Parson Smith is out of the Parish so that we have no service—With Ben I rode to Mr Washingtons. Mr Lowe again absent—Dined with us Mrs Turberville, Miss Corbin, Miss Pierce—we found the Colonel in the evening busy at his Instrument of Music—We drank our Coffee & retired early to our Room, & read til ten, then thanking our bountiful Preserver we retired to our bed.—
Monday 3.
I gave Tom the Hostler, for his care of my Horse 3s—After Breakfast the Colonel settled & paid me for my Years Service 40£ Sterling—This is better than the scurvy annuity commonly allowed to the Presbyterian Clergy—He is very Busy in adjusting his affairs, he set out however, by twelve for Williamsburg, after taking final leave of me—Ben accompanies him to Richmond Court—Afternoon Miss Corbin & Miss Turberville came in to stay a while with Mrs Carter. Bob went yesterday to Mr Lanes there was Parson Gibbern ill of his last weeks Bout; he was up three nights successively drinking & playing at Cards, so that the liquor & want of sleep put quite out of his Sences—A rare tale this to relate of a Man of God!—To use the language of the vulgar, "Old Satan will sadly belabour such overgrown Sinners"!—
Teusday 4.
Dined with us Mrs Turberville and Miss Letty we were all Tete a Tete, vastly merry & garrulous—I gave Nelson for a Stirrup Buckle a Bit—I am preparing my Saddle. Cloth's, Bags, Horse, & myself for the intended Ride—
Wednesday 5.
Dined with us Mr Taylor, he informs us that the crops of Tobacco are like to be good—Evening I wrote a Letter to Mrs Thornton Northumberland, concerning Mr Leek's coming into her Family as a Tutor—I had a fine walk with the young Ladies through the Pasture—They make me proud by expressing much concern at my necessary Departure, throwing out many Wishes that I would continue with them—
[Letter of Philip V. Fithian to Mrs Charlotte Thornton]
Nomini Hall. Octr. 5th. 1774.
Madam.