USA > Georgia > Chatham County > Savannah > A history of Savannah and South Georgia, Volume I > Part 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
"These ceremonies were of a most dignified and imposing kind. A proclamation of the acting Mayor had made the day practically a holi- day ; all the public offices were closed, and many of the merchants and tradesmen laid aside their business to unite in paying their tribute of respect to the memory of the distinguished son of Rhode Island, the great commander in the struggle for American Independence, and the sterling citizen of Georgia. People from without the" city joined with those of Savannah to take part in this patriotic demonstration. Yonr committee took part in these proceedings, and a full account of the ex- penses will be found in the historical account heretofore referred to and made a part of this report and annexed hereto.
"The City of Savannah is to be congratulated on the success of this great patriotic ceremony. It was formal, dignified, patriotic; and, in its perfeet systematic arrangement of details, showed the high qualities of the military genius under whose direction the whole affair was planned and so successfully carried out.
"The remains were placed in a casket made of Georgia curly pine which was borne to its final resting place on "a caisson by a detail from the Chatham Artillery. This same military organization had borne a conspicuous part in the funeral obsequies of General Greene in 1786, this being one of the first duties the artillery company was called upon to perform after its organization, the Fear of his death."
In connection with the ceremony the Savannah Chapter D. A. R. presented a bronze wreath, which was made seenre to the monument under the portrait tablet on the south side, to commemorate the removal
.
384
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
of the remains. It was presented in an address by Mrs. Edward Karow and the speech of acceptance was made by Alderman Robert L. Colding.
When the remains of General Greene were discovered those in charge of the search were of the opinion that the place where they reposed was the Jones or DeRenne vault. Such was never the opinion of the present writer who at once set to work to prove that they had been placed in the Graham-Mossman vault where they had always rested and from which they were now taken. That opinion was proved to be correct. and the proof of it was absolutely established. Col. Asa Bird Gardiner, in his address in representatives' chamber, state house, New- port, Rhode Island. July 4, 1901, on the "Discovery of the Remains of Major-General Nathanael Greene First President of the Rhode Island Cincinnati" said : "The representatives of the Graham-Mossman family always insisted that the remains had never been disturbed, but were still in their tomb. To the Hon. William Harden, who is Librarian of the Georgia Historical Society and Secretary of the Sons of the Revolution in that State, we are indebted for most painstaking record investigation and elucidation of this interesting subject." He then gave in full all the facts collected in proof of the statement, and stated his conclusion thus: "Accordingly the Hon. William Harden made care- ful search through probate and other court records, cemetery records and inscriptions, and newspapers of the day, with the indisputable results hereinbefore recited as to the Graham-Mossman family." Mr. Thomas Gamble, Jr., in his "History of the City Government of Savannah," gives a concise account of this subject, in these words: "Mr. William Harden, Librarian of the Georgia Historical Society, who had made researchies for some years with a view of securing clews that would lead to the discovery of the resting-place of General Greene, continued his investigations, and on March 12 (1901) announced that he had become satisfied that the vault in which the remains were found was not that of the Jones family, but the one belonging to the Mossmans to whom the vault had been restored and who had not, as tradition had it, removed the body of General Greene. Where placed in 1786 there the body, Mr. Harden declared, had remained undisturbed until 1901.
"In the vault. just before the discovery of what is supposed to be the Greene Coffin-plate, a coffin-plate was found bearing the name Robert Scott. This Scott. it appears, married Miss Margaret Oliver, the niece of James Mossman. On his death, in 1845, Scott was buried in the Mossman vault. Philip Young, nephew of James Mossman, died in June, 1819, and as at the time there was an epidemic of yellow-fever in Charleston, with Savannah in an extremely sickly state, Mr. Harden's conclusion is that the aldermanic committee did not open this vault ow- ing to his body having been recently placed therein." It is well to state here, in further elucidation of this incident, that Elizabeth Moss- man, wife of James Mossman, was the sister of John Graham, lientenant- governor of Georgia, owner of the vault and of the Mulberry Grove plan- tation confiscated and given to General Greene.
CHAPTER XXXI
INTERESTING CITY EVENTS
PIONEER THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE (1783)-FIRST REGULAR THEATRE OPENED-THEATRE DESCRIBED-OLD AND PRESENT THEATRE SIMILAR -MACREADY'S IMPRESSIONS-SAVANNAH AND OGEECHEE CANAL- FIRST TELEGRAPHIC DISPATCHES-PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY-FIRST SUR- VEY FOR WATER WORKS-CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERS APPOINTED-DE- SCRIPTION OF WORKS (1854)-SYSTEM IN USE FROM 1854 TO 1892- PRESENT ARTESIAN WELL SYSTEM-LIGHTING OF THE STREETS- MAYORS AND ALDERMEN, 1835-1850-PROBABLY FIRST NEWSPAPER EXTRA.
At this point we take up the subject of the drama in Savannah, and what is now related is substantially the account furnished by this writer to the Morning News some years ago.
It seems to be pretty well settled that the first theatrical performances in this country were given in New York about the year 1733, but the actors were probably not professionals. Investigation has satisfactorily proved that the first theatrical troupe to visit the colonies was that of the brothers William and Lewis Hallam. and the date of the first per- formance is variously recorded as having been in Philadelphia, in 1749; in New York, February 26, 1750; in New York, September 17, 1753. It is probable, however that the first date is correct. as there is author- ity for the statement that a theatrical company of "certain persons who had lately taken upon themselves to act plays" figured in the police records of Philadelphia, and went to New York in 1750. playing in a wooden building in Nassau street hastily converted into a theatre which would seat three hundred people.
PIONEER THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES (1783)
There is no evidence at hand to show that theatrical performances were given by any regular dramatic troupe before the year 1783, when this advertisement appeared in the Georgia Gazette:
[By Permission.]
"At the Filature, on Thursday, the 9th day of October next, will be performed. for the benefit of the poor. by a set of gentlemen, the tragedy called .The Fair Penitent,' to which will be added an entertainment, . Miss in Her Teens; or. The Medley of Lovers.' The door will be opened at half past five o'clock, and the play Vol. 1-25
385
-
386
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
to begin precisely at seven. Tickets to be had of Captain Fields and Mr. Polack. Pit 4s. 8d. Gallery 3s. 6d. No money will be received at the door, and no gentle- men will be admitted behind the scenes on any pretence.
"Savannah, 27th September, 1783."
That the company was a regular dramatie troupe cannot be doubted as it was under the management of Messrs. Gordon and Kidd, who came to Georgia, as stated, to "settle in the way of their profession," and met with encouragement. They were assisted in the performance by their wives and some "gentlemen who acted for their amusement." Gordon opened a dancing school in the city, and the theatrical entertain- ments were kept up during the years 1783, 1784 and 1785. Until the present theatre was built the Filature, erected in colonial days for the making of silk, was used as a play-house.
FIRST REGULAR THEATRE OPENED (1818)
The earliest notice of a purpose to erect a theatre in Savannah is of a gathering of citizens at the Exchange, Friday, March 16, 1810, who organized an association called "Friends to the Drama." Thomas Men- denhall was called to the chair, and John G. Cowling was made secretary. Messrs. William B. Bulloch, Thomas Young, William Gaston and Henry Hall were made a committee to obtain subscriptions for erecting a theatre, and the price of shares in the stock was fixed at $100 each, one-fourth to be paid at the time of subscribing. Mr. Mendenhall was appointed treasurer. They met the second time one week thereafter, and received the report of the committee, after which they adjourned for another week; meeting again on the 30th of March, the committee was increased by adding Messrs. Hugh McCall, T. V. Gray and James Bilbo, and it was resolved "that it is expedient to petition the City Council for the grant of a lot in an eligible part of the City for the purpose of erecting a theatre," for which purpose it was deemed necessary to draft a memo- rial and Messrs. Benjamin Maurice, Thomas Telfair, John G. Cowling and John J. Evans were appointed a committee to prepare the same. . All efforts in this direction proved fruitless, and on the 12th of July it was shown that not more than three or four thousand dollars had been raised, when the following announcement was made:
"Those who have subscribed and paid their first installment are re- quested to eall on Thomas Mendenhall, Esq .. Treasurer, and receive the amount of the same. as the object of the institution has not been suffi- ciently supported."
Again, in 1816. another attempt was made to accomplish the pur- pose, this time successful. and a joint stock company was organized with subseriptions to the stock sufficient to build. and the stockholders, through Messrs. James Morrison and James Marshall, petitioned council, on the 16th day of July, for a grant of two lots on which to erect the theatre. The effort was encouraged, and on the 28th of February, 1818, a deed was signed by Mayor James M. Wayne. and Aldermen John Tanner, Hazen Kimball, Joseph Habersham, Frederick Densler, William Davies, Paul P. Thomasson and G. W. Owens, a majority of the board, conveying to James Bilbo, James Morrison, Alexander Telfair, Jonathan
387
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
Battelle and William Gaston, trustees of the Savannah theatre, and their successors, the two lots twenty-nine and thirty, Brown ward, which had already, by resolution. been given for that purpose. No delay was made, and, under a Mr. Jay. the construction of the theatre began at once.
The building was completed before the end of the year 1818, and was opened for the first time on Friday, the 4th of December, with the following programmne.
[From the Columbian Museum and Savannah Daily Gazette, Thurs- day, December 3, 1818.]
"THEATRE
"The manager has the pleasure of respectfully informing the public that the New Theatre will open on Friday, December 4th, 1818, with Cherry's Comedy of The Soldier's Daughter.'
Gov. Heartall Mr. Faulkner
Frank Heartall
Mr. Young
Malfort, Sen Mr. Horton
Malfort, Jr. Mr. Fennel
Capt. Woodley
Mr. Drummond
Mr. Ferret.
Mr. Clarke
Timothy Quaint
Mr. Dalton
Simon
Mr. Quinn . Mr. Seward
William
John .Mr. Schonotti
Widow Cheerly Mrs. Young
Mrs. Malfort
Mrs. Drummond
Mrs. Fidget Mrs. Clarke
Susan Mrs. Horton
Mrs. Townley Mrs. Faulkner The epilogue will be spoken by Mrs. Young.
To which will be added the farce of 'Raising the Wind.' Jeremy Diddler Mr. Dalton
Fainwould Mr. Fennel
Richard Mr. Hyatt
Plainway MIr. Clarke
Sam Mr. Brown
Waiters Quinn and Seward
Miss Durable. . Mrs. Clarke
Peggy
Mrs. Drummond
"Admission to the Boxes and Pit, One Dollar; to the Gallery, Fifty Cents.
"The doors to be cpened at half past 5, and the performance to commenec at half past 6 o'clock precisely.
"Tickets and places for the boxes to be had at the box office at the Theatre on days of performance from 10 to 2 o'clock, and from 3 till 5; and on non-play days from 10 till 2 o'clock.
"Smoking in the Theatre cannot be allowed.
388
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
"Tiekets ean be admitted on those nights only for which they are expressly sold-Checks not transferable.
"The Publie is respectfully informed that Mr. Hilson is engaged for a few nights, and will make his first appearance on Saturday evening, in the characters of Robert Tylee and Nipperkin."
THEATRE DESCRIBED
A deseription of the new building was fortunately given in the Georgian a few days later, so that from it we may get a good idea of how Savannah's first theatre looked.
[From the Georgian, Wednesday, December 9, 1818.]
"To the Editor of the Georgian: Having, in common with many citizens of Savannah, enjoyed the pleasure afforded by your Theatre, I have thought it a fair tribute due from a stranger and visitor to offer to the publie through the medium of your paper a description of the building as it has struck me, and to add a few remarks of my own. The Savannah Theatre belongs to the German order of architecture, and though not so eapacious as some houses of the same description in the Northern eities, yet it may vie with and even exeel most of them in taste and eleganee. It has been built by private contributions, and too much eannot be said in commendation of the zeal of the stockholders.
"The plan of the interior of the building is semi-cireular, following the choice of the ancient German and Roman theatres in this particu- lar, being not only better adapted to the climate, but also best calculated for seeing and hearing, than the elliptical form used in modern the- atres; and a moment's reflection on the radii drawn from the center of the stage to the different seats will convinee one of the soundness of the choice of the architect. Mr. JJay, who has displayed great taste in the outfit. The house is capable of containing 1.000 spectators, and from the easy aceess and egress by numerous spacious entrances is perfectly safe to the visitors in ease of fire, the breadth of the lobbies affording instant relief to a crowd. The pit, arranged in the usual manner, is approached by a distinct entrance. There are two rows of boxes. sup- ported by sixteen cast-iron columns. fluted, with gilt capitals and baeks, uniting an air of great lightness with strength. The panels of the lower tier of boxes are adorned by golden eagles. with a wreath of green foliage, relieved on a white ground. Between each box is a pilaster panel. laid on crimson, and enriched with a Grecian seroll. The second tier is orna- mented by the following basso-relievos, painted by Mr. Etty, of London.
"No. 1. The descent of the Genius of Dramas, Comedy, Tragedy, and their attributes.
"No. 2. Jove, when an infant. nursed by the Nymphs and suckled by the goat Amalthaca.
"No. 3. 'The bright morning star, day's harbinger, comes dancing from the east, and leads the flowery May, who from her green lap throws the yellow cowslip and the primrose pale.'
"No. 4. The passions of Rage. Fear, and Pity, accompanied by Hope and Revenge.
.
389
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
"No. 5. The votaries of Viee arrested in their career by Fate and Fiends.
"No. 6. Cleopatra sailing down the Cydnus.
"No. 7. Venus, Adonis. Cupid. Psyche and the Graces.
"No. 8. Hesperus and his daughters.
"No. 9. The trinmph of Bacchus and Ariadne.
"The upper eirele is alternately relieved by a lyre and a wreath, the first in green and the second in gold, on white panels. The decora- tions are very well thrown out by the back ground of the boxes being crimson, at once rich and chaste. The second cirele is open to the lobbies which will contain a number of spectators and afford a free circulation of air through the house. The space is relieved by a drapery of crim- son, in very happy contrast with the white ceiling of the boxes.
"The proscenium of the stage is formed by an elliptical areh, sup- ported on four pilasters. The stage doors and boxes panelled, and with golden mouldings. The arch is decorated with green and gold on a white ground. The seats in the boxes are covered with crimson cloth-those in the pit are green-and an orange cushion is carried round the cirele. The ornaments are generally symbolieal of the amusement of the place. and shortly a fine allegorical painting, getting up by Mr. Etty, will supplant the present ornament of the ceiling. It is understood that the present lamps are only temporary ; the house is to be lighted by some fine chandeliers and fixed stage lights. There are a large lobby and rooms for refreshments in the front of the building. For the sake of sound, the partitions and eeiling are all hollow. The painting over the stage is in imitation of basso-relievo, by Mr. Reinagle L'Auegro, is represented by a female figure floating on clouds, in one hand she holds a triangle, the emblem of pleasure; in the other a lily, the emblem of innocence. The cornucopias shedding an abundance indicate the suffi- ciency of the drama for every pleasure consistent with civilized life. The scenery in not yet finished, but, under such an artist, will certainly be fine. The drop curtain was executed some years ago by Mr. Calton. of New York. On the right in the background is the portieo of a temple, from the steps of which Columbia, in her starry mantle, attended by two of the muses, Terpsiehore and Euterpe, advanee to meet Genius who introduces into our Western hemisphere the British drama.
"Thalia and Melpomene, the muses of Comedy and Tragedy. ad- vance arm in arm with Shakespeare, followed by Ben Jonson, Cibber. and other dramatie writers. At the foot of the steps of the portico, on the right foreground, is seated Eroto, and farther up Polyhymnia. Chio, Calliope and Urania. On the left foreground is Jaek Falstaff in full costume. In the background Macbeth, in scarlet tartans, dimmed by a murky cloud, holds communion with the weird sisters, whose horrid forms are partly hid by the darkness that enshrouds them. This is a very feeble description of the Theatre, which really deserves the efforts of an abler pen.
(Signed) "PEREGRINUS."
The drop enrtain described by the anthor of that communication was replaced in 1859 by one painted by Russell Smith, of Philadelphia, and
390
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
first used on Monday, the 28th of November, of that year. It was very much admired and served its purpose for many years, having finally to be removed because it was literally worn out and became too shabby to be seen.
OLD AND PRESENT THEATRE SIMILAR
The theatre is externally very little altered, sinee it was first erected, the walls being almost as they were originally built. The building has several times been renovated, and, after the fire of September 21, 1906, when it was, with the exception of the outer walls, almost totally de- stroyed, it was completely remodeled.
MACREADY'S IMPRESSIONS
Many of the most celebrated actors of the world have appeared on the stage of the Savannah theatre, and it would be interesting to have the opinion of all of them as to the impressions received by them, when acting, of the editiee which was so favorably commented on by the writer just, qucted; but we have not found the recorded impressions of any except William C. Maeready, who acted three nights in January, 1844. We quote from his journal: "Savannah, January 22 .- Rested. Acted Hamlet pretty well; these are not theatres for Shakespeare's plays! Walked home in darkness. not visible; quite a journey of difficulty through deep sand. and threading a way through posts, ete. Costas came and spoke to me. .
"23d .- Maebeth.
"24th .- My spirits were very much depressed. I was not quite well, and suffering from the exertion and the temperature of last night. Spoke with Mr. Ryder. The treasurer called and paid me. The day was wretched; a deluge was descending the entire morning; densissimus imber! I could not go out; looked at the papers. and began a letter, which oeeupied me all day, to my dear Lydia Bueknill.
"'Rested a short time. Acted Cardinal Richelieu very fairly.
"25th .- Packed up as far as I could for my journey to New Orleans."
"Walked down to the bluff and saw the places of business, etc., ad- mired the novel appearance of the street, upon the face of the bluff. planted as it is with trees and looking over an extent of low land. river, and sea." Hle concluded his account of his visit to the city by telling of the horror produced in his mind by learning that a duel was to be fought that day at twelve o'clock by two members of the Savannah bar and after saying he had received an invitation from a stranger to join him in a glass of wine, ending with these words on being pressed to visit a reading-room: 'Just come in and see the reading-room: it's the best room in all the south; come. it's just here.' I complied with the importunity of my new acquaintance, who informed me all about him- self, but my stomach felt sick with horror at the cold-blooded preparation for murder with which he acquainted me."
We will close this chapter with some facts relating to public works and works of utility in which the city's interests are involved.
.
391
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
SAVANNAH AND OGEECHEE CANAL
In 1848, Joseph Bancroft in his "Census of the City of Savannah," said at that time of the Savannah and Ogeechee Canal Company that its capital was $160.000. in shares of $50 each, and that its directors were George W. Anderson, Amos Sendder, and M. Marsh. Continuing, he gave this information : "This Company was formerly the Savannah, Ogeechee, and Altamaha Canal Company-capital $199,225. It ex- pended $246,693 on the work and suffered it to go down. In January, 1846, the present Company. purchased the concern. and have since that time put the canal in thorough repair, built a new lock near the City in Stiles' field, and one near the Ogeechee river, and constructed a water- way at the Little Ogeechee to vent off the surplus water. Amount of expenditures of the new Company on the work. about $16,000.
"The locks are all of brick 110 feet long. 18 feet wide, except the lock at the Savannah River, which is 30 feet wide, and will admit a vessel of 10 feet water-the Canal from the lock to the Rail Road bridge is 160 feet wide, and with a little deepening a vessel drawing 10 feet water can pass up to the Rail Road bridge. It is estimated that at least 20,000 to 25,000 cords of wood and 10,000.000 feet of lumber will annually pass down the Canal, besides rice. bricks, and various other articles. The present Company have reduced the tolls, and they design to make it the interest of the public to use the Canal. The charter is a very liberal one, being perpetual and free from taxes and the expense of keeping up bridges over the Canal." #
FIRST TELEGRAPHIC DISPATCHES
The inauguration of the electric telegraph in Savannah received but little attention.
The Georgian of Tuesday, March 21, 1848, said: "All the wires of the telegraph between the City and Augusta have been laid, and there will be communication tomorrow."
On Thursday, the 23d, this brief statement is all that was written concerning what was undoubtedly the first telegraphie despatch received in Savannah :
"From our correspondent at Augusta we last evening received the following despatch, dated :
" 'CHARLESTON, March 21-The cotton market is at a stand. The sales today are only 50 bales, at 61% @ 7%.'" 1
On Friday, the 24th, the following which has been quoted heretofore as the first, was given in the same paper :
"BY TELEGRAPH
"The following was received yesterday at the Telegraph office, at 10 o'clock, 5 minutes, A. M., dated. Charleston, March 23d, 184>.
" 'From our Charleston Correspondent-Steamer Northerner arrived at New York. Steamer Rariton burnt off Bedlow's Island-passengers saved. N. York
* The canal fell into disuse a number of years since; but just at this time there ' is talk of digging it out again and utilizing it.
392
SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
cotton market depressed sales at 34 to 12 decline on 20th. Yesterday's sales, eight hundred bales. Extremes 6 to 734.' "'
SECOND DISPATCH
The following dispatch was received last evening at a few minutes past eight o'clock :
"CHARLESTON, March 23 .-. Cotton .- The sales today are 580 bales at 61% @ 714-decline 1% to 14 below yesterday. Arrived, bark Harriet and Martha from Matanzas. ' "'
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY
From the time the city was founded until the year 1854, the people were supplied with water by means of wells, and for fire protection, cisterns were built in the squares into which water was pumped from the wells and thence drawn by suction to be thrown on the burning buildings. From time to time new wells had to be sunk, and in 1830 twelve large cisterns were constructed. The time came when a better method had to be adopted, but it was slow in coming. Waterworks were needed, and inquiries were made concerning the cost of providing the same. On the 21st of February, Mr. George M. Towers made a proposition to give the people all the water needed for all purposes from the river, but it was found to be a more expensive business than the city could afford, and no contract was made with him. Another proposition for the same pur- pose was made in 1825, by a Mr. Campbell, and Dr. W. C. Daniell, the mayor, was authorized to have a conference with him which, however, produced no result. The same mayor was, in 1826. instrueted to adver- tise for bids to supply the eity with water sufficient for domestic and fire purposes, which action brought the proposal of a plan from Mr. John Martineau by which it was expected that a supply could be had at a cost to the city of $50.000, after which the annual cost for maintain- ing the plant would be $8.000. but even that was deemed too expensive. It seems that the time had not come for the consummation of that most important matter, and not until 1850 was any progress made in the right direction, at which time the legislature of Georgia passed measures under which the city received power to promise the requisite funds. Accord- ingly, on the 6th of June Dr. C. P. Richardsone and Mr. Hiram Roberts addressed a communication to council on the subject, and, in September, an appropriation of $300 was made to pay the expenses of an agent to investigate the waterworks system of other cities.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.