I rode to Church; Mrs Carter & Miss Prissy & Nancy were out—Mr Smith gave us a Sermon 14 Minutes long on Charite—But poor Fellow he seem'd Cold as his Subject! Mr Fantleroy; & Mr Goodlett dined with us and set off for Home as soon as we rose from Dinner—This day two Negro Fellows the Gardiner & cooper, wrangled; & at last fought; It happened hard however for the Cooper, who is likely to lose one of his Eyes by that Diabolical Custom of gouging which is in common practise among those who fight here—Evening Ben returned; he has been into Northumland to see one Mr Jones. Mr Goodlett, to Day, shewed me a piece of his own performance, a paraphrase on part of the Book of Job, done in Lattin-Verse.
Monday 7.
The Day pleasant, & seems to have some appearance of Spring—Mr Blain call'd this Affternoon, & told us that by a Letter he hears Lady Dunmore is arrived from New-York[123]—and that many good & wealthy Families arrived in the same Ship—It is indeed amazing, & it will soon astonish the whole World, to consider the Rapidity of the growth of these Colonies—
At Supper, Mr Carter informed me it is his purpose to manifacture 30.000 Bushels of wheat in his New-Mill which is yet scarcely finished.
Teusday 8.
Before Breakfast Nancy & Fanny had a Fight about a Shoe Brush which they both wanted—Fanny pull'd off her Shoe & threw at Nancy, which missed her and broke a pane of glass of our School Room. they then enter'd upon close scratching &c. which methods seem instinctive in Women. Harry happen'd to be present & affraid lest he should be brought in, ran and informed me—I made peace, but with many threats—
Mrs Carter has ordered the Gardener to sew Lettice, & plant Peas this Day in the Garden.—
This day very blustry & cold—I gave Prissy a Coppy of Secretary-Hand, at her particular Request—
Thursday 10.