Both Philip Fithian and Goerge Washington record and immortalize the life of late 18th century white Virginian gentry in their diaries. In vastly different styles, both men describe the culture, values, power structures, methods of mastery, and relationships between men and women in colonial Virginia. As an outsider to this society, Philip Fithian creates a more complete and colorful picture than George Washington does. While Fithian’s account offers explicit observations about Virginian gentry, Washington’s diary provides firsthand information about his life as a member of that group. Although Fithian provides details that Washington neglects, Washington’s firsthand account allows the reader better insight into Virginian gentry life; using
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In his journal, Fithian records that many enslaved Virginians endured “cruelty & distress.” One notable example of this cruelty appears in his description of a slave Mother who “lost seven [children] successively, none of which have arrived to be ten years old!” In these passages, Fithian recognizes the plight of slaves—and yet, it may have been easier for him to express criticism because he was not a part of the gentry that relied on slavery for their fortune and success. Washington’s journal presents the realities of slavery, mentioning the backbreaking labor that his hands did on his plantations, clearing land, harvesting, and planting crops. At one point, Washington writes that he spent the day writing “Advertisements of Harry who ran away.” When discussing his slaves, Washington does not comment on the morality of the system or consider the implications of it. From this perspective, his diary may seem less helpful than that of Fithian’s. However, Washington embodied gentry values and embraced the power structures, thereby offering more insight into the minds of the gentry. A clear example of this can be seen in the contrasting way that the two authors address leisure culture: where Fithian offers observations such as, “any young Gentleman travelling through the Colony, as I said before, is presum’d to be acquainted with Dancing, Boxing, playing the Fiddle, & Small-sword, & Cards,” Washington actively lived up to this assessment by attending a week of horse races, balls, and plays in Annapolis every
In his journal, Fithian records that many enslaved Virginians endured “cruelty & distress.” One notable example of this cruelty appears in his description of a slave Mother who “lost seven [children] successively, none of which have arrived to be ten years old!” In these passages, Fithian recognizes the plight of slaves—and yet, it may have been easier for him to express criticism because he was not a part of the gentry that relied on slavery for their fortune and success. Washington’s journal presents the realities of slavery, mentioning the backbreaking labor that his hands did on his plantations, clearing land, harvesting, and planting crops. At one point, Washington writes that he spent the day writing “Advertisements of Harry who ran away.” When discussing his slaves, Washington does not comment on the morality of the system or consider the implications of it. From this perspective, his diary may seem less helpful than that of Fithian’s. However, Washington embodied gentry values and embraced the power structures, thereby offering more insight into the minds of the gentry. A clear example of this can be seen in the contrasting way that the two authors address leisure culture: where Fithian offers observations such as, “any young Gentleman travelling through the Colony, as I said before, is presum’d to be acquainted with Dancing, Boxing, playing the Fiddle, & Small-sword, & Cards,” Washington actively lived up to this assessment by attending a week of horse races, balls, and plays in Annapolis every