Part 19 (1/2)

_Thursday 24._

At Breakfast Mr Carter entertained us with an account of what he himself saw the other Day, which is a strong Representation of the cruelty & distress which many among the Negroes suffer in Virginia! Mr Carter dined at Squire Lees some few Weeks ago; at the same place, that day, dined also Mr George Turburville & his Wife--As Mr Carter rode up he observed Mr Turburvilles Coach-Man sitting on the Chariot-Box, the Horses off--After he had made his compliments in the House, He had Occasion soon after to go to the Door, when he saw the Coachman still sitting, & on examination found that he was there fast chained! The Fellow is inclined to run away, & this is the method which This Tyrant makes use of to keep him when abroad; & so soon as he goes home he is delivered into the pityless Hands of a b.l.o.o.d.y Overseer!--In the Language of a Heathen I query whether cunning old _Charon_ will not refuse to transport this imperious, haughty Virginian Lord When he shall happen to die over the Styx to the Elysian Gardens; lest his Lords.h.i.+p in the pa.s.sage should take affront at the treatment, & attempt to chain him also to the Stygean Galley for Life!--

Or, In the language of a Christian, I query whether he may be admitted into the peaceful Kingdom of Heaven where meekness, Holiness, & Brotherly-Love, are distinguis.h.i.+ng Characteristicks?--

Tho the Pain in my Teeth has entirely left me, I am not therefore free from distress; for to day I am attacked with a pain in my Head, & Fever; which hinders me from Walking out at twelve as is my Custom!--

_Fryday 25._

I rose by seven--& through G.o.ds mercy I feel myself much relieved of yesterdays complaints--The weather cloudy, cold, rainy at times, & unpleasant--Evening _Ben_ took courage & asked his _Papa_ for his consent to allow him to go with me to Philadelphia--The Colonel very kindly, & at the same time very Politely consented--For he would not agree till he knew of me whether it is agreeable to me, & at my Request that he is to go--

_Sat.u.r.day 26._

_Ben_ & _Bob_ are soon after Breakfast on Horseback; Breakfasted with us one Lee, a Gentleman of what they call here the back Woods--He seems indeed a little stiff in his manner; but he has had a long Ride--I spend the Day close in my Room Reading Writing &c--

_Sunday 27._

An odd Jumble of affairs happened this morning--_Bob_ drest himself & came into our Room & in his usual way began to be pretty free in telling us _News_. Amongst a vast quant.i.ty of other stuff he informed _Ben_ & I that he heard Mr _Randolph_ has the P... we both join'd in severely reprimanding for attempting to propogate so unlikely a Tale--Why, Brother Ben, said the mischeivous Wretch I heard in this Neighbourhood, yesterday a Report concerning you not much to your--but I will conceal it--This inraged Ben he at first however persuaded him but soon began to threaten loudly unless he told the whole--why then, Brother said Bob, it is reported that two Sundays ago you took Sukey (a young likely Negro Girl maid to Mrs Carters youngest Son) into your stable, & there for a considerable time lock'd yourselves together!--Before Bob had done, the Bell rung for Breakfast & we parted--All went to Church to-day but Miss _Nancy_, _Harry_, & _Myself_--I spend the day agreeably in Mr _Carters_ Library--Evening when the Colonel returned, (for he dined at Squire Lee's) he informed me of an affair which happened yesterday in this County, One Smith, a Man of a Middle age who lives with his aged Father, & his Father too is old & declining fast with disease--This youth has lately made a will for his Father which he yesterday compell'd him to sign; & after the Good old Man had obliged him, he beat and abused him (tho his father) in desperate manner it is thought with a design to destroy him! Soon after this he discharged a musket at his own Brother who was at some distance from him & lodged in his body eighteen large Shott!--Docters were immediately call'd--& officers directed to take the villian but he, with his Wife have hid themselves in a Thicket & have as yet evaded the search of the Sheriff--

Sup'd with us one Mr Mathews a Steward for Mr Carter in Louden.

[_Monday 28_]

Breakfasted with us Mr Mathews; he seems to be a man of great Gravity, says little, & Sighs often--The day is warm & vastly mild; it is the first Day we have in all our Rooms been without any Fire--At twelve I rode to Mr Taylors two miles; he was out, I sat half an hour with Miss Taylor & returned to Dinner, the Ride exceeding pleasant, and my Horse seems (as jockeys say) in good Flesh & well prepar'd for our approaching & much wished for Journey--Evening Mr _Simpson_ came in, sup'd & stays the Night. He has last Week, been destilling Mr Carter's Liquor made of Pisimonds--it is soft, mild, of a fair pure Colour, burns clear, but does not answer the Colonels Expectations; so that he does not propose to recommend it to his Neighbours in this or the Neighbouring Counties as a useful experiment. When call'd on for my Toast, at Supper I gave Miss _Jenny Corbin_; Mrs _Carter_ gave Captain _Lee_; & Mr _Simpson_ gave Miss _Jones_.

_Teusday 29._

To warm to day for fire, but we have the wind very strong from the West--Mr _Carter_ rode to Court--Soon after Breakfast I receiv'd a Letter from Mr _Andrew Bryan_ of Baltimore, Maryland formerly at College my Cla.s.s-Mate--the Letter bears Date January 21st 1774 Dated at _Baltimore_. He informs me of his good Health, & that, he shall soon forward my Letters inclosed to him; perhaps kind oppertunity shall have before this hour favoured my wish, & brought to Laura advices of my State--At twelve I rode out, with Ben, an hour & better, the Day vastly windy. About four Colonel Philip Lee's Chariot arrived, in which came four young Misses to be ready for the Dance which happens here tomorrow--I am informed this Evening that Smith the Villian mentioned last Sunday was to day apprehended, & committed to the prison in this County

[Ill.u.s.tration: prisoner being taken to prison]

_Wednesday 30._

Rainy & cold--The Colonel informed me this morning that the general Opinion of the Gentlemen at Court yesterday seem'd to be that the County would be free'd of three Villians if the old abused Father, the wounded Son & Brother, & the offending guilty Son were to be all hanged--The Day so bad Mr _Christian_ does not attend--Mrs _Was.h.i.+ngton_ came however, with Miss Jenny her Daughter; the two Fantleroys came also, & Miss Corbin, & Miss Turburville, & one Miss Hale[142] a new _Scholar_--Mr Carters Man play'd & the Dance goes on with great Spirit & neatness. Evening there is as common a good play.

Separated all for Bed by half after nine.

[142] The Heale family was a well-known one in Lancaster County where they lived on ”Peach Hill” and other manor plantations. The name was apparently p.r.o.nounced Hale all through the eighteenth century.

Priscilla Heale was the daughter of George Heale of Lancaster County.

Heale had served as a Burgess from that county.

_Thursday 31._

All our company continue. The morning fair & cool--Yesterday & to-day I am strongly solicited to dance--I decline however & must persevere.--Mr & Mrs Turburville came in before Dinner--With the two Fantleroys, Ben, Bob, & Harry, I had a pleasant walk through the Fields, to the Mill &c. I paid my forfeit to the Baker 7d--The Plumb-Trees are beginning to blossom--Towards Evening our company all left us.