Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 22

_Sunday May 1st 1774._

Very cool the wind violent at North West--I spent the morning in looking over the Greek-Testament--To day preached for us Mr _Aiken_.

He seems to be much applauded by the People.

_Monday 2._

Very early I rode over to Mr Holinshead's at Miss Pratts request to carry her to Mr Hoshels to be ready to-morrow morning for the Stage--We rode to the Bridge & dined at Mrs Boyds--After dinner we rode to Mr Hoshels--Miss _Debby Pratt_ according to her general character, is in every measure what I have said somewhere before, _Genteel_, _modest_, _Religious_ & _cheerful_--

_Teusday 3._

I conducted Miss Pratt to the Stage this morning by five & took my leave--I immediately after returned to the Bridge, thence to Mr Holinsheads by eight o Clock--Returned home by twelve.

_Wednesday 4._

Last night & this morning fell a very considerable Snow, so much that I imagine had it not melted after it fell it would have been six inches deep! Afternoon I walked to Deerfield--Miss Beatty a little--thoughtful.

_Thursday 5._

At the Bridge before noon to agree with Mr Potter about taking my Brother Amos prentice--We put it off some Days--Expence for a Watch Key 9d. Last Night was very cold; I shall scarce be beleived if I say that I saw, handled, & measured Ice this morning two Inches thick!

_Fryday 6._

Still very cold. To Day is the fast before Sacrament. Mr Hunter gave us two Sermons. The leaves on the Trees are grown black, the Fruit must be past recovery, probably. the Flax too.

_Sat.u.r.day 7._

I did several errands for myself in Greenwich--Before Noon Mr Patterson call'd to see me; He is shortly to be married to Miss Amy Ewing--She is a Girl of Reading, Taste, & Delicacy; has a good share of personal Beauty, open, sociable, & kind in her manner, & on the whole agreeable--Mr Paterson seemed always to me formal, has a peculiar, universal Fondness for the Fair is a great mathematician, a good English Scholar & Philosopher, & is frugal & industrious. I rode with Mr Patterson to Mr Hunters, he informed me many things concerning the new School or small Acadamy lately inst.i.tuted at Wilmington, in which he is second Master. Evening I wrote a sentimental Letter to Miss _Beatty_.

_Sunday 8._

To day at Greenwich was administred, & I received the holy Sacrament--Grant, great G.o.d, that I may have been a worthy communicant! I dined with Mrs Ward. She speaks with great Respect, Affection, and Sincerity of her late worthy Partner.

_Monday 9._

Til Eleven I am busy in looking over Exercises for the approaching Presbytery. After Dinner I made Mrs Brewster a Visit. Mr Ben Peck in my opinion is rashly entering on an important matter; he is going to begin in a few Days the Study of Phisic under the direction of Dr Bowen; whose kowledge & Practice, by those who are in fact Judges in the Art seems to be wholly exploded. There is a Report that Mrs Brewster is in prospect of being married to a Gentleman from Maryland; She talks freely of it, says She can fancy him; that he is a man of Fortune, of character & to her agreeable--But there is one She regards more who has left her, however, without hope!--

_Teusday 10._

Yesterday, in a private lonely manner, at nine in the morning, were married Mr Patterson & Miss Amy Ewing. I wish them from my heart a long, unbroken, & strong friends.h.i.+p for each other, & mutual, unmixed happiness. After breakfast according to a previous appointment, I rode to Deerfield Dine at Mrs Pecks. I am ashamed that I may record here what does no honour to my old Aunt, I saw her with three Partners round a Table playing Cards at that vulgar game fit only for the meanest gamblers "all Fours"[171]--At three I visited Miss _Beatty_ that amiable Girl, I always see with pleasure, am happy where She is & feel uneasy & disturbed always when I must leave her. Since June in the year 1770 I have had an acquaintance with her--& since May in the year 1771 I have happily had an Intimacy. Her Goodness has at length indulged my importunate Solicitations & in her Society I hope to be happy--I spent the Evening til eleven with her, & in the most entertaining manner, Mr Howel & Mr John Peck call'd in a small Time.

[171] "All-fours," derived its name from the four chances involved, for each of which a point was scored. The game was later renamed "seven-up."

_Wednesday 11._

I rose a little after seven. It is not my custom to lie in bed so long, but I was with Lazy Boys, _Reading Beatty_, and _Stephen Ranney_. Mrs Green is better, but Miss _Beatty_ says she has the _Hipp_--Soon after breakfast I returned Home--Mrs Pecks Family Mr Howel, & Miss Beatty at the same time set out on a visit to Mr Hoshels. There came a report to Day that Mr Stephen Reeve Silver Smith of Philadelphia is broken up, & has left the City; disagreeable News this to his Relations here--There was an Ox killed this Day at Bridge-Town which weighed upwards of a thousand weight, supposed to be the largest ever kill'd in the County.

_Thursday 12._

I wrote a chronological Letter to Miss _Beatty_. Spent the Day at home. Feel pensive on leaving Cohansie.

_Fryday 13._

I rode before Dinner to Mr _Hunters_. Andrew is finis.h.i.+ng his Exercises for the Presbytery--Mrs Hunter advised me to shew my Pieces to Mr _Hunter_ for correction I agreed--Four o Clock I rode to the Bridge, drank Tea with Mrs Boyd. They are Girls of Great prudence, & good breeding--

_Sat.u.r.day 14._

After breakfast I wrote a private Letter to Laura, befor Dinner rode to Mr _Hunters_ gave him my Pieces; he examined them, made some small alterations, & advised me to present them to the Presbytery--Took my Leave of several Friends in Greenwich--

_Sunday 15._

I wrote a Letter to Dr Beatty, & a Letter to Charles Beatty[172] of the Junior Cla.s.s at Na.s.sau Hall--To Day is the yearly Meeting with the Baptists--Last Evening was the first thunder Gust we have had this Season, it was not however Severe.

[172] A brother of Elizabeth Beatty.

Mr James Ward was excommunicated this Day from our Church--

_Monday 16._

We set out for Philadelphia from Mr Hunters by five Expence by the way 3/6. In Town by five.

_Teusday 17._

Took lodgings at Mrs Cheesmans--Expence for a Register 3/9.--Spoke for a mourning Ring. Motto I. & H. ob: Feb: 1772.--

Met in Presbytery at eleven A. M.--Business of last Session looked over, at one adjourn'd til three--at three met. Mr Evans[173]

p.r.o.nounced his first exercise a Sermon length an hour--After him Mr Keith produced his length 44 Minutes. Afternoon I spent several hours with the Miss Sprouts

[173] Israel Evans had been graduated at Princeton in 1772, and had afterwards studied theology under Dr. Witherspoon there.

_Wednesday 18._

I pa.s.sed my first examination before the Presbytery; after which I read my thesis & Sermon both which were accepted--In this examination I was questioned on my personal Religion, & on the Latin, & Greek Languages. I spent the evening at Mr Armitages.

_Thursday 19._

Waited on the Synod--Preparing to set out to-morrow. Visited several Ladies--Spent the afternoon agreeably with the Miss Holinsheads--Evening I visit Miss Bedford--Waited on Dr Witherspoon on Colonel Carters & on Mr Lowes account.