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The Education of 18th-Century Gentry Children

This month's primary source is several quotes from the journal of tutor Philip Vickers Fithian and a letter from Thomas Jefferson to his daughter, Patsy. In both cases, the students are the children of wealthy Virginia planters. They are also being given instruction based on reading and writing. These eighteenth-century gentry students studied with instruction books written by authors using language and techniques common in England and Europe. They also attended class in a schoolroom set up on the plantation property or within the home. [NOTE: In contrast, children growing up in the late eighteenth century through the nineteenth century learned from books written especially for them that stressed continuity in pronunciation and spelling. See the Teaching Strategy section.]

Using the following quotes, compare and contrast the curriculum of Patsy Jefferson and Fithian's students!

Young children and a tutor in a plantation classroom.Philip Vickers Fithian journal entries:

Monday Novemr 1st [1773]

We began School—The School consists of eight—Two of Mr Carters Sons—One Nephew—And five Daughters—The eldest Son is reading Salust; Gramatical Exercises, and latin Grammar—The second Son is reading english Grammar Reading English: Writing and Cyphering in Subtraction—The Nephew is Reading and Writing as above; and Cyphering in Reduction—The eldest daughter is Reading the Spectator; Writing; & beginning to Cypher—The second is reading next out of the Spelling-Book, and begining to write—The next is reading in the Spelling-Book—The fourth is Spelling in the beginning of the Spelling-Book—And the last is beginning her letters—


Saturday [January] 15. [1774]

I rose at seven—The morning fair the ground muddy—…. I spent some hours to Day with the Girls when they were practising Music on the Guitar, & Forte-piano, Priscilla plays her tunes true and exceeding finely—….

Source: Hunter Dickinson Farish, ed. Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774 (Charlottesville, Va., 1957), pp. 20 and 55.


A letter from Thomas Jefferson to his daughter, Patsy:

Annapolis Nov. 28, 1783

"Thomas Jefferson," by Gilbert Stuart, 1805–1806.My dear Patsy

After four days journey I arrived here without any accident and in as good health as when I left Philadelphia. The conviction that you would be more improved in the situation I have placed you than if still with me, has solaced me on my parting with you. …The acquirements which I hope you will make under the tutors I have provided for you will render you more worthy of my love, and if they cannot increase it they will Prevent its diminution. …With respect to the distribution of your time the following is what I should approve.

from 8. to 10 o'clock practise music.

from 10. to 1. dance one day and draw another.

from 1. to 2. draw on the day you dance, and write a letter the next day.

from 3. to 4. read French.

from 4. to 5. exercise yourself in music.

from 5. till bedtime read English, write.

…I expect you will write to me by every post. Inform me what books you read, what tunes you learn, and enclose me your best copy of every lesson in drawing. Write also one letter every week either to your aunt Eppes, your aunt Skipwith, (or) your aunt Carr, and always put the letter you so write under cover to me. Take care that you never spell a word wrong. Always before you write a word consider how it is spelt, and if you do not remember it, turn to a dictionary. It produces great praise to a lady to spell well. I have placed my happiness on seeing you good and accomplished, and no distress which this world can now bring on me could equal that of your disappointing my hopes. If you love me then, strive to be good under every situation and to all living creatures, and to acquire those accomplishments which I have put in your power, and which will go far towards ensuring you the warmest love of your affectionate father,

TH: JEFFERSON

Source: Julian Boyd, ed., Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 6 (Columbia, Mo., 1966), pp. 359-360.

To learn more about Virginia tutor Philip Vickers Fithian, join us for the Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trip titled "A Publick Education" on March 11, 2004, or check out the book: Hunter Dickinson Farish, ed., Journal and Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian: A Plantation Tutor of the Old Dominion, 1773-1774, (Charlottesville: Va., 1957).


This article was written by Frances Burroughs, Associate Producer–Educational Media, Department of Education Outreach, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.