Diary of Christopher Marshall, February 28, 1775

This day a petition was presented by the Quakers' interest, requesting the suspending of our fairs in this city: also, a petition from our committee respecting no negroes to be any more imported here.

SOURCE: William Duane, Editor, Passages from the Diary of Christopher Marshall, Kept in Philadelphia and Lancaster during the American Revolution, Vol. 1, 1774-1777, p. 15

Journal of Captain John Montresor, August 22, 1777

Weighed anchor at 4 this morning, Course Northerly. Anchored at past 6 A. M. Weighed anchor again at 2 P. M. with a pretty Breeze Southerly, course northerly, tho' against a strong tide, but the wind freshened and Continued until 7 this evening when we came to an anchor. Tides run here about 3 Knots and rise near 5 feet. None came off to the Fleet except 2 Pilots and a few blacks. Water sufficiently fresh for all uses. Anchored at Sassafras River between the mouth of and the Elk in 3 Fathoms, bottom very holding, being a mixture of mud and clay and 4 miles South of the mouth of the River Elk. Hard Rain this evening with lightning and thunder. The Inhabitants mostly about their Plantations and in general unarmed. Several of our people in the Fleet on shore, some at Newtown on Chester River.

SOURCE: G. D. Scull, Editor, The Montresor Journals, p. 441

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Tuesday, July 26, 1774

At Anchor with a contrary wind. About noon a Pilot Boat came along side to invite the Captn. to a Barbecue. I went with him and have been highly diverted. These Barbecues are Hogs, roasted whole. This was under a large Tree. A great number of young people met together with a Fiddle and Banjo played by two Negroes, with Plenty of Toddy, which both Men and Women seem to be very fond of. I believe they have danced and drunk till there are few sober people amongst them. I am sorry I was not able to join them. Got on Board late.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 30

Journal of Sarah Eve, May 4, 1773

Between eight and nine o'clock this morning, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Clifford, and I in the carriage, and Mr. Smith on horseback, set off for Rocky Point,¹ about seventeen miles distant. The morning was as fine as ever shone in May, and the roads exceeding good. We passed through Frankfort, but saw nothing worth remarking there, save one or two ill done things, and the first house built in the place; at present it bears but little the appearance of antiquity, as they have made the outside entirely new; it is a frame building and small, and may be said to resemble the man's knife that had been used for so long a time, only he had had two new blades, & as many new handles added. The prospect from the hill after crossing the bridge, is really pleasing; one has a fine view of several elegant houses on the Point side, and on the other is the country road ; the church stands on the right, and is a good-looking country church enough! From the Wheat Sheff² I was an entire stranger to that part of the world, as here were the bounds of my travels eastward; from here Mr. Clifford was kind enough to show me the many pleasant farms and places that we passed, and informed us who were the possessors of them, which greatly augmented the pleasure of the ride, and will serve in a manner to rivet the many pleasing ideas I then had : as I dare say were I to go that way again would be brought fresh to my memory, as by such a place I thought so and so, &c. The prospects on each side are beautiful, and you are every now and then agreeably surprized by a sight of the Delaware. We are now on Penne Pack Bridge; you will say I am but a poor traveller when I tell you it is the best bridge I ever went over, although it has but three arches.³ I wish it was in my power to describe the beauties of this place; stop and look at it! on the left side you see the water tumbling down the rocks frothing and sparkling as it goes; at the bottom it runs rippling over stones and then through the bridge where it soon seems to forget its late rapidity and gently murmurs on. The creek is not very wide, so that the trees on each side might almost shake hands, and what adds much to the beauty of the whole, are the shrubs and bushes all in blossom along the banks. But it won't do to stay here all day, we must leave it to the possession of the sylvan inhabitants and pursue our journey. I have forgotten to mention before that we passed the place upon which it was first designed by man, but not by the author of nature, to have built Philadelphia;⁴ it is a fine, high, delightful spot, and much pleasanter than where it now stands ; after some time they discovered a riff of rocks near the harbour, which was the natural cause of their quitting that sweet spot; it still goes by the name of "Old Philadelphia," and there are many good Plantations upon it, the distance from the present city being about twelve miles. We passed another church exactly like that at Frankfort, with a well and horse block at the side of it, but whether the church is this, or the other side of Penne Pack, I cannot recollect.⁵ The way from this to Poquestion (Poquessink?) Bridge is pleasingly diversified by hills and agreeable looking farms, and at this season is beautiful indeed ; the sheep feeding upon the sides of the hills, the birds hopping from bough to bough, the cattle grazing on the meadows, or lying at their ease under the shade of a spreading oak or poplar, serves to put one in mind of that age so celebrated by the Poets. I remember nothing remarkable fro.m here to Shameney;⁶ we crossed the ferry in a scow rowed by one man. I wonder they don't have ropes as they have at the Schuylkill, hut I suppose they know best. "We now left the York road and turned to the right, the way very pleasant, and we soon entered the confines of Rockey Point, our first salutation was from the sweet birds perched upon the boughs that we almost touched from the sides of the fences; the violets were blown in quantities, and the houses began to open to our view; then such a prospect! but what shall I say of it the most luxuriant fancy cannot imagine a finer one. It was after twelve that we alighted, much pleased with our ride, and a most excellent appetite for dinner, which Betsey soon obliged us with, and we convinced her in a much more expressive manner than by words how good it was. There are two neat pretty houses here, with two handsome rooms upon a floor, and kitchens behind them ; the descent is gradual to the river, and the distance a quarter of a mile, the avenue, which is over two hundred feet wide is planted with different kinds of cherry-trees. The plan of this place is really elegant as there is to be a large mansion in the middle. From the house you have a most extensive view up and down the river and in the Jerseys for miles, you likewise see Burlington. Between three and four o'clock Mr. Smith went down to look for a boat, as we intended to lodge in Burlington. Luckily at that time there happened to pass a negro fellow going there in a boat very proper for our purpose, and he was good enough to wait until Mr. Smith came up for us. We bade Mr. Clifford good-bye, stept into the boat, and Mr. S. performed the same kind offices rendered by Mr. C. in the morning, telling me of the places as they came in sight. We passed one or two islands that were agreeably shaded and looked very prettily, likewise a Point they called "World's End," but with what reason I know not. Burlington looks very well from the water, the Governor's house and many others stand delightfully pleasant, as they command a prospect of Bristol and a very good one of the river, but not so extensive as from Rockey Point, which from here looks very well. The distance, they say, is two miles. We landed about tea-time, and were welcomed by three of Mr. Guest's daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Guest were out fishing. We were too much fatigued to think of going out in the evening, went to bed at ten, and slept more soundly, I dare say, than any crowned head in Europe.

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¹ The seat of Mr. T. Clifford on the Delaware nearly opposite Burlington.

² The " Wheat Sheaf," an inn on the Bristol Turnpike, famous in that day and generation.

³ It was built in 1697-8. A view of it will be found in Atkinson's Casket.

⁴ On the Delaware below Poquesink Creek in Biberry. The site was abandoned it is said on account of the rocks called "The Hen and Chickens." See Watson's Annals of Philadelphia, vol. i. pp. 42 and 56.

⁵ All Saints Church, Lower Dublin township, Philadelphia.

⁶ Neshaminy.

SOURCE: “Extracts from the Journal of Miss Sarah Eve,” The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 5, No. 1 (1881), pp. 30-3

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, August 17, 1781

This morning, two o'clock, the general beat. The troops took up the line of march half an hour after, marched through a low country, more hilly than I have seen since we came to the State; encamped near Hanover Meeting-House, on Mr. George Philip's farm, one mile and a half from New Castle and four miles from Hanover Town, being 12 miles from Bottom's Bridge.

This morning our wounded officers left Hanover for Pennsylvania.

This evening I had an invitation from Capt. Pierson to assist him in eating two water-melons, which were the best and finest I ever see. This country is full of them; they have large patches of two and three acres of them.

The negroes here raise great quantities of snaps and collerds. They have no cabbage here. 12 miles.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, pp. 9-10

Journal of Sally Wister, October 20, 1777

Third Day Morn., October 20th.

I dare say thee is impatient to know my sentiments of the officers; so, while Somnus embraces them, and the house is still, take their characters according to their rank.

The General is tall, portly, well made: a truly martial air, the behaviour and manner of a gentleman, a good understanding, & great humanity of disposition, constitute the character of Smallwood.

Col. Wood,¹ from what we hear of him and what we see, is one of the most amiable of men; tall and genteel, an agreeable countenance and deportment. These following lines will more fully characterize him:

"How skill'd he is in each obliging art,

The mildest manners with the bravest heart."

The cause he is fighting for alone tears [sic] him from the society of an amiable wife and engaging daughter; with tears in his eyes he often mentions the sweets of domestic life.

Col. Line² is not married; so let me not be too warm in his praise, lest you suspect. He is monstrous tall & brown, but has a certain something in his face and conversation very agreeable; he entertains the highest notions of honour, is sensible and humane, and a brave officer; he is only seven and twenty years old, but, by a long indisposition and constant fatigue, looks vastly older, and almost worn to a skeleton, but very lively and talkative.

Capt. Furnival,³—I need not say more of him than that he has, excepting one or two, the handsomest face I ever saw, a very fine person; fine light hair and a great deal of it, adds to the beauty of his face.

Well, here comes the glory, the Major, so bashful, so famous, &c. He shou'd come before the Captain, but never mind. I at first thought the Major cross and proud, but I was mistaken. He is about nineteen, nephew to the Gen'l, and acts as Major of brigade to him; he cannot be extoll'd for the graces of person, but for those of the mind he may justly be celebrated; he is large in his person, manly, and an engaging countenance and address.⁴

Finley is wretched ugly, but he went away last night, so shall not particularize him.

Nothing of any moment to-day; acquaintance with the officers. Col. Wood and Line and Gould din'd with us. I was dressed in my chintz, and look'd smarter than night before.

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¹ JAMES WOOD, born in 1750, was a son of Colonel James Wood, founder of Winchester, Virginia. In 1774 the son was commissioned by Lord Dunmore a Captain of Virginia troops, and in 1775 he was elected to the House of Burgesses from Frederick County, Virginia. In 1776 he was appointed by the House of Burgesses to serve as Colonel of the Twelfth, afterward called the Eighth, Regiment of the Virginia Line, and served until January 1, 1783. In 1783 he was commissioned a Brigadier-General. He was elected Governor of Virginia in 1796. He died at Olney, near Richmond, Virginia, July 16, 1813.-Heitman; Appleton's "Cyc. of Biog."

² GEORGE LYNE, of King and Queen County, Virginia, represented his county in the Virginia Assembly in 1775. He received the appointment of Captain of the Virginia State Forces, March 8, 1776; Major of the Thirteenth Virginia Regiment, November 12, of the same year; Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ninth Virginia Regiment, September 28, 1777. He resigned from the Army November 14, 1777, and entered the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he continued until 1780. He also served as a member of the Board of War. - Heitman; Journal House of Delegates, Virginia, 1833, Doc. No. 31; Stanard, Virginia Register, 199.

³ ALEXANDER FURNIVAL, of Baltimore, Maryland, born about 1752, was made Second Lieutenant of Smith's Independent Company of Maryland Artillery, January 14, 1776. Later he was raised to the rank of Captain. He retired from the Army in July, 1779. In 1793 he was Postmaster of Baltimore. He died September 14, 1807, at Harmony, Baltimore County, Maryland, in his 55th year; "for many years a respectable inhabitant of this city." Federal Gazette and Baltimore Advertiser, Sept. 17, 1807; Heitman; Maryland Journal, November 25, 1793.

⁴ WILLIAM TRUMAN STODDERT, son of John Truman and Lucy Heabard (Smallwood) Stoddert, was born in 1759, probably on his father's part of the plantation of "Southampton Enlarged," on Pomunkey Creek, Charles County, Maryland. His great-grandfather, James Stoddert, a wealthy planter of "Southampton,' Prince George County, who is said to have emigrated from Scotland to Maryland in the latter part of the seventeenth century, made his will (Upper Marlboro, Md., Liber 1, page 153) March 29, 1726 (Probated May 31, 1726), leaving to his son John Stoddert a plantation on Smith's Point.

John Stoddert, born in 1704, and died October 20, 1730, aged 42 years, was married prior to 1730 to Marianna Truman Greenfield, daughter of Thomas Truman Greenfield, of Trent Hall, St. Mary's County, Maryland, by his wife Susanna Cheseldine, daughter of Kenelm Cheseldine and his wife Mary Gerard, daughter of Thomas Gerard, of the noble family of Bromley. Thomas Truman Greenfield was a son of Thomas Greenfield, of Prince George County (a native, as he states in his will, dated 1715, of Gedling, England), by his wife Martha Truman.

John Stoddert, of Charles County, died May 12, 1767, aged 63 years, rich in lands and negroes. In his will (La Plata, Md A. D. 5, page 364), dated May 6 and probated May 18, 1767, he directs that he be buried beside his deceased wife, "in my own burying Ground without the least shew of pomp or Grandeure more than the presence of a few of my neighbours decently attending my Corpse to its place of Interement and their witnessing its being covered with Clay, a Glass of wine may be asked them to Drink without any other Expence. This also my Desire that none of my Children put themselves into a mourning Dress for my Deathe." He leaves to his grandson, William Truman Stoddert, son of his deceased son, John Truman Stoddert, one half of plantation "I now live on," called "South Hampton Enlarged," 500 acres of which "I posse^d his father John Truman Stoddert with but never Confirmed to him."

John Truman Stoddert, son of John and Marianna Stoddert, and first cousin of Benjamin Stoddert, first Secretary of the Navy, was born July 18, 1732 (Register of St. John's Parish, Prince George County). His wife was Lucy Heabard Smallwood, daughter of Bayne and Priscilla (Heabard) Smallwood, and sister of General William Smallwood of the Revolutionary War. She made her will (La Plata, Md., A. E. 6, page 35), November 2, 1767 (Probated October 22, 1768), and bequeathed her estate to her only child, William Truman Stoddert, appointing her father, Bayne Smallwood, executor. She mentions her sisters, Eleanor and Priscilla Smallwood, Elizabeth Leiper, and Margaret Stoddert.

William Truman Stoddert, thus left an orphan at the age of nine years, was probably brought up in the family of his grandfather, Bayne Smallwood. He attended Philadelphia College, now the University of Pennsylvania, but did not remain to complete the course, leaving the institution in 1776, at the age of seventeen as his son states, to enter the ranks of the patriot army. He received the appointment of Ensign of the Fifth Maryland Regiment, December 10, 1776. From the early summer of 1777 to May, 1779, although not regularly appointed by the State, he acted as Major of Brigade to his uncle, General William Smallwood, participating in the principal battles of the period. In May, 1779, in the re-arrangement of the Maryland Line, Major Stoddert was regularly appointed First Lieutenant of the Fifth Regiment, General Washington, in a letter dated May 28, 1779, to Governor Johnson of Maryland, stating that "Mr. Stoddert for near Two years [has acted] as a Brigade Major to General Smallwood." (Md. Archives, XXI., 430, 468, 469.)

Under date of January 4, 1780, Sally Wister notes that "the worthy Stodard is much indisposed at his home in " Maryland.

On January 1, 1781, he was transferred to the Fourth Maryland Regiment, in which he served until his retirement, January 1, 1783. (Ibid., XVIII., 522; Heitman.)

He was married to Sally Massey, daughter of Rev. Lee Massey, of Fairfax County, Virginia, for many years minister at General Washington's place of worship, Pohick Church, near Mount Vernon, and lived the life of a well-to-do Maryland planter on his estate called "Simpson" at Smith's Point, on the Potomac, in Charles County. His fondness for the hunt is attested by a curious relic that has descended to his great-grandson, Mr. Gustavus Truman Brown, of Washington, D. C. This is an old hunting horn, encircled by silver bands, one of which bears the legend:

 “Major Willim T. Stoddert Durba Hunt from his friend Wal Stone."

The registers of Durham Parish show that he was an active member of the vestry, and from 1787 until the time of his death made annual contributions of tobacco for the support of the church. In 1791 the amount of his subscription was £3 78. 6d., his estimated crop of tobacco being 1000 pounds, which was exceeded in the parish only by that of his uncle General Smallwood, who had a crop of 3000 pounds. On April 25, 1791, Major William T. Stoddert, General William Smallwood, and several other gentlemen, were appointed to act in the place of vestrymen to raise a subscription to repair the church and build a vestry house. The last reference to Major Stoddert in the registers is on June 3, 1793, when report is made that a subscription had been received from him.

He died in 1793, his son records, "at the age of 34 from disease caused by the hardships of camp life," and was interred on his plantation of "Simpson." In his will (La Plata, Md., A. K. 11, p. 173), dated April 5, 1789, probated August 17, 1793, in which he states that he is "sick and weake in body," he leaves "my dwelling plantation commonly known by the name of Simpson lying on Potomack River at Smith's Point in Nanjemoy," one moiety of land called "Southampton Enlarged," and all other real and personal estate, in fee simple, to his wife, Sally Stoddert, whom he makes his executor. His inventory, dated October 24, 1793, shows that he owned thirty-two slaves, of which seventeen were at "Smith's Point" and fifteen at "Pomunkey Quarter."

His only child, Major John Truman Stoddert, who was educated at Princeton and represented Maryland in Congress, lived at "Wicomico House," on the estate of West Hatton, Charles County, where he died July 19, 1870, leaving several children, of whom one is Mrs. Elizabeth Stoddert Bowie, the present possessor of West Hatton, and widow of Robert Bowie, son of Governor Bowie, of Maryland.

SOURCE: Albert Cook Myers, Editor, Sally Wister's Journal A True Narrative Being A Quaker Maiden's Account Of Her Experiences With Officers Of The Continental Army, 1777-1778, pp. 81-9

Journal of Lieutenant Ebenezer Denny, August 1782

Camp continued on bank of Ashley river, eighteen or twenty miles above Charleston. Enemy confine themselves to city. Their light troops and horse advanced five miles, at place called Quarter House. Armies both seem disposed to be quiet; ours in no condition for doing much. Some talk of peace, and of the enemy evacuating Charleston. Detailed for command. Joined a captain of the Maryland line; marched with two sergeants, two corporals, and thirty men, for Georgetown, about sixty miles distant, coast-wise. Escorted a brigade of wagons loaded with rum for the army. Country appears deserted; the few people we saw looked bad enough, poor and dejected; they fled from us, and in some instances hid themselves. Farms on this route have been neglected; exposed to the incursions of the British. Negroes and stock either removed or taken. Fell in with an alligator, twelve feet in length, in the middle of the road; supposed that his pond had dried up, and that he was in search of another; soldier shot him.

SOURCE: J. B. Lippincott & Co., Publisher, The Record of the Court at Upland, in Pennsylvania. 1676 to 1681. And a Military Journal Kept by Major E. Denny, 1781 to 1795, pp. 250-1

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Saturday, June 4, 1774

Marlbro, Maryland. Left Port Tobacco in company with Mr. John Creig, a Scotch Merchant, Doctor Gustavus Richard Brown, and Captn. Knox. Dined at Piscataway, a small town 16 miles from Port Tobacco. Our victuals badly drest, and sour. Madeira Wine at 7/6 per Bottle. From Piscataway to Marlbro 16 miles. Saw the quarter of a Negro man chained to a Tree for murdering his overseer. Land in general appears barren and thinly inhabited, some places sandy and others a sort of stiff clay, but plenty of fine Orchards, and I observe they generally plant a Peach Orchard on the worst land. They had a frost on the 9th. of May, which has killed a great number of Trees, the woods for a mile together seem dead and withered.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 20

Journal of Lieutenant Ebenezer Denny, October 19, 1781

Our division man the lines again. All is quiet. Articles of capitulation signed; detachments of French and Americans take possession of British forts. Major Hamilton commanded a battalion which took possession of a fort immediately opposite our right and on the bank of York river. I carried the standard of our regiment on this occasion. On entering the fort, Baron Steuben, who accompanied us, took the standard from me and planted it himself. The British army parade and march out with their colors furled; drums beat as if they did not care how. Grounded their arms and returned to town. Much confusion and riot among the British through the day; many of the soldiers were intoxicated; several attempts in course of the night to break open stores; an American sentinel killed by a British soldier with a bayonet; our patrols kept busy. Glad to be relieved from this disagreeable station. Negroes lie about, sick and dying, in every stage of the small pox. Never was in so filthy a place — some handsome houses, but prodigiously shattered. Vast heaps of shot and shells lying about in every quarter, which came from our works. The shells did not burst, as was expected. Returns of British soldiers, prisoners six thousand, and seamen about one thousand. Lord Cornwallis excused himself from marching out with the troops; they were conducted by General O'Hara. Our loss said to be about three hundred; that of the enemy said not more than five hundred and fifty. Fine supply of stores and merchandise had; articles suitable for clothing were taken for the use of the army. A portion furnished each officer to the amount of sixty dollars.

SOURCE: J. B. Lippincott & Co., Publisher, The Record of the Court at Upland, in Pennsylvania. 1676 to 1681. And a Military Journal Kept by Major E. Denny, 1781 to 1795, pp. 248-9

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, June 14, 1781

Took up the line of march at 5 o'clock A. M.; marched through a d----- poor county, the water being very scarce. This day see a number of Negroes, the greater part of them being naked—12 miles.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 4

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, June 22, 1781

Marched at 2 o'clock through a well inhabited country, though I can give no account of the people, as I have not been in the inside of a house (but one or two ornerys). They sometimes come to the road side in order to take a view of us as we pass by, but a person can scarcely discern any part of them but the nose and eyes, as they have themselves muffled up with linens, &c., in order to prevent the sun from burning their faces (I mean the female sex). At the same time they will have a number of blacks standing around them, all naked, nothing to hide their nakedness. You can easily distinguish their sex; I mean the blacks, for reasons already mentioned. They will also have their attendants dressed in the same uniform. They will also attend their table in this manner.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

This day we passed through Richmond in twenty hours after the enemy had evacuated it a number of houses being destroyed by the enemy. They also destroyed a great quantity of Tobacco, which they threw into the streets and set fire to it. The town is built close on James River under a bank. We encamped two miles this side of the town. About 6 o'clock P. M. Capt. Davis and self made to town and spent the afternoon playing billiards and drinking wine—20 miles.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 5

Journal of Lieutenant William Feltman, June 25, 1781

Lay by this day. At dark took up our line of march in order to overtake Col. Simes's horse, who had the rear guard with a great number of cattle, plundering as he was making his way towards James Town; left one negro man with the small-pox lying on the road side in order to prevent the Virginia militia from pursuing them, which the enemy frequently did; left numbers in that condition starving and helpless, begging of us as we passed them for God's sake to kill them, as they were in great pain and misery.

SOURCE: Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Publisher, Journal of Lieut. William Feltman, of the First Pennsylvania Regiment, 1781-82, p. 6

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Friday, May 20, 1774

Left Urbanna about 8 in the morning. Our Boat manned with three Negroes. At 2 in the afternoon got into the mouth of Potowmeck River, which is about 12 Miles wide. A great number of pleasant seats on the Banks of the River. At 10 in the evening came to an Anchor in Majotack Creek.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, pp. 16-7

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Wednesday, May 25, 1774

Saw them plant Tobacco. The Land is first hoed into small round hills about the size of Molehills and about 4000 of them in an acre. The plants are something like small Cabbage plants; they only make a hole with their fingers or a small stick and put them in, one in each hill. Two Negroes will plant three acres in one day. Small Blisters are broke out all over my body, attended with an intolerable itching. They call it the Prickly heat and say it is very wholesome. It may be so, for everything I can tell, but it is very troublesome.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, pp. 17-8

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Saturday, May 28, 1774

The Land here is level, sandy and barren in general, except where it is mixed with Oyster shells which renders it very fertile. Agriculture is in a very poor state. In short, they know very little about farming. Tobacco and Indian corn is all they make and some little wheat. All done by Negroes. The Tobacco is all worked with Hoes, the Indian corn with Ploughs, but of a bad sort and without a Colter. The furrow they make is not more than two inches deep and does little more than kill the weeds. Land sells upon an average here, at about three Dollars pr. acre. (Thirteen shillings and Sixpence Sterling.)

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, p. 18

Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, Sunday, May 29, 1774

Captn. Knox went to Bulo in Virginia to see his brother. Here is no Church within 14 or 15 miles of the place. Mr. Bayley and I went to see a Negro Ball. Sundays being the only days these poor creatures have to themselves, they generally meet together and amuse themselves with Dancing to the Banjo. This musical instrument (if it may be so called) is made of a Gourd something in the imitation of a Guitar, with only four strings and played with the fingers in the same manner. Some of them sing to it, which is very droll music indeed. In their songs they generally relate the usage they have received from their Masters or Mistresses in a very satirical stile and manner. Their poetry is like the Music — Rude and uncultivated. Their Dancing is most violent exercise, but so irregular and grotesque. I am not able to describe it. They all appear to be exceedingly happy at these merrymakings and seem as if they had forgot or were not sensible of their miserable condition.

SOURCE: Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell 1774—1777, pp. 18-9