Sup'd with us one Mr Mathews a Steward for Mr Carter in Louden.
[Monday 28]
Breakfasted with us Mr Mathews; he seems to be a man of great Gravity, says little, & Sighs often—The day is warm & vastly mild; it is the first Day we have in all our Rooms been without any Fire—At twelve I rode to Mr Taylors two miles; he was out, I sat half an hour with Miss Taylor & returned to Dinner, the Ride exceeding pleasant, and my Horse seems (as jockeys say) in good Flesh & well prepar'd for our approaching & much wished for Journey—Evening Mr Simpson came in, sup'd & stays the Night. He has last Week, been destilling Mr Carter's Liquor made of Pisimonds—it is soft, mild, of a fair pure Colour, burns clear, but does not answer the Colonels Expectations; so that he does not propose to recommend it to his Neighbours in this or the Neighbouring Counties as a useful experiment. When call'd on for my Toast, at Supper I gave Miss Jenny Corbin; Mrs Carter gave Captain Lee; & Mr Simpson gave Miss Jones.
Teusday 29.
To warm to day for fire, but we have the wind very strong from the West—Mr Carter rode to Court—Soon after Breakfast I receiv'd a Letter from Mr Andrew Bryan of Baltimore, Maryland formerly at College my Class-Mate—the Letter bears Date January 21st 1774 Dated at Baltimore. He informs me of his good Health, & that, he shall soon forward my Letters inclosed to him; perhaps kind oppertunity shall have before this hour favoured my wish, & brought to Laura advices of my State—At twelve I rode out, with Ben, an hour & better, the Day vastly windy. About four Colonel Philip Lee's Chariot arrived, in which came four young Misses to be ready for the Dance which happens here tomorrow—I am informed this Evening that Smith the Villian mentioned last Sunday was to day apprehended, & committed to the prison in this County
Rainy & cold—The Colonel informed me this morning that the general Opinion of the Gentlemen at Court yesterday seem'd to be that the County would be free'd of three Villians if the old abused Father, the wounded Son & Brother, & the offending guilty Son were to be all hanged—The Day so bad Mr Christian does not attend—Mrs Washington came however, with Miss Jenny her Daughter; the two Fantleroys came also, & Miss Corbin, & Miss Turburville, & one Miss Hale[142] a new Scholar—Mr Carters Man play'd & the Dance goes on with great Spirit & neatness. Evening there is as common a good play. Separated all for Bed by half after nine.
Thursday 31.
All our company continue. The morning fair & cool—Yesterday & to-day I am strongly solicited to dance—I decline however & must persevere.—Mr & Mrs Turburville came in before Dinner—With the two Fantleroys, Ben, Bob, & Harry, I had a pleasant walk through the Fields, to the Mill &c. I paid my forfeit to the Baker 7½d—The Plumb-Trees are beginning to blossom—Towards Evening our company all left us.