USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Northampton > Northampton, the meadow city > Part 7
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NORTHAMPTON,
This, with tea and coffee, comprised the menu. The maids were not white-capped, but were trim and attentive, each feeling the responsibility of her part of the programme, and the service was unpretentious and efficient. The children of the family esteemed it a privilege to be allowed to pass the cake baskets, and look after the welfare of the guests, and surely a better school for the qualities desirable in a hostess in the girls, and a
gathering, which everybody had enjoyed and for which nobody was to pay penalty the next day. Such a tea was the most common way of showing attention to guests from out of town, and after attending such, one could leave the town feeling some real acquaintance with the individual mem- bers of its society. Some of the hospitable host- esses of the early half of the century were Mrs. Judge Lyman, Mrs. Wm. Butler, Miss Polly
PARADISE LAKE, MT. TOM IN DISTANCE
spirit of considerate gallantry in the boys, could not be found.
The supper was satisfactory, the conversations were real ones, conducted leisurely, there was ample time and opportunity, in the alcove under the stairs, or upon the side piazza, or front porch, for flirtations among the younger people, and rare delight for the youngest in waylaying the viands as they were returned, through the china closet, to the kitchen, and all festivities were over at an early hour, after a delightful social
Pomeroy, Mrs. Thomas Shepherd, Mrs. Isaac Bates, and Mrs. Daniel Butler, and later, Mrs. Dr. Barrett, Mrs. Judge Dewey, Mrs. Sam'1 Lyman, Mrs. Hopkins, Mrs. President Allen, Mrs. Dudley, Mrs. Sam'l Wells, and the Misses Cochrane.
The fourth of July picnics held for many years upon Round Hill, are historical. The best available account of them I copy from a letter from Mrs. Caroline H. Butler Lang, published in the Hampshire Gazette in 1876. These picnics
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THE MEADOW CITY.
were continued until about 1840, instead of 1830, as stated in this letter.
A FOURTH OF JULY TEA PARTY IN NORTHAMPTON IN 1823.
BRIDGETON, N. J., June 27, 1876
My Dear S .:- No, I can give you no information of "Patty Lane," or of her initiative Fourth of July tea-party in the goodly village of Northampton. I wish that I could, if by so doing, I might bring the dear old lady before you and our mutual friends. Indeed, I had almost forgotten Patty, but now the scene of that primitive tea-party in the " Meadow lot " comes up before me, and [ find that, though " lost to sight," she is to " memory dear."
After reading your delightful letter, wherein you speak of a pro- jected Fourth of July tea-party, to be set forth in the fashion of the olden time, I fell into a pleasant reverie. Little Dot, our canary, was singing, not loudly, but with a soft summer noon twitter, the merry voices of the children at play upon the lawn, came in ringing laughter on my ear - while the soft breeze, which
C. B. KINGSLEY
L. MALTBY RESIDENCES ON ELM STREET
D. B. LOOK
fanned my temple, must have stolen its sweetness from the white lilies and clover pinks which so profusely adorned the lovely scene in which, as by a miracle, I now suddenly found myself a partici- pator. Don't tell me it was a dream, I know better! Don't persume to suggest a vision ! Vision indeed! When I saw them all,- all my dear old friends,- just as plainly as I see you ! But you shall judge for youself, and will, I am certain, from your con- victions, be fully alive to the truth of Shakespeare's assertion :
" There are more things in Heaven and earth than are dreamed of in your philosophy."
I know you will doubt my word at first, of course you will when I tell you that the song of the canary suddenly changed to soft, flutelike music, and the children's voices were lost in the merry tones of happy youths and maidens, who were busy putting the finishing touches to the three long tables covered with snowy damask, and covered with pyramids of cake, and biscuit that would tempt a devotee to sawdust puddings ; while dishes of luscious straw- berries, flanked by bowls of rich cream, filled up
RESIDENCE O. B. SMITH - ELM STREET
the interstices. Ah ! a scene of sylvan beauty, indeed it was, this Fourth of July tea-party on Round Hill, ere the ruthless axe swept from its slopes the ancient oaks and chestnuts, and where only three white cottages (the Shepherd's) crowned its summit. Here and there pretty bowers were formed by saplings planted in the green turf - wreathed with garlands of ever- greens and roses, while festoons of the same, leaping from tree to tree, filled the air with their spicy odors.
Within these pretty bowers the tables were set forth. Oh, such cakes as were here dis- played ! You never saw the like ; you may think you have. All a mistake, S -. Not from any confectioner were these cakes pro- cured. No, indeed ! Each loaf of luscious composite was stirred in rivalry by the fair hands of Northampton belles, each vying with her sister belle in producing the most beautiful. Indeed, it hath been affirmed, and without dis- pute, that in the olden time for several days before the dawning of the glorious Fourth, the swift stirrings of wooden spoons, and the clatter
CORNER OF ELM STREET AND HENSHAW AVENUE
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of beating eggs, could be heard from the far end of " Licking Water " even to the old bridge !
Behind these tables stand the young lady managers of this rural fete. They are robed in pure white, with wreaths of glossy oak leaves. What sweet girls they are - all in the fresh bloom of youth and happiness. There is Sarah Stone, bright and witty ; Mary and Jane Lyman, the beautiful daughters of Judge Lyman ; Mary Butler, her sweet face suffused with blushes as she receives and returns the greetings of the visitors, duly introduced by the young men acting as managers or ushers, whose office is made known by the knot of white ribbon
Miss Smith, from Hatfield. There is S. F. Lyman, too, bearing the white ribbon of office - but so rapidly do the guests now assemble, that at present I cannot distinguish the managers.
Up through yonder corridor of noble trees come Judge Lyman and his queenly lady ; mark his genial smile ; she, too, has a beaming glance-there is fun in it - and a witty word for all. Room now for the stately Madam Dwight, and her daughters, Susan and Mary Ann. That modest girl in blue is Margarette Dwight. As they pass on, enter Mr. and Mrs. Elijah H. Mills, with their laughter-loving, witty daughters, Sally and Helen. Ah ! here is Miss Polly Pomeroy, the very type of propriety ;
RESIDENCE OF A. MC CALLUM
PROSPECT STREET AT JUNCTION WITH ELM STREET
which they wear. There stands Jerusha Clark, prompt to the occasion ; Mary Snow, the charming Mary Fiske, and Maria Fowle, complete the group. A word for the ushers That handsome young man, conducting Mrs. E. B. to the tables, is Mr. Dwight Lyman ; he is closely followed by J. H. Butler, who now makes his first appearance as " master of ceremonies," and well does he fill the charge. His grace and refinement "are to the manor born." The young lady upon his arm is
see how she flits from table to table ; her face wears a pleasant smile, as she carefully inspects the many loaves, whispering her preference. Here come Judge and Mrs. Hinckley ; Judge Howe and Mrs. Howe have just entered - has she not a sweet face ? Their daughter stops to speak with Helen Mills. What
QU
RESIDENCE OF OSCAR EDWARDS, ELM STREET
RESIDENCE OF DR. C. SEYMOUR, ELM STREET
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THE MEADOW CITY.
a merry laugh was that! That lady with so placid a smile is Mrs. William Butler ; her daugh- ter, Mrs. Whitney, so like her mother, is with her, also Elizabeth and Mary Butler. See you that courtly gentleman with a lady on his arm, bowing with such grace to the fair girls at the table ? That is Mr. Isaac C. Bates and his pleasant lady ; their daughters Hetty and Martha, are with them; that beautiful girl leaning on the arm of an usher is Theresa, an- other daughter. Here is Miss Dolly Fowle, and her brother, Mr. Nat. Fowle, the perfect gentle- man and genial companion, is
with her. That tall, lovely lady is Mrs. Hunt Wright ; I see she has a little girl with her. From yonder arbor ap- pear Mr. Lewis Strong and lady - once known, never forgotten. Here is Mr. David Hunt, whose langh is infec- tions ; wherever he moves there is sure to be some witty repartee. Mr. and Mrs. Eben Hunt are late; oh, here they are; their daugh- ter, Maria, and young Eben, Jr., have been here some time ; he is talking with Eliz- abeth Strong, quite the belle, though I think
RESIDENCE OF J. R. TRUMBULL, PROSPECT STREET
young Kate Shepherd bids fair to rival her. That is Kate- with yonder tall lady, her moth- er, Mrs. Thos. Shepherd. Here are the young and pretty sisters, Eliza and Augusta Seeger; with them is Ann Butler, whose black eyes sparkle with pleasure as she looks around upon the lovely scene. William May is talking with them. If I am not mistaken, no, I can never be mistaken in him, yonder little man in black, ambling through the trees, is Parson Williams - blessings on the good old man. No one can ever go his gait, let them try as they may; ah, Mrs. Solomon Stod- dard has left her husband and has gone to shake the parson's hand. Enter now Misses Abby and Mary Upham, their charming sister, Mrs. Wood, is with them. Kate 1 see, has joined yonder trio of merry girls. Do you hear that jo- vial laugh ? You may be sure that Mr. Christopher Clarke is relating some witty anec- dote; it seems to startle Mr. David Whitney; Mrs. Christopher Clarke passes near ; what a pleasant face she has. There is Mrs. Daniel But- ler, with Nancy
CORNER OF PROSPECT AND PARK STREET
RESIDENCE OF H. M. TYLER, PROSPECT STREET
RESIDENCE OF HENRY R. HINCKLEY, PROSPECT STREET
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RESIDENCE DF E. E. WOOD - ELM STREET
and her son John Butler. Well, here comes Mrs. Snow with Ange- lina and Julia; there is Miss Hen- riette Clapp; yonder stand John Clarke and Abel Whitney, they seem afraid to face the girls. The Tappans too, I see, counte- nance this festive gathering.
Hadley, too has sent hither its representatives. Here are the Huntingtons and Phelpses, Am- herst delegates, a sprinkling of grave Professors and Divinity students, while Hatfield and East- hampton are well represented by fair matrons and blooming maid- ens. What lovely lady comes yonder with such a cluster of sweet girls and boys? That is Mrs. Jonathan Lyman; do you see that fine-looking gentlemen talk- ing with Mrs. Mills? That is her husband. That pleasant gentle- man talking with Mrs. Dr. Flint is Dr. Stebbins. Mrs. Stebbins and her daughter, Miss Long, have just joined the circle gath- ered around that pretty group of children. Look at the lady in white - what a sweet face ! Itis Mrs. Dwight Whitney.
But now the feast begins. Coffee, tea and lemonade are passed around on dainty waiters; those rich loaves of cake, so beau- tifully ornamented with the choicest blossoms, and which but now called forth the admira_ tion of all, attest their claims to be not all outside show.
Hark to the cheerful clatter of silver and china! Hark to the merry laughter! Hark to the happy voices of the children ! Ah ! see
the sun is already sinking behind the trees, and the West hangs out a glorious Fourth of July banner to receive him. Now from yonder arbor, the tree-tops dancing in the golden haze, music discourses eloquently - not in the operatic hi falutins, but the spirited tweedle-dums and dees long drawn out, which stirs the soul, and answering soles respond ; for already the feet of the list- eners are beating time on the greensward ; the little ones, hand in hand, are flitting in and out among the trees ; the young men are bowing to the girls, off they trip "on the light fantastic toe." Catching the infection the elder guests now rise to the occasion. Upon my word, Judge Lyman steps up to Miss Polly Pomeroy, she shakes her head with a half-reproving glance ; ah, that look is inimitable, and taking the arm of Deacon Stoddard, turns from temptation, but the Judge has found a partner in pretty Helen Mills, while Mrs. Lyman "down outside and up the middle " with the courtly Senator Bates. Now nearly all are dancing, and even the staid toes of the Tappans might have been seen to twitch and
CORNER ELM STREET AND WASHINGTON AVENUE
UPPER ELM STREET
turn, and Parson Wil- liams' cane and little legs go off together, as if the good man remem- bered that David danced before the Lord. Faster and faster old Primus plies the bow and faster fly the twinkling feet of the dancers, until soft twilight spreads
her dewy mantle. Then, at a given signal, the gay measure changes to the " Bangor March ;" the guests and their charm- ing entertainers form in line, and two and two proceed through the darkening avenues, which lead from Round Hill to Elm street, scarcely less embow- ered, and then on to
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Warner's Tavern, where a dance will close the festivities of this Fourth of July tea-party of eighteen hundred and twenty- three. I, too, join the gay procession ; we are near the tavern. Weare -shade of Julius Cæsar ! what crash was that? Again ! The thunder rolls in awful peals - vivid lightning flashes around me - the rain pours- the wind has swept off the cage of poor little Dot ; the children are screaming, and sadder than all, in this dire confusion, the friends and dear ones, so lately around me, have all gone, gone from the scene and sought shelter from
THE COOK DAM - LEEDS
the storms of earth, while I, like Job's messenger, " am alone left to tell the tale."
Other Fourth of July parties, upon Round Hill, in Mr. Bates' lot, ditto Lewis Strong's, were most pleasant gatherings, but the old-fashioned tea-party died out, I believe, about the year 1830 or 1831. Charming, to be sure, were the gatherings formed upon the old frame work ; no word shall be whispered against them. No doubt onr old friend Patty Lane, would have reasoned thus charita- bly upon the tea-parties of 1822 and 1823, yet felt un- speakable pity for those who had never danced in that meadow-lot of her old home- stead. But I must hasten to a conclusion, for my letter is already spun out, to use the words of the immortal Miss Jane Welsh, “just like a rope walk, dear !" M. says, tell L. 1. to call this a "dead letter !" As my friends and contem- poraries, the Misses S., can remember the good old times, please read them this pleas- ant meeting with so many we knew, for I still insist it was no dream.
With much love, believe me, my dear S., your faith- fully attached friend,
C. H. B. L.
Among social entertainments, the picnic drive has always held its appropriate place, the natural surroundings of the town affording extraordinary advantages for this special form of enjoyment,
Mts. Holyoke, Nonotuck and Tom on the south, High Ridge, Belmont, Sugarloaf, Toby, Sunder- land Park, Whately Glen, Loch Mally, and Eliz- abeth Rock to the north, westward Pomeroy's Mountain and Kidd's Lookout, and eastward Orient Springs, Pelham Heights, Mt. Warner, and Mt. Lincoln being favorite objective points.
During the fifties and sixties horseback parties were much in vogue. In numbers from four to twenty, these parties would range the bridle paths of the county - the most frequented assembling place being the yard of the Hopkins homestead on King street.
While it is not the design of this article to single out individuals for special mention, it seems almost impossible to write of the social life of Northampton, during the last forty years, without doing homage to the patron saint of most of the festivities, Mr. Christopher Clarke. A leader in all social events which have required concerted action, he has been an invaluable bene- factor to his towns-people. The weird torchlight, and fascinating moonlight skating parties on the Connecticut, at the "Great Bridge," or the " Old Bed," were largely the outcome of his enterprise. He it always was who spread the information of the " black ice " at " Damon's," " Perkins'," or
DAM AT UPPER RESERVOIR
Hockanum, who was business manager for the amateur concerts and dramatic performances, and who still is the promoter of excursions to Springfield, or Holyoke, when a " star" actor,
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or musician, appears on the horizon of one of those larger neighbor cities.
Dancing par- ties, including the hotel guests, , and invited
guests from among the
towns-people, given at the Round Hill hotel, by the Misses Halstead, at the time their father was at the head of the hotel and water-cure establishment, were unique and charming entertainments.
Of women distinguished for beauty and character, Northampton has had a goodly share. In what is now the back part of Mr. Henry R. Hinckley's house on Prospect street, and on that same location, was born Esther Stod- dard, the mother of President Edwards. Of her mother, the only record is that she was a careful housewife, and that after her daugh- ter married and went to live at East Windsor, Conn., she wished to send her "half a thousand of pins and some jam." Mrs. Noah Parsons of South street, whose husband brought the great Parsons elm of the present
RESIDENCE OF H. S. GERE, HIGH STREET
day up from the meadows on horse- back, was noted for her piety, and the pious training of her children. We have the record of her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Allen, who lived at the corner of King and North streets, sending for her to spend the day with her in her chamber, in prayer, that a lawsuit pending in Boston might be settled in favor of her son, that he might have the means of a liberal education. In consequence of the favorable decision that day made, the son became the first minister of Pittsfield, and "the
HIGH STREET, LOOKING EAST
fighting parson" of the battle of Bennington. It is said that this Mrs. Joseph Allen assisted at the births of three thousand children. Another marked character, of a later day, was Mrs. Rhoda Edwards Dwight, commonly known as Madam Dwight, a grand daughter of Presi- dent Edwards. She was a woman moulded on a magnificent scale, body and soul, majestic in appear- ance and impressive in character, a woman of sorrows but having "a little nook " where she always found consolation. She was the mother of fifteen children, and at one time had seven under five years of age, two pairs of twins, and one set of triplets,
HIGH STREET, LOOKING WEST
THE MEADOW CITY.
79
all of whom lived to be over sixty years of age. Her daughter, Miss Margarette Dwight, estab- lished the young ladies' school on Gothic street, for which Rev. Dr. John Todd planned the gothic building still standing. This was one of the early famous boarding-schools for girls in New England.
Another famous school, conducted for about ten years in Northampton, was the boys' school on Round Hill opened in 1823, by Cogswell and Bancroft (the historian).
This was conducted on the plan of the German Gymnasium, and was so magnificent in its
formerly used for Miss Dwight's school, enlarged and renovated, was very flourishing and success-
A POOL IN ROBERTS BROOK
ful. This was opened about 1848, and con- tinued until the recall- ing of its large con- stituency of southern boys to their homes, at the opening of the Civil War, caused its suspension in 1861. Both these schools attracted many inter- esting southern fami- lies to spend their summers in the town of Northampton.
Mrs. Judge Lyman's beautiful life is fitly commemorated in the memoirs by her daughter, from which I have already quoted,
appointments that it soon attracted the sons of wealthy people all over the country, but especially from the southern states.
Later Mr. Dudley's school for boys in the building
A COUNTRY BIT
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NORTHAMPTON,
a book rich in its glimpses of Northampton social life in her day.
Mrs. Jonathan Lyman had a family of six daughters and six sons, all remarkable for great beauty. The list would be long were I to com- plete it, of those lending grace and wit to the society of the old time. The Butlers, the Bates, the Hunts, the Shepherds, Miss Breck, the Cochranes, the Seegurs, the Clarkes, are a few of the many names that can be recalled.
Miss Polly Pomeroy, who strikingly resembled Adelaide, the queen of Louis Phillippe, a hand- some, stately lady, and her three sisters, who lived in the old Pomeroy house, at 13 Main
RESIDENCE OF MISS E. O. BAKER, POMEROY TERRACE
POMEROY TERRACE LOOKING NORTH
street, at present the residence of the Misses Clark, were typical char- acters of the olden time. Miss Polly, Mrs. Wm. Butler, and Madam Dwight were known at Northampton parties as " the three graces," while four good ladies, who constituted themselves spiritual chaperones over the young people at prayer meetings, were irreverently designated " over- ruling providences."
Mrs. Hibben, a step-daughter of Mr. Napier, of Charleston, S. C., later of Northampton, a lovely southern lady, lived in the red brick house on King street, and herself planned the beautiful white porch which ornaments the front of the house.
RESIDENCE OF M. M. FRENCH
The sons and daughters of North- ampton who have been, and those who still are working in the mission- ary, the literary, and the scientific world, have won many laurels for the old town in their varied callings. Butler, Brewster, Whitney, Lyman, Judd are names well-known, and some of them world-known.
Some have aspired to fame, who fell short of their ambitious goal. Dr. Graham, the inventor of Graham bread, enjoying an ephemeral re- nown, prophesied that crowds would sometime flock to his grave, and former residence, and his house would be carried away piecemeal by relic hunters.
Poor disappointed aspirant for
W. M. GAYLORD'S RESIDENCE
POMEROY TERRACE
LEWIS WARNER'S RESIDENCE
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THE MEADOW CITY.
APPLE BLOSSOMS
fame ! His neg- lected grave for many years was only marked by an irregular chip of marble, on which was written in lead-pencil, the name "Dr. Graham."
Miss Janc Welch, the deaf lady, who went about with a slate and pencil, asking and answering her own questions, was another of Northampton's eccentricities.
MT. HOLYOKE AND HOCKANUM FERRY
CLUBS
One of the earliest social clubs that arrived at distinction was the Shakespeare Club, at its height during the fifties. The young people of Northampton have always been endowed with a goodly amount of dramatic talent, and this club, comprising among its gentlemen, the Carletons, George and Charles, since authors and publishers, the Wells, John and Henry, with their cousin William, W. S. B. Hopkins, James Whitney, William Turner, and Charley Poor ; and among its ladies, the Misses Hugger- ford, Clay, Baker, Shepard, Allen, Hopkins, Wells, Lyman, Bright, Clark, and many others, was justly famous for fine dramatic reading. Its meetings, held at private houses were counted very enjoyable.
The Gentleman's Club, now known as the Literary and Social Club, designed for the free and thoughtful discussion of topics of the times, originated during the Civil War. It is limited to twelve members, as its programme com- prises an elaborate supper, and sessions are held fornightly.
The original members were : Rev. Mr. Silsbee, Dr. Fisk, Hon. Lewis Dudley, Hon. Charles Delano, Hon. Erastus Hopkins, Mr. Lafayette Maltby, Mr. Wm. Allen, Jr., Rev. Dr. Gordon Hall, Mr. Henry Watson, Mr. S. T. Spaulding and Mr. Henry Bright. This was a fine assem- blage of superior intellects and in this respect the Club has always borne a high character. Several of its present members are the sons of members of the original organization.
The " Odds and Ends" Club was started in 1870, at the suggestion of Mr. Edward A. Whit- ney, and with the kindly advice and interest of Professor Josiah Clark, one of the noblest educators Northampton has ever seen. The plan of the club was to take up in as brief review as practicable the odds and ends of litera- ture, such subjects as are referred to in general reading, and yet are of minor importance, and generally im- perfectly held in memory by the ordinary reader. The scope of the
NEAR SMITH'S FERRY
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NORTHAMPTON,
articles presented was ultimately enlarged, and many really valuable papers were read and interesting talks given. Though this club was continued only three years it is remembered as one of the most interesting and instructive clubs the town has ever had.
The Monday Evening Club is an organization of fifteen members, holding meetings at private houses, on alternate Mondays, from October to May. These meetings, like those of the Liter- ary and Social Club, are for the discussion of current events, and as the membership is of a rather heterogeneous character in regard to religious and political ideas, are very spirited and interesting. This was started in 1882, by Professors John and Frank Stoddard, Mr. Arthur Watson, and Dr. Seymour.
The Northampton Club, a wholly social institution, numbering some one hundred and twenty-five members, was started in 1881. The officers for the first year were : Pres., H. R. Hinckley ; Vice- Pres., L. B. Williams, Luke Lyman, Isaac Stone, and Oscar Ed- wards ; Sec., Charles E. Williams ; Treas., Lewis Warner. This club has delightful apartments in the sec- ond and third floors of the Hampshire County Bank building.
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