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

Sunday 18.

The Colonel gave me, at Breakfast the offer of a Seat in his Boat to Church. The Morning was fine, & Nomini-River alive with Boats Canoes &c. some going to Church, some fishing, & some Sporting – Mr Smith gave us a very practical Sermon against the common vices here, in particular against the practise of abusing Slaves – The report concerning Boston is much talked off & still confirmed! – We dined all at Mr Turberville's; Miss Corbin looks fresh & plump as ever. Towards evening arose a pretty furious Thunder-Gust, which we hardly escaped on our way home I observed that several, but in special Mr Carter is not pleased with Mr Smith's Sentiments of Slavery.

Monday 19.

The morning fine & cool, & produces in our School at last a fine Fire! – Fire looks & feels most welcome; and I observe it makes our children remarkably garrulous & noisy – I took cold by Saturdays unusual exercise, & to Day have a Pain through my head, sore throat, & the other common troubles in a Cold – This Day begins the examination of The Junior class at Nassau-Hall. Every time I reflect on that Place of retirement & Study, where I spent two years which I call the most pleasant as well as the most important Period in my past life – Always when I think upon the Studies, the Discipline, the Companions, the Neighbourhood, the exercises, & Diversions, it gives me a secret & real Pleasure, even the Foibles which often prevail there are pleasant on recollection; such as giving each other names & characters; Meeting & Shoving in the dark entries; knocking at Doors & going off without entering; Strowing the entries in the night with greasy Feathers; freezing the Bell; Ringing it at late Hours of the Night; – I may add that it does not seem disagreeable to think over the Mischiefs often practised by wanton Boys – Such are writing witty pointed anonymous Papers, in Songs, Confessions, Wills, Soliliques, Proclamations, Advertisements &c – Picking from the neighbourhood now & then a plump fat Hen or Turkey for the private entertainment of the Club "instituted for inventing & practising several new kinds of mischief in a secret polite Manner" – Parading bad Women – Burning Curse-John – Darting Sun-Beams upon the Town-People Reconoitering Houses in the Town, & ogling Women with the Telescope – Making Squibs, & other frightful compositions with Gun-Powder, & lighting them in the Rooms of timorous Boys, & new comers– The various methods used in naturalizing Strangers, of incivility in the Dining-Room to make them bold; writing them sharp & threatning Letters to make them smart; leading them at first with long Lessons to make them industrious – And trying them by Jeers & Repartee in order to make them choose their Companions &c. &c – Evening after School with Mrs Carter, & the Girls I took a Walk thro the Pumpkin & Potatoe Vines. the Air is clear, cold & healthful. We drank our Coffee at the great House very sociably, round a fine Fire, the House And air feels like winter again.

Teusday 20.

Among the many womanish Fribbles which our little Misses daily practise, I discovered one to Day no less merry than natural; Fanny & Harriot by stuffing rags & other Lumber under their Gowns just below their Apron-Strings, were prodigiously charmed at their resemblanc to Pregnant Women! They blushed, however, pretty deeply on discovering that I saw them – We have to day both in the School & great-house steady Fires – Mr Thomas Edwards a reputable Planter in the Neighbourhood died this day about one o-Clock – I saw him last Sunday at Church when he was in good Health; was taken the same Evening, & hurried off at once! – Frail Man, how easily subdued! —

Wednesday 21.

We have a more particular account of the Death of Mr Edwards. About a twelve-month ago, he was suddenly siezed with a Fit of the Palsy, his Foot, Side, Arm, & part of his Face then failed, & became useless, after some time, however, he grew better, & has since been apparently well; til Sunday evening last after the Shower, as he was walking in his Garden, he fell down in an instant, there happened to be help at hand, he only said these emphatical Words – "Now I must die" – He was carried in, & expired as I mentioned yesterday! – I am told that the Flux is in the upper part of this County – My cold continues; in the Evening on going to bed, I took a dose of Honey & Rum —

Thursday 22.

A pure cold northerly wind still blows, & we all keep Fires – Peaches & Fruit are omitted at Dinners, & Soup or Broth is brought in; Milk and Hominy at Breakfast too are laid by & Coffee & Sage Tea brought in; Our Suppers are Coffee & Bred & butter —Neatness variety & Plenty are reigning Characters in our worthy oconomist Mrs Carter. I read to Day, & am charm'd with a – of Lord Chesterfield. Letters to his natural Son, which I propose to purchase – After School, with Ben, I took a walk to Mr Turberville's – He has received a line from Colonel Lee at Philadelphia that the Congress is going on – That the account concerning Boston is false – Evening Lancelot Lee came in, & staid the night – He gave Ben & myself an Invitation to dine with him tomorrow, I took out of the Library & began to read Watts's Logic —

Fryday 23.

I spent some time in reviewing Geography & Logic – Mr Lee left us about twelve, & Ben rode out with him – Evening from Mr Turberville's I saw some Barberry's, Sloes, & Pomegranates, neither of which I had seen before —

Saturday 24.

Together with my Cold I have to Day a most disagreeable gathering on my middle Finger – I keep myself at home reading Logic – Evening the Colonel invited me to walk with him; he took me to his Mill, Coopers, House, Channel, Meadows &c., and was vastly particular in describing to me their particular uses – I begin to look with eager Sollicitude to the time of my revisiting my friends & Relations – It is, happily near —

Sunday 25.

The morning clear cool & very dry – I rode to Ucomico-Church, I was surprised when the Psalm begun, to hear a large Collection of voices singing at the same time, from a Gallery, entirely contrary to what I have seen befor in the Colony, for it is seldom in the fullest Congregation's, that more sing than the Clerk, & about two others! – I am told that a singing Master of good abilities has been among this society lately & put them on the respectable Method which they, at present pursue – I dined at Mr Fishers, among others I saw there, Dr Steptoe, & Mr Hamilton who have lately been to Philadelphia – They give various Reports concerning political affairs, & as to the Congress nothing certain, so that I say nothing on that Score – Their Remarks on the City & Inhabitants; The Country &c. are curious – They allow the City to be fine, neat, & large; they complain a little of the small Rooms, Uniformity of the Buildings, & several other like faults – They call the Inhabitants grave & reserved; & the Women remarkably homely, hard favour'd & sour! – One Colonel Harrison^[204] from a lower County in this Colony, offer'd to give a Guinea for every handsome Face that could be found in the City, if any one would put a Copper on every Face that did not come up to that Character! – This is an impeachment of the Ladies which I have never heard before, I do not give my opinion either for or against it – The face of the Country, & the method of farming that way delights them: but at this I dont wonder.

Monday 26.

Yesterday the Inspector, whom I have named & described before, desired the Parson to wait on them in his family and christen his Child – Is the child sick? No Sir – Why then today? it is the Mothers Desire Sir – Why was it not brought to Church? The Mother is unwell, Sir – The Parson excused himself, & promised to come some Days hence, but the long winded officer, inured to Stubbornness, hung on, &, without moderation or Apology demanded his presence! – And prevail'd. – Something in our palace this Evening, very merry happened – Mrs Carter made a dish of Tea. At Coffee, she sent me a dish – & the Colonel both ignorant – He smelt, sipt – look'd – At last with great gravity he asks what's this? – Do you ask Sir – Poh! – And out he throws it splash a sacrifice to Vulcan —

Teusday 27.

This morning the Colonel with his Theodolite observed the Centre of the Sun at his rising, & found it bore East 5° South – This he is doing to fix a true East & West Line for regulating the Needle at any time. This Bearing he corrected by finding the Suns Declination, & fixed his Points – After the morning we let our fire go down – Both yesterday, & this evening I rode out to exercise myself & horse against our approaching Journey – Mr Hodge, a Merchant of Leeds & Mr Leech a Merchant of Dumfries came Home with the Colonel from Westmoreland-Court – Both chatty, in special Mr Leech; both well-bred, sensible, & sociable – The loyal Toast was Wisdom & unity to the Conferrences now assembled – And when Women were to be toasted, I gave Miss Jenny Washington. —

Wednesday 28.

The weather remarkably dry, since Sunday sennight, we have not had a drop of Rain, nor even a cloudy Sky, and till yesterday, & steady, cold, serene northerly Wind – To Day is the annual Commencement at Nassau Hall —

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian to Mr. Larkin Randall]

[Nomini Hall. September 28 (?) 1774]

Mr Randall.

You will please to acquaint Mr Rigmaiden^[205] that I received and looked over his Note, and should have attempted to answer it but for the following reasons. I observe that the first author of the question very rudely calls Mr Rigmaiden a fool for not working it by Cross-Multiplication.

And I observe too that Mr Rigmaiden throws back the word fool, (I suppose in revenge) upon the other, and if I should intermeddle in the case it is more than probable, that I should be called the third fool, by either the one or the other, at least I think the hazard of this too great to set against any Honour I could recieve by resolving it – But since Mr Rigmaiden intimates in his note that he is at something of a loss to know whether himself or the other have the least claim to the character; I shall propose a question in arithmetick, which will fully decide any dispute of this nature, for I pronounce the man who can work it off at once, to be no fool in figures.

A Man has 5000£ which he puts to interest for 30 years 6£ per Cent. per Annum. I demand how much of this he must spend every day, to spend it all, principal and interest in the thirty years, and let the daily sums in the whole time be equal?

As to the question given, "to Multiply 12£ 12s 12½d by itself", It must have been a punn, or from one not well skill'd in figures. If it was the former, it does not deserve to be answered at all, because that would be indulging wanton impertinence; and if it was the latter, I am not able to understand how such a person should venture to question Mr Rigmaidens answer – Upon the whole, I am apt to think it is all a punn which, "Brother Quill" (as he is pleased to style himself) has ventured to throw out, and on this account, until I am better satisfied that the sentiment is genuine, I decline wholly entering farther into the matter.

I am, Sir, Yours

P V Fithian

To Mr Larkin Randell

Nomini Hall.

[JOURNAL]

Thursday 29.

Warm to day, but dry & clear. Mr Leech & Mr Hodge spent last evening with us; the Conversation was on exchange – Loyal Toasts, Agreement, & Firmness through the american Colonies – Ladies. mine was Miss Corbin – The Colonel informed us that early next week he shall set out for Williamsburg – Soon after I hope to set out for Cohansie!

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian to Benjamin Carter]

Nomini Hall Septr: 29th. 1774.

 
"Aetas Parentum, pejor avis, tulit
Nos nequiores; mox daturos
Progeniem vitiosiorem."
 

Sir.

You will comprehend, at once, the design of Horace in the Ode from which this motto was taken, And, perhaps, you may think the application of it here unmeaning, and impertinent. In order to free you wholly from every such secret suspicion, you will please to take notice, that the dignity of your very respectable family, (which is a sacred thing) depends almost entirely upon your Capacity, improvement, and behaviour, an attempt, therefore, to guide and enlarge either or all of these may not be called unmeaning; and, as you have honoured me for some time past in the character of a Tutor, by submitting to my advice and instruction, I cannot suppose you so utterly destitute of candour and gratitude as to put the name of impertinence on what is the close and sum of my duty to you: especially as there is but little probability that I shall ever see you more, and can, therefore, have no possible incitement from interest, to flatter nor oppertunity of indulging any kind of revenge. These remarks, I presume, are sufficient to remove from you any hurtfull prejudice. I therefore go on, to make several observations with moderation and freedom, which, at least, I hope you will duely consider, and if they please you, practise. Give me leave then, first of all to tell you, That you possess a critical tho' a high station, and that in your road throug[h] life you are liable to innumerable dangerous [dev]iations. On many accounts your station is critical; I shall enumerate only a few.

– The rest is lost —

To Mr Ben Carter

[JOURNAL]

Fryday 30.

Warm, but clear & dry – Dined with us Mr Blain; He gave us a large account of affairs at the Congress, of the City, Country, Manners, Persons, Trade &c – But he swears the Women are coarse & hardy – Evening I informed the Colonel that it is hardly probable I shall continue in his family til his return from the general Court, & at the same time, desired him to give me a discharge so that I expect to have all things adjusted before he leaves Home – We have now entered on the Winter plan, have Coffee just at evening & Supper between eight & nine o-Clock – It is wonderful to consider the Consumption of provisions in this family – I have before spoken of Meat, & the steady Rate of flour weekly, for the great House is 100Lb of which 50 is the finest, & 50 the Seconds – But all the Negroes, & most of the Labourers eat Corn.

Saturday October 1st. 1774.

Wind South West cloudy. After Breakfast with the Boys I went a Surveying along the River round the lower pasture at twelve, Ben, Bob, Harry all gallop off – I spent the afternoon plotting my work – I paid Sam our Barber for Blacking, Dressing &c. 12/.

Sunday 2.

Parson Smith is out of the Parish so that we have no service – With Ben I rode to Mr Washingtons. Mr Lowe again absent – Dined with us Mrs Turberville, Miss Corbin, Miss Pierce– we found the Colonel in the evening busy at his Instrument of Music – We drank our Coffee & retired early to our Room, & read til ten, then thanking our bountiful Preserver we retired to our bed. —

Monday 3.

I gave Tom the Hostler, for his care of my Horse 3s – After Breakfast the Colonel settled & paid me for my Years Service 40£ Sterling – This is better than the scurvy annuity commonly allowed to the Presbyterian Clergy – He is very Busy in adjusting his affairs, he set out however, by twelve for Williamsburg, after taking final leave of me —Ben accompanies him to Richmond Court – Afternoon Miss Corbin & Miss Turberville came in to stay a while with Mrs Carter. Bob went yesterday to Mr Lanes there was Parson Gibbern ill of his last weeks Bout; he was up three nights successively drinking & playing at Cards, so that the liquor & want of sleep put quite out of his Sences – A rare tale this to relate of a Man of God! – To use the language of the vulgar, "Old Satan will sadly belabour such overgrown Sinners"! —

Teusday 4.

Dined with us Mrs Turberville and Miss Letty we were all Tete a Tete, vastly merry & garrulous – I gave Nelson for a Stirrup Buckle a Bit – I am preparing my Saddle. Cloth's, Bags, Horse, & myself for the intended Ride —

Wednesday 5.

Dined with us Mr Taylor, he informs us that the crops of Tobacco are like to be good – Evening I wrote a Letter to Mrs Thornton Northumberland, concerning Mr Leek's coming into her Family as a Tutor – I had a fine walk with the young Ladies through the Pasture – They make me proud by expressing much concern at my necessary Departure, throwing out many Wishes that I would continue with them —

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian to Mrs Charlotte Thornton]

Nomini Hall. Octr. 5th. 1774.

Madam.

I saw Mr Leek last Spring, and, as directed by Colonel Taylor,^[206] I enquired if he would undertake the education of several children in this Colony: he seem'd willing, but would make no promise, nor enter into any agreement til he is fully instructed as to the number and standing of his pupils, the conditions of the agreement, and time when he is to begin.

I expect to return shortly to Philadelphia, and write these to acquaint you that I would willingly forward a letter to him, if you are yet desirous of employing him to instruct your family.

you will please, Madam, if you think proper to write, to direct the letter thus "To Mr Samuel Leek junr: Cohansie, New Jersey – "

I shall leave this place about the 18th instant.

I am Madam, your

Most humble Servt:

P V Fithian

To Mrs Charlotte Thornton

Northumberland

[JOURNAL]

Thursday 6.

I paid Natt who drives the Team half a Bit as a Forfeit for taking hold of his plough – And to Harry 18d for a stirrup-leather & sundry other Articles – The School presented me with a petition formally drawn up for a holiday to day on account of the race at Mr Turberville's, which I granted —Priscilla, Nancy, Ben, & Bob go Harry & I, making in my opinion the wisest choice both stay.

[Philip V. Fithian to Harry Willis and Robert Bladen Carter]

Nomini Hall Octr: 6th. 1774.

For Masters Harry & Bob.

I approve highly of the method you have taken in asking for liberty to attend the race this afternoon, and think myself bound to give you an answer in the same manner.

This Race happening so soon after the other, which was at the same place, and so much like it seems to promise nothing that can require your attendance, it is therefore my desire and advice that you stay contented at home. But if your inclination be stronger than either of these, and you still choose to go, you have my consent provided you return by Sun set in the Evening.

Yours

Philip V Fithian

[JOURNAL]

Fryday 7.

Nancy, & Bog go to the Dance at Schantille^[207]– Mrs Carter after Breakfast took Prissy, Fanny & Harriot, & made Mrs Washington a Visit, Ben, Harry, Betsy & I are left at Home alone I spent to Day in writing off Mr Peck's Letter – Evening I am troubled with a drunken Carpenter; he saw a Light in my Chamber – up he bouzes, with a Bottle of Rum in his hand; Who keeps Home? – I asked him in – Have you any water Sir? – Not any I told him – Not a Drop, Sir? – No – My Flute was lying on the Table, he took it for a Trumpet & tooted in for two or three Minutes Then again he begs, O Sir call in a Servant & have me some Water – But I left the Room glad to be free of his foolish Impertinence. At Supper Mrs Carter informed us that Captain Walker's little Son has the putrid Quinsey, but we hope it is only a bad sore Throat by a Cold – I have a Complaint of a painful Jaw, for these several Days

Saturday 8.

Expence to the Smith for mending my Stirrup a Pisterene 1/3 – Ben this morning Wrote a letter to his Papa – I finished off mine for Mr Peck The Pain in my face is a good deal troublesome. Dined with us Colonel Frank Lee & his Lady; Mr Turberville Mrs Turberville & Miss Letty.

Sunday 9.

Ben & Harry ride to Ucomico Church I at home spend the day in my Room, I walked out towards evening & saw a number of Negroes very busy at framing together a small House – Sundays they commonly spend in fishing making Potatoes &c., building & patching their Quarters or rather Cabins —

Monday 10.

The General Court at Williamsburg begins to sit this Day – We have no intelligence of the carryings on of the Congress; our Papers this Summer come vastly seldom, it is said that the Post Men are bribed & give away the News Papers. I expect that Mr Peck is about setting out from Home for this place – I wish him a speedy & successful passage, for I am now impatient of Delay til I visit again my acquaintances & Home – The day is cold, the wind at North & the ground extremely dry —

Teusday 11.

Mr Stadley came this morning. He brings no news of the Congress, but much of the great Race lately at Fredericksburg – Every Evening, for the Benefit of exercise I ride out, and commonly carry with me one of the small Girls, who partaking of the prevailing Spirit, are passionately fond of Riding —

Wednesday 12.

I was told often before I left Home that coming into Virginia would bring me into the midst of many dangerous Temptations: Gay Company, frequent entertainments, little practical devotion, no remote pretention to Heart religion, daily examples in Men of the highest quality, of Luxury, intemperance, & impiety: these were urged, by my kind acquaintances, as very strong dissuasions against my leaving home; the admonitions I accepted with great Thankfulness, tho' I could not allow them to turn me off from my purpose & I resolved with as much sincerity & Firmness as I could to carry them with me in every part of my behaviour. The close of the time of my Stay here is I expect now near at hand: And if I may judge myself of the carrying my resolutions into practice, I should pronounce that I have not been wanting in my duty in this respect. Some few who frequently ask me to go from home, say I am dull, unsociable, & splenetic: But the Gentlemen generally here have a good & reasonable manner of judging in this case they are well pleased with strict & rigid virtue in those who have the management of their children, if it does not grow to factious enthusiasm; so that Levity, tho perhaps they would wink at it lessens, & in a while would take away the Reputation & business of a Family Tutor – Of this I was fully convinced in a short time after my coming into the Colony, & saw too the very great advantage of the Precaution which I received from my friends, for they assisted me in setting out on a safe, and prudent Plan, which has, I hope directed me to propriety of conduct with regard to my private character, & likewise to my little lovely Charge.

Thursday 13.

Good Mr Stadley left us this morning. I took leave with great reluctance of this worthy Man, & do not expect to see him more! – After Breakfast Mrs Carter with the young Ladies, rode to Colonel Tayloe's. My jaw continues growling & keeps me uneasy, I very much fear some hurtful humours are collecting themselves there together – To day at twelve o-Clock Bob providentially escaped with his life – He went up into a tall Chesnut tree to cut down Boughs & gather Chesnuts & foolishly he began to cut the Limb on which he was standing, at a little distance from his feet – Chesnut splits extremely easy, so that when the Limb was about half cut off it split down; this so weaked the part on which Bob stood that his weight instantly split it too, & down he must have tumbled upwards of thirty feet but he happily caught a bough on his way down. —

Fryday 14.

The Disorder in my face continues, slow, uniform, & Steady; it does not hinder me from rest by night or from any exercise or business by day; But It keeps me in continual doubt, & anxiety, whether it be not something gathering which will be peculiarly distressful – But my temper, I fear, in these respects is very phlegmatic; I find it unpleasing to myself, & it would be certainly unpleasant to any one who was interested in my complaints – I am of so strange a constitution that very trifles make me utterly unhappy – A mere conceit, frivolous & unsubstantial often takes away my rest – This feeling I have possest from my infancy; I remember very well that a Cuff on my Ear would make me sullen for Several days when I was too young to go out to school; Afterwards a disappointment of an hours play would mak me disrelish for a long time both play-fellows, & all Diversion! When I was at the College one Blunder at recitation, or in any performance of my duty would make one [me] dull, low-Spiritted, & peevish; In fact any disappointment, even the most inconsiderable seems to have a general Effect on my Passions & mingle fear, & anger, & rage, together with many others which are excited by different & disagreeable modifications of our Bodies, &, tho' I am conscious of this frailty in myself, I have not yet brought myself under so good subjection, as to make these humours give way intirely to Philosophy or Religion – It is, however, my constant study how I may accomplish this much wish'd for habit – While we are dining there is a large shower of rain but by no means plentiful, for the earth is uncommonly dry – Mrs Carter to day asked me if Mr Peck is to be here before my setting out: I answered that he is – And says she, is he grave as you? —

Saturday 15.

I rode after Breakfast to Dr Thompsons with a settled purpose of having my troublesom tooth drawn out but on examination he found it to be too far back, & too short to be extracted – More sorry I. – Dined with us besides the family, Mr Munro, young Mr Washington, and Master Christien – Here is a fine Prospect from an exceeding high eminence, of the Potowmack; River Nominy; our House, which is six miles distant; Lee Hall Bush-field; all remote. – Evening I rode Home, the country pleasant Bought several articles as presents for the young Ladies, a neat gilt paper Snuff Box for Miss Priscilla, a neat best clear Hair-Comb a piece for Miss Nancy & Fanny. A broad elegant Sash a piece for Miss Betsy & Harriot Value of all 15s. Soon after my return, when I was in the Chamber adjusting my articles Ben came bawling at my window Mr Peck's come, Mr Peck's come! I step'd to the window, & saw presently that what he said was fact, my Heart bounc'd & I with it bolted down to meet him But he comes empty of a letter, & barren of news, at least all he brings seems gloomy; none at all of the great Congress; very little of the present momentious political affairs; that it has been at Cohansie an unhealthy season; that good & useful Mr Hunter has been ill of a disorder in his head: that Mrs Reve is gone & left a Brood of infants! that young Tom Jennifer of Port-Tobacco, my acquaintance at College too is dead! that matters go in their usual course at Cohansie & Princeton; that Laura is not in new Jersey! All his intelligence is similar to this, which is to me harsh & unharmonious as a Ravens ominous Croak! – To Day Harry boil'd up a Compound of Poke-Berries, Vinegar, Sugar &c. to make a red Ink or Liquid – I spent the evening til two in the morning in conversation.

Sunday 16.

A fine morning – We rose by Seven but we were informed that there is no Sermon so that out of compliment to Mr Peck's weariness we kept close at home rathar than ride to Richmond. We spent the Day in our chamber til towards evening when with the young Ladies we took a turn down the River Many we saw fishing – Mrs Carter with Priss rode to Captain Turberville's – We all return'd and assembled by evening at the great House —

Monday 17.

Before Breakfast I heard all the School a lesson round Mr Peck Present – After Breakfast I heard their Tables, Grammer &c. & then in Spite of my resolution with great reluctance, I resigned up to Mr Peck my little much-loved Charge! – The pain in my Face is quite gone – To day I saw a Phenomenon, Mrs Carter without Stays! – She complains of a pain in her breast, that prevents her wearing them, she says that She is always supposing the worst, & fears it is a Cancer breeding there – I hope it may be only fear – I am more & more every day pleased with the manner, Temper, Oconomy, & whole management of this good Lady – Now I am to take my final Leave! – Towards evening we all went down on the River & had a pleasant exercise —

Teusday 18.

Early to Day I wrote a Note to Mr Lowe and Harry Fantleroy to dine with us to day, & soon received their promise – After Dinner with Mr Lowe on the violin, I play'd over many tunes on the Flute, he plays with good Taste and accuracy – At five we all walk'd over to Mr Turberville's – I gave to our Wash-Woman some old Linen & as a Box 2/4 – We spent the evening in Music Chat & pleasantry – But this said thing which I hear of that turn-Coat Laura, that She loves & courts one Mr Rodman this distresses me exceedingly But this relieves me, for I have had it always in my View that – Varium & mutabile semper Feminae – Tho I have made a Solemn vow which I have no inclination at all to forego, yet if it shall appear that she has listened to another, my dearest vow is not inviolable; I will retreat from every former Promise, I will not hearken to womanish solicitations, but I shall in return for her want of goodness treat her with contempt; & Sincerely pity, instead of resent, her ineffectual Caprice —

[Letter of Philip V. Fithian To John Lowe]

Nomini-Hall Octr: 18th: 1774.

For Mr Lowe.

Ben: Carter's compliments with mine wait on you this morning, and beg your company with us to day to dine, if it be convenient.

We also present our compliments and the same request to Mr Fantleroy.

I should not have ventured to encroach upon your hours of business, but as Mr Peck, the gentleman who succeeds me in this family arrived last saturday so that I propose to set out tomorrow and should be glad to see you before I leave Virginia.

I am, Sir,

Your most humble Servt.

P V Fithian.

[JOURNAL]

Wednesday 19.

Mr Lowe & Fantleroy left us early But I agreed to stay till tomorrow – I gave to Nelson on going away 2/2 – To Miss Sally the House-Keeper 5/. —

Thursday 20.

I rose by three, & left Home by half after four – Gave Nelson & Dennis half a Bit a piece – rode thence to Westmoreland Court House ten Miles by half after six – Fed my Horse & drank some Brandy – Expence a Bit – Rode thence to Mattox Bridge 18 miles – Fed here three quarts of Bran & Corn for a Bit – The Bloody-Flux is now extremely bad in this Neighbourhood – I am told that scarce a Family is clear of it, & of every family some die! – Rode thence to Tylers Ferry 8 miles the road extremely dry & dusty – At two I set off for Maryland, the wind fresh at South East arrived at Mrs Laidlers by five Ferriage 7/6 I gave the Ferrymen a Bottle of Rum – Here I dined on fryed Chicken, Ham, with good Porter – Accomodations good – I[n] Bed by half after Seven —