Mount Airy was built after the style of an Italian villa. The main entrance was guarded by bronze dogs.
When Fithian and Ben arrived at Mount Airy they found "the young Ladies in the Hall playing the Harpsichord."
Joined by the Tayloes the party set out for the River. The "Colonel and his Lady" and daughters traveled in "their Great Coach," while Fithian and Ben and the servants were on horseback.
The land from Mount Airy to the ferry, opposite Hobb's Hole (Tappahannock), was level and the road lay between fields of corn and flax. As they neared the River the fields changed to marshes "covered with thick high Reed."
The Rappahannock River was about two miles wide here and they could see ships lying at anchor on the other side near the town. They counted six ships "riding in the Harbour, and a number of Schooners & smaller Vessels."
The party waited for half an hour in the burning sun. At last they saw the long-boat coming, covered with an awning and rowed by four oarsmen. It was past noon when they reached the ship, where they were warmly welcomed by Captain Dobby.
The _Beaufort_ was a "Stately Ship." For the comfort of his guests the Captain had arranged an awning from the "Stern ... to the Mizen-Mast," which kept off the sun but was open on the sides.
By three o'clock the guests had arrived, forty-five ladies and sixty gentlemen, and besides them the ship's crew, waiters and servants. Dinner was served and "we were not throng'd at all, & dined all at twice."
The guests were then entertained by a boat race--"A Boat was anchored down the River at a Mile Distance--Captain Dobby and Captain Benson steer'd the Boats in the Race--Captain Benson had 5 Oarsmen; Captain Dobby had 6--It was Ebb-Tide--The Betts were small--& chiefly given to the Negroes who rowed--Captain Benson won the first Race--Captain Purchace offered to bett ten Dollars that with the same Boat & same Hands, only having Liberty to put a small Weight in the Stern, he would beat Captain Benson--He was taken, & came out best only half the Boat's Length--About Sunset we left the Ship, & went all to Hobb's Hole, where a Ball was agreed on."
After the ball was over the guests spent the remainder of the night at Hobb's Hole. At half-past eight the next morning they were called to breakfast--"we all look'd dull, pale & haggard!"