a young Scotch-Man,[106] Tutor in Mr Washingtons Family; he meant it for a Satire upon the neglect of the people in suffering their Grave Yard to lie common—He saw some Cattle & Hogs feeding & rooting in the yard; "Why, says he, if I was buried here it would grieve me to look up and see Swine feeding over me"!—But I understand only the lower sort of People are buried at the Church; for the Gentleman have private burying-Yards.
Monday 27.
At Breakfast Mrs Carter gave me an Invitation to wait on her to Parson Smiths Mr Carter offered Me his riding Horse, A beautiful grey, young, lively Colt; We sat out about ten, Mrs Carter, Miss Prissy, Miss Fanny, & Miss Betsy, in the Chariot; Bob and I were on Horse back; Mrs Carter had three waiting Men; a Coachman. Driver & Postillion. We found the way muddy; got there a little after twelve; Mr Smith was out; I was introduced by Mrs Carter to Mrs Smith, and a young Lady her Sister who lives with them; At Dinner I was at Mr Smiths request to "say Grace" as they call it; which is always express'd by the People in the following words, "God bless us in what we are to receive"—& after Dinner, "God make us thankful for his mercies"—As we were sitting down to Table Ben Carter rode up; when we had dined, the Ladies retired, leaving us a Bottle of Wine, & a Bowl of Toddy for companions—Ben came with a Message for me to go to a Ball, but poor fellow, I cant dance!—He prest me very much, but I was forced to decline it—We returned in the Evening; & found Mr Carter & Miss Nancy practising Music, one on the Forte-Piano, and the other on the Guitar. Mr Carter is Learning Bedford, Coles hill, and several other Church Tunes.
Teusday 28.
Last Night there fell a Snow, which is about half Shoe deep, the Air is sharp, the wind at North, & Snows yet by turns. I finished and laid by my Sermon for the Presbytery this morning—Breakfasted at ten: Ben staid last Night at Mr Turbuville's & got Home to day about twelve from his Christmas Jaunt.
Spent most of the Day at the great House hearing the various Instruments of Music. Evening, at Miss Prissy's Request I drew for her some Flowers on Linen which she is going to imbroider, for a various Counterpane.
This Morning our School begins after the Holidays. Bob seems sorry that he must forsake the Marsh & River when he is daily fowling, & never kills any Game. At Dinner we had the Company of Dr Franks[107] who has been all along Mr Carters Clerk; but is now leaving Him. We had a large Pye cut to Day to signify the Conclusion of the Holidays. I drew, this afternoon more Flowers for Miss Prissy.
Thursday 30.
Dr Franks is moving, he has lived in the House adjoining our School. The morning is fine, I rose by eight, breakfasted at ten, Miss Prissy & Nancy are to-Day Practising Music one on the Forte Piano, the other on the Guitar, their Papa allows them for that purpose every Teusday, & Thursday. Ben is gone to the Quarter to see to the measuring the crop of Corn. On his return in the Evening, when we were sitting & chatting, among other things he told me that we must have a House-warming, seeing we have now got possession of the whole House—It is a custom here whenever any person or Family move into a House, or repair a house they have been living in before, they make a Ball & give a Supper—So we because we have gotten Possession of the whole House, are in compliance with Custom, to invite our Neighbours, and dance, and be merry—But poor me! I must hobble, or set quiet in the Corner!
Fryday 31.
I rose at eight. Ben gone again to the quarter—Harriot to Day for the first time said all her letters—
The Colonel shewed me after Dinner a new invention, which is to be sure his own, for tuning his Harpischord & Forte-Piano: it is a number of Whistles, of various Sizes so as to sound all the Notes in one Octave. At twelve o-Clock Mr Carter ordered his Boy to bring two Horses, and himself & Miss Prissy rode out for an airing as the Day is vastly fine—Assoon as the Bell rang & I had dismissed the Children I took a walk in the Garden; When I had gone round two or three Platts Mrs Carter entered and walked towards me, I then immediately turn'd and met Her; I bowed—Remarked on the pleasantness of the Day—And began to ask her some questions upon a Row of small slips—To all which she made polite and full answers; As we walked along she would move the Ground at the Root of some plant; or prop up with small sticks the bended scions—We took two whole turns through all the several Walks, & had such conversation as the Place and Objects naturally excited—And after Mrs Carter had given some orders to the Gardiners (for there are two Negroes Gardiners by Trade, who are constantly when the Weather will any how permit working in it) we walked out into the Area viewed some Plumb-Trees, when we saw Mr Carter and Miss Prissy returning—We then repaired to the Slope before the front-Door where they dismounted—and we all went into the Dining Room. I shall in a proper time describe the great-House, & the several smaller ones in its neighbourhood; the Area, Poplar-Walk, Garden, & Pasture: In the mean time I shall only say, they discover a delicate and Just Tast, and are the effect of great Invention & Industry, & Expence. At Dinner we were conversing on the seasons of the Year, & giving our different opinions of which of the Seasons we each thought most agreeable: Mrs Carter chose the Months of October, November & December, her reasons were, that we are always most sensible of pleasure when it succeeds Axiety & Pain; therefore because these months immediately follow those in which there is usually Thunder & Lightning & intense Heat, She thinks them most pleasant: The Colonel agreed with her as to the Months but gave a different Reason; He supposes that in these Months the Air is more uniform and settled than at any other so long time in the year. I preferr'd May, June, and July, because our Bodies at that Season are generally sprightly, vigorous and healthy, and the world around us is beautiful & growing to necessary perfection. Miss Prissy & Miss Nancy were on my side.
Mrs Carter told the Colonel that he must not think her setled (for they have been for a long time from this place in the City Williamsburg, and only left it about a year and a half ago) till he made her a park and stock'd it; while these and many other things were saying, I was surprized at a Remark which Miss Prissy made, "Why Mama says she, you plan and talk of these things as tho' you should never die"!
Saturday January 1. 1774.
Another Year is gone! Last New years Day I had not the most remote expectation of being now here in Virginia! Perhaps by the next I shall have made a longer and more important Remove, from this to the World of Spirits!
It is well worth the while, for the better improving of our time to come to recollect and reflect upon the Time which we have spent; The Season seems to require it; it will give entertainment at least, perhaps much substantial pleasure too, to be able to make with a considerable degree of certainty a review of the general course of our Actions in the course of a year. This shall be my employment, so far as I am able to recollect, when I shall have suitable time for the fixing & laying my thoughts together—
In the mean time I observe that the Day is most pleasant, the wind is West, not fresh; the air is void of clouds, but near the Earth is smoky; the Ground is clear of Frost and setled, what can be finer? Mr Carter Miss Prissy and myself were to have rode out for an Exercise at twelve, but we were prevented by the coming of a Gentleman, Dr Fantleroy,[108] to whom Mr Carter introduced me—
After Dinner was finished which was about four o-Clock, Miss Prissy & Myself, together with a Servant (for Mr Carter would not trust us alone he said) rode on Horse-Back to Mr Turbuvilles, about three quarters of a Mile distance; It is the first time I have been there, the House is near, & in Sight, and the families intimate. I rode my Horse for the first time since his misfortune. When we returned about Candlelight, we found Mrs Carter in the yard seeing to the Roosting of her Poultry; and the Colonel in the Parlour tuning his Guitar.
Sunday 2.
The weather warm and Damp—The Family rode to Church to-day and are to dine out. Mr Carter at my request, gave me the Keys of his Book-Cases and allowed me to spend the Day alone in his Library.
The place seems suitable for Study, & the Day ought to be spent in serious contemplation; therefore, as I proposed Yesterday, I shall collect together and write down what I have been doing in the last Year. But will my Life bear the review? Can I look upon my Actions and not 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 the last year I was in Deerfield, in Cumberland County New-Jersey, with the Rev'd Mr Green; Under him I studied the Hebrew-Language and Divinity. I left the college the last of September 1772. After having setled my business at Home, I entered upon the Study of Divinity with the Rev'd Andrew Hunter; I was with him about a Month, and on the first of December I went to Mr Green with a design to acquaint myself with the Hebrew Tongue; he put me to the Grammar, which I learn'd through, and read some Chapters in the Psalter in the Course of the Winter: In Divinity, he advised me to read Ridgeleys body of Divinity for a System: And he gave me several separate treatisses on Repentance, Regeneration, Faith, &c., & towards spring gave me subjects to consider in the Sermon-Way. Yet how barren am I still? It is an arduous task to bring the Mind to close application; & still greater to lay up and retain useful Knowledge. I continued with Mr Green & pursued my studies, I hope with some Success till August 1773. when I was solicited by Dr Witherspoon to go into Virginia & teach in a Gentlemans Family—The Offer seem'd profitable; I was encouraged by the Dr and was to have his Recommendation—I had likewise myself a strong inclination to go—Yet I was in great Doubt, & Wholly undetermined for some Weeks, because many of my friends, and some of my near Relations opposed my leaving Home, and all seem'd utterly unwilling to advise to go—It is time, according to the Course of my Life they said that I was settling to some constant Employment, and they told me I ought especially to enter with as great speed as convenient into that plan of Life for which I have in particular had my Education—That Virginia is sickly—That the People there are profane, and exceeding wicked—That I shall read there no Calvinistic Books, nor hear any Presbyterian Sermons—That I must keep much Company, and therefore spend as much, very probably much more Money than my Salary—These considerations unsettled for a while my mind—On the other hand I proposed to myself the following advantages by going—A longer opportunity for Study than my friends would willingly allow me If I should remain at home—A more general acquaintance with the manners of Mankind; and a better Knowledge of the Soil, & Commerce of these neighbouring Provinces—And a more perfect acquaintance with the Doctrines, & method of Worship in the established Church in these Colonies, & especially with the Conduct of the Clergy of which there have been so many bad reports—All these however when I had laid them together, seem'd to overbear the others, so that I determined at last to break through and go!—Here now I am in a strange Province; But I am under no more nor stronger temptations to any kind of vice, perhaps not so great as at Cohansie,—unless sometimes when I am solicited to dance I am forc'd to blush, for my Inability—I have the opportunity of living with Credit perfectly retired—in a well regulated family—With a man of Sense—May God help me to walk in his fear & Gloryfy his Name!—
Monday 3d.
Last Evening, by Miss Prissy, I was complimented with an Invitation from Mr Turburville to Dine with Him tomorrow—Squire Lee[109] is as Miss Prissy told me, preparing to make a splendid Ball, which is to last four or five Days; we are to be invited!—But I must stay at Home and read Salust—Mr Carter is at Richmond-Court, which is held monthly here in every County. In the Evening Mr Warden, a young Scotch Lawyer came home with him. I spent the Evening in the Parlour—After Supper when I was call'd upon for my Tost I mentioned with Pleasure Miss Betsy Beaty.
Teusday 4.
Rose by eight—Mr Warden breakfasted with us. Miss Prissy befor Breakfast, as it is her practising Day, gave us sundry Tunes on the Forte Piano. I kept the children while twelve then as we were to dine out, I dismiss'd them till morning, and prepar'd to ride—Mrs Carter, Miss Sylla, and Miss Betsy rode in the Chariot, and set off about half after twelve with three waiting men—Mr Carter, Ben, and myself, waited, & left Home by half after one, we rode on Horse back, and waited on ourselves—It was two o-Clock when we got to Mr Turburvilles where we were to dine—We found there two Gentlemen, with their Wives, and one of them had also a Son & Daughter Mr Booth also came in a short time after us; So that there dined to day with Mr Turburville to day besides his usual Family thirteen Persons.—And if I mention the Waiting Men With the Carriages they were twenty. We had an Elegant Dinner, but it did not in any thing exceed what is every day at Mr Carters Table.
—We all returned Home before Dark—In the Evening the Colonel is busy in transposing Music, I have not been at any house since I left Home, which, from the appearance of its Situation, and the Economy of the Family, or any other apparent Convenience, I would so soon choose to reside in as a tutor, as the one in which it is my lot to be placed—The Family is most agreeable! Mr Carter is sensible judicious, much given to retirement & Study; his Company, & conversation are always profitable—His main Studies are Law & Music, the latter of which seems to be his darling Amusement—It seems to nourish, as well as entertain his mind! And to be sure he has a nice well judging Ear, and has made great advances in the Theory and Practice of music—
Mrs Carter is prudent, always cheerful, never without Something pleasant, a remarkable Economist, perfectly acquainted (in my Opinion) with the good-management of Children, intirely free from all foolish and unnecessary fondness, and is also well acquainted (for She has always been used) with the formality and Ceremony which we find commonly in high Life—Ben, the eldest, is a youth of genius: of a warm impetuous Disposition; desirous of acquiring Knowledge, docile, vastly inquisitive & curious in mercantile, and mechanical Matters, is very fond of Horsses, and takes great pleasure in exercising them—Bob, the other Brother, is By no means destitute of capacity, As Mr Marshal who was his last Tutor has asserted, & as many now suppose: He is extremely volatile & unsettled in his temper, which makes it almost wholly impossible to fix him for any time to the same thing—On which account he has made but very little advancement in any one Branch of Study, and this is attributed to Barrenness of Genius—He is slovenly, clumsy, very fond of Shooting, of Dogs, of Horses, But a very stiff untoward Rider, good natur'd, pleased with the Society of persons much below his Family, and Estate, and tho' quick and wrathful in his temper, yet he is soon moderated, & easily subdued—Harry the Nephew, is rather stoical, sullen, or saturnine in his make. He is obstinate, tho' Steady, and makes a slow uniform advance in his Learning, he is vastly kind to me, but in particular to my Horse, of his health or Indisposition—Miss Priscilla, the eldest Daughter about 16, is steady, studious, docile, quick of apprehension, and makes good progress in what She undertakes; If I could with propriety continue in the Family, I should require no stronger Inducement than the Satisfaction I should receive by seeing this young Lady become perfectly acquainted with any thing I propose so soon as I communicate it to her, but the situation of my affairs makes it out of my power to stay longer than a year; She is small of her age, has a mild winning Presence, a sweet obliging Temper, never swears, which is here a distinguished virtue, dances finely, plays well on key'd Instruments, and is upon the whole in the first 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 intirely to the fair Sex. I mean great curiosity, Eagerness for superiority, Ardor in friend ship, But bitterness and rage where there is enmity—She is not constant in her disposition, nor diligent nor attentive to her business—But She has her excellencies, She is cheerful, tender in her Temper, easily managed by perswasion & is never without what seems to have been a common Gift of Heaven, to the fair-Sex, the "Copia Verborum," 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 remarkable Sedateness, & simplicity in her countenance, which is always rather chearful than melancholy; She has nothing with which we can find Fault in her Person, but has something in the Features of her Face which insensibly pleases us, & always when She is in Sight draws our Attention, & much the more because there seems to be for every agreeable Feature a correspondent Action which improves & adorns it. Betsy next is young, quiet, and obedient—Harriot is bold, fearless, noisy and lawless; always merry, almost never displeased; She seems to have a Heart easily moved by the force of Music; She has learned many Tunes & can strike any Note, or Succession of Notes perfectly with the Flute or Harpsichord, and is never wearied with the sound of Music either vocal or Instrumental.
These are the Persons who are at present under my direction, & whose general Character I have very imperfectly attempted to describe.
Wednesday 5.
Rose at Seven. The morning very stormy. Bob & Nancy before Breakfast had a quarrel—Bob called Nancy a Lyar; Nancy upbraided Bob, on the other Hand, with being often flog'd by their Pappa; often by the Masters in College; that he had stol'n Rum, & had got drunk; & that he used to run away &c—These Reproaches when they were set off with Miss Nancys truely feminine address, so violently exasperated Bob that he struck her in his Rage—I was at the time in my Chamber; when I enter'd the Room each began with loud and heavy complaints, I put them off however with sharp admonitions for better Behaviour.
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 Mr Carter, that he desired me to correct Bob severely immediately—Bob when I went into School sat quiet in the corner, & looked sullen, and penitent; I gave some orders to the Children, and went to my Room.—I sent for Bob—He came crying—I told him his Fathers Message; he confess'd himself guilty—I 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 was obliged to comply with Mr Carter's 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 of 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 repeated then about eight more, & demanded and got immediately his solemn promise for peace among the children, & Good Behaviour in general—I then sent him down—He conducts himself through this day with great Humility, & unusual diligence, it will be fine if it continues. At noon I went over to Dinner, but it was storming, & 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 Stratford, to attend the Dancing-School—Mr Taylor,[110] 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 Mr & Mrs Carter.
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 Dr Frank lived a Concert-Room, to hold all his instruments of Music—As he proposes to bring up from Williamsburg his Organ, & to remove the Harpsichord, Harmonica, Forte-piano, Guittar, Violin, & German-Flutes, & make it a place for Practice, as well as Entertainment.
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 dismiss'd them about ten. The morning pleasant—Rode before Dinner to Mr Blains Store—Was introduced to Dr Thompson,[111] Mr Balantine,[112] Mr Carr a young Scotch-Man Clerk, to Mr Blain; dined with Mr 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 flashy in her Dress; Some of her Dress I admired because I have seen Laura in the like, yit strongly shewed me that it is not Dress alone I admire in Her. All these had been at a Widding in the country and were returning—In Dr Thomsons 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 improper 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 Philip Lee, where they met to Dance, was on Fryday, at the Wedding of which I made mention Just now; that Mr Christian the Master danced several Minuets, prodigiously beautiful; that Captain Grigg (Captain of an English Ship) danced a Minuet with her; that he hobled most dolefully, & that the whole Assembly laughed!—Bob told us that there was a Race between Mr —— And Colonels Horses—that they run a Mile, & that Dottrell[113] belonging to Mr —— 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 Fellow he is whom your Papa had 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 of my Behaviour, that he was pleased to say He should be glad to see me at his House, & 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; & will plead for my excuse nothing else than mere inclination.