Part 13 (1/2)

The morning was so extremely stormy that I declin'd going to Breakfast--All the others went my Breakfast was sent over--Immediately after Breakfast Ben came over with a Message from Mr _Carter_, that he desired me to correct _Bob_ severely immediately--Bob when I went into School sat quiet in the corner, & looked sullen, and penitent; I gave some orders to the Children, and went to my Room.--I sent for Bob--He came crying--I told him his Fathers Message; he confess'd himself guilty--I sent him to call up _Harry_--He came--I talked with them both a long Time recommended Diligence, & good Behaviour, but concluded by observing that I was obliged to comply with Mr Carter's request; I sent _Harry_ therefore for some Whips.--_Bob_ and poor I remained trembling in the chamber (for Bob was not more uneasy than I it being the first attempt of the kind I have ever made)--The Whips came!--I ordered Bob to strip!--He desired me to whip Him in his hand in Tears--I told him no--He then patiently, & with great deliberation took of his Coat and laid it by--I took him by the hand and gave him four or five smart twigs; he cring'd, & bawld & promis'd--I repeated then about eight more, & demanded and got immediately his solemn promise for peace among the children, & Good Behaviour in general--I then sent him down--He conducts himself through this day with great Humility, & unusual diligence, it will be fine if it continues. At noon I went over to Dinner, but it was storming, & continues so bad that I choose rather to go without Supper than venture out in the Storm.

_Thursday 6._

To Day about twelve _Bob_ & _Prissy_ & _Nancy_ went in the Chariot to Stratford, to attend the Dancing-School--Mr Taylor,[110] the Colonels princ.i.p.al Overseer dined with us--After School in the Evening, I sat with _Betsy_ & _f.a.n.n.y_ while they sung me many songs, When they had done I waited on them Home, & spent the Evening with Mr & Mrs _Carter_.

[110] The account books of Robert Carter show that William Taylor was at this period overseer of three of Carter's plantations or ”quarters,” called d.i.c.ks, Morgans and Rutters.

_Fryday 7._

The morning cold, muddy and drisly--Our School seems still, and vacant. _Betsy_ & _f.a.n.n.y_ at their Leisure are constantly knitting with small smoth stiff straws, in imitation of their Sister _Sylla_, who knits sometimes. The Colonel told me last Evening that he proposes to make the vacant End of our School-Room, Where Dr Frank lived a Concert-Room, to hold all his instruments of Music--As he proposes to bring up from _Williamsburg_ his _Organ_, & to remove the _Harpsichord_, _Harmonica_, _Forte-piano_, _Guittar_, _Violin_, & _German-Flutes_, & make it a place for Practice, as well as Entertainment.

This afternoon _Dennis_, a Boy of about twelve Years old, one of the Waiters at Table, as he was standing in the front Door which is vastly huge & heavy; the Door flew up, and drew off the Skin & Flesh from his middle Finger caught between, took off the first Joint, and left the Bone of the greater part of the Rest of the Finger naked.

_Sat.u.r.day 8._

Catechised the Children, and dismiss'd them about ten. The morning pleasant--Rode before Dinner to Mr Blains Store--Was introduced to Dr _Thompson_,[111] Mr _Balantine_,[112] Mr _Carr_ a young Scotch-Man Clerk, to Mr Blain; dined with Mr Blain. Parson _Smith_, his Wife, & her Sister were there--Colonel Was.h.i.+ngton, his Wife, & their Daughter Miss Jenny a young Lady of few words, a sanguine Countenance, and as to her Size, something below what Ladies call elegant; neat but not _flashy_ in her Dress; Some of her Dress I admired because I have seen _Laura_ in the like, yit strongly shewed me that it is not Dress alone I admire in Her. All these had been at a Widding in the country and were returning--In Dr _Thomsons_ Room there was hanging against the Wall a Skeleton!--Balantine, either to shew himself a true full-blooded Buck, or out of mere wantonness & pastime turned the Bones (as they were fixed together with Wires) into many improper and indecent postures; but this officious industry met with such reception from the company as it Justly merited, and as I wish'd might happen; for they gave visible signs of their contempt of his Behaviour--About Six in the Evening the Chariot returned with _Bob_, Miss _Prissy_ & _Nancy_ from the Dance at _Stratford_--They brought News as follows: Miss Prissy told us, that they had an elegant Dance on the Whole; that Colonel Philip Lee, where they met to Dance, was on Fryday, at the Wedding of which I made mention Just now; that Mr _Christian_ the Master danced several Minuets, prodigiously beautiful; that Captain Grigg (Captain of an English s.h.i.+p) danced a Minuet with her; that he hobled most dolefully, & that the whole a.s.sembly laughed!--_Bob_ told us that there was a Race between Mr ---- And Colonels Horses--that they run a Mile, & that _Dottrell_[113] belonging to Mr ---- won the Race;--_Bob_ told me in private, after we were alone in my Room, that Colonel Lee took an Opportunity, & asked him in the Hearing of a large company at Supper, what sort of _Fellow_ he is whom your _Papa_ had provided for your _Tutor_--_Bob_ told me that for answer he Informed him I was good and agreeable--That Miss Jenny Corbin, (a young Lady with whom I have had the greatest Opportunity of being acquainted, of any young Lady in Virginia) gave him so favourable an Account of my Behaviour, that he was pleased to say He should be glad to see me at his House, & of my company--But after having heard this much, I shall esteem myself pardonable, & shall always think it proper to refuse without thanks his warmest Invitations; & will plead for my excuse nothing else than mere inclination.

[111] Thomas Thompson was a well known physician of Westmoreland County. Robert Carter retained the services of Thompson for the blacks on his plantations for a number of years.

[112] Probably James Balendine of the firm referred to in the Carter account books as ”Messrs. James Balendine & Co.”

[113] ”Dotterell” was an English blooded horse that had been bred by Sir John Pennington. He was regarded as the swiftest in that country with the exception of one, called ”Eclipse.” Dotterell had been imported into the colony in 1766 by Philip Ludwell Lee of ”Stratford”

in Westmoreland County.

[Ill.u.s.tration: man at writing table in bed chamber]

In the Evening about seven o-Clock it snowed exceeding fast til Eight when it ceased, it being the second Snow we had this winter here, At Supper we had much conversation about the Dance. Mrs Carter & myself, sat while ten and the Colonel read philosophy.

_Sunday 9._

The Morning very cold--None from our Family went to church; _Bob_ beg'd of me to let him go, I refused him; he then asked to go and dine with Mr Turburville, I gave him no liberty.--I wrote to-Day a letter to _Laura_, I wish it _speed_ & _Success_--I wrote also a letter to Mr _Bryan_ in Baltimore; Another to the Gentleman who keeps the ”Fountain Inn” in _Baltimore_; & one to Dr _John Beaty_--_Bob_ returned in the Evening after having stole away and spent the day at Mr _Turburvill's_ with a Note to his Papa from Squire _Lee_, in which Mr Carter & his Family are invited to the Ball at his House on Monday the 17th Instant But I must stay alone.

[LETTER OF PHILIP V. FITHIAN TO ELIZABETH BEATTY]

Nominy-Hall. Virginia. Jan: 9th: 1774.

TO LAURA.

The long Distance there is between us, & Uncertainty of the Conveyance, makes it improper for me to write what I wish to tell you.

I may not, however, neglect to acquaint you that you still possess the largest earthly Share of my Regard; & that my Fidelity towards you is unshaken & inviolable.

I continue this Winter, by the Kindness of Heaven, in perfect Health; & expect to return by the last of April next, if no Accident comes between, when I promise myself Madam, much Pleasure, much Peace in your Company.