Philip Vickers Fithian, a native of New Jersey to whom all colonial Chesapeake historians are eternally indebted, graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1772. Before taking up a position as a Presbyterian minister, Fithian found employment from October 1773 to October 1774 as a tutor to the children of Robert Carter of Nomini Hall, located on Virginia's Northern Neck. The journal that Fithian kept during his stay in Virginia is a gold mine of detailed observations of an alien -- to the journalist -- culture. Among the nuggets are Fithian's comments on travel by horseback, starting with his own experience of traveling from New Jersey to the Carter home. As Fithian traveled through Maryland, although not through Anne Arundel County, he was close enough to appropriate his account for this blog.
Fithian's preparations began on the 9th of October, when he "traveled to the Bridge, & a Saddle, Bridle, Spurrs, &c. for my intended Journey--Returned before Evening, and of Saml Dennis bought a Pr of Sadle-Bags. After a day of rest on Sunday, on the 11th he was up by six, Busy in Preparing for my Journey--Agreed with Uncle for his Horse; I am to give him 25£.--The Money to be paid in May next. The following day, very busy--Had my Boots altered & mended--Was measured for a Surtout-Coat. On the 14th, Fithian took his new horse to the blacksmith's to be shod with new shoes.
Fithian spent about a week saying good-bye to friends and relations before setting off for Virginia on the 20th of October. He covered 38 miles on the first day, traveling between Greenwich, New Jersey (a seaport town on the Cohansey River, five miles upstream from the Delaware River) and a tavern 12 miles south of New Castle, Delaware, at a cost of 6 shillings, 6 pence (1s/6d). The route took Fithian 16 miles to Quintons Bridge, where he paid 1/ to cross; 10 more miles to Penn's Neck Ferry, where the charge was 2/ for the toll bridge and 4/6 to cross the Delaware to New Castle. In that town, Fithian bought oats for his horse and a cordial for himself, paying 1/2. Twelve more miles brought him to Mr. Achans Tavern, where he spent the night.
After paying 3/4 for his night's lodging and stabling for his horse, Fithian rode 12 miles to North East, Maryland, where he ate breakfast at a cost of 1/6. Another 10 miles brought him to the Susquehannah River, where the ferry keeper charged 1/ for crossing the river and 9d for oats for Fithian's horse. By 4 o'clock in the afternoon he had covered a total of 34 miles to reach Bush Town in upper Baltimore County, paying out a total of 6/7 in the course of the day.
A night in Bush Town proved to be more expensive than one at Mr. Achan's, costing 4/6, and breakfast at the small, mean Tavern 13 miles farther along perhaps less satisfactory, although costing the same 1/6 as breakfast the day before. County courts regulated the prices charged by licensed taverns and ordinaries but had less ability to ensure the quality of the fare. Another 13 miles on horseback carried Fithian to Baltimore by one o'clock. The day on the road covered 26 miles and cost the traveler 5/8. His early arrival could have given Fithian time to see something of the town, by now a busy seaport, but the diary makes no mention of how the traveler spent the rest of the day -- only that his expenses in Baltimore amounted to a substantial 15/3.
On the 23rd, a journey of 15 miles took Fithian to a ford over the Petapsko to a small tavern where he paid 1/11. Rode thence to Blandensburg 23 miles. Whole distance 38 miles. Whole Expence 17/2. The following day was a Sunday but Fithian was on the road all day, covering a total of 45 miles and spending 11/4 in all. From Bladensburg he traveled 8 miles to Georgetown, where he had breakfast and took the ferry (6d) across the Potomac River. Nine more miles brought him to Alexandria and another 18 miles to Colchester, where he "Dined" for 3/9, plus 6d for a ferry crossing along the way. Ten more miles brought Fithian to the end of his day's journey at Dumfries.
On Monday, Expence at Dumfries 4/5. Rode thence to Aquia 10 miles. Expense 2/4--Rode thence to Stafford-Court-House 12 Miles. Whole distance 22 Miles. Whole Expence 6/6. Like many travelers in the Chesapeake region, Fithian found it possible at Stafford to take advantage of the hospitality extended by wealthy planters. Expence at Stafford 5/. Stopped at Colonel Thomas Lees, only a few Rods from Stafford Tavern. Continued there all day, and the following Night. Expence to Day 5/. Visitors to private homes did have one expense that did not occur at a tavern - a tip to any of the planter's slaves who waited on them or took care of a horse during their stay. Expence to boy 1/. Rode from Mr. Lees to a small poor Ordinary 13 Miles -- Expence /8 for Oats -- Rode thence, without feeding to Captain Cheltons. on the Potowmack 32 Miles -- Whole Distance 45 Miles. Whole Expence 1/9.
On the 28th, Rode after Breakfast to the Honorable Rob: Carters the End of my Journey; 12 Miles, by two o-Clock in the Afternoon. Both Myself, and my Horse seemed neither tired nor Dispirited -- Occasional Expences on the Road. In Baltimore for some Buff-Ball, 1/6. In Blandensburg for having straps put to my Saddle-Bags 3/. In Colchester for Shaving and Dressing 1/3. The whole 5/9. So that my whole Distance appears to be 260 Miles, perform'd in seven Days. And my whole Expence appears to be 3£ 6s 6d. On Friday, Fithian Settled myself in the Room appointed me -- and adjusted my Affairs after my Ride.
The following day Fithian was out riding around the countryside with the Carters' eldest son, doing some shopping and visiting neighbors -- but that's another story.
≈The account of Fithian's travels can be found at pp.16-19 in Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774, Hunter Dickinson Farish, ed. (Charlottesville, VA: The University Press of Virginia, 1957, 1983).
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