Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell (1774-1781), 42
Item
Title
Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell (1774-1781), 42
Includes music itself or text of song
no
Identity of singers; solo/group
unclear. "two Negroes"
duet
Voice/instrument
instruments
Fiddle, banjo
Space/room
outside "a Barbicue"
activity
dancing
Ornamentation / improvisation
n/a
Geographical location
Shore of the Potomac "Potowmeck" River
Excerpt
About noon a Pilot Boat came along side to invite the Captn to A Barbicue. I went with him and have been highly diverted. These Barbicues are Hogs, roasted whole, this was under a large Tree. A great number of Young people met together with a Fiddle and Banjor Play’d by two Negroes with Plenty of Toddy which both Men and Weomen [sic] seems to [be] very fond of. I believe they have Danced and drunk till there is Few Sober people amongst them. I am sorry I was not able to join them.
Context
In this section of his journal, Cresswell is describing a stop in a journey down the Potomac river on a schooner. In following entries he will describe his journey to Barbados on the same ship.
Bias of author
Cresswell was an English man visiting America with the goal of acquiring land to live in the future, as stated in the first entry of his journal. His text is often concerned with agriculture and the possibilities of improving the land and farming methods in the US. His writing is usually condescending, pointing out what he sees as the "immorality" or "backwardness" of the territories he visits. This is particularly true in descriptions of enslaved African Americans or Native American people.