Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 21

_Fryday 15._

I rose early--After Breakfast I rode to see Miss _Rachel Stocktin_,[165] now Mrs _Ryley_; She lives on this River, about a mile higher up, in a large very elegant brick House; in considerable grandeur--Poor Girl She herself is much indisposed either of a bad Cold, (as She thinks) or of this epidemical Fever; Mrs _Ryley_ introduced me ceremoniously to Miss _Ryley_ her Husbands _Sister_, She has a small handsome Fortune, & is perhaps agreeable--I returned to Town, & dined with Mr _Voorhees_, & immediately after crossed over the Ferry for _Port-Penn_.[166] Expence at _George-Town_ for my Horse 2/3 to Boy 4d. I rode next to small village called _Warwick_,[167] a pitful place indeed--Expence here 1/11 Boy /2. then I rode on to Port-Penn, the Country beautiful, the Land apparently very rich, the Timber strait, & large; I entered Port-Penn just as the Sun went down, but could not prevail with the Ferry-Man to carry me over before the morning--In George-Town I was told the following distressing _News_: that Dr _Ward_, & my Aunt _Fithian_ of Cohansie are both Dead; that my Aunt died in a very sudden unusual manner!--That Miss Polly Bullock of Philadelphia is dying in a Consumption!--In the Evening I called in to see Mr _Steward_ an ancient, gray headed, wealthy Gentleman in _Port-Penn_, who, by some Weakness in his Back, has been unable to walk at all for four years, he is hearty, religious, cheerful, seemed much pleased, & thanked me often for calling to see him, & desired by me his kindest Compliments to Mr Hunters Family--I spend the Evening alone with quiet & content.--In Bed by nine--

[165] Stockton.

[166] Port Penn, Delaware.

[167] Warwick, Maryland.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ferry crossing]

_Sat.u.r.day 16._

I rose early, & expected to pa.s.s soon over the Ferry--The wind moderate at North West but the boat is aground, & I must wait until eleven, when She is expected to float--I was much alarmed in the night, thinking I had in Maryland taken the putrid Fever; I lay sleepless, felt feverish, had pains in my Head--But I feel wholly relieved this morning. At twelve the Boat came--We run over--Expence at _Port-Penn_ 4/8. Ferriage 5/-. Once more through G.o.ds Mercy in New-Jersey. The Favours of G.o.d our common Parent are innumerable, & great beyond our merit--I rod with Pleasure from Elsenborough to Greenwich; I stopt to see the forsaken Mrs Ward; She seems to be truely distress'd! I arrived by Sunset at my Uncles he also seems much afflicted, with his Loss--He informed me that many have Died in the Neighbourhood of Greenwich this winter. Dr Ward, Squire Millar, Mr Boy'd Merchant--Aunt Fithian, aunt Ware, Rachel Peck, Rachel Ware, David Mills, Mrs Mills &c. a very Mortal Winter!

_Sunday 17._

The morning vastly pleasant & Cohansie looks a delightsome as ever it used I went to meeting. How unlike _Virginia_, no rings of Beaux chatting before & after Sermon on Gallantry; no a.s.sembling in crowds after Service to dine & bargain; no cool, spiritless harangue from the Pulpit; Minister & people here seem in some small measure to reverence the Day, there neither do the one or the other--I spent the day at Home.

_Monday 18._

I took a tour over to Town before dinner to see old acquaintances The Neighbourhood looks in nothing altered Mr _Potter_ took home my Brother Amos with an intention if it shall suit to learn him the Shopkeeping business--Afternoon I rode to Mr Hunters--And in the Evening with Andrew to Deerfield, spent the Evening til ten at Mr Greens in company with the amiable Miss Beatty--Mrs Green is much indisposed, has lately had a daughter--The School here is at the present time larger than it has ever been; there are now seven viz.

John Leek, Reading-Beatty,[168] James & John Ramsey, Stephen Ranney, Seeley Fithian, & Thomas Greenman--We rode to Mrs _Pecks_. Joseph since I left home, has married Mrs _Hannah_.

[168] A brother of Elizabeth Beatty.

_Teusday 19._

Rose by six. Breakfasted with Mrs _Peck_. Soon after we again visited Mr Green--I spent the Day most agreeably. Kind Heaven has indulg'd my wish;--In the Evening I went up & staid the Night at Mrs _Pecks_.

_Wednesday 20._

Soon after breakfast I rode home and visited several of my acquaintances--I had my Hair cut short--Feel myself much indisposed.

Looked over, sorted & adjusted my Books.--

_Thursday 21_

Spent all this day in preparing for my approaching examination before the Revd Presbytery--I am to review Greek Testament--Moral & Natural Philosophy--Logic--Geography And if I have time I must look over the Lattin Cla.s.sics.

_Fryday 22._

Rode to the Stage early for the Papers thence I went Mr Hunters where I met with that great master of music, Mr _Lyon_[169]--He sung at my request, & sing with his usual softness & accuracy--He is about publis.h.i.+ng a new Book of Tunes which are to be cheifly of his own Composition--He has removed out of Halifax into the Northern part of New-England, but poor Man, since he left Cohansie he has felt the hardy arm of want!--

[169] James Lyon, a graduate of the College of New Jersey, had compiled and published a large collection of church music, _Urania, or a choice collection of Psalm-Tunes, Anthems and Hymns_.

I returned towards Evening but promised first to visit him again tomorrow afternoon--

_Sat.u.r.day 23._

At home drawing off some of Mr Lyons Tunes, & revising my own Exercises--The morning pleasant but the weather dry. Afternoon according to appointment I visited Mr Lyon at Mr Hunters. He sings with great accuracy I sung with him many of his Tunes & had much Conversation on music, he is vastly fond of music & musical genius's We spent the Evening with great sattisfaction to me

_Sunday 24._

I left Mr Hunters Early I wrote a line to Miss Beatty, for a excuse for not seeing her yesterday Attended Sermon at Greenwich. I rode in the Evening to the Bridge to hear Mr Green, my old, much respected Tutor preach, he came & delivered himself admirably without making Use of Notes at all I staid the Night at Mr Seeleys, visited Mrs Ramsey, & Dr Elmer & spoke with many of my acquaintances--

_Monday 25._

I breakfasted with Mrs Ramsey, then rode to Mrs Boyds, & by Mr Ewing I was introduced to herself & her two Daughters Miss _Matty_ & Miss _Sally_--I had heard that this family is genteel, industrious & religious. I saw now & beleived it--Lately, by a sore stroke of providence Mr Boyd the Head has been remov'd by Death!--

Left Mrs Boyds & rode to Ephraim Seeleys junr--then about Eleven rode to Deerfield; dined with Mr Green. I had the pleasure to spend the afternoon and evening with Miss Beatty.

_Teusday 26._

Visited Mr Nathan Leek, he seems to be still loquacious, & historical--He gave me a long and full account of the present difference between Messrs _Hunter_, _Greenman_, & _Brown_,--He told me likewise the Beginning & continuation of the quarrel of the Magistrates-freeholders, & other officers about raising money by taxation for repairing Cohansie-Bridge--After Dinner, with Miss _Beatty_ I rode and visited Mrs Boyd--

_Wednesday 27._

John Peck agreed to succeed me at Mr Carters in Virginia I spoke to Mr Samuel Leek junr concerning Mr Taylors proposal;[170] he is doubtful about an answer

[170] Colonel John Tayloe.

Paid John Peck for postage of my Letter to him last Winter 4/. Bought a watch-seal 1/. Rode to Greenwich after Dinner.

_Thursday 28._

I waited on the Miss Boyds to day to Mr _Hollinsheads_, New England-Town. His Family are in good health; there I saw the amiable Miss _Debby Pratt_.--Mr _Hollinshead_ informed me that the Presbytery have been only a little pleased with the Examination of Messrs ---- probably mine will be worse! Returned to Mrs Boyds in the Evening

_Fryday 29._

I rode to Mr Green's after breakfast--Mr. d.i.c.ky Howel came in; we spent the afternoon & Evening with Mr Green & Miss Beatty; Mr Green is, to be sure, vastly sensible, very intelligible, dry, witty, satirical, yet good and exceeding agreeable.

_Sat.u.r.day 30._

Breakfasted with the parson--Rode home soon after breakfast--proceeded in preparing for the near approaching examination--The latter part of this Day very stormy.