Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 16

_Wednesday 16._

I happened last monday to offend _Prissy_, She retains her anger & seems peculiarly resentful!--_Ben_ agreed for half a Bit a Week to play the Flute every Night, or read, for me, twenty Minutes after I am in Bed.

[Ill.u.s.tration: teacher and students]

_Thursday 17._

Prissy seems much affronted; The Cause was as follows Monday afternoon, by Chance I tapp'd her on the Head, & wholly in Jest; She seem'd vex'd, but Teusday morning which is her day for practice on the Forte-Piano, after Breakfast, I desir'd her to walk over to the School, she refused, & gave for an Excuse that She must begin to play--Both these things laid together were the cause of her resentment.

_Fryday 18._

The Weather pleasant and moderate--_Bob_, _Nancy_, & _Prissy_, are setting off this morning to the Dance, which is at Mr _Washingtons_[126]--

[126] At "Bushfield" on the Potomac River.

_Sat.u.r.day 19._

at Dinner we were conversing on Reading, among many remarks the Colonel observed that, He would bet a Guinea that Mrs Carter reads more than the Parson of the parish! No panegyrick on the Gentleman? Mr Christian the Dancing Master, Came home with the young Ladies.

_Sunday 20._

Last Evening the virginia News-papers came; but nothing from the Northward.

Rode to Nomini Church; Parson Smith read Prayers, but it was too Cold a Day to give us a Sermon; After Service _Mr & Mrs Carter_, the Parson, his wife & Sister; Mr _Camel_ the Comptroler; _Ben_, _Bob_, Miss _Pierce_, Miss _Sanford_, and My self were invited to Colonel Washingtons to Dinner. His House has the most agreeable Situation, of any I have yet seen in Maryland or Virginia; the broad Potowmack, which they account between 7 and 8 Miles over, washes his Garden on the North. the River Nomini is within a stones throw on the West, a levil open Country on the East; a Lane of a mile & three quarters accurately measur'd. lies from the House South-East it has from the House the whole distance a uniform Descent, & at the Gate at the End of this Lane the Situation is just six feet lower than at the House--There are no Marshes near, which altogether make the place exceeding Description. The Roads are now miry & disagreeable.

_Monday 21._

Prissy seems again reconciled--Miss _Stanhope_ the Housekeeper is ill of a Rheumatism--They are begining to work in the Garden with vigor.

Dined with us Docter _Franks_.

_Teusday 22._

Mr _Carter_ rode to the County-Court. I read to day several chapters in the Greek testament. Mr _Carter_ has given orders to his Hands to rigg, & fit his Schooner a Vessel of about 40 Tons for Business.

Docter Franks with us yet. Mrs _Carter_ was taken ill last Evening & has not been out of her chamber to Day. Miss _Stanhope_ the Housekeeper is also confin'd to her Room with Rheumatic Pains.

_Wednesday. 23._

Mr _Carter_ has an invitation to dine at Lee-Hall to Day, which he accepts--before Dinner came in Miss _Corbin,_ & Miss _Booth_; two young Ladies pretty well gone in what we call the Bloom of Life; Mr Carter was out, Mrs Carter is ill, & Ben was not Drest; Bob & I therefore at Dinner must be Directors of the ceremonies at Table! But happily for me I have them at last all by heart--At five Bob & I had the Pleasure to walk home with them, (for they were on foot) to a.s.sist them in Crossing the River Nomini which lies between us & Mr Turburville's. Evening Mrs Carter seems no better--Miss Sally came out of her Room--

_Thursday 24._

Frogs croaked last Evening. This morning the Birds of several kinds are singing; and some presages of Spring seem visible. Mrs Carter continues no better, A messenger is sent for Docter _Jones_, with orders, that if he is from Home to pursue him.--

Mr _Gregory_,[127] the Colonels Gardiner came this morning & began with Mr _Carters_ two Fellows who have been in the Garden all winter--They planted this day the common garden Peas.

The Colonel at Dinner gave Ben & I a Piece of Music to prepare on our Flutes, in which he is to perform the thorough Ba.s.s--Evening Mrs Carter Some Better.

[127] James Gregory was employed at various seasons to a.s.sist and instruct the colored gardeners at "Nomini Hall."

_Fryday 25._

Mrs Carter better--The Day pleasant--There is a report that the Jail-Fever, or Yellow or putrid Fever, is at one Mr Atwel's on potowmack, in this County; that it was brought in a Ship which came lately with convict Servants; that two have already died, one this morning: & that many of Mr Atwells Slaves are infected!--

Docter Jones spent the Evening with us; He complimented _Ben_ _Bob_, & myself with an invitation to dine with him next Sunday.

_Sat.u.r.day 26._

Mr _Carter's_ Merchant Mill begins to run to-day--She is calculated to manufacture 25.000 Bushels of Wheat a Year--I walked at twelve with the Colonel to view her; it is amazing to consider the work and Ingenuity--He told me his Bill for the materials and work was 1450.!--

_Ben_ to day Rode to Mr _Fantleroys_. Evening the Colonel & I performed the _Sonata_. I had the Pleasure to hear the Colonel say that I have my part perfect.

_Sunday 27._

I rode to day to Richmond Church, Parson Gibbern preached about 20 Minutes on the Text "he that walketh uprightly walketh wisely"--this seems to be a polite part of the parish.--After Sermon Ben & I rode to Docter _Jones's_; he was from home. Mrs Jones a young, Handsome, polite Lady, received & entertained us exceeding civilly.--On our return home, we called to see Mr Hamilton, who by a accident was thrown from a Horse, & received a sad cut in his Face! he lies at Mr Lanes.

_Monday 28._

Mrs Carter confined yet to her Room, but much better--Prissy & I on good terms once more--Breakfasted with us Mr _Taylor_.[128] Ben determines to ask his Papa to-morrow for Liberty to go home with me in April. Evening we performed the Sonata I the first; Ben the second; & Mr Carter the thorough Ba.s.s on the _Forte Piano_.

[128] Probably Colonel John Tayloe of "Mount Airy."

_Teusday March 1st 1774._

By one of Mr Carters Sailors we heard this morning that the Fever mentioned some Days ago continues. Afternoon Mr Lane[129] a young Gentleman, formerly my acquaintance at Princeton came to see me; with one Mr Harison--He stays all night.

[129] Joseph F. Lane of Loudoun County, Virginia.

_Wednesday 2._

I gave my little family a Holiday, with an intention to ride with Mr Lane after Dinner--We walked to the Mill, & about the works, but before twelve it began to rain, & prevented our going out--Mrs _Carter_ came out of her chamber & dined with us, & seems to be well over Illness.

Mr Lane lives in Louden County 20 Miles from Dumfries; & is to return to Princeton towards the close of this month.

_Thursday 3._