Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774.. Fithian Philip Vickers
Sept: 19.
Rose half after six – Read some in Pictete – Walked to Sermon by ten; Smith Rode in order to go home with Mr Hunter after Sermon – Dr Ward seems very low, confined commonly to his Bed; the Disorder it is to be feared is a Consumption, & increases in malignity almost daily – How much will Cohansie feel his Death if by this Illness he is soon taken of, or by the Violence of it wholly disabled to practice among us, who has been so long successful in his Work! Received a Letter late last Night from Mr Hunter at College, and He informs me that the Dr insists on my Going to Virginia —
Futurus Pedegog'issimus.
Fe-O-whiraw, whiraw, hi, fal, lal fal, lal de lal dal a fine song – commencement is over whiraw I say again whiraw, whiraw.
And what is more never was there such a commencement at princeton before and most likely never will be again. The galeries were cracking every now and then all day – every mouse hole in the church was cram'd full – The stage covered with Gentlemen and ladies amongst whom was the Governor and his lady; and that he might not appear singular Lee[39] was stiff with lace, gold-lace —
A band of music from Philadelphia assisted to make all agreeable and to crown the whole the eloquence of Demosthenes was heared in almost every mans mouth, so that the person who spoke last was always the hero of the tale – O murder! what shall I do I want to say a great deal to you but cannot for the girls who are almost distracting my heart – O murder! murder, murder I say what will become of me, murder, murder – I shall go distracted – I saw Dr Beaty[40] and Betsy – I gave your love to them – and indeed to tell you the truth I could not for my life help leaving my own heart, and love, and all with Besy – she is realy a sweet soul. I wish ten millions and she were mine, I should be a happy creature, happy indeed to the last degree – . I got cleverly up from cohansie early in the evening – My love ten thousand times and ten thousand kisses to all the girls of my acquaintance.
I cannot quit but must
Wednesday. Octob. 6.
Walked with Paterson, after Breakfast to Mr Hunters, where we met with Mr Smith, & Mr Irwin two young Clergimen, & Mr Hunter Junr. They came down yesterday, & inform that the Commencement was the most splendid, & honoured with the greatest Number of Strangers of any one, perhaps, since it was founded, May it still increase, & long flourish! – Immediately after Dinner Smith & Irwin set off for Cape-May– Andrew brings me Word that I must by the twentieth of this Month meet Mr Imlay in New-Castle, who is going down into Virginia. And I must at last, away – The thought is indeed hard!
Thursday Octob: 7.
Slept but little last Night; my Mind seems troubled and involuntarily disturbs me! Rose early – After Breakfast rode to Deerfield. Settled all my Affairs, & took a formal, final Leave of my Friends, & Relations there! Rode home in the Evening. By the State I received a Letter from Mr McCalla,[41] with a Suit of Cloths. Cost £6/16/6.
Expence in the Evening for a Bowl of Punch 1/6 —
Fryday Octob: 8.
To Day is the Fast before our Sacrament – O that the mighty God would teach me true Humiliation for my many Sin's, & give me Grace that shall enable me to hate & forsake them! – Grace to keep me right in the Path of Life, & to guide me to his heavenly Kingdom. – Mr Hunter preached two useful Sermons, describing worthy, & unworthy Communicants —
Saturday October 9.
Rode to the Bridge, & bought a Saddle, Bridle, Spurrs, &c. for my intended Journey – Returned before Evening, & of Saml Dennis bought a Pr of Sadle-Bags. —
Monday Octob: 11.
By Six up – Busy in Preparing for my Journey – Agreed with Uncle for his Horse; I am to give him 25£. – The Money to be paid in May next.
Teusday October 12.
Rose early; very busy – Had my Boots altered & mended – Was measured for a Surtout-Coat – Drew up a Form to settle my Affairs before I leave Home – Afternoon Mrs Peck, Mrs Hoshel, Johnny Peck, Stephen Ranney, Miss Abby Peck call to see me & take a final Adieu for the present – The Thought of Leaving Home haunts me at Times!
Wednesday Octob: 13.
Dismissed Study, & begin to take Leave of Relations & Friends! —
Dined at Mrs Brewsters, and at two went to Mr Danl Mashells; & from thence to Mr John Gibbon's, At all which Places I gave them my last Farewel—
Thursday Octob: 14.
Rose early – Busy in making Preparations – Had my Horse shod, Did sundry Pieces of Writing – This Eveng Mr Irwin, & Smith returned from Cape-May.
Friday Octob: 15.
Rose early – Did sundry Pieces of Writing – At twelve Mr Irwin gave us a Sermon, on Felix's trembling before Paul preaching – He preached without Notes; His Sermon was easy, well-digested, plain, yet pathetic, short, and in general much admired —
Mr Smith & Mr Hunter junr dined with me – In the Evening of this Day I had a severe Fit of the Fever & Ague – Violent Pains in my Head, & Back!
Saturday. Octob: 16.
Rose at seven; feel bewildered, & unesy – Finished some necessary Writings, & begin before noon to grow better.
Sunday Octob: 17.
Rose early – Not well – Attended Sermon; Mr Smith preached – Before the last Sermon was done I was obliged to come Home with my second fit of the Fever & Ague. It kept on me violently while about seven in the Evening; then went off in a gentle Sweat! —
Monday Octob: 18.
My Fit is well gone off, & I feel bravely – Finished & executed some Writings to Joel Fithian[42] for the Securing the Several Porttions to the Children – Took my Leave of Mr Wallings, & Mr Ewings Families. Mr Paterson in to see me in the Evening – In the Night we had a fine Shower – I have through this Day taken the Peruvian Bark, to try if by any Means I can break my Fits.
Teusday Octob: 19
Early went to Mr Hunters; took my Leave & left them by eleven – Rode & took Leave of all my Relations – How hard is it at last? My Heart misgives, is reluctant, in spite of me; But I must away!
Protect me, merciful Heaven, & keep me under the Wing of thy over-ruling Providence – Make me know myself, & my constant, & necessary Dependance on thee!
The Continuation of my Journal, &c.
Wednesday October 20th 1773.
Left Greenwich by six in the Morning. Rode to Michael Hoshels 8 Miles. Thence Mr Hoshel, & John Peck along, rode to Quintons-Bridge 8 Miles. Expence there is 1s/: Rode thence to Penn's-Neck Ferry by two oClock 10 Miles. Expence at Toll-Bridge /2. Ferriage over Delaware 4s/6d. Oats & Cordial in New-Castle 1s/2d. Rode thence to Mr Achans Tavern 12 Miles. Whole Distance 38 Miles. Whole Expence 6/10.
Octob: 21.
Expence at Mr Achans 3s/4d. Rode thence to North-East 12 Miles. Breakfast 1s/6d. Thence to Sesquehannah 10 Miles. Ferriage 1s/: Oats /9d. At Bush-Town by 4 °Clock 12 Miles. Whole Distance 34 Miles. Whole Expence 6s/7d.
Fryday 22d
Expence at Bush-Town 4/2. Rode thence to a small, mean Tavern to Breakfast, 13 Miles – Expence 1/6. Thence to Baltimore by one O-Clock 13 Miles. Whole distance 26 Miles – Whole Expence 5/8.
Saturday
Henry Lee (1729-1787) of "Leesylvania," in Prince William County, Virginia (known later as "Light Horse Harry" Lee) was a student at Princeton at this time. He was a brother of "Squire" Richard Lee of "Lee Hall" in Westmoreland County. Henry Lee later became the father of Robert E. Lee.
Dr. John Beatty had been graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1769. Cf. Williams, ed.,
John McCalla, Jr., was a friend of Fithian who lived in Philadelphia.
Joel Fithian was the cousin of Philip Fithian, who married Elizabeth Beatty Fithian after the latter's death. Cf. Williams, ed.,