Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Christmas Eve:

5.

Christmas Day:

New-Year's Eve and New Year's Day:

7.

Twelfth-Day (January 6th); or the feast of Epiphany:

As a popular festival, Twelfth-Day was inferior only to Christmas. The alleged object was to do honor to the three wise men — or the three kings, as they were more generally called; and the festival dated back to the middle ages. It included feasting and drinking and general merriment. In court circles, gaming for high stakes was also a feature of Twelfth-Day festivities during the reign of Charles II. In the mid-nineteenth century, the celebration of the Twelfth-Day greatly declined.²³

"Christmas Gambols" From THE WITS MAGAZINE 1784. [Picture reproduced in A.S. Turbeville, Johnson's England vol. I (Oxford: 1933) page 358.

7-a.

In a book entitled Round about our Coal-Fire; or, Christmas Entertainments,^* published in London ca. 1740, the author bewailed the passing of Christmas hospitality of the ancient days, as follows:

"FIRST acknowledging the Sacredness of the Holy time of Christmas, I proceed to set forth the Rejoicings which are generally made at that great Festival. You must understand, good People, that the manner of celebrating this great Course of Holydays, is vastly different now to what it was in former Days: There was once upon a time Hospitality in the Land; an English Gentleman at the opening of the great Day, had all his Tenants and Neighbours enter'd his Hall by Day-break, the strong Beer was broach'd, and the Black-Jacks went plentifully about with Toast, Sugar, Nutmeg, and good Cheshire Cheese; the Rooms were embower'd with Holly, Ivy, Cyprus, Bays, Laurel and Mistletoe, and a bouncing Christmas Log in the Chimney, glowing like the Cheeks of a Country Milk-maid… the Servants were then running here and there, with merry Hearts and jolly Countenances, every one was busy welcoming of Guests… … the great Festival was in former Times kept with so much Freedom and Openness of Heart, that every one in the Country where a Gentleman resided, possess'd at least a Day of Pleasure in the Christmas Holy days; the TAbles were all spread from the first to the last, the Sirloins of Beef, the Minc'd-pyes, the Plumb-porridge, the Capons, Turkeys, Geese, and Plumb-puddings were all brought upon the Board, and every one who had sharp Stomachs, and sharp Knives, east heartily, and were welcome, which gave Rise to the Proverb, merry in the Hall, where the Beards wag all." [Pages 1-3 ]

He added that, according to the newspapers, "the Spirit of Hospitality has not quite forsaken us" for "several of the Gentry" had gone down to their "respective Seats in the Country, in order to keep their Christmas in the old way, and entertain their Tenants and Trades-folks as their Ancestors used to do"; and he wished them "a merry Christmas accordingly." [Page 6]

In a chapter on "Christmas Gambols, or the Diversions of the 7-b. Holydays," the author mentioned first Dancing; then "Mumming or Masquerading, when the Squire's Wardrobe" was "Ransack'd for Dresses of all Kinds"; then Dancing "again, and a good hearty pull or two at the Silver-Tankard of strong Beer, made woundy good with Sugar and Nutmeg." He described also games that were played: "Blind-man's-buff," "Puss in the Corner," "Questions and Commands," "Hoop and Hide"; noted that most of the "other Diversions" were "Cards and Dice," but added facetiously that they were "seldom set on foot, unless a Lawyer is at hand, to breed some Dispute for him to decide." [Pages 8-11.] The remainder of the book is concerned with "another Entertainment frequently used, which is of the Story-telling Order" — and the book concludes with an assortment of traditional tales concerning Hobgoblins, Witches, Conjurers, Ghosts, Fairies, etc. [Pages 12-48.]^*

Two other eighteenth century comments on the changes in the English Christmas customs — especially as to hospitality and foods — are quoted in The Virginia Gazette published in Williamsburg. [See pages xix-xx, xxvi-xxviii, xxx-xxxi following.]

We have an early nineteenth century account of ancient English Christmas customs by an American author. In his Sketch Book, written while he was in England (and first published in New York in 1819-1820), Washington Irving described a Christmas he spent in England. He mentioned many of the ancient English customs, (which were obviously 7-c. entirely unfamiliar in the United States) such as the "feudal hospitalities, and lordly wassailings" as having passed away with "the baronial estates and stately manor-houses," being unsuited to the "gay drawing-rooms of the modern villa." Friends and kindred still gathered for Christmas holiday meals, evergreens still decked homes and churches, and he even mentioned hearing the rude "minstrelsy" of the "Waits" in the "mid-watches of a winter night."

Irving was lucky enough to locate a country squire who had "consulted books for precedent and authority" in reviving some of the long-forgotten English customs at his ancient manor house. Irving spent Christmas Eve and Day with the squire, and described the mistletoe; the Christmas games; Yule Log (or "clog") ceremony — which he said was still being practiced in peasant kitchens in northern England, where certain superstitions were connected with it. He described the church service on Christmas day, the Christmas dinner with boar's head, pheasant-pie (the host admitting peacock would have been more authentic,) and the wassail bowl, served after the dinner. [See The Sketch Book (Philadelphia: 1873 ed. in 1 volume, pages 250­251, 262-315.]

Mummers, Lords of Misrule, Waits:

We doubt very much that Mummers, Lords of Misrule, or Waits were ever included in colonial Virginia festivities of the Christmas season. Aside from the fact that we have found no mention of them, the very nature of the country — few towns and widely scattered settlements — would have made them unlikely.

Carol-singers:

The Oxford English Dictionary (Vol. XII, page 11-24) offers a second definition of "Waits" which includes carol-singing: "b. A band of musicians and singers who perambulate the streets by night at the 12. approach of Christmas and the New Year, playing and singing carols and other seasonal music for gratuities"; and it cites late eighteenth and nineteenth century examples of this definition.³⁷ However, because of conditions in the colony, we doubt that perambulating carol-singers would have been customary in Virginia until very late in the eighteenth or even the nineteenth century.

We can be reasonably sure, however, that Christmas carols were sung at gatherings in Virginia homes in colonial days, and at church services. They may even have been sung during the season at some of the Virginia taverns, possibly accompanied by a fellow-drinker who could play on the violin, hautboy, flute, or horn — although tavern-singers would have been partial to more lively tunes.

Yule-Log Ceremony and Wassail Bowl:

We cannot say whether the Yule Log Ceremony was ever included in Virginia Christmas festivities which have gone unrecorded — or whether the Wassail bowl was passed around on Christmas Eve and New Year's.³⁸ Neither feature of the ancient English festivities is mentioned in Virginia colonial records. We know, however, that huge log fires were a common means of heating rooms in Virginia in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. We also know that it was often the custom to gather round these fires for a cheerful evening — not only during the holiday 13. season, but at other times during the winter, and that drinking wine, cider, punch, etc. was often an accompaniment of such evenings.³⁹

Christmas Pantomimes:

While there is no reference to "Christmas pantomimes" as such, in the colonial Virginia records, it is possible that such pantomimes were presented during the Christmas season when, in the eighteenth century, theatrical companies played in the colonies. For instance, Lewis Hallam's Company of Comedians arrived in Williamsburg, from London, in the summer of 1752, where they remained for eleven months before going to other colonies, and gave frequent performances. Their repertoire included "all the best Plays, Operas, Farces, and Pantomimes" (the latter usually presented along with a play or farce) which had been "exhibited in any of the [London] Theatres for these ten Years past."⁴⁰ unfortunately, The Virginia Gazettes do not carry notices of presentations throughout this period, but we do know some of the pantomimes which were in the Hallam Company repertoire.⁴¹

14.

Christmas Greens:

Even though we have come across no contemporary reference to decorating homes, shops, and churches in colonial Virginia with Christmas greens, we believe that this English custom was not overlooked where seasonal festivities or church services were being held. Holly, cedar, mistletoe, ivy, laurel, and other evergreens, were so plentiful in the Colony, that it seems reasonable that they would have been used for festive seasonal decorations. Although not mentioned in colonial records, their use was taken for granted in nineteenth century writings.⁴²

Christmas Gifts:

In Virginia, as in England, the exchange of Christmas gifts among families and friends was not customary.⁴³ Occasionally in the eighteenth century, a turkey, ham, or some food item, would be sent by a friend or relative for use during the Christmas season. Gifts of money, clothes, and food were also given servants—and there are a few references to the "Christmas box" in colonial Virginia.⁴⁴

15.

New Year's Eve and Day:

There were numerous New-Year's greetings exchanged, and convivial groups often gathered in colonial Virginia on New Year's Eve and Day, although we have found no reference to the "Wassail bowl" as a part of these gatherings. However, the drinking of wines, cider, and punches were certainly included.⁴⁵

There was one advertisement for a newly published religious book ("THE Church Catechism Explain'd," published in Williamsburg in 1738) as being "very proper for a new-Year's Gift to Children."⁴⁶

Twelfth Day & Night and Twelfth Cake:

In 1774, an English traveller described a Twelfth-Night ball which he attended in Alexandria, Virginia, which he said was an annual custom there — with cake, king and queen. There is also record of smaller gatherings on Twelfth-Night in Virginia. [See page ^xxix following; and Index at end of report under Twelfth-day.]

School Holidays:

The College of William and Mary allowed its students in all schools (Grammar School, Indian School, and the College students) holiday from December 16th until "the first Monday after Epiphany [or Twelfth-day]." Private tutors gave Christmas holidays at their own discretion.⁴⁷

Food and Drink:

One thing that the English and the Virginians continued to have in common, in celebrating the Christmas holiday season, was hearty eating 16. and drinking. Although roast beef was a mainstay in both England and Virginia during the Christmas season, as were plum-puddings, plum cakes, mince-pies, etc., some traditional English Christmas fare, such as the boar's head, peacock, Westphalia ham, gave way to turkey, Virginia ham, venison, and birds such as ducks, geese, turkeys, partridges, etc.⁴⁸ Wines of different kinds—but especially Madeira of which Virginians were particularly fond—beer and ale, cider, punches, and, late in the eighteenth century, eggnog, were freely dispensed in Virginia homes and taverns during the Christmas season.⁴⁹

The Virginia custom of hearty eating and drinking and of general hospitality and good cheer during the Christmas-through-Twelfth-Night season, was emphasized in the homely rhymes which appeared in the Williamsburg-printed Virginia Almanacks of the eighteenth century. The religious aspect of the season was all but ignored in these verses. The following may be of interest here:

Other Seasonal Activities in Colonial Virginia:

Dancing (among families at home and at balls), and fox hunting were included among the Christmas holiday activities in Virginia.⁵⁰

One custom, which was apparently a part of the seasonal festivities in Virginia, and in other colonies, was the firing of "Christmas guns" during the holiday season—both at Christmas time and on New Year's eve and day. This custom continued in Virginia into the nineteenth century.

The Christmas Tree:

There is no record of a Christmas tree in Williamsburg until 1842, although decorated trees (being a German custom) may have been found in 20. German settlements in Virginia at an earlier date.⁵²

Present-Day Christmas Activities in Restored Williamsburg:

Although some of the activities which are now included in the annual Christmas festivities presented by Colonial Williamsburg, Inc., have no place in the eighteenth century picture, it is felt by officials of that organization that they would be greatly missed by inhabitants and guests, if excluded from present-day activities. Therefore such early English customs as the Yule-Log Ceremony and the Wassail Bowl have been revived, and the nineteenth century Christmas tree is included in the Williamsburg celebrations today.

1608-09
Dec.29-Jan.6

According to an account of the journey written by several of his fellow-adventurers, Captain John Smith and some gentlemen and soldiers set out on December 29, 1608, in a barge and a pinnace to find the Indian Chief, Powhatan. They spent one day and night at "Weraskoyack," and about January 1, 1609, reached "Kecoughtan," where they remained for six or seven days. The account described "Christmas" — meaning the holiday season — among the savages as follows:

"The next night being lodged at Kecoughtan, [for] 6 or 7 daies, the extreame wind, raine, frost, and snowe caused vs to keepe Christmas amongst the Salvages: where wee were never more merrie, nor fedde on more plentie of good oysters, fish, flesh, wild foule, and good bread; nor never had better fires in England then in the dire warme smokie houses of Kecoughtan.

But departing thence, we found no houses, we were not curious (in any weather) to lie, 3 or 4 nights together, vpon any shore, vnder the trees, by a good fire. 148 fowles, the President [Smith], Anthony Bagly, and Edward Pising [two of the soldiers] did kill at 3 shoots.

At Kiskiack, the frost forced vs 3 or 4 daies, also to suppresse the insolencie of those proud Salvages, to quarter in their houses and guard our barge, and [to] cause them to giue vs what wee wanted : yet we were but 12 with the President, and yet we neuer wanted harbour where we found any houses.

The 12 of Januarie [1609], we arrived at Werawocomaco, where the river was frozen neare halfe a mile from the shore…"

[Edward Arber, ed. Travels and Works of Captain John Smith (Edinburgh: 1910) Vol. I, pages 132-133.

1686
Dec.22-25

The following excerpts from the journal of a Huguenot refugee, "Durand of Dauphine," who travelled in Virginia and Maryland in 1686­1657, mentioned activities at one plantation house in Virginia during the Christmas season, although Durand had little to say about Christmas­day itself:

"The Christmas holidays were drawing near: Monsieur Parker was a Roman Catholic… He wished to spend Christmas day in Maryland. As it was but five or six leagues away, we had no intention of letting him go alone. Consequently we decided to pass the night at Colonel Fichoux [William Fitzhugh of "Bedford," Stafford County], whose houses stand along the ii banks of the great Pethomak river, …

"… we rode twenty strong [Ralph Wormeley of "Rosegill," where Durand and Mons. Parker had been staying, and friends who accompanied them] to Colonel Fichous', but he has such a large establishment that he did not mind. We were all of us provided with beds, one for two men. He treated us royally, there was good wine & all kinds of beverages, so there was a great deal of carousing. He had sent for three fiddlers, a jester, a tight-rope dancer, an acrobat who tumbled around, & they gave us all the entertainment one could wish for. It was very cold, yet no one ever thinks of going near the fire, for they never put less than a cart­load of wood in the fireplace & the whole room is kept warm. …

"The next day, after they had caroused until after noon, we decided to cross the river. The Colonel had a quantity of wine & one of his punch-bowls brought to the shore; he lent us his boat. We had left our horses at his place & as many of us as could get in went in the boat, the others remained. We went to spend the night at the home of a Maryland gentleman, who also treated us very well. The next day we were told the nearest Roman Catholic church was seven or eight leagues distant, Monsieur Wormeley having business that called him back, wished to leave. As I was riding his horses, I could not stay… It was Christmas eve, & Monsieur Parker wished to perform his religious exercises, but before parting he took me for a walk & said that as it was some time since I had left my country, I might be in need of something. He offered me a purse… I answered that I felt overwhelmed by the favors & kindness he had shown me, but as for money, I still had enough for my voyage… After this we parted.

Monsieur Wormeley & I came back the same day in time to sleep at his plantation, where we spent Christmas day. Then we stopped with the Judge who had not left us, & thence to the house of a captain of cavalry, where we remained some time because Monsieur Wormeley, who is the Colonel of this county, wished to see his company. …"

[Gilbert Chinard, ed., A Huguenot Exile in Virginia (New York: 1934) pages 156-161.]

1709-1710
Dec. 20-Jan. 6

Although William Byrd II of "Westover," Charles City County, had peculiar food habits, usually eating only one thing at a meal, the entries in his diaries at least indicate some of the food served during the Christmas season. On December 20th, Byrd left "Westover" early in the morning, after a breakfast of "toast and cider," to ride with a Mr. P —to "Falling Creek," another of his plantations a few miles below the site of Richmond. They spent one night with William Randolph, Jr., and another with Col. William Randolph, where they played cards iii and spent pleasant evenings. On December 23, with Mr. P — and Isham Randolph, he reached "Falling Creek," where he "found matters in good order." He spent the following night at Col. Hill's, and reached home with Mr. P —and Isham Randolph on December 24th where he "found all well." He mentioned, instead of his usual breakfasts of milk, eating 'sausage and chocolate," "pickled oysters and chocolate," and "custard"; and dining on boiled pork, roast beef, broiled pork, and turkey pie, during this period. In the afternoon of the 24th "Dick Randolph and Mr. Jackson from Williamsburg" arrived at "Westover" —they had turkey for supper. Byrd's diary entry for Christmas-day follows:

"25. I rose at 7 o'clock and ate milk for breakfast. I neglected to say my prayers because of my company. I ate milk for breakfast. [sic] About 11 o'clock the rest of the company ate some broiled turkey for their breakfast. Then we went to church, notwithstanding it rained a little, where Mr. Anderson preached a good sermon for the occasion. I received the Sacrament with great devoutness. After church the same company went to dine with me and I ate roast beef for dinner. In the afternoon Dick Randolph and Mr. Jackson went away and Mr. Jackson rode sidelong like a woman. Then we took a walk about the plantation, but a great fog soon drove us into the house again. In the evening we were merry with nonsense and so were my servants. I said my prayers shortly and had good health, good thoughts, and good humor, thanks be to God Almighty."

On Dec. 26th Byrd wrote letters, played billiards, and Mr. and Mrs. Harrison came to dine. Byrd "ate boiled beef for dinner." Mr. P — and Isham Randolph were still with him, and they walked about the plantation and played cards. On Dec. 27th they played billiards, drank some wine, and went to the Harrisons for dinner, where he "ate some goose." They "were very merry by a good fire till 5 0'clock," when they returned to "Westover," and played cards until 10 o'clock. On Dec. 28 and 29th, they played billiards, walked around the plantation, sliding and skating on the ice, and played cards (mentioned "whisk" on 29th); and Byrd dined on boiled pork and boiled beef. On New Year's Day Isham Randolph left, and some new guests arrived. Byrd ate "boiled pork" for dinner, walked around plantation, and in the evening they "drank a bottle of wine and were merry." and walked around plantation, played billiards and cards, and ate boiled beef, hashed turkey, etc. for the next few days — going on January 4th to visit Colonel Hill, where he found an abundance of company. "About 3 o'clock we went to dinner and I ate boiled beef." He returned home, read some letters which arrived, and walked about his plantation. On Jan. 6th (Twelfth-Day) no special activity was noted in his diary —Byrd's wife was "very much out of order" and he played piquet with her to "divert her," ate "boiled pork for dinner," walked about his plantation and gave some of his slaves "a vomit… to prevent the distemper."

iv [Louis B.Wright & Marion Tinling, The Secret Diary of William Byrd of Westover 1709-1712, (Richmond: 1941) pages 120-127).

1711-1712
Dec.20-Jan.6

Again in William Byrd's diary we find a description of his activities during the 1711-12 Christmas season — the year the General Assembly met at the Capitol in Williamsburg from November 7th through December 24th. Byrd had been in Williamsburg from October 23 to November 12 (attending the General Court until November 2nd); making several trips back and forth to "Westover" during this period. On December 4th he returned to Williamsburg (being a member of the Council) where he remained until Spotswood adjourned the Assembly on the evening of December 24th. During this period he met with the Council at the Capitol, played at dice and piquet at the coffeehouse, and spent an occasional night at a nearby plantation. He dined with some fellow councillors and friends (Dec. 20th) on roast chicken, with "a bowl of punch" on which they were merry afterwards; dined with the Governor (22nd) on beefsteak, drinking a bottle of wine before going to the coffeehouse for piquet. On December 23rd he and Dr. Cocke rode to "Queen's Creek" plantation (the home of his sister-in-law and her husband, John and Frances (Parke) Custis) where they spent the night, dining at 3 o'clock when Byrd "ate some turkey and chine," After dinner they sat by a "fire and chatted and were merry, without much scandal to our [talk]." They had "roast apples and wine" and retired about 10 o' clock. Byrd and Dr. Cocke rode back to Williamsburg on the morning of December 24th, where Byrd met all his fellow councillors at the coffeehouse. He and Col. Ludwell proceeded to the Governor's to persuade him to "give leave to the House of burgesses to adjourn for a month without their asking, which he at last consented to." After dining at the coffeehouse on beef, Byrd and the other councillors went to the Capitol to await the Governor, who arrived and adjourned the Assembly until January 24th. He returned to "Queen's Creek" for the night, "and surprised a good company there." He ate "some toast and cider and roast apples" and chatted until 10, when he retired. His diary entry for Christmas-day follows:

"25. I rose about 7 o'clock and read nothing because I prepared for my journey to Colonel [Henry} Duke's. However I said my prayers and ate boiled milk for breakfast. The weather threatened snow but it did not frighten me from taking my leave about 11 o'clock, but before that I wrote a letter to Mr. C—s and enclosed to Mr. Graeme who was to go soon in the man-of-war. About 2 o'clock I got to Colonel Duke's and found both him and his old woman in good health, only the last was grown very deaf. We sat and talked till about 4 and then we went to dinner and I ate some wild duck. In the meantime the Colonel sent a negro man to see whether the river was open at my brother [James] Duke's and he brought word it was, and therefore I took leave of the v. Colonel and his old countess and rode away to the river and with some difficulty got over as soon as it was dark. I found all well there [at James Duke's] and we drank a bottle of wine. About 9 o 'clock I went to bed. I said my prayers and had good health, good thoughts, and good humor, thank God Almighty."

On December 26, Byrd rose about seven, ate boiled milk for breakfast, and started on his journey home. Between Captain Stith's and home he met his wife and Mrs. Dunn, "going to Williamsburg to see what had become" of him. They all turned back, reached home where he found all well, and about 3 o' clock they had dinner and "ate some wild goose," and looked over plantation in afternoon. He had a visit from the minister of the parish, Mr. Anderson, who gave a sick slave the Sacrament. Then Byrd took some "rum and cider to be merry with" to his slaves. For the rest of the holiday season, Byrd remained at home, having guests for dinner some of the time, and dining on roast beef, boiled beef, broiled goose, turkey and chine, broiled turkey, partridges, roast pork, wild goose, etc. On New Year's eve he "ate some broiled turkey with Mr. Mumford" and "talked and were merry all the evening." On New Year's day, he and Mr. Mumford went out to shoot bows and arrows, "but shot nothing;" played billiards until dinner time; ate partridge for dinner; walked about the plantation; and "at night we drank some mead of my wife's making which was very good. I gave the people some cider and a dram to the negroes." On January 3rd "Mr. Bland's sloop brought two hogsheads of cider and 66 hides from Williamsburg" and they "drank some cider at night." On January 6, 1712 (Twelfth-day) he went to church, invited Col. Hill to dinner "and ate wild goose." In the evening they "drank a supper bottle and were merry with nonsense but Colonel Hill's head ached a little. However it did not mar the supper conversation."

[Wright & Tinling, The Secret Diary of William Byrd…, 1709-1712 (Richmond: 1941) pages 426-465.]

1736-1739

The first newspaper in Virginia, The Virginia Gazette, began publication in the fall of 1736. Its editor, William Parks, had come from his printing office in Annapolis, Maryland, to establish a printing office in Williamsburg in 1730. An examination of the surviving Virginia Gazettes between 1736-1740 offered no information on Christmas or New Year festivities, and makes,little reference to the holiday season. The Gazette for December 22-29, 1738, carried the following advertisement concerning a New Year's gift for children (page 4 column 2):

"Lately Published, (being very proper for a New-Year's Gift to Children,)
THE Church Catechism Explain'd; by Way of Question and Answer; and confirm'd by Scripture Proofs: Divided into Five Parts, and 12 Sections: …
Collected by John Lewis, Minister of Margate, in Kent. Printed, and Sold by William Parks. Price stitch'd 10d. bound 15d."

vi

In The Virginia Gazette for December 14-21, 1739, the printer ended the Williamsburg news column (page 3 column 2) with the following:

"We wish our Customers a cheerful Christmas, &c."

1739-1740
Dec.20-Jan.6

We have William Byrd's diary for December-January, 1739-40. Earlier in December Byrd was in Williamsburg attending the General Court. He returned to "Westover" on December 15, 1739, and remained there throughout the holiday season. He had frequent guests for dinner during the holidays, and mentioned eating spareribs, tongue and udder, roast goose, goose giblet, turkey and oysters, roast turkey, cold souse, boiled chine, beefsteak, venison pastry, roast beef, and roast venison. He wrote letters, read Hebrew and Greek, walked about his plantatien, played cards (often piquet), played billiards, danced ["quadrilled"], and "talked with" his people [slaves] during the holidays. His diary entry for Christmas-day [1739] read:

"25. I rose about 6, read Hebrew and Greek. I prayed and had tea. I danced. The weather was cold and clear, the wind south-west but blowing fiercely. I went not to church, but cleaned myself. After church came John Stith and his wife all the Andersons [Rev. Charles Anderson and his family] and Mr. Pinkard with John Stith's son and daughter to dinner, and I ate boiled turkey and oysters. After dinner everybody went away but John Stith and his wife. I supped and prayed."

New Year's Day was quiet — Byrd settled accounts till dinner when he ate beefsteak. He talked with his "people" and played piquet and prayed. January 6th was also quiet. His family went to church, he put his "person in order and wrote a letter to the Falls." He ate roast venison, and Mrs. Greenhill dined with them and went away. He talked with his "people and prayed."

[Maude Woodfin and Marion Tinling, eds., Another Secret Diary of William Byrd of Westover, 1739-1741. (Richmond: 1942) pages 20-28.

1740-1741:
Dec.20-Jan.6

During the 1740-41 holiday season, Byrd remained at "Westover." He had dinner guests during the season, and mentioned eating spareribs, mutton, sausage and eggs, minced mutton, mutton steak, roast turkey, roast goose, broiled turkey, salt fish and eggs, pork and peas, souse, boiled pigeon and bacon, broiled pigeon, boiled pork, boiled tongue. Except for one evening of cards, his chief activity seems to have been talking with his people and praying. His diary entry for Christmas Day follows: vii

"25. I rose about 6, read Hebrew and Greek. I prayed and had coffee. I danced. The weather was very cold and cloudy, the wind north and threatened more snow. Nobody went to church except my son because of the cold. I put myself in order. After church came two play­fellows for my son, young Stith and Hardyman. I ate roast turkey. After dinner we talked and I danced. I talked with my people and prayed."

On January 1st Byrd "wrote good wishes to all my family on this new year till dinner, when I ate souse. After dinner we could do nothing but dance because it snowed. At night I talked with my people and prayed. I read English and slept but indifferently." On January 6th he had "rice milk" for breakfast and "little more than broth" for dinner. Got news that some of the slaves at the Falls had died. [Ibid., pages 121-126.]

1742:

The London, 1742, edition of E. Smith's The Compleat HOUSEWIFE: or Accomplish'd Gentlewoman's COMPANION (the eleventh edition), starts off with "A BILL of FARE for every Season of the Year," and suggests for December the following:

"For DECEMBER.

"First Course.	Second Course.
Westphalia-Ham and Fowls	Roasted Pheasants and Partridges
Soop with Teal	Bisque of Shell-fish
Turbot, with Shrimps and Oysters	Tansy
Marrow Pudding	Dish of roasted Ducks and Teals
Chine of Bacon and Turkey	Jole of Sturgeon
Battalia Pye	Pear Tart creamed
Roasted Tongue and Udder, and Hare	Dish of Sweetmeats
Pullets and Oysters, Sausages, &c.	Dish of Fruit of Sorts.
Minced Pyes
Cods-head with Shrimps.
Another First Course.	Another Second Course.
Vermicelly Soop	Snipes, with a Duck in the Middle
Fish of Sorts	Broiled Chickens, with Mushrooms
Jugged Hare	Pickles of Sorts
Beef a-la-royal	White Fricassee of Tripe
Scotch Collops	Pulled Chickens
French Patty, with Teal, &c.	Stewed Oysters
Rice Pudding	Stewed Calves-feet
	Curdoons."

The Williamsburg edition (printed by William Parks, 1742) of E. Smith's The Compleat HOUSEWIFE includes "A BILL of FARE for every Season of the Year," although the printer noted in his Preface that he was deleting some recipes which appeared in the English edition "the Ingredients or Materials for which, are not to be had viiiin this Country." He added that he was printing "the Bills of Fare exactly as they are in the English Edition; because the judicious and experienc'd in such Affairs, may the better know how to supply the Place of such Materials as are not to be had, with such suitable Things as this Country affords." We notice, however, that Mr. Parks does not include the "Another First [or Second] Course" in his edition. In our copy of Parks' Williamsburg edition of 1742, the pages giving the December bill of fare are missing — but we can assume that the bill included the foods listed above in the "First Course" and "Second Course" of the London edition. Our Williamsburgh edition contains the Bills of Fare for January through July; and as the holiday season ran into January, we give the Bill from Parks' edition for that month:

"For JANUARY

First Course	Second Course
Collar of Brawn	Wild Fowl of all Sorts
Bisque of Fish	Chine of Salmon broil'd with Smelts
Soop with Vermicelly	Fruit of all Sorts
Orange-pudding, with Patties	Jole of Sturgeon
Chine and Turkey	Collar'd Pig
Lamb Pasty	Dried Tongues, with salt Sallads
Roasted Pullets with Eggs	Marinated Fish."
Oyster-Pie
Roasted Lamb in Joints
Grand Sallad, with Pickles.

The 1742 Williamsburg edition of Smith's cookbook contains recipes for a good many of the foods listed above for December and January; with additional seasonal delicacies such as plum cake, plum pudding, syllabubs, etc. It also contains directions for making various fruit wines, "cyder," mead, cherry brandy, strong beer, shrub, and "elder ale."

Stronger wines and liquors were imported. When sold in taverns in Virginia, the price per quart was set by the county court. Canary wine and sherry, red and white Lisbon, Madeira wine, red port, Rennish wine, rum, French brandy, Bristol and English beer, were in Virginia in abundance — in addition to Virginia brandy, wines, beer, and cider. "Rum Punch & Rum flipp" were sold by the quart in taverns, as were other punches such as "Arrack Punch."^*

ix

[For wines and drinks see research report on "Marot's" (Block 9), by M. Goodwin, 1951, pages 6, 8, ix.}

1751-1752
Dec. 24-31

The diary of John Blair, of Williamsburg, a member of the Council, which he kept in Virginia Almanack for 1751, offers little detail as to activities of the Christmas season. His brief entries read:

[December, 1751] …
"23. Snowd all day very deep.
24. Sun & thawing. Mr Randolph went up.
25. D[itt]o Cavendish bury'd died 24th.
26. Do We dined at the Governors [Dinwiddie's].
27. Do Col. Ludwell there, & our children. 6 small ones by invitation." ^*
31. I invited the Govr [Dinwiddie] and his family to begin the year with us tomorrow."^**

1751
Dec.25

On Christmas day, 1751, George Washington was returning from the Barbadoes, where he had gone in the fall with his brother Lawrence, for the latter's health. Lawrence went on to Bermuda, but George Washington left the Barbadoes, on board the "Industry" for Virginia on December 22, 1751. He wrote in his diary on December 25th:

"Christmas Day fine and clear and pleasant with moderate sea tho continuance of the Trade [winds] which by observation had set us in the Latitude of 18° 30' We dined on a ______ Irish goose which had be[en _____] for the purpose some weeks Beef &ca. and drank a health to our absent friends." [John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Diaries of George Washington, 1738-1799 (Boston & New York: 1925) Vol. I, (1748-1770) page 29.

1751-1752

Issues of The Virginia Gazette covering the 1751-52 holiday season extant, but the only reference to the season appears in the issue for December 27, 1751, in which the printer, William Hunter, urges his customers to pay their accounts with him, and adds:

"We wish our Customers a happy New Year."

The same is true for the 1752-53 season. The only mention of the time of year appears in the issue for December 29, 1752, in which x. (on page 3) is printed "An 0DE, for the first of January." The printer again asks that those in arrears "pay off their respective Ballances, as soon as possible, that he may be better enabled to continue his Business"; and includes his greeting:

"We wish our Customers a happy New-Year."

1753-1754
Dec. 23-Jan.16

Although George Washington's account of his return trip from the Ohio during the Christmas holiday season 1753-54 does not mention the season, it gives an idea of situations which still faced the Virginia Colony in the mid-eighteenth century, which allowed little time for thought of seasonal festivities. Washington had left Williamsburg on October 31, 1753, commissioned by the Lieutenant­Governor, Robert Dinwiddie, to carry a letter to the French Commandant on the Ohio, protesting the French settlements there. On December 23rd, on his return trip, Washington wrote in his diary:

"… I put myself in Indian walking Dress, and continued with them [the horses and drivers] three Days, till I found there was no Probability of their getting home in any reasonable Time. The Horses grew less able to travel every Day; the Cold increased very fast; and the Roads were becoming much worse by a deep Snow, continually freezing:… I determined to prosecute my Journey the nearest Way through the Woods, on Foot. …

I took my necessary Papers; pulled off my Cloaths; and tied myself up in a Match Coat. Then with Gun in Hand and Pack at my Back, in which were my Papers and Provisions, I set-out with Mr. Gist, fitted in the same Manner, on Wednesday [December] the 26th. —

The Cold was so extremely severe, that Mr. Gist had all his Fingers, and some of his Toes frozen; but the water was shut up so hard, that we found no Difficulty in getting-off the Island [in the Allegheny River] on the Ice, in the Morning, and went to Mr. Frazier's. We met here about 20 Warriors who were going to the Southward to War, but coming to a Place upon the Head of the great Kunnaway [Great Kanawha River], where they found seven People killed and scalped (all but one Woman with very light Hair) they turned about and ran back for fear the Inhabitants should rise and take them as the Authors of the Murder. … I went-up about three Mi1es to the Mouth of Yaughyaughane to visit Queen Aliquippa [Queen of the Delaware Nation, who lived at the present site of McKeesport, Penn.], who had expressed great Concern that we passed her in going to the Fort. I made her a Present of a Matchcoat and a Bottle of Rum; which latter was thought much the Present of the Two.

Tuesday the 1st Day of January, [1754] we left Mr. Frazier's House, and arrived at Mr. Gist's at Monongahela the 2d, where I bought a Horse, Saddle, etc: the 6th [of January] we met 17 Horses loaded with Materials and Stores, for a Fort at the Forks of Ohio, and the Day after some xi. Families going out to settle: This Day we arrived at Wills Creek, after as fatiguing a Journey as it is possible to conceive, rendered so by excessive bad Weather. From the first Day of December to the 15th, there was but one Day on which it did not rain or snow incessantly: and throughout the whole Journey we met with nothing but one continued Series of cold wet Weather, which occasioned very uncomfortable Lodgings: especially after we had quitted our Tent, which was some Screen from the Inclemency of it.

On the 11th I got to Belvoir: where I stopped one Day to take necessary Rest: and then set out and arrived in Williamsburg the 16th; when I waited upon his Honour the Governor with the Letter I had brought from the French Commandant; and to give an Account of the Success of my Proceedings."

[Fitzpatrick, The Diaries of George Washington, Vol. I (1748-1770), pages 62-67.]

1755-1759

The Virginia Gazettes published during this period, which have survived for the Christmas season, make no mention of Christmas at all. The French and Indian War, which was being fought during these years, occupied the thoughts of many Virginians who were not actually engaged in the fighting. The issue for December 26, 1755 (page 2, column 2) did give notice that Benjamin Weldon would open "the free School near this City [Williamsburg]" on "the third Monday after Christmas." In the following issue for January 2, 1756, the editor, on page 3 column 1, added under the Williamsburg date line:

"We wish our Customers an happy New-Year."

In a 1758 edition of the Statutes of the College of William and Mary, the same holidays were given the students in the College, the Grammar School, and the Indian School, that were allowed by the 1727 Statutes:;i.e. from the 16th Day of December until "the first Monday after Epiphany" (January 6th — or Twelfth-day), when "Hilary Term" began. [See research report "William and Mary College Notes," (M. Goodwin: 1954) pages 144, 176-7.] The same Christmas holiday was announced in Purdie & Dixon's The Virginia Gazette for December 7, 1769.

On January 6, 1759, George Washington, having returned from the war; resigned his commission as Colonel of the First Virginia Regiment, and having been elected to the House of Burgesses, as a representative from Frederick County, married Martha Dandridge Custis (daughter of Col. John Dandridge and widow of Daniel Parke Custis). There is no description of the wedding (which was held on Twelfth-day); and there is even discussion as to where the wedding actually took place. Some have claimed they were married in St. Peter's Church, others at the bride's home, "The White House," in New Kent County. "The White House" was probably the place of the wedding, and it was certainly the scene of festivities surrounding it. It is most unfortunate that no xii. description has survived in diaries or correspondence. [See Fitzpatrick, The Writings of George Washington, Vol. II (1757­1769) page 318.]

1762
Dec.25

Thomas Jefferson (a student at the College of William and Mary 1760-1762) was visiting at "Fairfeilds"—probably "Fairfield," the home of his sister Mary and her husband John Bolling in Chesterfield County—during the 1762 Christmas holidays. On Christmas Day, although he mentioned it as a day of the "greatest mirth and jollity" to others, he wrote gloomily to his friend, John Page, of his personal misfortunes on Christmas eve and morn, making no mention of festivities of any kind:

"Fairfeilds Dec: 25. 1762.

Dear Page
This very day, to others the day of greatest mirth and jollity, sees me overwhelmed with more and greater misfortunes than have befallen a descendant of Adam for these thousand years past I am sure; and perhaps, after excepting Job, since the creation of the world, … You must know, dear Page, that I am now in a house surrounded with enemies, who take counsel together against my soul and when I lay me down to rest they say among themselves Come let us destroy him. I am sure if there is such a thing as a devil in this world, he must have been here last night [Christmas eve] and have had some hand in contriving what happened to me. Do you think the cursed rats (at his instigation I suppose) did not eat up my pocket-book which was in my pocket within a foot of my head? And not contented with plenty for the present they carried away my Jemmy worked silk garters and half a dozen new minuets I had just got, to serve I suppose as provision for the winter. But of this I should not have accused the devil (because you know rats will be rats…) if something worse and from a different quarter had not happened. You know it rained last night, or if you do not know it I am sure I do. When I went to bed I laid my watch in the usual place, and going to take her up after I arose this morning I found her, in the same place it's true but; Quantum mutatus ab illo! all afloat in water let in at a leak in the roof of the house, and as silent and still as the rats that had eat my pocket-book. … I should not have cared much for this, but something worse attended it: the subtle particles of the water with which the case was filled had by their penetration so overcome the cohesion of the particles of the paper of which my dear picture and watch paper were composed that in attempting to take them out to dry them…my cursed fingers gave them such a rent as I fear I never shall get over. I would have cryed bitterly, but I thought it beneath xiii. the dignity of a man… However whatever misfortunes may attend the picture [doubtless of Rebecca Burwell — Jefferson's "Belinda"] or lover, my hearty prayers shall be that all the health and happiness which heaven can send may be the portion of the original… And now although the picture be defaced there is so lively an image of her imprinted in my mind that I shall think of her too often I fear for my peace of mind,…

You Cannot conceive the satisfaction it would give me to have a letter from you: Write me very circumstantially everything which happened at the wedding. Was SHE there? because if she was I ought to have been at the devil for not being there too. If there is any news stirring in town or country, such as deaths, courtship and marriages in the circle of my acquaintances let me know it. Remember me affectionately to all the young ladies of my acquaintance… I would fain ask the favor of Miss Becca Burwell to give me another watch paper, of her own cutting which I should esteem much more though it were a plain round one, than the nicest in the world cut by other hands; however I am afraid she would think this presumption after my suffering the other to get spoiled. If you think you can excuse me to her for this I should be glad if you would ask her.

My mind has been so taken up with thinking of my acquaintances that till this moment I almost imagined myself in Williamsburg talking with you in our old unreserved way, and never observed till I turned over this leaf to what an immoderate size I had swelled my letter: …

P.S. I am now within an easy day's ride of Shadwell whether I shall proceed in two or three days."

[Julian Boyd, ed., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson (Princeton: 1950) Vol. I (1760-1776) pages 3-6.]

1762-1769

During these year's, the governors kept the General Assembly in session until the approach of the Christmas season on several occasions. It sat from November 2nd through December 23, 1762, when the Lieutenant-Governor, Francis Fauquier prorogued them until spring, with the following speech:

"The Fatigue you have sustained in preparing and considering the great Number of bills I have this Day passed, and the Season of the Year, both conspire to call for a Relaxation from the Business you have xiv. been so deeply engaged in; and as I am always desirous to contribute to your private Interests, by giving you Time to attend to your own domestick Affairs … I shall give you that Recess which you now expect from me …" ^*

In 1764, the Assembly sat from October 30th through December 21st, when Fauquier "upon considering the Season of the Year, and the long Time they had sat" prorogued them until May.^** In 1766, the House sat from November 6 through December 16th, when Fauquier, again "considering the Season of the Year, and the long Time they had sat" adjourned the Assembly until March.^***

Lord Botetourt, who succeeded Fauquier as governor, kept the General Assembly in session from November 7 through December 21, 1769, when he ended a speech to the burgesses and Council as follows:

"The Inclination of this Assembly could alone have engaged me to have interrupted the Business of this Session; but as I understand that it is generally desired to adjourn over the Christmas Holidays, and not to meet again till the month of May, I do direct both houses to adjourn themselves …"

^****

Throughout this period The Virginian Gazettes which have survived for the Christmas season contained references to the holiday season.

A rival printer, William Rind, had come to Williamsburg in the spring of 1766, and had started a second Virginia Gazette. The issue of his Gazette for December 25, 1766, made no mention of the Christmas season; but opened with a long article (apparently by David Hume, the Scottish historian) headed "Of the LIBERTY of the PRESS." It extolled the "peculiar privilege" which Great Britain enjoyed in that regard.

Rind's Gazette for December 25, 1766, also included (page 2 column 2) the following rhyme which apparently blended seasonal hospitality with the subject of "freedom": xv.

"WILLIAMSBURG, December 25.

The INVITATION.
TO my best my friends are free,
Free with that and free with me;
Free to pass the comic joke,
Or the tube sedately smoke;
Free to drink just what they please,
As at home, and at their ease;
Free to speak, as free to think,
No informers with me drink
Free to stay a night or so,
When uneasy, free to go."

Purdie & Dixon's The Virginia Gazette for January 1, 1767, contained a greeting from the editors (page 2 column 3):

"We wish our Customers a happy NEW YEAR."

Their following issue, January 8, 1767, published a religious poem on page 1, entitled "An ODE upon CHRISTMAS," dated December 4, 1766, and signed "VIRGINIENSIS."

In Purdie & Dixon's Gazette for December 29, 1768, on page 4, in the "Poets Corner," another religious poem was printed, entitled "ODE on CHRISTMAS DAY 1768," signed "CALEDONIENSIS, Mayfie1d, Dec. 16, 1768."

1769

On December 26, 1769, after adjourning the General Assembly on December 21st, Lord Botetourt gave a ball at the Palace in Williamsburg, which Purdie & Dixon's Virginia Gazette noted as follows:

"WILLIAMSBURG, Dec. 28.
LAST Tuesday [Dec.26] his Excellency the Governour gave a ball and elegant entertainment at the Palace to the Gentlemen and Ladies of this city."

We have two diaries covering the Christmas season for the year 1769: that of Robert Wormeley Carter of Richmond County (son of Landon Carter of "Sabine Hall"), and that of George Washington. Both diarists wrote with the minimum of detail.

On December 17th, Carter "Sot off to Park & Aquia." He "Called at the upper Church; heard Mr Giberne preach a fine discourse against Drunkenness; went home from Church with Capt. H. Fantleroy." His diary entries for Christmas eve and day follow:

[Dec.] "24th Went from Somerset homewards Gave away 5/ to Servts at Champes; 5/. to Servts at Somerset; 2/6 to Rt Randolph.
25. Gave 12/6 to my five Children & 10/ to Mrs Carter." xvi. [Original in William & Mary College Archives. Typescript copy, Research Department, CWI., pp. 21-22.]

George Washington was in Williamsburg for the General Assembly which Lord Botetourt adjourned on December 21, 1769. Mrs. Washington, and her children Patsy and John Parke Custis were with him in Williamsburg. After the Governor adjourned the Assembly, Washington wrote as follows:

[Dec.] "21. Dined at Mrs. Campbell's [Williamsburg] and came up to Eltham [the Bassetts plantation in New Kent County] after the House adjourned.
22. Sett of [sic] for home. Dined at Todd's Bridge and lodged at Hubbard's.
23. Breakfasted at Caroline Ct. House reachd Fredicksburg abt. 4 Oclock in the afternn., ding. at Colo. Lewis.
24. Went to Prayers, and dined afterw[ar]ds at Colo. Lewis. Spent the Evening with Mr. Jones, at Julian's. [Jones was overseer on his mother's plantation, and Julian's was a tavern in Fredicksburg.]
25. Dined and spent the Evening at Colo. Lewis's.
26. Dined at Colo. Lewis and went over the River and lodgd at my Mother's.
27. Dined and lodgd at Dumfries with Mr. Boucher and J.P. Custis, who overtook us on the Road.
28. Reachd home [Mount Vernon] to Dinner with Mr. Boucher, &ca.

31. At Home all day.
[Jan. 1770] 1. At home all day alone.
…
6. "The two Colo. Fairfax's and Mrs. Fairfax dind here, as did M. R. Alexander and the two Gentn. that came the day before [Mr. Warner Washington and Mr. Thruston.] The Belvoir Family returned after Dinner. "

[Fitzpatrick, The Diaries of George Washington — Vol. I (1748-1770) pages 356-361.]

1770

On August 8, 1770, Martha Goosley wrote to the London merchant, John Norton, from Yorktown, Virginia:

"… have sent you two Christmas Turkeys Mrs Mary Ambler will send hams to eat with them by My Son Shall invite My Self to Dinner with you but would not have you wait for me than two o Clock… " xvii. [Frances Norton Mason, John Norton & Sons, Merchants of London and Virginia (Richmond: 1937) pages 142-143.]

In his diary for 1770, George Washington made the following entries for December 24-27, which time he spent at Mount Vernon:

"[December] 24. Rid to the Mill again in the fore and afternoon.
25. Went to Pohick Church and returnd to Dinner.
26. At Home all day alone.
27. Went a fox Hunting and kill'd a fox in Company with the two Mr. Triplet's and Mr. Peake, who dined here."

On New Years Day (Jan., 1, 1771) he "Rid to my Mill in the forenoon and afternoon"; had company and went hunting on January 2, 3, and 5th. On Twelfth Day, the 6th, he was "At home all day alone."

[Fitzpatrick, The Diaries of George Washington. Vol. I (1748-1770) page 454; Vol. I (1771-1785) page 3.]

1771

In their January 3, 1771, issue of The Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, printers, wished: "A good NEW YEAR to our CUSTOMERS."

In correspondence between relatives and friends during the holiday season, Christmas wishes were often included. We have examples of this in letters to St. George Tucker, from his relatives in Bermuda and others, among the Tucker manuscripts on deposit with Colonial Williamsburg. St. George Tucker came to Virginia in 1771 to attend the College of William and Mary:

December, 1771. Anne Tucker, Bermuda, to St. George Tucker:
"P.S. … I wish you a happy Christmas."

December 8, 1771. Henry Tucker, Jr., Bermuda, to St. George Tucker:
" … Your Holydays I suppose you will spend with your Relations in Norfolk — & as you are fond of dancing, I dare say, will pass your Christmas merrily."

December 15, 1771. Henry Tucker, Jr., Bermuda, to St. George Tucker:
"… They all join in tenderest Regards to you & wish you a merry Christmas."

xviii.

December 22, 1771. Nathaniel Tucker, "Charlestown", S. C., to St. George Tucker: "P:S: I wish you a merry Christmas."

December 26, 1771. Frances Montreson, New York, to St. George Tucker: "…I shall conclude this by wishing you the Compts of the season…"

1771-72

The Virginia Almanack for the Year of our Lord God 1771 (Williamsburg: Purdie & Dixon, eds.) contained this Christmas note, following their calender for the month of December:

"THOUGH Christmas be come yet but little feasting, unless one rich man invites another; so making good the proverb, of giving a cake to him that hath a pasty in the oven. He may expect much shuffling of the cards, but let them have a care they shuffle not in a knave too many.

Nothing will surfeit a man sooner than love and pan pudding, but if poor people get surfeits now at rich mens tables I will forfeit all my skill in astrology, But for every such a one as is able, and will not feast his neighbour this Christmas, may blind Hugh bewitch him, and turn his body into a barrel of strong ale; and let his nose be the spiggot, his mouth the fosset, and his tongue a plug for the bung hole.

We wish you health, and good fires; victuals, drink, and good stomachs; innocent diversion, and good company; honest trading, and good success; loving courtship, and good wives; and lastly, a merry CHRISTMAS and a happy NEW YEAR."

George Washington, during the Christmas — New Year season of 1771-72, had guests, went hunting but made no particular reference to the season in his diary. He wrote:

"24. ]December, 1771] At home all day writing as yesterday — alone.
25. Went to Pohick Church with Mrs. Washington and returnd to Dinner.
26. Went a hunting in the Neck early. Killd a Fox and dined with several others at Mr. Peake's."

On December 23, 1771, Thomas Jefferson obtained a bond of his marriage to Martha (Wayles) Skelton, widow of Bathurst Skelton, of the County of Charles City. They were married at "The Forest," the Wayles family place in Charles City County, on New Year's Day — January 1, 1772. No account of the wedding festivities has survived.

1771-1772

In the surviving portion of the diary of a little girl, Sally Cary xix. Fairfax, daughter of Bryan Fairfax of "Toulston," Fairfax County, Virginia, which begins on December 26, 1771 and continues through January, 1772; the following entries concern festivities during that period:

"On Thursday the 26th of decem. mama made 6 mince pies, & 7 custards, 12 tarts, 1 chicking pye, and 4 pudings for the ball.

Miss Molly Payn & Mr. Perce Ballis & Mr. Wm. Payn & Mr. Wm. Sandford, Mr. Moody & Miss Jenny, a man who lives at Colchester, Mr. Hurst, Mrs. Hurst's husband, young Harry Gunnell, John Seal from the little falls, Mr. Watts & Mr. Hunter, these are all the gentlemen and ladies that were at the ball. Mrs. Gunnell brought her sucking child with her.

On Satterday, the 28th of decem., I won 10 shillings of Mr. Wm. Payne chexe

On Monday night my Aunt Fairfax sent my muslin apron to him, which she gave me when I was at Belvoir, but I did not bring it home with me, so she made Miss Polly work it for me, & sent it to Mr Vernon, for pa to bring to me, which he did and in it she sent a note, the apron is worked mighty pretty.

On friday, the 3d of Janna. came John Vain, to undertake the building of the hen house°

On friday, the 3d of Janna, came here Granny Carty [probably Cary — her mother being Elizabeth Cary of "Ceelys"], she cut me out a short gown & stayed all night.

On friday, the 3d of Janna, papa went to Collo. Washington's and came home again, the next Wednesday, which was the 8th.

On friday, the 3d of Janna, that vile man Adam at night killed a poor cat, of rage, because she eat a bit of meat out of his hand & scratched it. A vile wretch of new negrows…

On Monday, the 6th of Janna, which was old xmas day in the afternoon, it set to snowing, & snowed till the snow was above ankle deep, and then it held up, but the snow lasted upon the ground, above a week, & then there came another snow as deep. …"

[The Virginia Magazine of History & Biography, Vol. XI, 1904), pages 212-213.]

In The Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Dixon, editors, page 2) for March 19, 1772, there appeared a note on the Duke of Cumberland's Christmas in England:

"LONDON…December 25. [1771] …

xx.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland is to keep Christmas at Windsor Lodge, in the old English solid Way, being determined to keep open Table for the Country People, for three Days, covered with Surloins of roast Beef, Plum Puddings, and winced Pies, the rich and ancient Food of Englishmen.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland bids fair for being the greatest Patriot that ever was in England."

1772

During the 1772 Christmas season, George Washington remained at Mount Vernon, entertaining occasional guests at dinner — but in his diary made no special reference to the season. On Christmas Day he wrote:

[December 25, 1772] "Went to Pohick Church and returnd to Dinner. Found Mr. Tilghman here." [Fitzpatrick, The Diaries of George Washington…. Vol. II (1771-1785) page 90.]

1772-1773

In the letters to St. George Tucker at Williamsburg from his family in Bermuda, are the following seasonal greetings:

[Henry Tucker, Sr., Bermuda, December 25, 1772:]

"I must conclude my Lr. wth wishing you a merrier Xmas than we enjoy and many happy New Years…"

[Henry Tucker, Jr., Bermuda, December 25, 1772:]

"A merry Christmas to you. My dearest St. George,— & that every New Year may bring an Addition of Happiness to you…"

[Henry Tucker, Jr., Bermuda, January 4, 1773:]

"I hope you have spent the Christmas chearfully & merrily—May you live to see many Returns of this Season of common Festivity & may each succeeding one be happier than the last! …
P s I had almost forgot to tell you that my Fanny begs your Acceptance of a pair of silk Stockings for a Christmas Box."

[Gov. George Bruere, bermuda, January 4, 1773, to St. George Tucker:]

"Governor Bruere presents his Compliments to Mr. St George Tucker by Capt Brigs and Wishess Mr. Tucker many, many happy Years. Hath sent Him a xxi. bunch of Bananas supposing it may be a varity especially at this time of the Year…"

[Tucker mss., on deposit CWI Archives.]

1773

In their Virginia Gazette for January 7, 1773 (page 3 column 1), editors Purdie and Dixon greeted their customers as follows:

"We wish our Customers a happy NEW YEAR; and acknowledge the Receipt of the NEW YEAR'S GIFT from one of them, which shall have a place in our next, …"

Their Gazette for January 14, 1773, carried (page 2 column 3) the following note from the customer, headed:

"A NEW YEAR's GIFT.
Mess. PURDIE & DIXON,
If through the Channel of your weekly Paper you give the following to the Publick, to prevent its being imposed on this Year, as it has for Years past, by the Inattention of the Astronomer, you will greatly oblige
A CUSTOMER."

This was followed with "The FULLS and CHANGES of the MOON for 1773," giving the day, and hour, of the full and new moon for each month during the year.

1773-1774

During the 1773 Christmas Season, George Washington had guests to meals at times, and went fox hunting on December 22, 27, 29, 31; and on January 1st. During this period he paid Mr. Charles Peale, (who was evidently in the neighborhood,) "for drawing Mr. Custis's Picture £13.2.6." His diary entries were, as usual, brief:

[Dec.1773] "23. At home all day. In the afternoon Doctr. Craik came.
24. At home all day. Dr. Craik continuing here.
25. At home all day. After breakfast the Doctr. went off homewards.
26. At home all day. Mr. Ben Dulany, and Mr. Peale dined here.
…
31. Went out with Mr. Digges and Mr. Custis a huntg. Found a Fox but did not kill it.
1st [Jan. 1774] Fox hunting, with Mr. George Digges, Mr. Robt. Alex[ande]r. and Peake, who all dined here, together with Mr. Jas. Cleveland. In the afternoon all went home but Mr. Alexander.
…
6. Mr. Fitzgerald came down again this day in the xxii. Afternoon, together with Mr. Herbert and a Mr. Stewart from Philadelphia — the whole staying all Night." [Fitzpatrick, Diaries… Vol. II, pages 133-137.]

We have another journal of the Christmas season in Virginia, kept by Philip Vickers Fithian, a young Princeton-bred theological student, who came to Virginia in the fall of 1773 as tutor for the children of Robert Carter of "Nomini Hall," Westmoreland County. On Friday, December 17th he dismissed his students until the following Monday, "on account of [the dancing master] Mr. Christian's Dance, which, as it goes through his Scholars in Rotation, happens to be here to Day." A number of young people arrived at "Nomini Hall" that day, and the dancing continued the following day. Fithian wrote in his journal:

[December 1773] "Saturday 18. … We went in to Breakfast at ten;—… There were present of Grown persons Mr & Mrs Carter, Mrs Lee, & Miss Jenny Corbin; young Misses about Eleven: & Seven young Fellows, including myself: —After Breakfast, we all retired into the Dancing-Room… There were several minuets danced with great ease and propriety; after which the whole company Joined in country-dances, and it was indeed beautiful to admiration, to see such a number of young persons, set off by dress to the best Advantage, moving easily, to the sound of well performed Music, and with perfect regularity, tho' apparently in the utmost Disorder—The Dance continued til two, we dined at half after three— soon after Dinner we repaired to the Dancing-Room again… When it grew too dark to dance, the young Gentlemen walked over to my Room, we conversed til half after six; 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.—I almost think myself happy that my Horses lameness will be a sufficient Excuse for my keeping at home on these Holidays. Mr. Goodlet [a tutor at the Fauntleroy plantation] was barr'd out of his School last Monday by his Scholars, for the Christmas Holidays, which are to continue til twelfth-day; but my Scholars are of a more quiet nature, and have consented to have four or five Days now, and to have their full Holiday in May next, when I propose by the permission of Providence to go Home…

"When the candles were lighted we all repaired, for the last time, into the dancing Room; first each couple danced a Minuet; then all joined as before in the country Dances, these continued till half after Seven when Mr Christian retired; and at the proposal of several, (with Mr Carters approbation) we played Button, to get Pauns for Redemption; xxiii. here I could join with them, … in the course of redeeming my Pauns, I had several Kisses of the Ladies; Early in the Evening cam colonel Philip Lee, in a travelling Chariot from Williamsburg—Half after eight we were rung in to Supper, The room looked luminous and splendid; four very large candles burning on the table where we supp's, three others in different parts of the Room; a gay, sociable Assembly, & four well instructed waiters! — So soon as we rose from supper, the Company form'd into a semicircle round the fire, & Mr Lee, by the voice of the Company was chosen Pope, and Mr Carter, Mr Christian, Mrs Carter, Mrs Lee, and the rest of the company were appointed Friars, in the Play call'd 'break the Popes neck'—Here we had great Diversion in the respective Judgments upon offenders, but we were all dismiss'd by ten, and returned to our several Rooms."
…

Fryday 24. Ben rode off this morning before day to Mr. Fauntleroys, for Christmas I dismiss'd the children while [sic] next Wednesday… Mrs Carter has had thirteen Children She told us to night and she has nine now, living; of which seven are with me. Guns are fired this Evening in the Neighbourhood, and the Negroes seem to be inspired with new Life. [Firing powder in guns was a custom during the Christmas season which lasted into the nineteenth century.] The Day has been serene and mild, but the Evening is hazy. Supp'd on Oysters.

Saturday 25. [Christmas Day] I was waked this morning by Guns fired all round the House. The morning is stormy… Nelson the Boy who makes my Fire, blacks my shoes, does errands &c. was early in my Room, drest only in his shirt and breeches! He made me a vast fire, blacked my Shoes, set my Room in order, and wish'd me a joyful Christmas, for which I gave him half a bit.—Soon after he left the Room, and before I was Drest, the Fellow, who makes the Fire in our School Rooms, drest very neatly in green, but almost drunk, entered my chamber with three or four profound Bows, & made me the same salutation; I gave him a Bit, and dismissed him as soon as possible.—Soon after my Cloths and Linen were sent in with a message for a Christmas Box, as they call it; I sent the poor Slave a Bit, & my thanks.—I was obliged for want of small change, to put off for some days the Barber who shaves & dresses me.—I gave Tom the Coachman… two Bits… I gave to Dennis the Boy who waits at Table half a Bit — So that the sum of my Donations to the Servants, for this Christmas appears to be five Bits, a Bit is a pisterene bisected; or an English sixpence, & passes here for seven pence Halfpenny. the whole is 3S 1-½D.—

At Breakfast, when Mr Carter entered the Room, he gave us the compliments of the Season. He told me, very civily, that as my Horse was Lame, his own riding Horse is at my Service to ride when & where I Choose. … We dined at four o-Clock — Mr Carter kept in his Room, because he breakfasted late, and on Oysters—There were at Table Mrs Carter & her five Daughters xxiv. that are at School with me … five as beautiful delicate, well-instructed Children as I have ever known!—Ben is abroad; Bob & Harry are out; so there was no Man at Table by myself.— I must carve — Drink the Health — and talk if I can! Our Dinner was no otherwise than common, yet as elegant a Christmas Dinner as I ever sat Down to—The table Discourse was Marriage;… we dined at four; when we rose from table it was growing dark—The wind continues at South East & is stormy and muddy.
…While we supped Mr Carter as he often does played on the Forte-Piano. He almost never sups. Last Night and to night I had large clear, & very elegant Spermaceti Candles sent to my Room.

"Sunday 26. I rose at eight— The morning is fair … I had the pleasure to wait on Mrs Carter to Church She rode in the Chariot, & Miss Prissy and Nancy; Mr Carter chose to stay at Home— The Sacrament was to have been administered but there was so few people that he thought it improper, and put of [off] til Sunday fortnight. He preach'd from Isaiah 9.6. For unto us a child is Born &c. his Sermon was fifteen Minutes long; very fashionable— He invited me very civilly to Dine: spend the Evening with him, but I could not leave the Ladies!…

Monday 27. At Breakfast Mrs Carter gave me an Invitation to wait on her to parson Smiths Mr Carter offered Me his riding Horse… We sat out about ten, Mrs Carter, Miss Prissy, Miss Fanny & Miss Betsy, in the Chariot; Bob and I were on Horse back; Mrs Carter had three waiting Men; a Coachman, Driver & Postillion… At Dinner I was at Mr Smiths request to 'say Grace' as they call it… when we had dined, the Ladies retired, leaving us a Bottle of Wine, & a bowl of Toddy for companions—Ben Came with a Message for me to go to a ball, but poor fellow, I cant dance! …

…
[No special activity on New Year's eve— children were in school until noon, Fithian walked about plantation, and talked with the family at dinner.]
Saturday January 1, 1774.— Another Year is gone! Last New years Day I had not the most remote expectation of being now here in Virginia! … Mr Carter Miss Prissy and myself were to have rode out for an Exercise at twelve, but we were prevented by the coming of a Gentleman, Dr Fantleroy, to whom Mr Carter introduced me—

After Dinner was finished which was about four o-Clock, Miss Prissy and Myself, together with a Servant…rode on Horse-Back to Mr Turbevilles, about three Quarters of a Mile distance; It is the first time I have been there… I rode my Horse for the first time since his misfortune. When we returned about Candle­light, we found Mrs Carter in the yard seeing to the Roosting of her Poultry; and the Colonel in the Parlour tuning his Guitar.
Sunday 2. The weather warm and Damp—The Family rode to Church to-day and are to dine out. Mr Carter at my request, gave me the xxv. Keys of his book-Cases and allowed me to spend the Day alone in his Library. …

Monday 3d. Last Evening, by Miss Prissy, I was complimented with an Invitation from Mr Turburville to Dine with Him tomorrow — Squire Lee is as Miss Prissy told me, preparing to make a splendid Ball, which is to last four or five Days; we are to be invited!— But I must stay at Home and read Salust— …

Tuesday 4. … I kept the children while [sic] twelve then as we were to dine out, I dismiss'd them till morning, and prepar'd to ride— Mrs Carter, Miss Sylla, and Miss Betsy rode in the Chariot, and set off about half after twelve with three waiting men— Mr Carter, Ben, and myself, waited, & left Home by half after one, we rode on Horse back, and waited on ourselves. It was two o-Clock when we got to Mr Turburvilles where we were to dine— We found there two Gentlemen, with their Wives, and one of them had also a Son & Daughter Mr booth also came in a short time after us; So that there dined to day with Mr Turburville to day besides his usual Family thirteen Persons.— And if I mention the Waiting Men with the Carriages they were twenty. We had an Elegant Dinner, but it did not in any thing exceed what is every day at Mr Carters Table. — We all returned Home before Dark …

Thursday 6. To Day about twelve Bob & Prissy & Nancy went in the Chariot to Stratford, to attend the Dancing-School— Mr Taylor, the Colonels principal Overseer dined with us— After School in the Evening, I sat with Betsy & Fanny while they sung me many songs, When they had done I waited on them Home, & spent the Evening with Mr & Mrs Carter.

Fryday 7. The morning cold, muldy and drisly— Our School seems still, and vacant. …

Saturday 8. Catechised the Children, and dismiss'd them about ten. The morning pleasant — Rode before Dinner to Mr Blains Store— …
Dined with Mr Blain. Parson Smith, his Wife, & her Sister were there—Colonel Washington, his Wife, & their Daughter… All these had been at a Widding [sic] in the country and were returning— …
About Six in the Evening the Chariot returned with Bob, Miss Prissy & Nancy from the Dance at Stratford — They brought News as follows… that they had an elegant Dance on the Whole; that Colonel Philip Lee, where they met to Dance, was on Fryday, at the Wedding of which I made mention Just now; that Mr Christian the Master danced several Minuets, prodigiously beautiful; that Captain Grigg (Captain of an English Ship) danced a Minuet with her [Miss Prissy]; that he hobled most dolefully, that the whole Assembly laughed! — Bob told us that there was a race between Mr _____ And Colonels Horses—that they run a Mile, & that Dottrell belonging to Mr _____ [Philip Lee] won the Race;…".

[Hunter D. Farish, ed., Journal & Letters of Philip Vickers Fithian, 1773-1774 (Williamsburg: 1943), pages 43-46, 49-55, 59-70.

1773-1774

The Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Dixon, editors) for December 30, 1773, xxvi. carried an article on its first page, taken from the London Magazine, entitled "CHRISTMAS. An ESSAY." Its author, stated that he had spent "the three last Days, with observing the various Scenes which Christmas has introduced into this Metropolis [London)"; where the "Arrival of these Holidays has always been a Signal for Society to shake off their little Cares"; and proceeded with an account of "how this Festival operates on the different Ranks of people, in their Manner of celebrating it; for every Rank has a particular Fashion, which follows instinctively, and exclusively of all others":

"… Your high bred Men, your Men of Fashion and Vertu, the My Lords, the Sir Johns, and the Esquires of six Thousand a Year, leap into their Carriages, with their whole Family of Daughters, Sisters, and Cousins, and roll down to their Country Seats, fifty or a Hundred Miles from Town, where they yawn away the vulgar Holidays without Company or Comfort, pushing off the tedious Evenings with Scandal or Cards, till the Time comes for genteel Company to fly again to Town, and for the Parliament to meet; while their Tables are covered with all the flippant Food of debauched Palates and refined Appetites, the Frippery of French Ragouts, culinary Kickshaws, and the poisonous Spices of the Indies.

The wealthy Citizen, who, having been since his Youth dependent on the Smiles of the Publick, has at length become independent, and sets the World at Defiance, betakes him into his Chariot or his Chair, with the Companion of his Life on his right Hand, and Tommy and Jacky sitting on two Stools before them. Things thus settled, he drives to his Box at Clapham, Fulham, Camberwell, Newington Butts, or Kentishtown; where, though a dirty Ditch stretches itself behind his House…yet the Citizen lives very happy, having his House upon the high Road Side, and a Square of Chinese Railing before it, enclosing two or three withering Shrubs. Here in Imitation of greater Folks, the drowsy Christmas passes away but heavily; here you may see a Picture of Inconsistence, the Remains of City Life blended with a high Imitation of Court Life, the Manners of the Change awkwardly united with those of St. James's.

Your Citizen of humbler Note, who has yet got neither Chariot nor Chair, yet is daily making honey by an unwearied Attention to Business, exhibits a livelier Picture in the Circle of his domestick Life. Yet uncorrupted, untainted by an unnatural Affectation of Politeness, nought is he ambitious of being but a plain Citizen. His utmost Wish at this Season is to have his Table covered with a lusty Rump of Roast beef, and to have two Puddings smoke upon his board at Dinner. This Dose is repeated at Night, and with Guttling, Drinking, and Smoking, he finishes a Day of Gluttony and Gratification.

Why should I name that still humbler Class of mankind, who earn their beer and Porter by the Sweat of their Brows? "Christmas in the Country." Pub. in London, 1791. (Print owned by Colonial Williamsburg xxvii. …These are they who forsake their Families, and cheat them of their daily bread to riot at the Alehouses and Retail Gin Shops, to roll in the Kennels, or reel along the Street.

Having thus seen what the good Folks in Town are doing, it will not be amiss to take a Walk in the Country, to observe the Effects of Christmas on rustick Minds. Here, indeed, the whole is a Scene of universal Joy. It comes but once in the Year, and they make the most of it. Noise and Mirth walk Hand in Hand, and good Humour keeps Face with good Eating. The Spade, the Pitchfork, and the Wheelbarrow, are thrown away; the one-eyed Parish Fidler is sent for, and the well smoked Gammon of Bacon is taken down from the Roof.

On the well brighten'd oaken board are spread
The rural Danties, such as Nature boon
Gives to her Children; Danties long prepar'd
To celebrate this Day, and with good Cheer
To grace its Triumph. Crystal Gooseberries,
By Housewife well prepar'd, are pil'd in Heaps.
Pride of the Autumn, sound green Godlins, float
In dulcet Streams. Nor want the last Year's Store;
The hardy Nut, in solid Mail secure,
Impregnable to Winter Frosts, repays
Its Hoarder's Care; Whilst the blithe cheerful Swains
Crack Nuts ani Jokes alternately.
Cheesecakes and Pies, in various Forms uprais'd,
In well built Pyraimids aspiring, stand;
Black Hams, and Tongues, that speechless can persuade
To ply the brisk Carouse, and cheer the Soul
With jovial Draughts. Nor does the jolly God
Deny his precious Gifts: Here jocund Swains,
In uncouth Mirth delighted, gaily quaff
Their native Beverage; in the brimming Glass
The liquid Amber smiles. The modest Maid
But coyly sips, and blushing drinks, abash'd.
Each Lover, with observant Eye, beholds
Her graceful Shame, and at her glowing Cheeks
Rekindles all his Fires; but Matrons sage,
better experienc'd, and instructed well
In Midnight Mysteries and Feast Rites old,
Grasp the warm Bowl, and draw a long deep Draught.

Such is the Face of Things within, but it is abroad the Revelry breaks loose. The Sports, the Games, the Gambols of their Ancestors, are not forgotten; those sacred Reliques of ancient Manners, which have been piously transmitted down from Generation to Generation, unsullied and unchanged. Dancing, Wrestling, Pacing, Cricket, Cudgel playing, Skittles, Bowling, or Hunting, are met with in every Thicket, in every Field. Every Place resounds with the Cries of Jollity, … and the whole Firmament is filled with the broken and confused Sound of Guns, Tabors, Fifes, Fiddles, Horns, Hounds, and Men.

xxviii.

It is in Imitation, I suppose, of the ancient Tilt and Tournament, where the Youth used formerly to win their fair Ones by Force of Arms… I have often stood, with great Satisfaction, in the Ring at a Village, to view the Feats performed by these athletick Clowns; …

To be sure, all these Things are very good. Here is enough of Mirth, of Merriment, and of Sporting. Here is enough of every Thing suitable to the Time and Occasion; of every Thing, except Religion. The most sacred Festival in our Kalendar, instead of being celebrated with that pious Joy, that Christian Cheerfulness, which were the great Purposes of its Institution, is converted into one continued Scene of Riot, Profligacy, and Debauchery…

Our Ancestors, who have taught us many good Things, would teach us Something worthy of Imitation in this Point also, if we had virtue enough to copy it. These brave Men considered this annual Festival as the Season for calling forth their most serious Thoughts: If they shut the Doors of their Shops or Compting Houses at the Approach of Christmas, it was only to retire into their Closets and to present their Gratitude to Heaven. Thus it served as a Spur to make them more generous, more virtuous, and more religious; and this naturally inspiring Mirth and Cheerfulness (for true Religion is always cheerful) their very Worship became blended with an innocent and laudable Festivity, which made it not only a religious, but (as they called it) a merry Christmas. This was the true and original Meaning of the Phrase; which we, wanting only an Excuse to be riotous, have perverted from its real Explanation. We make Christmas excessively merry, only by being excessively wicked; and we celebrate the festivity of our Saviour, as if we were ministering the mad Orgies of Bacchus. But Profligacy is the Characteristick of this wretched Age."

The Virginia Almanack for the Year of Our Lord God 1774, published in Williamsburg by Purdie and Dixon, topped its January calendar with the following rhyme:

"CHRISTMAS being gone, a good New, Year
I wish to all my Readers dear;
Both Health and Wealth, good Meat, strong Beer,
And all Things else the Heart to cheer."

1774-1775

George Washington mentioned the Christmas 1774 season — the last Christmas he was to spend quietly at home until the end of the American Revolution — with his usual brevity:

[December, l774]. "24. At home all day. Mr. Richd. Washington came here to Dinner, as did Mrs. Newman.
25. At home all day with the above.
26. At home all day.
xxix. 27. [At home all day.] Colo. Carlyle and his Son George came here and stayed all Night.
…
31. At home all day. In the afternoon Doctr. Craik came.
[January, 1775] 1st At home all day. Doctr. Craik went away after Breakfast.
2. Genl. Lee [Charles Lee] and my self rid up to Alexandria and returned in the Afternoon. Mr. Richd. Washington went away after Dinner.
…
6. Mr. George Digges and three of his Sisters — to wit, Tracy, Nancy and Jenny, and Mr. Danl. Carroll and Nancy Peake, came here and stayed all Night." [Fitzpatrick, Diaries of George Washington, Vol. II, pages 174-181.]

An English traveller, who spent Christmas in Alexandria, had equally little to say of Christmas day, but he mentioned a Twelfth-night Ball in Alexandria, which neither Washington nor his guests apparently attended. It seems to have been chiefly attended by the Scotch and Irish merchant and farmer class:

[Alexandria] "Sunday, December 25th. 1774. Christmas Day. But little regarded here.
Friday, January 6th. 1775. … I have just received an invitation ticket to a ball this evening.
Saturday, January 7th. 1775. Last night [Twelfth Night] I went to the Ball. It seems this is one of their annual balls supported in the following manner: A large rich cake is provided and cut into small pieces and handed round to the company, who at the same time draws a ticket out of a Hat with something merry wrote on it. He that draws the King has the Honor of treating the company with a Ball the next year, which generally costs him Six or Seven Pounds. The Lady that draws the Queen has the trouble of making the Cake. Here was about 37 ladies dressed and powdered to the life, some of them very handsome and as much vanity as is necessary. All of them fond of dancing, but I do not think they perform it with the greatest elegance. Betwixt the Country dances they have what I call everlasting jigs. A couple gets up and begins to dance a jig (to some Negro tune) others comes and cuts them out, and these dances always last as long as the Fiddler can play. This is sociable, but I think it looks more like a Bacchanalian dance than one in a polite assembly. Old Women, Young wives with young children in the lap, widows, maids and girls come promiscously to these assemblies which generally continue till morning.
A cold supper, Punch, Wines, Coffee and Chocolate, but no Tea. This is a forbidden herb. The Men chiefly Scotch and Irish. I went home about two o'clock, but part of the company xxx. stayed, got drunk and had a fight." [A.G. Bradley, ed., The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, 1774-1777 (New York: 1928) pages 51-53.]

Another Englishman, a tutor to the children of Col. William Daingerfield of "Belvidera," near Fredicksburg, Virginia, wrote of Christmas day on that plantation:

[December, 1774] "Sunday 25th. Christmas day, Stayed at home all day along wt. the Overseer & Children because I had no saddle to go to the Church with, In the Morning the Coll. Ordred up to school two Bottles of the best Rum and some suggar for me.—

Munday 26th. This forenoon the Coll. wou'd have me to take his saddle and ride to Toun and Amuse myself, and when I was going gave me Six Shillings for pocket money.—

I went to Toun and Dined in a private house & after buying 1-½ Dozn. Mother of Pearle buttons for my white morsyld Vest I return'd home in the evening.

Tuesday 27th. St. Johns day, This day a Grand Lodge [of Masons] in Toun, And the whole went to Church in their Clothing & heard Sermon." [Nothing further on Holiday Season in diary.]

[Journal of John Harrower, Dec. 6, 1773-July 28, 1776. Ms. on deposit CWI Archives. Typescript copy in Research Dept., pages 8-81. ]

The Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Dixon, editors) for December 29, 1774, carried on page 3 (column 2) the editors greetings:

"A good NEW YEAR to all our CUSTOMERS."

On the first page of this Gazette the editors published a letter, "On the Decay of English CUSTOMS and MANNERS"; complaining (as did the Englishman who was quoted in The Virginia Gazette, December 30, 1773,) of the decline of the traditional English Christmas fare:

"SIR, I AM an old Fellow, and confess that I like old Things. Among the chief of these, I hold old Fashions and Customs; and, among all the Refinements of the present Age, I do not think that in these [days] they have refined greatly for the better. This is Christmas Morning; and when I look around me, I think it promises but a dull Holiday. The Times, Sir, are changed. In such a Day as this, an English Kitchen used to be the Palace of Plenty, Jollity, and good Eating. Every Thing was plain, but plenty. Here stood the large, plump, juicy Buttocks of English Roast Beef, and there smiled the frothy Tankards of English Beer; here smoked the solid sweet-tasted Mince Pies, and there the curling Fumes of Plumpudding perfumed the Sky with delicious Fragrance. Humour and Eating went Hand in Hand; the Men caroused, and the Women gave loose to gay but innocent Amusements.

xxxi.

Now mark the Picture of the present Time: Instead of that firm Roast beef, that fragrant Pudding, our Tables groan with the Luxuries of France and India. Here a lean Fricassee rises in the Room of our majestick Ribs, and there a Scoundrel Syllabub occupies the Place of our well-beloved Home-brewed. The solid Meal gives way to the slight Repast; and, forgetting that good Eating and good Porter are the two great Supporters of Magna Charta and the British Constitution, we open our Hearts and our Mouths to new Fashions in Cookery, which will one Day lead us into Ruin.

Alas! alas! that it should come to this! Our Nobles absolutely subsist upon Macaroni and Negus, and our very Aldermen have almost forgot the use of Barons and Custards. What will this World come to at last!

Let us be no longer surprised that we are no longer what we have been. Let us no longer be astonished that our broad Shoulders, our brawny Arms, our firm round Legs, exist no more; that our Bones are marrowless, and our Nerves without Strength. We live upon Pap, and our Drink is Tea and Capillaire.

The consequence is evident; the Breed of Britain is diminished and dwindled into Pigmies and Macaronies, Creatures that are timid, tasteless, tawdry. Without Feeling, Sentiment, or Honour, they crawl upon the Earth like an ermined Maggot, or the gaudy Butterfly; squeaking Voices, paltry Actions, effeminate Manners, Heads without Sense, and Hearts without Virtue! Such are our present Nobility, our Gentry; and such, soon, will be our very Commonalty.

Now, seriously, Sir, I am of Opinion that much of this is owing to the Loss of our ancient Manners. Virtue is always connected with Plainness and Simplicity, Effeminacy always with luxurious Refinement. Our Ancestors were Men; we are, alas! we are — very despicable.
AN OLD FELLOW"

1775-1776

The Virginia Gazette (Dixon and Hunter, editors) for December 23, 1775, contained a religious poem, "On CHRISTMAS DAY," in the "Poets Corner," page 4. In the following issue, for December 30th, the "Poets Corner" contained a poem, "To a Friend on the NEW YEAR."

On December 31, 1775, Henry Tucker, Jr. wrote from Bermuda to his brother, St. George Tucker, in Virginia:

"Have you had a merry Christmas? Ours has been dull enough, or at least, would have been, if we could not be contented & happy by ourselves." [Tucker Mss. CWI Archives.]

xxxii.

Philip Fithian, who had left Robert Carter's "Nomini Hall" plantation, and was travelling in western Virginia as a sort of Presbyterian circuit rider in December, 1775, wrote of the season among the "frugal Irish":

"Sunday Decem: 24th
Lower Calf-Pasture
Most turbulent Weather. Last Night was a great Fall of Snow. It snows yet. …

The Evening I spent at Mr Guy's—I sung, for an Hour, at the good Peoples Desire, Mr. Watt's admirable Hymns—I myself was entertain'd; I felt myself improv'd; so much Love to Jesus is set forth— So much divine Exercise.

[December 25] CHRISTMAS MORNING
—Not a Gun is heard—Not a Shout— No company or Cabal assembled—To Day is like other Days every Way calm & temperate—People go about their daily business with the same Readiness, & apply themselves to it with the same Industry, as they used—

The Air of Virginia seems to inspire all the Inhabitants with Hospitality— It has long been a Characteristic of the lower Counties—I am sure these Western ones deserve it— … Living to be sure, is not among these frugal Irish so fantastical and costly as with the native Virginians—but they have in very great Abundance the lading Supports to human Subsistence—

Since I left Stephensburg I have seen no Coffee, Chocolate—Tea is out of the Question; it is almost Treason against the Country to mention it, much more to drink it—nor any superfluous, vaporous Nick-Nack— But in the Place of these plenty of rich Milk in large Basons, & Noggins; …Large Platters covered with Meat of many Sorts; Beef; Venison; Pork; — & with these Potatoes, Turnips, Cabbage, & Apple beyond your Asking— A low Bench for a Table you will have covered with such Provisions three Times every Day— …

JANUARY, 1776. New Year's Day
At the Col:s [Dickinson] Invitation I rode with him to a Muster. Strange how fantastic. Instead of military Exercises, Drinking, and Horse-Racing— Hollowing, carousing—but most thirsty for News. O have you heard from poor Boston? Afflicted Sons of Freedom there, in what Manner shall we best contribute to their Relief! …

To the last 'Half-Bitt' of our Substance; & with every precious Drop of our Blood, we are ready to help them.

False, or at best visionary, are such Pretensions with so base a Conduct — talk of supporting Freedom by meeting & practising Bacchanalian Revels.—preposterous & vain are all such Pretentions."

[R. G. Albion & L. Dodson, eds., Philip Vickers Fithian-Journal, 1775-1776 (Princeton: 1934) pages 149, 158.]

xxxiii.

The tutor, John Harrower, who was in Virginia in 1774, at Col. Daindridge's ^Serfield'splantation near Fredericksburg, was still there in 1775. Apparently, homesick and lonely for his family in England, he drank himself into a stupor for Christmas:

"[December 1775] Munday 25. Last night the Coll. returd. home but says he recd. no Cash out of odds £100 he did note git one shilling----------at night D---k [drunk]. -------------Tuesday 26th. Sick all day, at night Do. ---------Wednesday 27th.-------------

1st

Both the last nights quite drunk was I,
Pray God forgive me? the sin;
But had I been in good company,
Me in that case? No man had seen.

2d

Plac'd by myself, without the camp,
As if I were unclean;
No freendly soul, does my floor tramp,
My greiff to ease, or hear my moan.

3d.

For in a prison at large I'm plac't
Boun'd to it, day and night;
O — grant one patience? God of grace,
And in thy paths make me walk right.

4th

This day alone, at home I am,
Repenting sadly, and full sore
That ever the like, Unto me came
When this I see? The cause I will repent for ever more

[Ms. Journal of John Harrower—Typescript copy, page 123.]

The English traveller, Nicholas Cresswell, still in Virginia, went "with Captn. McCabe to Mr. West's about five miles from town [Leesburg]" on December 24, 1775. His journal for the following day simply stated:

"Pea Hill, Loudoun County—Monday, December 25th, 1775. Christmas Day, which we spent at Mr. West's."

He left "Pea Hill" on December 27th, noting that it was so cold it "froze the wine in the pot"; and on New Year's Day he wrote from:

"Garralland, Loudoun County—Monday, January 1st. 1776. Went to Garralland, seat of Captn. Wm. Douglas. A great deal of agreeable company and very merry. "

Back in Leesburg on January 3rd, he noted on January 6th:

"Spent the evening at Mr. Johnston's with our last night's company [Messrs. McCabe, Neilson, xxxiv. Johnston, Matthews, Booker, and Cavan]. He is going to camp. All of us got most feloniously drunk. Captn. McCabe, Hugh Neilson and I kept it up all night." [The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell (New York: 1928) pages 134-135.]

1776-1777

Cresswell was in Frederick County, Virginia, in December, 1776, where he again commented (as in 1774) that Christmas was not much observed in Virginia:

"Tuesday, Dec. 24th, 1776. At Mr. Gibbs. Directing his workmen how to make a pump for his still-house.

Wednesday, Dec. 25th, 1776. Christmas Day, but very little observed in this country, except it is amongst the Dutch. …

Tuesday, Dec. 31st. [1776.] This is the last day of the old Year, which I have spent in worse than Egyptian bondage. No prospect of altering my situation speedily. Spent the day at Mr. Reynold's.

Wednesday, January 1, 1777. This is the first day of the New Year, which I am afraid will be spent, by me, to as little purpose as the two last have been. I am now in a disagreeable and precarious situation. I dare do nothing to get bread, cannot return to my native country… no prospect of this unnatural rebellion being suppressed this Year… Spent the day very happily at Mr. Gibbs with a few of his friends, dancing and making ourselves merry as Whiskey, Toddy and good company will afford…

Monday, Jan. 6th. 1777. News that Washington had taken 760 Hessian prisoners at Trenton in the Jerseys. Hope it is a lie. …"

[Ibid., pages 178-179.]

General Washington, for his part, did not keep his diary from the spring of 1775 until the spring of 1781. He wrote Robert Morris, from Headquarters above Trenton Falls, on December 25, 1776, on the progress of the war, ending:

"I hope the next Christmas will prove happier than the present to you and to Dear Sir, etc. " [Fitzpatrick, The Writings of George Washington, Vol. VI, page 439.]

The Virginia Allmanack For… 1776 (printed in Williamsburg by Dixon & Hunter) carried the following rhyme on the page for December: xxxv.

"CHRISTMAS comes on this month; then let us all Rejoice at this redeeming festival: In acts of charity assist distress, The poor will thank you, and GOD will you bless."

1777-1780

As the Revolutionary War advanced, little or nothing appeared in The Virginia Gazettes concerning the holiday season.

On December 19, 1777, St. George Tucker wrote to Mrs. Frances Bland Randolph whom he later married: "My best Compliments with those of the approaching Season of Festivity, in particular, attend on all the fair sharers of your amusements…" On December 25, 1779, he addressed a poem to his wife, Frances Bland Tucker; "To Stella — Written on Xmas Day 1779" — which made no mention to the holiday season. [Tucker Mss. on deposit, CWI Archives.]

General Washington, whom his wife had joined in Philadelphia for the Christmas season 1778-1779, wrote Lord Sterling on January 2, 1779, "I return your Lordship the Compliments of the Season and am etc." [Fitzpatrick, Writings of Washington, Vol. XIII, page 477.] He had nothing to say of the season in his other correspondence of the period.

One journal, kept by Colonel William Fleming of Virginia, a member of a commission appointed to adjust titles to unpatented Kentucky lands, was travelling in those lands in December 1779. On December 25, he wrote in his journal:

"Rested the 25th being Christmas day. The Frost still continuing I crossed the Kentucky on the Ice and found it one hundred yards over opposite to the Fort. We heard by a man from the falls, the party of Indians whose tracts [sic] had been discovered had kild a man and boy and taken two boy prisoners at the mouth of Floyds Creek… " [Newton D. Mereness, Travels in the American Colonies (New York: 1916) page 626.]

1781-1782

Washington's correspondence, after the Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in October, 1781, took on a brighter tone at the Christmas season. On December 24, 1781, he wrote Maj. William Heath from Philadelphia:

"I am glad to hear you are so well supplied with provisions and I hope the Troops are by this time getting some of their new Cloathing. I may on these accounts venture to hope that you will spend a happy and merry Christmas, a thing that has not happened for some years past."

On the same day, he wrote Robert Harris in Philadelphia: xxxvi.

"Mrs. Washington, myself and family, will have the honor of dining with you in the way proposed, to morrow, being Christmas day. I am etc." [Fitzpatrick, The Writings of Washington, Vol. XXIII, pages 405-406.]

1783

In December 1783, General Washington resigned his commission to Congress at Annapolis, where a public dinner was given in his honor. He went from there to Mount Vernon, arriving on Christmas eve. [Ibid., Vol. XXVII, pages 285-286.] Washington did not keep a diary for 1783, but their arrival at Mount Vernon was described in a letter written by a niece who was there:

"I must tell you what a charming day I spent at Mount Vernon with Mamma and Sally. The Gen'l and Madame came home on Christmas Eve, and such a racket the Servants made! They were glad of their coming. Three handsome young officers came with them. All Christmas afternoon people came to pay their respects and Duty. Among them were Stately Dames and gay young Women. The Gen'l seemed very happy and Mistress Washington was from Daybrake making everything agreeable as possible for Everybody." [Olive Bailey, Christmas With the Washingtons (Richmond:1948) page 36.]

1784

In 1784, Robert Wormeley Carter, of Richmond County, made no entry of seasonal interest on December 25th (only "Won of William Beale junr 28. half dollars. If However, on December 17, he took his daughters "over to Hobbs hole [Tappahannock]" to a ball. While there he "Bought 4. brass Chafing dishes"; and "Bought a few toys paid 1/10. gave 7/6 to Servts at Dr Brockenborough's where I lodged." He returned home on the 19th, and, as noted, had nothing further in his diary of a seasonal nature. [Ms. Diary 1784. Original at William & Mary College. Typescript copy, CWI, page 26.]

1785-1786

At Mount Vernon, Washington returned to his pre-Revolutionary war manner of celebrating the holiday season. On December 23, 1785, he went fox hunting; he made no entry in his diary for December 24th. On Christmas day he wrote:

"Sunday, 25th. Count Castiglioni, Colo. Ball, and Mr. Willm. Hunter came here to dinner, the last of whom returned to Alexandria afterwards. "

Through the rest of the holiday season the Washingtons had guests to meals. As usual, Washington described no special holiday festivities in his brief entries. [See Fitzpatrick, Diaries of George Washington, Vol. II, page 460 also Vol. III]

xxxvii.

1785

Robert Hunter, Jr., a young London merchant, was in Virginia in the winter of 1785, and spent part of it at "Tappahannock or Hobbb's Hole," where he visited a cousin, Archibald McCall. In his diary he mentioned bird-hunting, visiting around the countryside, and a ball which was to have been given on December 15th, but which a neighbor's death "put a stop to." On December 24th, he and the daughter in the McCall household amused themselves "with reading alternately to each other, writing, conversing, and playing the harpsichord and violin together." On Christmas Day, which was also Miss McCall's birthday, he wrote:

"Sunday, December 25 [1785].

This morning I read several chapters in the bible, and after breakfast took a ride as far as Waring's Mill with John. It was a most heavenly day. I never saw such flocks of blackbirds in my life… I came home before dinner, time enough to dress myself in a new suit of clothes in honor of Miss McCall's birthday, who is now nineteen… In the evening Kate read me a poem of Blair's upon the grave. We drank tea together and afterwards amused ourselves with reading and conversing to each other…

I lament more and more every Sunday that we have no public place of worship to go to. There is a church to be sure, about three miles off, but unfortunately there happens to be no preacher. Being Christmas Day you miss it more than common, as so universal a day of worship in all parts of the civilized world…

…
Tappahannock, Sunday January 1, 1786. This being New Year's Day, I wish my dear father and mother most sincerely the compliments of the season, that they may see many happy years and enjoy every comfort this world can afford. Kitty read us one of Blair's sermons after dinner…

…
Friday, January 6. … In the evening we went to Dr. Brokenburg's, where we met Mr. Wylles and Mr. Fletcher. We played at whist till past nine, and then retired into another room, where Mrs. Brokenburg had provided an elegant supper after the Virginia fashion. I think I have not felt it so cold since I have been [in] America, as tonight… "

[Louis Wright & Marion Tinling, eds., Quebec to Carolina in 1785-1726, (San Marino, Cal.:1943) pages 212-217.]

Travelling in the vicinity of Leesburg, Virginia, Johann Schoepf mentioned "sour cyder and whiskey" and a "sweetish, not unpleasant beer" made from persimmons, as common to that part of the country — the latter having "been made especially for the approaching Christmas festivals." [Johann Schoepf, Travels in the Confederation, 1783-1784, Vol. II, page 36. ]

xxxviii.

In December, 1785, Beverley Randolph of "Chatsworth," wrote to St. George Tucker at "Matoax":

"I hope you will not forget your Promise of spending a part of the Holidays with me— This unlucky sale will prevent our being at Home precisely at Christmas but if you could eat your new years Dinner with us we should be made particularly happy… " [Tucker Mss. CWI Archives.]

1786-88

The last three Christmases before he became President of the United States, Washington spent at Mount Vernon, entertaining guests and attending to the business of his plantation. In his diaries for these years, he wrote as follows:

[December, 1786] "Sunday, 24th. At home all day. B. Washington and his Wife left this. [sic]
Monday, 25th. At home all day. Miss Allan, Betcy, Patcy and Nelly Custis came here to dinner.
Tuesday, 26th. Doctr. La Moyeur went to Alexandria to day, and Colo. [Henry] Lee (late of Congress) came here to Dinner, as did Mr. Lund Washington.
…
Friday, 29th. The hollidays being over, and the People [slaves] all at work, I rid to the Ferry, Dogue run, and Muddy hole Plantations…
Sunday, 31st. At home all day.
[January, 1787] Monday, 1st. Went to the Plantation of Jno. Robinson to have his stock of Horses and Cattle appraised to me— …
Colo. McCarty and Mr. Lund Washington came home with me to dinner. Found the wife of the latter, and Colo. White and a Mr. West, the two last of whom stayed all Night, the rest went away in the evening."

On December 22, 1787, Washington and several friends "went out with the hounds. Dragged up the Creek to the Gum Spring and then the Woods… without touching on the trail of a fox." He made no entry in his diary for Christmas day. On December 26th he again went fox-hunting. He had guests to dinner and staying in the house throughout the season. On the 29th, he again mentioned "the hollidays being ended" for the slaves on his plantations. On the 30th, "Mr. Paradise and his Lady, lately from England but now of Williamsburg, came in on a visit," remaining until January 2nd. Washington stayed at home all day New Year's eve, Charles Lee coming to dinner and staying the night. On January 1, 1788 Mr, Lee returned to Alexandria after breakfast, as Mrs. Stuart did from Mr. Lund Washington's.) Washington "remained at home this day also."

xxxix.

In 1788, Washington's diary noted only that he was "At home all day" on December 23rd and 24th. On "Thursday, 25th. [he] Sent Mr. Madison after breakfast as far as Colchester in my Carriage." On the 26th and 27th he was "At home all day." He rode around to his plantations on the 29th through the 31st of December. [Fitzpatrick, Diaries of George Washington, Vol. III, pages 149-156; 287-293; 457-458.]

1795

On December 26, 1795, in a letter to his daughter, Theophilus Bradbury described dining with President and Martha Washington in Philadelphia on Christmas eve as follows. Although not in Virginia, the Washingtons may have served similar meals when at Mount Vernon:

"Last Thursday I had the honor of dining with the President in company with the Vice President, the Senators, the Delegates of Massachusetts, and some other members cf Congress, about 20, in all.

In the middle of the table was placed a piece of table furniture about six feet long and two feet wide, rounded at the ends. It was either of wood gilded, or polished metal, raised about an inch with a silver rim round it like that round a tea board; in the centre was a pedestal of plaster of Paris with images upon it, and on each end figures; male and female, of the same. It was very elegant and used for ornament only. The dishes were placed all around, and there was an elegant variety of roast beef, veal, turkeys, ducks, fowls, hams, etc. puddings, jellies, oranges, apples, nuts, almonds, figs, raisins, and a variety of wines and punch.

We took our leave at six, more than an hour after the candles were introduced. No lady but Mrs. Washington dined with us. We were waited on by four or five men servants dressed in livery."

[From typed copy in research report on Christmas, dated December 15, 1937.]

1795

Fanny Currie wrote St. George Tucker, who by then was living in Williamsburg, on Twelfth Day, 1795, mentioning a twelfth cake:

"This is twelth day and I have a fine large cake just baked—nor is this all, expect a very clever Beau to partake of it." [Tucker Mss. CWI Archives.]

1799

On January 4, 1800, John Allison of Petersburg, Virginia, wrote to St. George Tucker of Williamsburg concerning the Christmas xl. just passed:

"I suppose you were all very merry at Christmas — Petersburg was extremely dull, indeed no dinners, no hops, no balls, every person staid at home, and ate his own meat." [Tucker Mss. CWI Archives.]

_ * _ * _ * _ * _* _ * _ * _ *

We add two nineteenth century notes concerning the holiday season: one having to do with firing of guns — an eighteenth century custom; and the other with the first Christmas tree in Williamsburg in 1842.

1804

On December 25, 1804, Robert Mitchell, the Mayor of Richmond (the capital of Virginia since 1780), wrote the Governor concerning activities in Richmond:

"… I wrote to Maj'r Wolfe to furnish a Serg't Guard out of the militia, in order to aid our city Patrol to patrol the city…during the Christmas Holydays, which has been complyed with; but it does appear to me to be impossible to prevent firing what is called Christmas Guns, being an old established custom,^* although there is an ordinance of the city police fixing a fine of 5 s. for every offence of firing Guns within this city. …" [Calendar of Virginia State Papers (Richmond: 1890) Vol. IX, page 430.]

1842

The Christmas tree, which had its origin in Germany, was introduced into Williamsburg by Dr. Charles Frederick Ernest Minnigerode, a political exile (a native of Hessen) who had come to America about 1839. He came from Philadelphia to Williamsburg, where he taught at the College of William and Mary. A good friend of Judge Beverley Tucker ani his family, Minnigerode decorated a tree at the Tucker house xli. in 1842 for the children of the family. One visiting relative — then a child — described in recent years this tree. She said Dr. Minnigerode:

"…set up our Christmas Tree in the Front Sitting Room on the left as you enter the house & closed the folding doors, until it was lighted. The dear old judge [Beverley Tucker] enjoyed it as much as we did & so did his dainty Wife [Lucy Smith Tucker]. "

This is from a letter Mrs. Martha Vandergrift, of Gloucester, wrote Mrs. George P. Coleman, of the Tucker House, Williamsburg, on February 27, 1929.

The letter followed an interview with Mrs. Vandergrift which appeared in The Richmond-News-Leader for December 25, 1928, which stated that Mrs. Vandergrift (then 95 years old) was a girl of 12 and visiting her cousin, Cynthia Beverley Tucker, for Christmas, in 1842. She was quoted as saying Dr. Minnigerode brought the tree into the Tucker house "and showed the young people how it should be dressed with gay colors and candles." The article added that this was "the first appearance of a Christmas tree in Virginia and probably in America"; it having been only "introduced into England at about the same period by the Prince Consort" Albert, Queen Victoria's husband]. It was doubtless the first Christmas tree in Williamsburg; but it would be impossible to say that it was the first Christmas tree in America or even in Virginia; German settlements in Virginia, and in other parts of the United States, may well have had such trees much earlier. The Christmas tree had at least appeared in England some years before Albert's time, although it was not commonly seen there. The Oxford English Dictionary (Vol. II, page 393) gives several references to this German custom in England:

1789: Mrs. Papendick, Journals, Vol. II, page 152: "This Christmas Mr. Papeniick proposed an illuminated tree according to the German fashion. "
1829: Greville Mem. "(Xmas) The Princess Lieren got up a little fete such as is customary allover Germany. Three trees in great pots were put upon a long table, etc."
1835: A. J. Kemp in Losely MSS. 75. "We remember a German of the household of the late Queen Caroline, making what he termed a Christmas tree for a juvenile party."

xlii.

Additional Comments and Rhymes from the Virginia Almanacs:

[January page — rhyme in side column:]

1764

He very well begins the Year,
That feasts his Neighbour with good Cheer;
But with this Prudance be it done,
Let Charity begin at home.

[December page — top of calendar]

Christmas draws near, take Care to get
The Plate and Dishes, Pot and Spit;
but still take Care, when all is done,
You something have to put thereon."

^*

[December page]

1772

…
This Month much Meat will be roasted in rich Mens Kitchens, the Cooks sweating in making of minced Pies and other Christmas Cheer, and whole Rivers of Punch, Toddy, Wine, beer, and Cider consumed with drinking. Cards and Dice will be greatly used, to drive away the Tediousness of the long cold Nights; and much Money will be lost at Whist Cribbage and All Fours.^**