We began School—The School consists of eight—Two of Mr Carters Sons—One Nephew—And five Daughters—The endest Son[58] is reading Salust; Gramatical Exercises, and latin Grammer—The second Son[59] is reading english Grammar Reading English: Writing, and Cyphering in Subtraction—The Nephew[60] is Reading and Writing as above; and Cyphering in Reduction—The eldest daughter[61] is Reading the Spectator; Writing; & beginning to Cypher—The second[62] is reading next out of the Spelling-Book, and begining to write—The next[63] is reading in the Spelling-Book—The fourth[64] is Spelling in the beginning of the Spelling-Book—And the last[65] is beginning her letters—
Teusday 2.
Busy in School—begun to read Pictete—[66]
[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]