Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 29

Mr Peck informs me that he is to succeed me in this place--Mr _Hunter_ & Mr Ewing inform me of the Death of Uncle Ephraim Seeley! That he died of a _Diabetes_ which has long troubled him! He has left no Doubt a mourning Family--Mr _Hunter_ writes me word that _Andrew_ was licensed to preach about the middle of June. Laura says--They all express with Concern the great Commotions which at present exist through the Colonies.

_Wednesday 27._

Somehow I have taken a bad Cold, & am low-spirited to Day--The Colonel was all the forenoon down at the _Harriot_ in the Sun, so that when we went in to dine he seem'd fatigued & eat nothing--We have an Addition to our numerous Family, one Mr ---- I forget his name, he is a Cooper, tho', & an Irishman, & seems to be pretty smart; I sat the Evening with him in Mr Randolphs Room.

_Thursday 28._

Evening, after the Sun had gone, with _Priss_ I walked in the Garden.

we gathered some few Figs which are just growing ripe--My Leisure to Day I spent in finis.h.i.+ng off my Latin Exercises.

_Fryday 29._

I feell wholly relieved of my cold--I wrote & sent to the Post a Letter to Mr _John Peck_, to remind & hurry him in his way here--O! it is very hot--The wind itself seems to be heated! We have a fine Room, & sufficiently open; & I dress in a thin Waist-Coat, & a loose, light linen Gown; The _Boys_, _Harry_ & _Bob_ have nothing on, in School, but their s.h.i.+rts & Breeches; and I laugh'd cordially to see the contrivance of _f.a.n.n.y_, the loveliest of them all, to grow cool, She sat on a low bench, & put her Hand in her pocket, & seem'd exceeding diligent in looking for something--But before She took out her hand She had off both her Stockings, & left them both in her pocket!--Mrs _Carter_ in particular seems to be overcome with the extreme Heat & looks like a fainting, expiring yet lovely Creature!--At seven I rode out to the Corn-field, the Sun was almost down, & was hid behind a large white thick Cloud where it Thunders--The Corn is roll'd up with the heat & Drouth! Yet it is strange there is no Musquetoes--I have seen one & heard another, & this is the whole compliment I have either _seen_, _heard_ or _felt_ since I have been in _Virginia_--While we were drinking _Coffee_ the Lightning, as it began to grow Dark, began to stream, it was at some Distance, but was incessant, bright, & awful--The Colonel, however sat, & with unmoved Composure observed it;

_Sat.u.r.day 30._

The weather is something cooler & bearable this Morning--_Frank Christien_ one of Mr _Lowe's_ Scholars came to visit _Harry_ & _Bob_, so that I discharged them about eleven, & retired to my Chamber to writing--I sent Mr _George Lee_ a note this morning begging him to excuse _Ben_ & I from attending his Fish-Feast this Day--Captain _Dobby_ dined with us; he is a Man of much Spirit and Humour: A great Mimick--He acquainted us that at Hobbs's-Hole this Day is a Boat-Race on the River Rappahannock Each Boat is to have 7 Oars: to row 2 Mile out & 2 Miles in round a Boat lying at Anchor--The Bett 50--And that in the Evening there is a great Ball to be given--I believe both the _Rowers_ & _dancers_, as well _Ladies_ as _Gentlemen_ will perspire freely--Or in plain English they will soak in Sweat! The Captain invited us on Board his s.h.i.+p next Teusday to Dine with him & wish them a pleasant Pa.s.sage as the s.h.i.+p is to Sail the day following--If the Weather is not too burning hot I shall go provided the Others go likewise. Ben towards evening rode to Colonel Tayloe's--

[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO GEORGE LEE]

To Mr. George Lee. July 30th. 1774.

SIR.

With my compliments I am to inform you that _Ben_:-_Carter_ is, of necessity, to go this day into _Richmond_; and as my company alone will not be equal to the trouble you must be at I give you this timely notice that you may avoid it,

I am, with my thanks for your Invitation, Sir, Your most humble Servt: P. V. FITHIAN.

[JOURNAL]

_Sunday 31._

Daddy _Gumby_ saw me walking--I had just got up, it was early I had only a Gown thrown round me--He walked towards me--Well Master you never call for no Eggs. I can now give you a _Water Melon_--No, Thomas, with your Wife & family enjoy these things. I am well provided for--Well, Master, I promised you Eggs, for writing you will think I never designed to pay you--G.o.d yonder in Heaven Master will burn _Lyars_ with _Fire_ & _Brimstone_!--I speak Truth I will not deceive you Men are wicked, Master; look see the Gra.s.s is burnt: G.o.d burns it to punish us! Is the ground dry, Dadda. O! all dry, all burnt--Pray, Pray, Master, do you go to Church?--No No Dadda it is too hot--Too hot, Good G.o.d, too hot! I shall affront you, Master--Too hot to serve the Lord! Why I that am so old & worn out go on Foot.--I felt a little non plus'd, I confess, but walk'd to my Room & went none to Church--I expected that we should have had prayrs at home, but it was not mentioned--f.a.n.n.y towards Evening brought me half a _Water-Melon_--I accepted & thank'd the little pretty s.l.u.t, she seems so artless, & delicate I esteem her exceedingly--I walked out about Sun-set, when it is a little cool, along the River Nominy--

_Monday August 1st 1774._

The Colonel rode to Richmond Court--The morning very hot--A Cloud appeared about two o Clock as we were going to Dinner in the West where it thundered--Mrs. _Carter_ kept her Chamber--There is almost no Rain--I looked to day over Dr _Burney's_ present State of Musick in Germany--I think it more entertaining than realy useful--Ben to Day begun the _Eneid_--Poor Mr _Randolph_ seems to be sickening with the _Ague_ & _Fever_!--Evening the Colonel returned & gave us Captain Dobby's repeated Invitation.

_Teusday 2._

_Ben_ & I drest ourselves pretty early with an intention to Breakfast with Colonel _Tayloe_, but the Servant who went with us was so slow in preparing that we breakfasted before we set out--We arrived at Colonel Tayloe's however by half after nine--The young Ladies we found in the Hall playing the Harpsichord--The morning cool with a fine Breeze from the North for I forgot to mention that about Midnight last Night a violent Gust of Blackness, Rain, & Thunder came on & gave us present Relief from the scorching Sun; there was no Dust & the riding was pleasant--The Colonel, his Lady, Miss Polly, Miss Kitty, Miss Sally, rode in their Great Coach to the Ferry--Distance about 4 miles--Ben & I on Horseback--From Colonel Tayloe's to this Ferry opposite to Hobbs's Hole the Land is levil & extremely good; Corn here looks very rank is set thick with Ears, & they are high & large, three commonly on a Stalk--Here I saw about an Acre & a half of Flax, which the people were just pulling, exceedingly out of Season--This is the only Flax I have seen since I have been in the Colony; I am told they raise much in the upper Counties--Here too is a great Marsh covered with thick high Reed--The Face of this part of the Country looks fertile, but I apprehend it is far from being healthy--We came to the Bank of the Rappahannock; it is here about 2 Miles over the s.h.i.+pping on the other Side near the Town lying at Anchor look fine; no large Vessels can haul along the Wharves on account of shoal Water--There were six s.h.i.+ps riding in the Harbour, and a number of Schooners & smaller Vessels--Indeed, says Mrs _Tayloe_, Captain Dobby has forgot us. here we have been waiting for a full half hour, shall we take the Ferry Boat Colonel & cross over, & not stand any longer in the burning heat?--I was pleased not a little with the proposal tho' at the same time, I laughed with myself at Mrs Tayloe's truely Womanish impatience!--At last they are coming--The long-Boat came, well furnished with a large Awning, and rowed with four Oars--We entered the s.h.i.+p about half after twelve where we were received by Captain Dobby, with every possible token of welcome--Since I have been in Virginia, my inclination, & my fixed purpose before I left home, both of which were very much a.s.sisted by a strict Attention to the instructing my little Charge, these have kept me pretty constantly, almost wholly, indeed out of that kind of Company where dissipation & Pleasure have no restraint--This entertainment of Captain Dobby's, elegant indeed, & exceeding agreeable, I consider as one among a prodigeous throng of more powerful similar Causes, of the fevers & other Disorders which are common in this Colony, & generally attributed to the Climate which is thought to be noxious & unhealthy.

The Weather here indeed is remarkably variable But taking away & changing the usual & necessary Time of Rest; Violent Exercise of the Body & Spirits; with drinking great quant.i.ties of variety of Liquors, these bring on Virginia Fevers--The Beaufort is a Stately s.h.i.+p; Captain Dobby had an Awning from the Stern over the Quarter quite to the Mizen-Mast, which made great Room, kept off the Sun, & yet was open on each Side to give the Air a free pa.s.sage. At three we had on Board about 45 Ladies, and about 60 Gentlemen besides the s.h.i.+ps Crew, & Waiters Servants &c. We were not throng'd at all, & dined all at twice--I was not able to inform myself, because it seemed improper to interrupt the General pleasure, with making circ.u.mstantial inquiries concerning Individuals, & saying pray, Sir, what young Lady is that yonder in a Lute-String Gown? She seems genteel; where does her Father live? Is she a Girl of Family & Breeding? Has She any Suitors? This when one could not be out of the Inspection of the Company, would have seemed impertinent so that I did not much enlarge my Acquaintance with the Ladies, which commonly seems pleasing & desirable to me; But I took Notice of Several, & shall record my remarks--The Boats were to Start, to use the Language of Jockeys, immediately after Dinner; A Boat was anch.o.r.ed down the River at a Mile Distance--Captain _Dobby_ and Captain _Benson_ steer'd the Boats in the Race--Captain _Benson_ had 5 Oarsmen; Captain _Dobby_ had 6--It was _Ebb-Tide_--The Betts were small--& chiefly given to the Negroes who rowed--Captain Benson won the first Race--Captain Purchace offered to bett ten Dollars that with the same Boat & same Hands, only having Liberty to put a small Weight in the Stern, he would beat Captain _Benson_--He was taken, & came out best only half the Boats Length--About Sunset we left the s.h.i.+p, & went all to Hobbs's Hole, where a _Ball_ was agreed on--This is a small Village, with only a few Stores, & Shops, it is on a beautiful River, & has I am told commonly six, eight, & ten s.h.i.+ps loading before it the Crews of which enliven the Town--Mr Ritche[192]

Merchant; he has great influence over the People, he has great Wealth; which in these scurvy Times gives Sanction to Power; nay it seems to give countenance to Tyranny--The Ball Room--25 Ladies--40 Gentlemen--The Room very long, well-finished, airy & cool, & well-seated--two Fidlers--Mr _Ritche_ stalk'd about the Room--He was Director, & appointed a st.u.r.dy two fisted Gentleman to open the Ball with Mrs _Tayloe_--He danced midling tho'. There were about six or eight married Ladies--At last Miss _Ritche_ danced a Minuet with ---- She is a tall slim Girl, dances nimble & graceful--She was _Ben Carters_ partner--Poor Girl She has had the third Day Ague for twelve months past, and has it yet She appeared in a blue Silk Gown; her Hair was done up neat, without powder, it is very Black & Set her to good Advantage--Soon after he danced Miss _Dolly Edmundson_[193]--A Short pretty Stump of a Girl; She danced well, sung a Song with great applause, seemed to enter into the Spirit of the entertainment--A young Spark seemed to be fond of her; She seemed to be fond of him; they were both fond, & the Company saw it--He was Mr Ritche's Clerk, a limber, well dress'd, pretty-handsome Chap he was--The insinuating Rogue waited on her home, in close Hugg too, the Moment he left the Ball-Room--Miss _Aphia Fantleroy_ danced next, the best Dancer of the whole absolutely--And the finest Girl--Her head tho' was powdered white as Snow, & c.r.a.p'd in the newest Taste--She is the Copy of the G.o.ddess of Modesty--Very handsome; she seemed to be loved by all her Acquaintances, and admir'd by every Stranger, Miss _McCall_--Miss _Ford_--Miss _Brokenberry_[194]--_Ball_--Two of the younger Miss _Ritche's_--Miss _Wade_--They danced till half after two. Captain Ritche invited Ben & I, Colonel Tayloe & his Family with him--We got to Bed by three after a Day spent in constant Violent exercise, & drinking an unusual Quant.i.ty of Liquor; for my part with Fatigue, Heat, Liquor, Noise, Want of sleep, And the exertion of my Animal spirits, I was almost brought to believe several times that I felt a Fever fixing upon me, attended with every Symptom of the Fall Disorders--

[192] Archibald Ritchie was a prominent merchant of Hobb's Hole.

[193] The Edmundsons were a prominent family in Ess.e.x County. Thomas Edmundson, whose will was proved in 1759, had a daughter named Dorothy Edmundson.

[194] The Brockenbrough family had been a well-known one in Richmond County since the beginning of the eighteenth century. William Brockenbrough (1715-c.1778) had married Elizabeth Fauntleroy, whose sister Mary was the wife of Parson Giberne.

[Ill.u.s.tration: dance party]

_Wednesday 3._

We were call'd up to Breakfast at half after eight--We all look'd dull, pale, & haggard!--From our Beds to Breakfast--Here we must drink hot Coffee on our parching Stomachs!--But the Company was enlivening--Three of the Miss Tayloe's--Three Miss Ritche's--And Miss _Fantleroy_--This loveliest of all the Ring is yet far below--_Laura_ If they were set together for the choice of an utter Stranger; he would not reflect, but in a moment spring to the Girl that I mean to regard--After Breakfast the young Ladies favoured us with several Tunes on the Harpsichord--They all play & most of them in good Taste--at eleven we went down to the River; the s.h.i.+ps Long Boat was waiting, Captain _Purchace_ of the _Beaufort_ helped us on Board--I gave the Boatswain a Pisterene for his trouble--Half a Bit for the Pasture of my Horse--We rode to Colonel Tayloe's--The Ladies all retired for a nap before Dinner. We sat in the Hall, & conversed with the Colonel a sensible, agreeable Sociable person--Miss _Garrot_ is Governess of the Young Ladies; She too is chatty, satirical, neat, civil, had many merry remarks at Dinner, we staid til about six took our Leave, & rode Home--Found all well; gave an account of ourselves, of our entertainment, & of our Company to Mr & Mrs Carter at Coffee--& retired soon to Bed--

_Thursday 4._

I made out to get up by seven--A little fatigued tho'--Many are sickening with a Fever, & great numbers have the Ague--Protect me if it be thy will, G.o.d of my Life, & give me a Heart to praise thy name for all my Favours--Dined with us the Inspector--I walked through the Garden, several times banis.h.i.+ng by solitude, as much as possible reflection on several Days past.--

_Fryday 5._

I have no Stockings; & I swear I wont go to the Dancing School This was the first I heard of _Bob_--Are Bob & Nancy gone to Mr _Turberville's_ said the Colonel at Breakfast--_Nancy_ is gone Sir, Bob stays at Home he has no shoes! poh! What nonsense! says the Colonel--Call _Bob_, & Call the Clerk--He sent Mr Randolph to the Store for a pair of Shoes, Bob he took to his Study and flogg'd severely for not having given seasonable Notice, & sent him instantly to the Dance--

_Sat.u.r.day 6._

Last night, & this morning haizy mistty the Wind South East threatens a Rain--Transcribing my pieces, yesterday and to Day--I had a strong invitation to Dr Thompsons Fish-Feast, but the Rainy Weather hindred; I spent the Day in Quiet in my Chamber writing--Dadda Gumbey sent me a small Water-Melon.

_Sunday 7._

I set out for Church--It was cloudy, it Thundered in the West: But I rode on Bob was with me--We arrived at the Church & had our Saddles put into a Chariot--When a violent Gust came on--We were all in the Church; many Ladies were present--The Thunder was violent! Many discovered great Terror--Neither the Parson, nor Clerk attended--There we sat in Silence til the Storm was over, when each sallied out & splashed homewards--Mr & Mrs Carter were to have gone by Water--They had set off But saw the Cloud befor they had rowed far, & wisely returned--Towards Evening Miss Betsy _Carter_, Miss Polly _Carter_ of Richmond, & Miss _Turberville_ came over to see our Girls. Miss Betsy plays the Harpsichord extremely well, better I think than any young Lady I have seen in Virginia.

_Monday 8._

All once more in School--Dined with us _George Lee_ & Mr _Grubb_--They spent the afternoon at the great House--After Coffee Lee rode Home--Mr _Grubb_ staid with us all night--Dennis came into our Room to bring us a Bowl of Punch; Grubb shut the Door, and accused him of having been caught with Bett, the Dairy Girl, in the Stable last Sat.u.r.day Night--Dennis seem'd in great distress, he denied the Fact tho' with great steadiness--Nelson our Boy came in with a candle--Dennis here, says _Grubb_ to _Nelson_, has been accusing you, Sir, of several crimes; he says you gave him half a _Bitt_ last Sat.u.r.day Night, to stand at the Stable-Door while he with Bett--Nelson star'd--Grubb opened a huge _Molls Atlas_ that lay in the Room; & read off their Case & indictment--The Boys seem'd crazy--We dismiss'd them when all the novelty was over, but they darted like Indians so soon as they were at liberty--We sat up til eleven--Ben drank for his Toast, Miss _Julia Stockton_ of New Jersey; Grubb Miss Betsy Carter--I with pleasure the Rival of them all--

_Teusday 9._

I propose to visit Dr Jones to Day say's Mrs _Carter_ at Breakfast--See & have the Carriage ready for me by ten o-Clock _Benny_--She took with her _Priss_, and _Nancy_--We have a thin School--Mr _Grubb_ dined with us--Staid til evening, when with Ben he rode home--I finished & glad enough I feel my Latin Thesis--The Weather is now very tolerable, we had to Day a fine Shower about twelve--

_Wednesday 10._

All in School--Miss _f.a.n.n.y_ very much troubled with the festered Bites of _Seed Ticks_--Mr _Stadley_, whom I always see with Pleasure came towards evening--After School he gave the Girls a lesson each--About Six we have a fine Shower, with Thunder and Lightning, especiall in the evening the Lightning Sharp--