Chapter 8: November 1773
8.1 Monday Novemr 1st
We began School—The School consists of eight—Two of Mr Carters Sons—One Nephew—And five Daughters—The endest Son1 is reading Salust; Gramatical Exercises, and latin Grammer—The second Son2 is reading english Grammar Reading English: Writing, and Cyphering in Subtraction—The Nephew3 is Reading and Writing as above; and Cyphering in Reduction—The eldest daughter4 is Reading the Spectator; Writing; & beginning to Cypher—The second5 is reading next out of the Spelling-Book, and begining to write—The next6 is reading in the Spelling-Book—The fourth7 is Spelling in the beginning of the Spelling-Book—And the last8 is beginning her letters—
8.2 Teusday 2
Busy in School—begun to read Pictete—9
8.3 Letter of Philip V. Fithian To the Reverend Enoch Green
Westmoreland. Novr 2d 1773.
Revd Sir.
According as I appointed I take this early oppertunity of acquainting you that I am arrived safe; and I am to assure you that I find the place fully equal to my highest expectations—I am situated in the Northern-Neck, in a most delightful Country; in a civil, polite neighbourhood; and in a family remarkable for regularity, and oeconomy, tho' confessedly of the highest quality and greatest worth of any in Virginia. I teach only Mr Carters children, and only one of them is to learn Languages, and he is reading Salust and the Greek grammer, is seventeen years old, and seems to be a Boy of Genius—the other two learn writing and Arithmetic—But he has four Daughters, young Misses that are at times to be taught writing and English—I have the terms as I expected, and find the place wholly agreeable—and am strongly solicited to stay many years—But money nor conveniency shall detain me long from my most important connections at home—You may expect me in may at the Synod. Please to have my compliments to Mrs Green, to Miss Betsy if at Deerfield, and to my acquaintances that shall enquire and accept to yourself the
Respect of your humble Servt
Philip V Fithian
8.4 Wednesday 3
Busy in School—
8.5 Thursday 4
Busy in School—To day the two eldest Daughters, and second Son attended the Dancing School.10
8.6 Fryday 5
Busy in School—
8.7 Saturday 6
Catechised in School til twelve—the Children. And dismiss'd them. Afternoon rode with Ben Carter to the Bank of Potowmack11—8 Miles—Returned in the evening—Expence Ferriage 1/.
8.8 Sunday 7
Rode to Ucomico Church12—8 Miles—Heard Parson Smith.13 He shewed to us the uncertainty of Riches, and their Insufficiency to make us happy—Dined at Captain Walkers;14 With Parson Smith, his Wife; her Sister, a young Lady; &c—Returned in the Evening.
8.9 Monday 8
Busy in School—Finished reading the first, and begun to read the Second Book of Pictetes Theology. Expence to Boy /4.
8.10 Teusday 9
Busy in School—
8.11 Wednesday 10
Busy in School—The eldest Daughter taken off by her Teacher in Music; Mr Stadley15 who is learning her to play the Forte-piano—
8.12 Thursday 11
Rose by seven—Busy in School—Miss Carter still absent—
8.13 Fryday 12
Rose by Seven—Ben begun his Greek Grammer—Three in the Afternoon Mr Carter returned from Williamsburg.16 He seems to be agreeable, discreet, and sensible—He informed me more particularly concerning his desire as to the Instruction of his Children—
8.14 Saturday 13
Catechised the Children and dismissed them about Eleven—Read in Pictete—and proceeded in writing my Sermon for the Presbytery17—Expence for my Horse 1/3.
8.15 Sunday 14
Rode to Nominy Church about six Miles—the day Cold—Parson Smith preached—"What shall a man be profited" &c. Rode home after Sermon—Dined at Mr Carters to day Mrs Turbuville,18 Miss Jenny Corbin,19 and Mr Cunningham20 a young Merchant.
8.16 Monday 15
Busy in School—Wrote in the Evening at my Sermon.
8.17 Teusday 16
In School—Writing at my Sermon.
8.18 Wednesday 17
Busy in School—
8.19 Thursday 18
Busy in School—
8.20 Fryday 19
Busy in School—
8.21 Saturday 20
Rode to Mr Fishers21 dined with Mr Cunningham at 3 o-Clock—Rode in the evening to Mr Lancelot Lees,22 a young Gentleman, who has lately come from England; sup'd on Oysters—Rode home about nine o-Clock he along—
8.22 Sunday 21
Rode to Church—Mr Smith preached on the Parable of the rich Man. Dined at home—Mr Lee dined with us—Reading in Pictete—Feel very home-Sick—Saw two Brothers quarrel—Doleful Sight.—
8.23 Monday 22
Busy in School—Mr Lee gave us his Company in the morning in School, and was very chearful—he left us about twelve o-Clock—
8.24 Teusday 23
Busy in School—Miss Carter rode out with her Dady and Mama to the County Court23—Writing at my Sermons.
8.25 Poem Inserted in Journal
Who knows what heaven may have in view?
What yet remains for me to do?
But knowlege here might give me grief.
Instead of pleasure and relief;
I therefore yield and peaceful wait
On Providence to rule my fate;
Nor if it long 'til' I must fly
Unbodied to my judge on high
Why need I then disturb my mind?
Why not lye humble and resign'd?—
Yet tho' 'tis wrong for me to try
Into these mysteries to pry
Sure I may sit and simply sing
(I dare not strike a lofty string)
The various scenes through which I've past
I may be now acting my last;
Here in Virginia, far from friends
Except those Heaven in pity sends!
Novr 23d 1773.
8.26 Wednesday 24
Busy in School.
8.27 Thursday 25
Rode this morning to Richmond Court-house,24 where two Horses run for a purse of 500 Pounds; besides small Betts almost enumerable.
One of the Horses belonged to Colonel John Taylor,25 and is called Yorick—The other to Dr. Flood,26 and is called Gift—The Assembly was remarkably numerous; beyond my expectation and exceeding polite in general.
The Horses started precisely at five minutes after three; the Course was one Mile in Circumference, they performed the first Round in two minutes, third in two minutes & a-half, Yorick came out the fifth time round about 40 Rod before Gift they were both, when the Riders dismounted very lame; they run five Miles, and Carried 180 lb—Rode home in the Evening—Expence to the Boy 7½d—
8.28 Fryday 26
Busy in School—Robin, & Nancy at dancing-School.
8.29 Saturday 27
Robin and Nancy yet at Dancing-School—Mr Harry Fantleroy call'd after dinner to see us. In the Evening Ben & I rode with him to his fathers; I was introduced to one Mr Walker a Scotch Gentleman, lately a School-master but has quit, and is going in the Spring for the Gown to England.27
8.30 Sunday 28
Rode to Church—the Parson was absent; it is indeed a little cold! The Clerk read prayers for us—We rode home—Found at Home two young Ladies, Miss Corbin, and Miss Turburville and Mr George Lee, brother to the Gentleman here last Sunday, & has lately returned from England—I was introduced by Mr Carter to the two latter—
8.31 Monday 29
All our Scholars present—Mr Carter has put into my hands; Tyre's Dictionary, & the pronouncing Dictionary, to improve his Sons in Grammar classically, both Latin and English, and he has given me Fenning in Arrithmetic.
8.32 Teusday 30
Busy in School—I was solicited the other Day at the Race by one Mr Gordon,28 to take and instruct two of his Sons, Saturday also I was again solicited by Mr Fantleroy to take two of his Sons—But I must decline it—
8.33 Wednesday Decemr 1st 1773
Busy in School—Wrote home by the Post, to Mr Green & Johnny Peck. Afternoon Vacant.
8.34 Letter of Philip V. Fithian to the Reverend Enoch Green
Decemr 1st 1773.
Revd Sir.
As you desired I may not omit to inform you, so far as I can by a letter, of the business in which I am now engaged, it would indeed be vastly agreeable to me if it was in my power to give you particular intelligence concerning the state and plan of my employment here.
I set out from home the 20th of Octr and arrived at the Hon: Robert Carters, of Nominy, in Westmorland County, the 28th I began to teach his children the first of November. He has two sons, and one Nephew; the oldest Son is turned of seventeen, and is reading Salust and the greek grammer; the others are about fourteen, and in english grammer, and Arithmetic. He has besides five daughters which I am to teach english, the eldest is turned of fifteen, and is reading the spectator; she is employed two days in every week in learning to play the Forte-Piana, and Harpsicord—The others are smaller, and learning to read and spell. Mr Carter is one of the Councellors in the general court at Williamsburg, and possest of as great, perhaps the clearest fortune according to the estimation of people here, of any man in Virginia: He seems to be a good scholar, even in classical learning, and is remarkable one in english grammar; and notwithstanding his rank, which in general seems to countenance indulgence to children, both himself and Mrs Carter have a manner of instructing and dealing with children far superior, I may say it with confidence, to any I have ever seen, in any place, or in any family. They keep them in perfect subjection to themselves, and never pass over an occasion of reproof; and I blush for many of my acquaintances when I say that the children are more kind and complaisant to the servants who constantly attend them than we are to our superiors in age and condition. Mr Carter has an over-grown library of Books of which he allows me the free use. It consists of a general collection of law books, all the Latin and Greek Classicks, vast number of Books on Divinity chiefly by writers who are of the established Religion; he has the works of almost all the late famous writers, as Locke, Addison, Young, Pope, Swift, Dryden, &c. in Short, Sir, to speak moderately, he has more than eight times your number29—His eldest Son, who seems to be a Boy of Genius and application is to be sent to Cambridge University, but I believe will go through a course either in Philadelphia or Princeton College first. As to what is commonly said concerning Virginia that it is difficult to avoid being corrupted with the manners of the people, I believe it is founded wholly in a mistaken notion that persons must, when here frequent all promiscuous assemblies; but this is so far from truth that any one who does practise it, tho' he is accused of no crime, loses at once his character; so that either the manners have been lately changed, or the report is false, for he seems now to be best esteemed and most applauded who attends to his business, whatever it be, with the greatest diligence. I believe the virginians have of late altered their manner very much, for they begin to find that their estates by even small extravagance, decline, and grow involved with debt, this seems to be the spring which induces the People of fortune who are the pattern of all behaviour here, to be frugal, and moderate. You may expect me at home by the permission of Providence the latter end of april next, or the beginning of May; and as I proposed I shall present my exercises for the examination of the Presbytery; and if they think proper I shall gladly accept of a licence in the fall: I must beg your favour to mention me to such of my acquaintances in Deerfield as you think proper, but especially to Mrs Green, Miss Betsy, your family, and Mrs Pecks—I must also beg you to transmit so much of this intelligence to Mr Hunter as that my relations in Greenwich may know that I am through the mercy of heaven in good health. I beg, Sir, you will not fail to write, and let it be known to Mr Hunter, that a letter will come as secure by the Post as from Cohansie to Philadelphia; the Letters are to be directed to me thus, To Mr Philip V. Fithian at Mr Carters of Nominy, to be left at Hobes Hole30
I am, Sir, yours
Philip V Fithian
Benjamin Tasker.↩︎
Robert Bladen or "Bob."↩︎
Henry or "Harry" Willis.↩︎
Priscilla.↩︎
Ann Tasker or "Nancy."↩︎
Frances or "Fanny."↩︎
Betty Landon.↩︎
Harriot Lucy.↩︎
Benedict Pictete had first published his Teologia Christiana in 1696.↩︎
Priscilla, "Nancy," and "Bob." This school was conducted in rotation at a number of manor plantations of the region by Francis Christian, a dancing master.↩︎
The banks of the Potomac River could be seen in the distance from the upper floor of "Nomini Hall."↩︎
Yeocomico Church, one of the two Anglican churches in Cople Parish in Westmoreland County. Built in 1706, this structure still stands.↩︎
Thomas Smith was the rector of Yeocomico Church at this period. Smith was a man of large means. He had been sent as a youth to be educated in the mother country. He first attended a school at Wakefield in Yorkshire and later entered Cambridge University, where he was graduated in 1763. His son, John Augustine Smith, later became president of the College of William and Mary.↩︎
Captain Walker was a friend of Robert Carter and often visited "Nomini Hall." Fithian frequently dined at Walker's home.↩︎
Stadley was a German music master who visited "Nomini Hall" regularly at this period to instruct the Carter children. He also taught in a number of other homes in the Northern Neck. Before coming to Virginia, Stadley had taught music in New York and Philadelphia. In one of Carter's account books the musician's name is entered as "Strader." Cf. Waste-Book, No. 2, September 27, 1773 to December 31, 1773, p. 45.↩︎
Carter was doubtless returning from attendance as a member of the General Court at this time.↩︎
Fithian was preparing for his examination before the Presbytery at Philadelphia at this time.↩︎
"Hickory Hill," the manor house of John Turberville (1737-1799) was about a mile distant from "Nomini Hall." Turberville had married his first cousin, Martha Corbin. One of their ten children, Letitia Corbin Turberville, later became the wife of Major Catesby Jones. Their youngest son, George Richard Turberville, married his first cousin, Martha Corbin, only daughter of Gawin Corbin of "Peckatone." Their eldest son, George Lee Turberville, married Betty Tayloe Corbin. The Turbervilles were connected with the Lees of Westmoreland County in a number of ways and possessed large landed properties.↩︎
Jane or "Jenny" Corbin was a sister of Mrs. John Turberville of "Hickory Hill."↩︎
Cunningham was one of a number of young Scotch merchants who had settled in the Northern Neck. He was apparently a member of a firm referred to in the account books of Robert Carter of "Nomini Hall" as "Messrs. Fisher and Cunningham."↩︎
See fn. 51.↩︎
Lancelot Lee was the son of George Lee of "Mount Pleasant" in Westmoreland County who had died in 1761. Lancelot's brother, George Fairfax Lee, had inherited their father's manor plantation. Lancelot and George Fairfax Lee were cousins of the Lees at "Stratford," "Lee Hall," and at "Chantilly."↩︎
"Nomini Hall" was some ten miles distant from the seat of government in Westmoreland County, which is situated in the present town of Montross.↩︎
Richmond Court House, the seat of government in Richmond County, now called Warsaw, is some ten or twelve miles distant from "Nomini Hall." There were a number of enthusiastic turfmen in Richmond County during the eighteenth century.↩︎
Colonel John Tayloe (1721-1779) was one of the wealthiest men in the Northern Neck. His manor house, "Mount Airy," was located near Richmond Court House, and overlooked the Rappahannock River, some two miles in the distance. Tayloe was a noted fancier of fine horses.↩︎
Dr. William Flood lived at "Kinsail," a plantation in Westmoreland County. He frequently combined the pleasures of horse racing with the practice of his profession. Cf. Blanton, Wyndham B., Medicine in Virginia in the Eighteenth Century (Richmond, 1931), p. 379.↩︎
Since it was often difficult to secure a sufficient number of clergymen for the parishes in Virginia, young English schoolmasters and tutors were frequently induced to return to the mother country and take orders so that they might fill such vacancies.↩︎
Robert Carter's account books reveal that he sometimes had business transactions with one George C. Gordon of Westmoreland County.↩︎
See catalogue of Robert Carter's library in Appendix, pp. 221-229.↩︎
Hobb's Hole, the present town of Tappahannock, is situated on the Rappahannock River in Essex County. The town was a lively center of trade and shipping at this period.↩︎