The quality for the rich and well-born is illustrated by a description of entertainment given in a biographical sketch of Mary Scott Hill, daughter of M.M. and
"On Christmas, there was a ceaseless round of gayeties, extending through New Year. Gatherings at the different plantations, which often extended into house parties, were a among the chief pleasures of the day. Dancing, fox hunting, and rabbit chancing were in vogue. Old Maid was the favorite card game; Marching Round the Levy, Drop the Handkerchief, and Samp were the games indulged in. Candy pulls were a source of great fun. Molasses or sugar furnished the base of the candy, which, when cooked to the pulling state, was poured out into plates and allowed to cool. Each couple was given a plate, and the most expert ones finished first with the whitest and most brittle candy. Lancers and Square Danes were more in vogue than the Waltz, Schottische, or the Polka...(from letters from Terry's Texas Rangers)..."