Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.

Saturday 30.

Rode with Mr Carters eldest Son[Footnote_53_53 - Benjamin Tasker Carter.] to a Store, about seven Miles – Bought half a Box of Wafers for 1/ – And a quire of paper for 1/6. Dined at three – And rode into Richmond Parish 15 Miles to Mr Fantleroys[Footnote_54_54 - The Fauntleroy family owned extensive holdings and occupied a high social position in Richmond County and other sections of the Tidewater. "Mars Hill" and "Crandall" were two seats of the family on the Rappahannock River in Richmond County, and in the vicinity of the modern towns of Warsaw and Tappahannock. A third manor plantation of the Fauntleroys' was "The Cliffs," also on the Rappahannock, some miles north of the other two. The name of the family was pronounced variously as "Fantleroy," "Fantilroy" and "Fauntleroy." Aphia, Samuel and Henry or "Harry" Fauntleroy were the daughter and sons of Moore Fauntleroy (1716-1791) of "The Cliffs." Information supplied by Miss Juliet Fauntleroy of Altavista, Virginia.]– Was introduced to Mr Fantleroy – two of his Sons – Mr Christian[Footnote_55_55 - Francis Christian held his dancing classes in rotation in a number of the manor houses of the Northern Neck at this period. After the pupils had been instructed an informal dance was usually enjoyed on such occasions.] a dancing a dancing-Master —

Sunday 31.

Rode to Church six Miles[Footnote_56_56 - Nomini Church, one of the two Anglican houses of worship in Cople Parish, stood on the bank of the Nomini River some five miles from Carter's home.]– Heard Mr Gibbern[Footnote_57_57 - Isaac William Giberne, an English clergyman, thought to have been a nephew of the Bishop of Durham, was licensed to preach in Virginia in 1758. The following year he had arrived in the colony and was serving as the minister in Hanover Parish in King George County. Possessing a high tempered and somewhat contentious nature, Giberne was involved in numerous sharp controversies. An exceptionally sociable and convivial man, he spent much of his time in visiting and gambling and tippling. Admitted by his enemies at that time to be the most popular and admired preacher in the colony, he had been invited shortly after his arrival in Virginia to preach a sermon before the Burgesses. This sermon was later printed at their request. In 1760 Giberne married a wealthy widow, Mary Fauntleroy Beale of Richmond County, a daughter of Moore Fauntleroy of "Crandall." She had previously been the wife of Charles Beale. Removing to her plantation, "Belle Ville," he was two years later chosen as minister of Lunenburg Parish, and served in that capacity until 1795. He is mentioned in numerous diaries and letters of the period. Cf. Goodwin, Edward Lewis, The Colonial Church in Virginia, pp. 271-272; Jonathan Boucher, Reminiscences of an American Loyalist, passim; letter of Miss Juliet Fauntleroy of November 21, 1941 in Department of Research and Record, Colonial Williamsburg, Inc.] preach on Felixes trembling at Pauls Sermon.

Monday Novemr 1st

We began School – The School consists of eight – Two of Mr Carters Sons – One Nephew – And five Daughters – The endest Son[Footnote_58_58 - Benjamin Tasker.] is reading Salust; Gramatical Exercises, and latin Grammer – The second Son[Footnote_59_59 - Robert Bladen or "Bob."] is reading english Grammar Reading English: Writing, and Cyphering in Subtraction – The Nephew[Footnote_60_60 - Henry or "Harry" Willis.] is Reading and Writing as above; and Cyphering in Reduction – The eldest daughter[Footnote_61_61 - Priscilla.] is Reading the Spectator; Writing; & beginning to Cypher – The second[Footnote_62_62 - Ann Tasker or "Nancy."] is reading next out of the Spelling-Book, and begining to write – The next[Footnote_63_63 - Frances or "Fanny."] is reading in the Spelling-Book – The fourth[Footnote_64_64 - Betty Landon.] is Spelling in the beginning of the Spelling-Book – And the last[Footnote_65_65 - Harriot Lucy.] is beginning her letters —

Teusday 2.

Busy in School – begun to read Pictete —[Footnote_66_66 - Benedict Pictete had first published his Teologia Christiana in 1696.]

[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

[JOURNAL]

Wednesday 3.

Busy in School —

Thursday 4.

Busy in School – To day the two eldest Daughters, and second Son attended the Dancing School.[Footnote_67_67 - 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.]

Fryday 5.

Busy in School —

Saturday 6.

Catechised in School til twelve – the Children. And dismiss'd them. Afternoon rode with Ben Carter to the Bank of Potowmack[Footnote_68_68 - The banks of the Potomac River could be seen in the distance from the upper floor of "Nomini Hall."]– 8 Miles – Returned in the evening – Expence Ferriage 1/.

Sunday 7.

Rode to Ucomico Church[Footnote_69_69 - Yeocomico Church, one of the two Anglican churches in Cople Parish in Westmoreland County. Built in 1706, this structure still stands.]– 8 Miles – Heard Parson Smith.[Footnote_70_70 - 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.] He shewed to us the uncertainty of Riches, and their Insufficiency to make us happy – Dined at Captain Walkers;[Footnote_71_71 - Captain Walker was a friend of Robert Carter and often visited "Nomini Hall." Fithian frequently dined at Walker's home.] With Parson Smith, his Wife; her Sister, a young Lady; &c – Returned in the Evening.

Monday 8.

Busy in School – Finished reading the first, and begun to read the Second Book of Pictetes Theology. Expence to Boy /4.

Teusday 9.

Busy in School —

Wednesday 10.

Busy in School – The eldest Daughter taken off by her Teacher in Music; Mr Stadley[Footnote_72_72 - 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.] who is learning her to play the Forte-piano—

Thursday 11.

Rose by seven – Busy in School – Miss Carter still absent —

Fryday 12.

Rose by Seven – Ben begun his Greek Grammer – Three in the Afternoon Mr Carter returned from Williamsburg.[Footnote_73_73 - Carter was doubtless returning from attendance as a member of the General Court at this time.] He seems to be agreeable, discreet, and sensible – He informed me more particularly concerning his desire as to the Instruction of his Children —

Saturday 13.

Catechised the Children and dismissed them about Eleven – Read in Pictete – and proceeded in writing my Sermon for the Presbytery[Footnote_74_74 - Fithian was preparing for his examination before the Presbytery at Philadelphia at this time.]– Expence for my Horse 1/3.

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,[Footnote_75_75 - "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.] Miss Jenny Corbin,[Footnote_76_76 - Jane or "Jenny" Corbin was a sister of Mrs. John Turberville of "Hickory Hill."] and Mr Cunningham[Footnote_77_77 - 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."] a young Merchant.

Monday 15.

Busy in School – Wrote in the Evening at my Sermon.

Teusday 16.

In School – Writing at my Sermon.

Wednesday 17.

Busy in School —

Thursday 18.

Busy in School —

Fryday 19.

Busy in School —

Saturday 20.