Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian Part 18

_Sat.u.r.day 12._

I rose by six--Breakfasted with us Captain _Blackwel_; master of a Ship lying in _Ucomico_--I heard _Harry_, Miss _f.a.n.n.y_, & _Besy_ repeat their catechism--At ten Mr Lane called on us to go on Board Captain Blackwels Ship to Dine--We consented and set off by Eleven; We rode to a place called Horn-Point, which is about a Mile up the River Ucomico, & in sight of the wide _Potowmac_, off this point at about a Quarter of a miles Distance lay Captain Griggs, & Captain Blackwels Ships, they sent immediately a Boat to carry us on board, but on telling us that neither of the Captains were at Home, we chose rather to turn Back--The distance from Mr _Carters_ to this Point, is called twelve miles; the Land seems to be exceeding poor, as it is covered for most of the way with Large _Pines_, & shrubby _Savins_, & dest.i.tute almost intirely of Cultivation--From Horn-Point we agreed to ride to one Mr Camels, who is Controller of the customs &c here; cheifly to see a Daughter of his to whom we were equally strangers, we arrived at Mr Camels about two o-Clock, & were severally introduced to Miss Pinkstone Camel, a young woman of about sixteen, neat, handsome, genteel, & sociable; & in my opinion she possesses as much of these as any young Lady in Virginia whom I have yet seen--It has been Mr Camels misfortune, in the course of trade, to be reduced to low circ.u.mstances, on which account his Family does not now meet with so great respect, as I am told they formerly did--

From Horn Point to the Comptrolers, the distance is call'd four miles.

Before Dinner we Borrowed the Comptrolers Barge, which is an over grown Canoe, & diverted ourselves in the River which lies full fronting the House; & we were the better pleased with the sport as all our motions were in the sight of Miss Camel--We dined at half after three on Fish, & wild Duck--our drink Grogg, & Water. From the Comptrolers at 5 o-Clock we set of Homewards; we call'd on our way at Captain _Meddletons_,[135] whom I take to be exceedingly Profane in his Language; we were introduced to his two Daughters; they seemed however aukward in their Behaviour, & dull, & saturnine in their Disposition--The distance from the Comptrolers to Captain seven Miles--We left there at eight in the evening, & rode to Mr Joseph Lanes Esqr which distance is called five miles, & arrive at 9 o-Clock--here we had an elegant Supper--with good _Porter_ & Madeira--after Supper, when call'd on for my Toast, I gave Miss _Betsy Beaty_ of Newington, Pennsylvania--At half after ten we set off and rode home; Distance three miles, Our poor Horses went the distances which I have laid down and were not fed in the course of the day; as they have no taverns in these parts--Our whole Distance 31 Miles Expence to the Sailors for their trouble is 1s 10d. Exceedingly fatigued with Riding.

[135] Middleton.

_Sunday 13._

Soon after Breakfast Captain Scott (master of a Schooner laden with Wheat, & bound from Alexandria for Philadelphia, which about ten days past in a gale of wind run aground and is like to lose her Cargo) come to hire Mr Carters Schooner to a.s.sist in unloading her that the vessel may be saved; the vessel run aground, & now lies nearly opposite the mouth of the River Nomini in Potowmack!--The Colonel is engaged in taking off a Description of the River _Ucomico_; the Road from hence to Horn-Point; & Mondays-Point[136] with the Houses on the several ways--This day I declin'd going to Church, chiefly on account of my Horse, who went so far yesterday--It is however the first time that I have kept myself at home in good weather--Evening Mr Carter received a Packet of Letters from _Anopolis_ by the Post, but none comes to me this long Winter--Bob to-day rode to Richmond Church, & in the Evening brought from Counsellor _Taylor_[137] a strong invitation to come and see him.

[136] Mundy's Point is located on the Yeocomico River near the mouth of that stream.

[137] Colonel John Tayloe of "Mount Airy."

_Monday 14._

Bob this morning begg'd me to learn him lattin; his Reason he tells me is that yesterday Mrs _Taylor_[138] told him he must not have either of her Daughters unless he learn'd Latin he urged me so strong that I put him some Lessons for leasure hours. Rainy most of this day, & in the afternoon from the West arose a black cloud which was attended with several pretty hard Claps of Thunder--We had with us one Mr _Neal_ a good Sort of self sufficient Gentleman--

[138] Mrs. John Tayloe of "Mount Airy" was the former Rebecca Plater, daughter of Governor George Plater of Maryland.

_Teusday 15._

This morning, as Ben & Bob were agreeing on the price of a Rudiman Grammar, which _Bob_ wanted to purchase of _Ben_; after some time when Bob would not give 2/10. Bens great demand for a Book almost worn out, which when new, may, by thousands be had in Philadelphia for 2/.

that Currency--He threw his Book into the fire, & destroy'd it at once!--An Instance of two ruling Foibles which I discover in Ben viz.

obstinacy, & avarice. And another I mentioned the other day, of his agreeing, for half a Bit, or 3d a week, to play the flute for a limited time, every night after I am in Bed; of this however he has grown tired, & given up his wages on account of the Labour, or Confinement of the Task--And I should be deceived, if a very little money would not excite him to submit to almost any menial service--Bob however; for the present is frustrated in his purpose of learning Grammer, & it seems to chagrin him as much, as tho' he actually believed in what Mrs Taylor[139] told him last Sunday, that without he understands Latin, he will never be able to win a young Lady of Family & fashion for his Wife.--At the Noon play-Hours _Bob_ & _Nelson_ the Boy who waits on the School had a fight, I know not on what account; it was Bobs misfortune in the course of the Battle to receive a blow on his cheek near his Eye, which is visible, & brought the intelligence of the Quarrel to me, for all were wholly silent till I made inquiry, when all in a moment seem'd to turn & try to convict him--In the Evening, after School, I took them both to my Room and examined them of the reason, Place, and manner of their fighting; from themselves it seem'd plain that they fought for mere Diversion I therefore dismiss'd Nelson, & kept Bob til near Supper & then gave him a smart correction & dismiss'd him.

[139] Mrs. Tayloe.

_Wednesday 16._

The morning cloudy & windy, Breakfasted at nine--Mr Randolph hurt himself by a Fall from a fence to day badly--Dined at half after two--Towards Evening the clouds all scattered, the wind fell, & left the air pleasant: The Birds also seemed glad and merry--The whole reminded me of a beautiful, & memorable pa.s.sage in _Milton_. "If Chance the Radiant Sun with farewel-Sweet, Extend his Evening Beam the fields revive, The Birds their notes renew, the bleating Herds Attest their joy that Hill & valley rings."

After school, I had the honour of taking a walk with Mrs Carter through the Garden--It is beautiful, & I think uncommon to see at this Season peas all up two & three Inches--We gathered two or three Cowslips in full-Bloom; & as many violets--The English Honey Suckle is all out in green & tender Leaves--Mr Gregory is grafting some figs--Mrs Carter shewed me her Apricot-Grafts; Asparagus Beds &c Before Supper a Black cloud appeared in the West, at which Mrs Carter discovered much concern as She is uncommonly affraid both of wind and Thunder.

_Thursday 17._

This morning Mr Carter put Miss _f.a.n.n.y_ to learning the Notes--While we were breakfasting Mr _Stadley_ the musician came; Miss _Prissy_ is with him; _Nancy_ learns the _Guitar_, under the direction of her _Papa_, as Mr Stadley does not understand playing on the _Guitar_--Dined with us a young Gentleman Mr Fantleroy from _Hobbes-Hole_--He seems to be a modest sensible, genteel young Fellow--I had the pleasure of taking a walk in the Garden at five with Mr _Stadley_; _Bob_ along--He is a man of Sense, & has great Skill in music. I spent the Evening in the Room in the midst of music.

_Fryday 18._

The morning damp & disagreeable--Mr Stadley continues to Day with Miss _Prissy_. We received this morning the _Williamsburg_ Gazette's-- Several Addresses appear, and poetical Encomiums on the Countess of Dunmore lately arrived there.

Mr. Bracken. & Mr. Henley, are still contending in furious Combat, but poor Henley seems to be on the verge of a Defeat--I have all along intended, & shall now attempt to give a short discription of Nomini-Hall, & the several Buildings, & improvements adjoining it; as well for my own amus.e.m.e.nt, as also to be able with certainty to inform others of a Seat as magnificent in itself & with as many surrounding Conveniences, as any I have ever seen, & perhaps equal to any in this Colony--

Mr _Carter_ now possesses 60000 Acres of Land; & about 600 Negroes--But his Estate is much divided, & lies in almost every county in this Colony; He has Lands in the neighbourhood of Williamsburg, & an elegant & s.p.a.cious House in that City--He owns a great part of the well known Iron-Works near Baltimore in Maryland--And he has one or more considerable Farms not far from Anopolis. He has some large tracts of Land far to the West, at a place call'd "Bull Run," & the "Great Meadows" among the mountains. He owns Lands near Dumfries on the Potowmack; & large Tracts in this & the neighbouring Counties.--Out of these Lands, which are situated so remote from each other in various parts of these two large Provinces, Virginia, & Maryland, Mr Carter has chosen for the place of his habitation a high spot of Ground in Westmoreland County at the Head of the Navigation of the River Nomini, where he has erected a large Elegant House, at a vast expence, which commonly goes by the name of _Nomini-Hall_. This House is built with Brick, but the bricks have been covered with strong lime Mortar; so that the building is now perfectly white; It is seventy-six Feet long from East to west; & forty-four wide from North to South, two Stories high; the Pitch of the lower story seventeen Feet, & the upper Story twelve--

It has five Stacks of Chimneys, tho two of these serve only for ornament. There is a beautiful Jutt, on the South side, eighteen feet long, & eight Feet deep from the wall which is supported by three tall pillars--On the South side, or front, in the upper story are four Windows each having twenty-four Lights of Gla.s.s. In the lower story are two Windows each having forty-two Lights of Gla.s.s, & two Doors each having Sixteen Lights--At the East end the upper story has three Windows each with eighteen Lights; & below two Windows both with eighteen Lights & a Door with nine--

The North side I think is most beautiful of all; In the upper Story is a Row of seven Windows with eighteen Lights a piece; and below six windows, with the like number of lights; besides a large Portico in the middle, at the sides of which are two Windows each with eighteen Lights.--At the West end are no Windows--The Number of Lights in all is five hundred, & forty nine--There are four Rooms on a Floor, disposed of in the following manner. Below is a dining Room where we usually sit; the second is a dining-Room for the Children; the third is Mr Carters study; & the fourth is a Ball-Room thirty Feet long--Above stairs, one Room is for Mr & Mrs Carter; the second for the young Ladies; & the other two for occasional Company--As this House is large, & stands on a high piece of Land it may be seen a considerable distance; I have seen it at the Distance of six Miles--At equal Distances from each corner of this Building stand four other considerable Houses, which I shall next a little describe. First, at the North East corner, & at 100 yards Distance stands the School-House; At the North-West Corner, & at the same Distance stands the stable; At the South-West Corner, & at the same Distance, stands the Coach-House; And lastly, at the South-East corner, & at an equal distance stands the Work-House. These four Houses are the corner of a Square of which the Great-House is the Center--First the School-House is forty five feet long, from East to West, & twenty-seven from North to South; It has five well-finished, convenient Rooms, three below stairs, & two above; It is built with Brick a Story & a half high with Dormant Windows; In each Room is a fire; In the large Room below-Stairs we keep our School; the other two Rooms below which are smaller are allowed to Mr Randolph the Clerk; The Room above the School-Room Ben and I live in; & the other Room above Stairs belongs to _Harry_ & _Bob_. Five of us live in this House with great Neatness, & convenience; each one has a Bed to himself--And we are call'd by the Bell to the Great-House to Breakfast &c--The Wash-House is built in the same form, & is of the same Size of the School-House--From the front yard of the Great House, to the Wash-House is a curious _Terrace_, covered finely with Green turf, & about five foot high with a slope of eight feet, which appears exceeding well to persons coming to the front of the House--This _Terrace_ is produced along the Front of the House, and ends by the Kitchen; but before the Front-Doors is a broad flight of steps of the same Height, & slope of the _Terrace_.

The Stable & coach-House are of the same Length & Breadth as the School- and Wash-House, only they are higher pitched to be convenient for holding Hay & Fodder.[140]

[140] This manor plantation has remained in the possession of Carter's descendants to the present time. The original manor house was destroyed by fire in 1850. A wooden structure erected shortly after that time still stands. Carter's daughter, Harriot Lucy, married a well-known lawyer, John James Maund. A daughter of Harriot Lucy and John James Maund became the wife of Dr. John Arnest. "Nomini Hall" is today the residence of Dr. Arnest's grandson, Mr. T. M. Arnest, who is the great-great-grandson of Councillor Robert Carter. The only known representation of the original manor house is a crude water-color sketch done by an amateur artist "E. Maund," a relative, who visited the family and made the sketch shortly before the house burned in 1850. One obtains a clearer understanding of the imposing character of this manor house from Fithian's comments regarding it. This is especially true of his observation made when spending an evening once at "Mount Airy," the "elegant seat" of Colonel John Tayloe in Richmond County. "The House," he said, referring to "Mount Airy," "is about the size of Mr. Carter's...."

Due East of the Great House are two Rows of tall, flourishing, beautiful, Poplars, beginning on a Line drawn from the School to the Wash-House; these Rows are something wider than the House, & are about 300 yards Long, at the Eastermost end of which is the great Road leading through Westmorland to Richmond. These Rows of Poplars form an extreemely pleasant avenue, & at the Road, through them, the House appears most romantic, at the same time that it does truly elegant--The Area of the Triangle made by the Wash-House, Stable, & School-House is perfectly levil, & designed for a bowling-Green, laid out in rectangular Walks which are paved with Brick, & covered over with burnt Oyster-Sh.e.l.ls--In the other Triangle, made by the Wash-House, Stable, & Coach House is the Kitchen, a well-built House, as large as the School-House, Bake-House; Dairy; Store-House & several other small Houses; all which stand due West, & at a small distance from the great House, & form a little handsome Street. These Building stand about a quarter of a Mile from a Fork of the River Nomini, one Branch of which runs on the East of us, on which are two Mills; one of them belongs to Mr Turburville, the other to Mr Washington, both within a mile--another branch of the River runs on the West of us, on which and at a small distance above the House stands Mr Carters Merchant Mill,[141] which I have in other places described; to go to the mill from the House we descend I imagine above an 100 Feet; the Dam is so broad that two carriages may pa.s.s conveniently on it; & the Pond from twelve to Eighteen Foot water--at the fork Mr Carter has a Granary, where he lands his Wheat, for the mill Iron from the Works &c--

[141] A merchant mill was a mill in which flour was manufactured and packed for sale. The owner of such a mill customarily purchased wheat for manufacture. In Virginia it was a common practice for the owner of the mill to pay for the wheat in flour. A mill used exclusively for grinding grain for local consumption was called a grist or custom mill. A portion of the grist was usually allowed the owner for his services.

In the Evening Mr _Carter_ sent for _Ben_ & I to play over the _Sonata_ which we have lately learn'd; we performed it, & had not only Mr Stadleys Approbation, but his praise; he did me the honour to say that "I play a good Flute." He took a Flute also and play'd; which put me in mind, at once, of the speech of the Shepherd in virgil.--Non tu in Triviis, indocte, solebas Stridenti miserum Stipula disperdere cament [carmen]. For when compared to him, the best that Ben or I can do, is like Crows among Nightingales--We play'd till ten, and separated, I gave to Miss Harriot, for saying a good lesson, half a Bit--

_Sat.u.r.day 19._

The morning still wet & disagreeable--Last night I dreamed much of the Girl, which, I most of all others, esteem, & admire; of _Laura_; But oh! I dreamed She was treacherous!--If it be true, I must suppress the Greatness of my Disappointment by reflecting that I had not well enough considered this Sentiment of the _poet_, That,--Varium et mutabile Femina--I discover weakness when I am writing in this manner; but Anxiety, and mighty-Love carry me over the bounds which I set for the regulation of my conduct--Dreams indeed are vain & false; But perhaps _Laura_ may think that Lovers vows are vain & trifling as they!--I spend the day in my Room looking over the Catalogue of the _Reviewers_ for August, September, October & November 1773.--Ben, & Bob, & Harry, out tho the Day is bad--Mr _Stadley_ is yet busy with the young Ladies--

_Sunday 20._

The weather still cloudy, damp, and disagreeable, but it is perfectly calm; people here attribute this so long dullness to the Sun crossing the Line which is to happen to-morrow--After Breakfast Mr Stadley left us, The day is so bad none of us go to Church--Before Dinner I received from Mr Lane, by his Servant a Note, informing me that he is to set out tomorrow for home--In return, by the Same bearer, I wrote him my Compliments in a letter; desiring him to remember me to my Acquaintances in Pennsylvania, & New Jersey, as he will probably soon see many of them--I spent much of this Day in Mr Carters Library among the works of mighty-Men; I turned over _Calmets_, Scripture prints, they are beautiful, & vastly entertaining--At Dinner by some means, I know not how a conversation was introduced concerning the Souls of Women; Mrs _Carter_ observed that She has heard they have no Souls--Says Miss Priscilla in a moment if I thought so I would not have spent all this morning in Reading; nor would Women, (Said the well discerning Miss) be careful to avoid any Shameful, or Sinful Action--It is not unlikly but those are the private Sentiments of many among the Fair; & no doubt they would be generally and publickly practised if it should be universally admitted that the Soul of a Woman is not to exist after the present Life.

_Monday 21._

This day the days and nights are equal--The Sun enters _Aries_--Aries [Libra] dies Somniq: pares ubi fecerit Horas, Et medium suis atq: Umbris jam dividet Orbem. _Virgil._ Georgic I.

At Breakfast Mrs Carter asked me who is foremost in Arithmetic; whether Bob, or Prissy? At which Mr Carter observed, that him of his Sons whom he finds most capable of doing Business when he leaves the World, & his Estate, Shall have the management of the whole, & support the Rest. It seemed to me to be not an ill-chosen Incentive to Diligence among the Boys--

This morning still cloudy, the wind at South--about ten a black-gloomy cloud appeared in the west; it came over like Virgils--Omnia Ventorum concurrere proelia [vidi]--The wind changed with the cloud to the westward--Dined with us Mr Washington & Mr Philip Smith, Brother to the Parson of this parish, to whom I was formally introduced--Toasts as usual--Towards Evening it grows more pleasant & after School, I had the pleasure of a walk in the Garden with Mrs Carter, Miss Stanhope, & Miss Harriot--The peas have grown admirably since my last Walk; & indeed all the Herbs seem sprouting--Harry this Day finished vulgar Fractions, & began Practice. Expence to day as Pin-Money a Bit or 7d

_Teusday 22._

Once more the weather fine--Last night by some accident, the Main Spring of my Watch either unhook'd or broke, for when I thought She had run down, & trying to wind her, I found the Chain made no Resistance As there is no oppertunity here of having her refitted, I seem in considerable difficulty--In Spite of all my strongest opposing efforts, my thoughts dwell on that Vixen _Laura_. I strive to refuse them admission, or harbour them in my heart, yet like hidden fire they introduce themselves, & seize; & overcome me when perhaps I am pursuing some amuseing or useful Study; on giving precepts & Directions to my little fair Seminary--At ten Mr Lane & Mr John Simpson call'd to see us--At twelve we had a pleasant walk in the Garden--Mr Carter, & Mrs Carter along--Mr Lane informs that he has by particular Request, in the Absence of the Parson, Read the funeral Service twice since he has been in the county, which is only a few Weeks--He sets off for home soon; Mr Carter says he is in Love, & I think it is with Miss _Camel_. I was introduced to Mr _Simpson_: He talks much; & often mentions his having been to England--They Dined with us; Toasts as usual. Evening I have the Tooth Ach.

_Wednesday 23._

I was almost wholly deprived of Sleep last night with a pain in my Jaw & Teeth; which conti[n]ues this morning so bad I scarce know what, or how to do--Frail, & weak nature; how we are forever teas'd, & vexed with Anciety in our minds, or Pains & other distresses in our Bodies!--We dined at half after two--It is now seven in the Evening & I am about entering into bed, as the pain has entirely left me, that I may satisfy my Body for last nights loss of my usual rest, I leave Ben by the Fire, poring over a History of England, nodding Sometimes, however, & impatient of the distance of nine o-Clock.--