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

Sunday 24.

Expence at Blandensburg 5/7 . [44] Footnote_44_44 Bladensburg, Maryland. Rode thence to Georgetown [45] Footnote_45_45 Georgetown, then a small town in Maryland, was later incorporated in the District of Columbia. 8 Miles . Expence 1/6 . Ferriage /6 . – From thence we rode by Alexandria , [46] Footnote_46_46 Alexandria, Virginia. 9 Miles – Thence to Colchester [47] Footnote_47_47 Colchester was a thriving shipping center on the Occoquan River, now called Occoquan Creek, in Fairfax County, Virginia, near where this creek empties into the Potomac. The town had been incorporated by an act of the Assembly in 1753 to promote "trade and navigation." 18 Miles – Dined – Expence 3/9 . Ferriage /6 . Rode thence to Dumfries 10 Miles. [48] Footnote_48_48 Dumfries, a town on Quantico Creek, had been settled by a group of Scotch merchants, who traded in the colony. Quantico Creek empties into the Potomac. Dumfries had been incorporated by Act of Assembly in 1749. The town had prospered owing to its advantageous position as a center of trade in the western section of the Northern Neck. Whole distance 45 Miles. Whole Expence 11/4 .

Monday 25.

Expence at Dumfries 4/5 . Rode thence to Aquia 10 Miles. [49] Footnote_49_49 Aquia had originated as a Catholic settlement on Aquia Creek about the middle of the eighteenth century. A short distance from the town were located the celebrated Aquia stone quarries which had been opened as early as 1683. Expence 2/4 – Rode thence to Stafford-Court-House 12 Miles. [50] Footnote_50_50 Stafford Court House, the seat of government of Stafford County. Whole Distance 22 Miles. Whole Expence 6/6 .

Teusday 26.

Expence at Stafford 5/. Stopped at Colonel Thomas Lees, [51] Footnote_51_51 Thomas Ludwell Lee (1730-1778) of "Bellevue" in Stafford County was the fourth son of Thomas Lee of "Stratford" in Westmoreland County, who had served as president of the Council of Virginia. only a few Rods from Stafford Tavern. Continued there all day, and the following Night. Expence to Day 5/ .

Wednesday 27.

Expence to boy 1/ . Rode from Mr Lees to a small poor Ordinary 13 Miles – Expence /8 for Oats – Rode thence, without feeding to Captain Cheltons. [52] Footnote_52_52 The Chilton family owned plantations in Westmoreland and Fauquier Counties. Cf. William and Mary College Quarterly , second series, Vol. 10 (January 1930), pp. 56-63. on the Potowmack 32 Miles – Whole Distance 45 Miles. Whole Expence 1/9 .

Thursday 28.

Rode after Breakfast to the Honorable Rob: Carters the End of my Journey; 12 Miles, by two o-Clock in the Afternoon. Both Myself, and my Horse seem neither tired nor Dispirited – Occasional Expences on the Road. In Baltimore for some Buff-Ball, 1/6 . In Blandensburg for having straps put to my Saddle-Bags 3/ . In Colchester for Shaving and Dressing 1/3 . The whole 5/9 . So that my whole Distance appears to be 260 Miles , perform'd in seven Days. And my whole Expence appears to be 3£ 6s 6d.

Fryday 29.

Settled myself in the Room appointed me – and adjusted my Affairs after my Ride.

Saturday 30.

Rode with Mr Carters eldest Son [53] 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 [54] 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 [55] 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 [56] 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 [57] 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 [58] Footnote_58_58 Benjamin Tasker. is reading Salust; Gramatical Exercises, and latin Grammer – The second Son [59] Footnote_59_59 Robert Bladen or "Bob." is reading english Grammar Reading English: Writing, and Cyphering in Subtraction – The Nephew [60] Footnote_60_60 Henry or "Harry" Willis. is Reading and Writing as above; and Cyphering in Reduction – The eldest daughter [61] Footnote_61_61 Priscilla. is Reading the Spectator; Writing; & beginning to Cypher – The second [62] Footnote_62_62 Ann Tasker or "Nancy." is reading next out of the Spelling-Book, and begining to write – The next [63] Footnote_63_63 Frances or "Fanny." is reading in the Spelling-Book – The fourth [64] Footnote_64_64 Betty Landon. is Spelling in the beginning of the Spelling-Book – And the last [65] Footnote_65_65 Harriot Lucy. is beginning her letters —

Teusday 2.

Busy in School – begun to read Pictete — [66] Footnote_66_66 Benedict Pictete had first published his Teologia Christiana in 1696.