Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.. Fithian Philip Vickers
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Название: Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.
Автор: Fithian Philip Vickers
Издательство: Public Domain
Жанр: Зарубежная классика
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Teusday 2.
Busy in School – begun to read Pictete —[66]
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
Wednesday 3.
Busy in School —
Thursday 4.
Busy in School – To day the two eldest Daughters, and second Son attended the Dancing School.[67]
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[68]– 8 Miles – Returned in the evening – Expence Ferriage 1/.
Sunday 7.
Rode to Ucomico Church[69]– 8 Miles – Heard Parson Smith.[70] He shewed to us the uncertainty of Riches, and their Insufficiency to make us happy – Dined at Captain Walkers;[71] 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[72] 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.[73] 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[74]– 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,[75] Miss Jenny Corbin,[76] and Mr Cunningham[77] 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.
Rode to Mr Fishers[78] dined with Mr Cunningham at 3 o-Clock – Rode in the evening to Mr Lancelot Lees,[79] a young Gentleman, who has lately come from England; sup'd on Oysters – Rode home about nine o-Clock he along —
Sunday 21.
Rode to Church – Mr Smith preached on the Parable of the rich Man. Dined at home – Mr Lee dined with us – Reading in Pictete – Feel very home-Sick – Saw two Brothers quarrel – Doleful Sight. —
Monday 22.
Busy in School – Mr Lee gave us his Company in the morning in School, and was very chearful – he left us about twelve o-Clock —
Teusday 23.
Busy in School – Miss Carter rode out with her Dady and Mama to the County Court[80]– Writing at my Sermons.
Who knows what heaven may have in view?
What yet remains for me to do?
But knowlege here might give me grief.
Instead of pleasure and relief;
I therefore yield and peaceful wait
On Providence to rule my fate;
Nor if it long 'til' I must fly
Unbodied to my judge on high
Why need I then disturb my mind?
Why not lye humble and resign'd? —
Yet СКАЧАТЬ
Ann Tasker or "Nancy."
Frances or "Fanny."
Betty Landon.
Harriot Lucy.
Benedict Pictete had first published his
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.
The banks of the Potomac River could be seen in the distance from the upper floor of "Nomini Hall."
Yeocomico Church, one of the two Anglican churches in Cople Parish in Westmoreland County. Built in 1706, this structure still stands.
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.
Captain Walker was a friend of Robert Carter and often visited "Nomini Hall." Fithian frequently dined at Walker's home.
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.
Carter was doubtless returning from attendance as a member of the General Court at this time.
Fithian was preparing for his examination before the Presbytery at Philadelphia at this time.
"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.
Jane or "Jenny" Corbin was a sister of Mrs. John Turberville of "Hickory Hill."
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."
See fn. 51.
Lancelot Lee was the son of George Lee of "Mount Pleasant" in Westmoreland County who had died in 1761. Lancelot's brother, George Fairfax Lee, had inherited their father's manor plantation. Lancelot and George Fairfax Lee were cousins of the Lees at "Stratford," "Lee Hall," and at "Chantilly."
"Nomini Hall" was some ten miles distant from the seat of government in Westmoreland County, which is situated in the present town of Montross.