Glimpses of Old College Life; Wm. and Mary Qrtly., Vol. 9, No. 2; Pages 75-83 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Pages 75 - 83 GLIMPES OF OLD COLLEGE LIFE (Continued) [Letters of John Brown, a student at William and Mary College, to his uncle, William Preston. Continued from page 18.] WILLIAM AND MARY Dear Sir Mr Breckenridge on his return from Williamsburg gives an Opportunity to Acknowledge your Favour of the 18th of Decembr & I can assure you that the kind professions of your Friendship & Assistance have not only laid me under the deepest Obligations of Gratitude & Esteem; but have given me great Encouragement. The amazing depretiation of our Currency has raised the price of Every Article so enormously that I despaird of my Fathers ability to support me here another year; & in consequence of that I wrote to him & desired that he would consult you with respect of my going up the Country & studying for some time under either Mr Thos Madison or Mr Jones. I have received no answer as yet; should be glad to continue another year if possible. Board & entring under two Professors amounts to 4,000 wt of Tobaco I made diligent search through all the stores in Town for Buttons and twist but could only procure two sticks of twist which I have sent you. As to my removal with Mr Randolph I have not as yet come to any determenation he desired me to wait upon him on the morning in order to have some converstaion upon that head, if Cousin John will wait for my return, I expect then to be able to give you some certain information concerning it. I have nothing remarkable to inform you of but the Weather which has been colder for three weeks than for fourty years past as I am informed, The Rivers are froze over at thier mouths, the Thermometer fell to 6 [degrees]. I enjoy a good state of Health & am more than ever You Hble Servant and Dutiful Nephew Jany 26 1780 John Brown P S Mr Randolph advises me to enter with Mr Wythe I shall take his advise. J.B. (Indorsed "Mr Jno Brown Junr Jany 1780 Depreciation cold winter") (Addressed "Colo William Preston Smithfield by Mr. Breckinridge") Page 76. Williamsburg Feby 15th 1780 Dr Sir I received yours of the 6th of Jany in which you recommend me to spend some time at the Fencing School; this I should chearfully do, as I am very sensible that the knowledge of the sword is a very important accomplishment; but money is so very scarce with me that I doubt it will be out of my power. Indeed I am apprehensive the expence of my Board and attendance upon Mr Wythes Lectures will be oppressive to my Friends. I have quit the French notwithstanding I had made some proficiency in it, for no other reason than that the Visitors raised the price of attendance on the Branch to a Hd of Tobacco. - The severity of the season having put a stop to all communication between this & Rockbridge has prevented me from receiving any supply from Home, and there being a demand against me for advanced Board I have applied to Mr John May agreeable to your friendly Offer he is as yet uncertain whether he can give me any assistance but is to let me know when on his way out of Town, should he find it convenient and want you to reimburse me, pray inform my Father of it as I know not when I shall have an opportunity that he may refund it as soon as possible. This Dr Uncle is giveing you much trouble & is an imposition on your goodness that I had never presumed to had I not be emboldned by former manifestations of your friendship. I enjoy a good state of Health and Board with Mr Cocke a Gentn who keeps a very genteel house at the rate of L30 the old way I apply closely to the Study of the Law and find it to be a more difficult Science than I expected, though I hope with Mr Wythes assistance to make some proficiency in it; those who finish this Study in a few months either have strong natural parts or else they know little about it. Please to remember me to all my smithfield Relations and believe me to be sincerely Your Dutiful Nephew J Brown (Indorsed "Mr John Brown's Letter Feby 1780") (Addressed "Colo William Preston Smithfield by Mr May") --------------------- Williamsburg March 7th 1780 Dear Sir I received your favour by Capt Quick for which I am much obliged to you. I am very sorry to hear of the Misfortune my Page 77. Father has met with in the loss of his Barn, the severity of the Season and the scarcity of grain must undoubtedly have rendred the prospect very gloomy to one who had nothing to depend on but the liberallity of others who as I have been informed were but ill provided for themselves; and indeed in that case I am afraid that Charity will begin at home -- I have resolved to continue at College (as I inform'd you in a former letter) Mr Randolph recommended it to me as the best opportunity as well for Study as Instruction that this Country affords. how long I shall continue is very uncertain, as the Expence (though not greater than was usual in 74) amounts to a sum greater I am afraid than Dada can spare from his scanty Income. By Mr May I informed you that I had applied to him for some present assistance he promised to call upon me at College on his way out of Town and let me have what sum I stood in need of, but for what reason I know not he pass'd by without letting me know of it and was I suppose half way to Botetourt before I heard he had left Town. Enclosed you have the last newspaper which contains the Kings Speech to the British Parliament by which you will find that there is no prospect of a Pacification Taking place should the next campain be carried on with that Vigour which we have reason to expect I truely dread the consequences as public spirit an our Resources of every kind are almost exhausted, and a sordid spirit of gain possesses the public attention. I have sent you part of the Articles you wrote for those that are not sent could not be had in Town I sent you an Ounce of Cabbage seed by Mr May. Wishing that you and family for whom I have the greatest esteem & to whom I am under the greatest obligations may enjoy all that happiness which perfect Health and Prosperity can afford I conclude Your Dutiful Nephew John Brown 2 Papers Pins at L5 each . . . . . . . . . L12 4 Brass Thimbles at 30 . . . . . . . . . . 6 2 Course Combs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 10 _______ For Colo Preston . . . . . . . . . . . L22 10 Page 78. Williamsburg March 11th 1780 Dr Sir I received your Favour by Mr Doack & am happy to hear that Cousin J. Breckinridge is determined to become a student of this University; it is what I have long desired & what I warmly recommend to him when I had the pleasure to see him in this place his genius is such that if assisted by the Advantages this place affords I am well convinced he would not only become an important member of society but that he would do honour to his Connections I should have rendred Mr Doack any service in my power with chearfulness, but I was out of College, when he came & notwithstanding I made diligent search for him through Town I never could sit my eyes upon him The care you express for my wealfare & the generous offer you make me of Assistance lay me under the greatest obligations. I inform'd you of my circumstances both by Mr May & Capt Quick since the I have had an opportunity to write to my Father for an immediate supply being very much in want of money at the present, & having no one nearer to whom I can apply, should it be out of his power to give me an Assistance I shall then gratefully accept of ny supply which you can make convenient. I can assure you Dr Uncle that your professions of friendship encourage me greatly & prevent me from dispairing of ever being able to compleat my studies which I am often ready to do - when I reflect upon the expence I must incur by continuing here & also upon the means by which this expence is to be defray'd I am Sir in great haste your most Dutiful Nephew & Very hble Servt John Brown ---------------- Williamsburg March 22d 1780 Dr Sir I received your favour of the 12th Instant by Mr Buchanan & can only say that it is impossible for me to express the Obligations your unmerited kindness has laid me under. I almost dispair of very being able to make any returns adequate to the great --- --- ness of the expressions of your friendship & liberality the only acknowledgement at present in my power is to express Page 79. my Gratitude for those favours which I am unable to repay & to wait (with impatience untill Opportunity permits me to make some return more suitable to the Obligation I am under. I have sent you by Mr Buchanan Commissions from the Professors for you & Mr Brackinridge;* also some of the latest newspapers from which you may collect all the Intelligence in this place worthy your attention; the situation of Chastown discourages many, should that important place all into the hands of the Enemy I doubt a total stop will be put to our Truce & that we shall have frequent Visitations from them in thier intercourse with New York. I made application to the Professors for the Surveyor's ship of a County should Kentucky be divided.** They promised me the refusal refusal of the first vacancy that shall offer. pray inform me in your next whither or not it is an Object worthy my attention***. I only spoke with a view to secure thier Interest untill I should have an opportunity to consult you upon that head being quite ignorant of it myself. I enjoy a good state of Health & am in great haste Dr Uncle Your Dutiful Nephew & Hble Servt John Brown --------------- Williamsburg July 6th 1780 Dear Sir Since the removal of the Seat of Govt to Richmond all communication between this & the upper parts of the Country has been so effectually cut off that I have not had an Opportunity of conveying a letter to Smithfield for some months past; this has given me the more uneasiness as I have long been impatient to acknowledge myself with gratitude the subject of your Bounty, through the hands of Mr Johnson. The favour was exceeding ______________________________________________________________________ *Probably his cousin, William B., who was in Kentucky with a surveying party in 1780. As surveyors- general the officers of the college appointed all surveyors in Virginia. **He had worked with Col. Preston on surveys in Augusta county, so that he knew something about the work. ***The surveyor's fee (in Augusta county) was L2.1.8 for any survey under 400 acres while for all over that, at least up to 700 acres, the fee was L4.3.4. How much of this, if any, went to the college we do notknow, but at any rate, as several surveys could be made in one day, the position paid well. [One-sixth of the surveyor's fees went to the college.] Page 80. great in itself, but render'd still more so by coming so opportunely to satisfy my then present demands. I can assure you Dear Uncle that your kindness has repeatedly laid me under the greatest obligations, & has been of the greatest Assistance to me not having received any supply from home since last fall. I receiv'd a letter from my Father a few days past informing that nothing but want of Opportunity had prevented & that he expected, that Obstacle would be shortly remov'd. I still continue to enjoy my usual state of Health and endeavour to improve by the Advantages of my situation, which of late have been greatly augmented; for Mr Wythe ever attentive to the improvement of his Pupils, founded two Insitutions for that purpose, the first is a Moot Court, held monthly or oftener in the place formerly occupied by the Genl Court in the Capitol. Mr Wythe & the other professors sit as Judges, Our Audience consists of the most respectable of the Citizens, before whom we plead Causes given out by Mr Wythe Lawyer like I assure you. He has form'd us into a Legislative Body, consisting of about 40 members Mr Wythe is speaker to the House & takes all possible pains to instruct us in the Rules of Parliament. We meet every Saturday & take under our consideration those Bills drawn up by the Comtee appointed to revise the laws, the we debate & Alter (I will not say amend) with the greatest freedom I take an active part in both these Institutions & hope thereby to rub off that natural Bashfulness which at present is extremely prejudicial to me. These Exercises, serve not only as the best amusement after severer studies, but are very usefull & attend with many important advantages I wish you could prepare John Brackingridge to come down with Mr Madison who is going up shortly. I should write to him upon that head at present but I have not the time. As to the setuation of our Country I have little to inform, nothing agreeable. Our Presses are almost altogether silent upon that head, Common Fame says that the state of our affairs are bad. The want of Men, Money, Provisions & still more of Public Virtue & Patriotism is universal - a melancholy Lethargick disposition pervades all Ranks in this part of the Country, they appear as if determined to struggle no more, but to "stand still & see what the Lord will do for them". I desire exceedingly to receive a letter from you, your last Page 81. was sometime in March, if opportunity will permit I hope, you will more frequently let me hear from you & my Dear Relations, for whose wellfare Heaven has my sincerest wishes. After remembering me affectionately to all of them believe me ever to be your most oblig'd friend & Dutiful Nephew. John Brown ------------------- Williamsburg August 23d 1780 Hond Uncle Were it not that I am unwilling to let so good an Opportunity pass without enquiring after your & Family's wealfare or without acknowledging the lively sentiments of Gratitude imprinted on my Heart by the many instances of your kindness & friendship I should be altogether silent at this time: Indeed as the President can inform you so particularly of almost everything respecting me, and as I have no news foreign or domestic worthy either of cummunication or your Attention I shall trouble you with but a very few lines at present. There is one thing in which I could wish to have your advice, it is respecting the Surveyor- ship of one of the Counties laid off on the Kentucky last Assembly which I have made application for. I should be glad to know if the place will be a profitable one, and whither it is indispensibly necessary that the head Surveyor should be personally present in such County at the time the act takes place? were I to get the place could the Business be transacted by Deputy untill next spring, as I am unwilling to leave this Place before that time Your information & direction with regard to this matter would be very acceptable to me, in your next. I continue to enjoy my usual State of good Health and hope by use of the Bark* & other Antidotes to escape the Ague and Fever this season. I hope you will write me fully by Mr Madison when on his return to Wmsburg, I have not receiv'd a letter from you since March notwithstanding I wrote you several. Remember me affectionately to my Aunt and Cousins and be Assure that I am sincerely your Hble Servt & Dutiful Nephew John Brown (Addressed "Colo Wm Preston Smithfield By the Revd Jas Madison") ________________________________________________________________________________ *Cinchona or Jesuit's Bark. Page 82. Octr 16 1780 Honourd Uncle I doubt not but you have been informed of my Illness by Mr Smith two months tomorrow since I was taken with a most violent Billious Fever which left me so low & my Bowels in so weak a state that I have never gatherd strength or been able to take more nourishment than barely sufficient to preserve life. This being my first sickness, among strangers, bad attendants & the worst weather all these conspire to sink my Spirits & have reduc'd me to a mere Skelliton, to a condition from which I scarcely expect to recover I can get very little that agrees with my stomach & am so troubled with Costiveness that what I eat does me so little good that I think I daily fall away both in flesh & strength which discourages me many tokens of friendship & declarations your willingness to assist me in the prosecution of my studies has laid me under the greatest obligations of gratitude a sense of which I shall retain until death The Tobacco note you sent me is of no service to me as I cannot get 100 Dollars for it: though do not expect to want it as I am apprehensive that before this reaches you I shall have exchanged time for Eternity unless God has otherwise determined. My uneasiness of mind has been great on account of the State of my Soul which I believe has had great effect upon my Body, should God remove me I hope he will have Mercy upon me and take my soul to himself. All sublunary enjoyments Schemes prospects &c appear Tastless Insiped to me - though flattering when in health the Blessings of which I was a stranger to hitherto & greatly misimproved I be . . . . . . . . . . acquaintance with my situation I was unwilling to inform them of it expecting a sudden alteration either for the better or the worse & being certain that it must give them much trouble - I have sat up almost beyond my strength thinking it to be the last you will receive from me. Give my love to my Aunt & Dr Relations & believe me to be whither living or Dying your's Affectionately ("Col. Wm Preston Smithfield Montgomery Co.)" John Brown Page 83. Octr 27 1780 College Dr Uncle I wrote you some time ago informing you of my bad state of Health, at present I am almost in the same situation rather weaker owning to my great uneasiness of mind occasioned by the Invasion of the English who have been expected daily in this town, which has rendred my situation the most truly distressing. Mr. Cocke with whom I board moves away to-morrow with this Family, Mr Madison is gone, the Town almost deserted, no Meat so that I run the risk of suffering for provision. I am so weak that I cannot leave my Room in College which is intirely deserted by every Studt but one or two who are sick, every thing conspires to make me melancholy my Hir'd Nurs this day, has left me & I know not where to get another I am unwilling to trouble my Relations with vain Complaints I know that it is out of their power to assist me. I am reduc'd so low that in all human probability I shall not last many days perhaps not one. God I hope will be merciful to my immortal soul if it is his pleasure to remove me. I shall add no more but that I continue your Dutiful Nephew. John Brown P.S. I cannot recommend it to J Brackinridge to come here untill he hears more about it as it is more than probable that College will be suspended for some time Mr Madison talking of resigning his Professorship, & the Studts all turnd Soldiers & everythin in the utmost Confusion. "To Col. Wm Preston, Montgomery."