Carlyle House

December 2003 Docent Dispatch Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority

18th-Century Celebrations by Cindy Major On December 18,1773 Philip Vicars Fithian, a tutor to Robert Carter’s children, wrote:

Nothing is now to be heard of in conversation, but the Balls, the Fox-hunts, the fine entertainments, and the good fellowship, which are to be exhibited at the approaching Christmas.

Ball Supper C Watson, England ca. 1805

These festivities sound like those taking place at a There are some references to Virginians attending fine English country home, but there is some evidence church services on Christmas, however, it was not that Virginians’ holiday traditions did differ from those always an option. One Englishman visiting a Virginia of their English brothers. Plantation in 1785 wrote: The inventories of elite families living in the Chesapeake Bay area give ample evidence of elaborate entertaining with fine imported china, glassware and I lament more and more every Sunday that we have silver. The period between Christmas and Twelfth no public place of worship to go to. There is a Night was a quiet time for merchants and plantation church to be sure, about three miles off, but owners and afforded them the leisure to indulge in unfortunately there happens to be no preacher. Being Christmas Day you miss it more than seasonal celebrations. It was also a good opportunity to common, as so universal a day of worship in all parts plan family events such as weddings and christenings. of the civilized world. Christmas was a holy day, and was often observed by a fine meal. George Washington’s diaries and letters show him to be at home with family and friends many years on December 25th. In 1751, Washington was Compared to the English traditions of the Wassail returning home from Barbados and wrote of dining on Bowl, Yule Log and caroling , Virginia celebrations an Irish goose which had been brought on board for the must have appeared tame. While staying in occasion and drinking to the health of absent friends. It Fredericksburg in 1776, the Englishman Nicholas seems, even when circumstances were not ideal, an Cresswell noted that Christmas Day was not much attempt was made to observe the day. observed in this country except by the Dutch. Page 2 Carlyle House

wise men or kings. There Sources

was also a cake involved The Journal of in this celebration. The Nicholas Cresswell 1774-1777 cake was cut and served to the guests. One piece The Festive Tradition Louise Conway Belden contained a bean and the Christmas in Colonial Virginia recipient of that portion Mary R.M. Goodwin

was named “King of the The Diary of Bean” and reigned over Colonel Landon Carter the Ball until midnight. Volume II

Twelfth Night Another 18th-century Journal and Letters of Joseph Cruikshank, London 1794 traveler, Robert Hunter Jr., Philip Vickers Fithian

a young London merchant, As in England, some to lose their daily labor. tells of spending Twelfth Night in a Virginia home Virginians gave small gifts In his journal, Nicholas where he played whist to servants or slaves on Cresswell gives an until past nine and then Christmas. Fithian gave a account of attending a Ball was served “an elegant Bit to the slave who took in Alexandria on Twelfth supper after the Virginia care of his clothes and half Night of 1775. He fashion” a Bit to the one who describes it as “their tended his fire. Gifts of annual Ball” and goes on Back in Alexandria, food, rum and cider are to relate how it is Nicholas Cresswell often mentioned by determined who will pay describes the supper he Virginians for their slaves for the Ball each year. was served on Twelfth but, by contrast, Landon Night 1775: Carter records in his 1774 diary he is quite happy not A rich cake is provided A cold supper, Punch letting his people keep any and cut into small Wines Coffee and part of Christmas. pieces and handed Chocolate, but no Here in Alexandria, round to the Tea. This is the John Carlyle may have company, who at the forbidden herb. same time draws a had more of an ticket out of a Hat with opportunity to observe the something merry holidays in the English wrote on it. He that At the Carlyle House manner. Certainly going to draws the King has the this year, we will display church services would Honor of treating the an elegant cold supper in have been convenient with company with a Ball the Virginia tradition. It Christ Church and the next year… The will include the Twelfth Presbyterian Meeting Lady who draws the Night cake, and other House an easy walk from Queen has the trouble of making the cake. delicacies including his residence. Virginians oysters on the half shell did close down their and meat pies. Plan to courthouses and attend the training sessions businesses on Christmas The English tradition of on December 10th at either and Good Friday. Twelfth Night was very 10 am or 7 pm to learn all However, Virginia clergy similar. Here the holy day the details you will need to complained that those was second only to interpret the Carlyle’s were the only holy days Christmas. The purpose Twelfth Night celebration. the colonists were willing was to honor the three