Robert Carter. Page 57. Miss Polly Tolliver.[187] Page 59. Miss Steerman is a beautiful young Lady. Miss Jane Corbin. -- Aphia Fantleroy. -- -- Edwards. -- Betsy Jones -- Sally Panton. [186] The Gaskins family lived in Northumberland County. Elizabeth Gaskins, daughter of Colonel Thomas Gaskins of that County married Edward Digges of "Bellfield" in York County in 1775. [187] The Taliaferro family was a prominent one in Tidewater Virginia. While the name is pronounced "Tolliver," it is believed to be of Italian origin. But this afternoon Mrs _Oakly_ is taken with a Fever; I suppose, She was out last evening without any thing on her head rather too late, when I saw her at Daddy Gumby's-- _Sunday 10._ A Sunday in Virginia dont seem to wear the same Dress as our Sundays to the Northward--Generally here by five o-Clock on Saturday every Face (especially the Negroes) looks festive & cheerful--All the lower class of People, & the Servants, & the Slaves, consider it as a Day of Pleasure & amusement, & spend it in such Diversions as they severally choose--The Gentlemen go to Church to be sure, but they make that itself a matter of convenience, & account the Church a useful weekly resort to do Business--I am told, for I have not yet been to Church since my Return, that all the Sermons are in the forensic Style, & on political Subjects. But I shall go to Church to Day--I am sorry that I may relate an accident which happened last night--By some accident; or by the carelessness of some Negroes Mr Turburville's Barn took fire and burnt Down--His loss is judged at 300£ which is something considerable for a Man who is with the greatest Anxiety turning every ear of Corn into Money--At Church Parson _Smith_ Read to the Congregation an Order Issued out lately by the Governor to elect Burgesses in the several Counties--He preached us a Sermon on Brotherly Love--Dined with us to Day Mr Parker,[188] a Lawyer of this County, & his Son, a young Man about 20 who is also licensed to plead Law--And Mr _Cunningham_--I am not very well to Day. I have pains in several parts of my Body--Mr _Lowe_ informed me that Colonel Washington is unwell of a sort of _Cholic_-- [188] Richard Parker (1729-1813) of "Lawfield" was a distinguished lawyer in Westmoreland County at this time. _Monday 11._