USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Brookline > Proceedings of the Brookline Historical Society at the annual meeting > Part 11
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Susan was particularly fond of balls and dancing, and justified herself, when accused of light-mindedness, by quot- ing Dr. Pierce, " who thinks dancing an innocent amusement." Mrs. Heath and her daughters were very hospitable, and very careful to return all courtesies, and this frequently entailed a great many hours of hard work, both in preparing for parties and in setting the house to rights afterwards. Susan writes: "Such a day as we shall not experience again very soon. All bustle and preparation for eve - nailing up
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lights -- spreading carpets - cutting ham and cake -com- pleting the supper table- making fires and dressing up the chambers in their best attire occupied the morn. . We began to dress in good season. I never shall feel hap- pier than when the house was lighted and in readiness for the arrival of our friends, and the musicians giving us a foretaste of what we were to enjoy. At six the company began to assemble very fast - and our rooms were soon filled - we had about eighty - all came that we calculated most upon. . .. It was one before the last went. The end of a ball is by no means the pleasantest part of it, especially when you have beds to make before you can take the rest you so much need: we made one upon the floor for two guests who took this opportunity to make us a visit. .. . I had good partners and enough of them, and that constitutes enjoyment in a ball room I think." And again after a ball, she writes : " Twenty- two composed our family this night - were obliged to sleep rather thicker than agreeable or comfortable in our apartment, but sacrifices must be made, and the best grace you put upon these matters the better."
I have been told that a favorite way of providing extra sleeping accomodation was for children and young people to lie cross-wise in the bed. To be sure the little ones com- plained of being crowded, and the feet of the elders some- time were cold, but four and even five could be thus stowed away for the night.
It is really surprising to note the number and the frequency of guests welcomed at the Heath House. They arrived at all hours of the day, sometimes before breakfast, and remained until late. Besides neighbors, and a large family connection in Roxbury and Boston, there were cousins and aunts from Portsmouth and Baltimore, all of whom enjoyed paying visits of varying lengths.
A very erratic but frequent caller was Miss Prudy Heath. She was really own cousin to Ebenezer Heath, but some years older than he, and was always called by his children "Miss Prudy." She lived for many years in the family of Deacon Samuel Clark, on Walnut street, and afterwards in
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that of his son, Joshua Clark, on Warren street. Miss Prudy was a quaint and unique figure, independent, loquacious, and fond of visiting. Her black Leghorn bonnet and large green silk umbrella were familiar sights in Brookline. She admired and respected Dr. Pierce, and was not only a constant atten- dant at meeting, but gave freely of her little income for church purposes, besides presenting two silver cups for the communion service, which are still in use.
In those days Brookline was a desirable and fashionable summer resort, and many Boston gentlemen had country seats which they occupied from May until November. Among them were Hon. Jonathan Mason, Colonel Perkins, and members of the Cabot and Higginson families. These with their guests enlarged the social circle very pleasantly. After a few years the " old house " was regularly leased for several remaining empty for summers, and first by Mrs. Higginson, who proved a delightful neighbor.
A large and charming family moved out from Boston, and took up a permanent residence in a house on what is now Boylston street. Mr. Penniman was a fond and devoted husband and father, Mrs. Penniman a handsome and lively woman, and their large family was most affectionate and united. The hospitable Heaths welcomed these new neigh- bors with cordiality, and they soon became intimate. The daughters, amiable and accomplished, had tastes in common, and scarcely a day passed that some one of them did not run in to call, or practise a new song, or tell some piece of news.
Ann Heath and Dorothea Dix, afterwards so widely known for her noble lifework, were very dear friends from girlhood ; and even at that early age Miss Dix's fortitude and strong devotion to duty were noted. Miss Dix visited Ann often, and when separated the friends carried on a steady and volu- minous correspondence; in fact the letters were so frequent that the sisters and cousins rallied Ann quite unmercifully, but the intimacy lasted all through their lives. Ann Heath cherished and kept all these letters which she received from her valued friend, and Mr. Francis Tiffany in his "Life of Dorothea Lynde Dix" says that but for the preservation of
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this correspondence, lasting for about fifty years, and reveal- ing Miss Dix's inmost and earnest thoughts and feelings, no adequate picture could have been drawn of her early woman- hood.
, Miss Green, the niece of their near neighbor, General Eliot, was a friend whom the sisters enjoyed in common. They conceived the strongest admiration for her, and her superior qualities of mind, consulted her in every emergency, and family tradition says that they even sent to ask "what they should think" on an important question.
The name of Mehetable Dawes occurs again and again in Susan Heath's letters and journals, and always coupled with some endearing epithet or word of praise. They were inti- mate and dear friends, and rejoiced in their closer relationship when Mehetable Dawes became the bride of Susan's cousin, Samuel Goddard. The rejoicing was, however, tempered with sorrow, for directly after the wedding ceremony the newly married couple left for New York, from whence they sailed for Liverpool, where they arrived safely after a voyage of twenty-three days. Susan's only consolation was in receiving long letters from her friend, written her own "sweet style, " and also the journals, which Mehetable sent home from time to time for her new cousin's perusal.
England continued to be the home of the Goddards for several years; and when they returned to their native land with a family of children about them, their first visit was paid to their uncle and aunt Heath, in the house where so much of Mr. Goddard's youth had been spent. Later Mr. Goddard purchased the well-known house on Warren street, and lived there during the remainder of his life. In enumerating the intimate friends of the family, Dr. Wild should not be for- gotten. He came to Brookline in the year 1818, and won instant recognition among its inhabitants by his attractive personality and medical skill. He was greatly admired by the Heaths, and the attraction was mutual. Hardly a day passed without a call from him, friendly, if not professional ; and years only deepened their attachment.
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It will be remembered that for many seasons the various school teachers found a home in the Heath household. These were generally young undergraduates of Harvard College, or divinity students, frequently fond of music, and with literary tastes. Much delightful intercourse ensued, interests were quickened, and the friendships thus made were lasting. Ezra Stiles Gannett was a dear and honored friend all his life, and the names of Greenwood, Worcester, Hildreth, Sparks, and Emerson occur frequently in the pages of the old journals and letters. Ralph Waldo Emerson and his brother Edward often spent a social evening.
At a Thanksgiving party where Mr. Gannett and both Edward and Waldo Emerson were present, there was much gayety. "The young Emmersons & Mr. Gannett were a very great acquisition - Miss Dix looked sweetly, was much ad- mired, was introduced to Mr. Gannett & was charmed with him. ... After supper we sang 'The Requiem' at the request of Mr. Emerson, & the ' Evening Bells' to Mr. Gan- nett. We had never sung to so many before and I wonder how we had the courage to do it."
When in 1824 Edward Emerson was graduated from Har- vard College, holding the first place in his class, and having the principal part at Commencement, he gave an especial invi- tation to the young ladies, which they accepted with pleasure. The day previous to Commencement was one of great excite- ment owing to the arrival of the Marquis de la Fayette. He had come to the United States, accompanied by his son George Washington Lafayette, as the guest of the Nation, and was about to make his entry into Boston. Large crowds of people thronged the streets of the city, and he was every- where received with enthusiastic demonstrations of respect and affection. Commencement Day dawned hot and oppres- sive, the old church at Cambridge was unusually crowded, and the exercises, long in themselves, were greatly delayed on account of waiting for the Marquis de la Fayette, who had arranged to be present. It was five o'clock when the large assembly left the meeting-house, having been seated there for over eight hours. The young ladies then proceeded to
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Mr. Emerson's chamber, where they met a large party of guests and partook of an elegant entertainment.
The eager interest which Deacon Ebenezer Craft and his family had always taken in the Commencement exercises at Harvard College was shown equally by his descendants, the Heaths. Neither heat, nor illness, nor lack of desirable equi- page ever kept them from attending these exercises at Cam- bridge each year; the orations and class poems were looked for and commented upon, and there was always some parti- cular graduate to whose room they were asked for refresh- ments.
When their cousin Warren Goddard* was graduated, the responsibility of providing proper entertainment for his friends fell upon his Aunt Heath. Many were the anxious consulta- tions as to what should be provided for the feast and how best conveyed to Cambridge. Cake was baked in abundance, chicken and beef roasted, and barrels of crockery and linen were packed. All was carried to Warren's chamber in the large farm wagon quite early on the appointed day, and while the young people went as usual to the exercises Mrs. Heath remained behind to arrange the tables. The family were all delighted with their cousin Warren, "who appeared to great advantage. In manners and appearance he was universally allowed to excel all ... he excited the admiration of all." "My heart was perfectly secure, " wrote a young relative, "but many were endangered by such elegance, grace and eloquence." When all was over, and the company repaired to Warren's room, they found a bountiful repast prepared. Mrs. Heath was loaded with praises for her share in the entertain- ment, everything was cooked to perfection ; all was admirably managed and everybody happy. Only one accident occurred. A charming young man and fellow graduate was introduced to a young lady whom he had long wished to meet. In his con- fusion and pleasure he hastily seated himself beside her with- out noticing that wine had been spilled in the chair, and, as the chronicle says, " it made a conspicuous appearance upon his clean white pantaloons."
* Son of Dr. John Goddard of Portsmouth.
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Ebenezer Heath's sister Betsey had now outgrown that appellation and was called Aunt Eliza by her nieces and ne- phews. She was married from her brother's house in 1813, to Mr. John Howe of Boston, a widower with two grown chil- dren. The wedding ceremony was performed by Dr. Pierce and but few guests were present. Mr. Howe's son, John, became a constant visitor at the Heath house ; and the sisters were not surprised when one day Hannah blushingly con- fessed that "last Saturday had been the most eventful day in her life." Her wedding took place on Thanksgiving Day of the following year, 1818. Unusual preparations were made for the accustomed feast, and a large wedding cake was pre- pared, frosted, and decorated with sprigs of gilded and sugared box. As usual the family attended meeting on Thanksgiving morning. I quote from Susan's journal : " The day of days . .. Ann, the children and I went to meeting, Mr. Pierce preached remarkable well - Alice Sumner sent Hannah a note and bridal present in the morning, and in the porch gave us a sprig for J. Howe, with charges to both to wear them and they obeyed. We dined without much parade - reserv- ing that for evening. The Boston party came before the Bride was quite rigged, but she was pretty expert in dressing, and before any one else arrived had taken her station in the parlour . . . (then follows a list of the guests) and last of all came the good man whose presence alone was wanting to render of any avail this strange assemblage of people, and with him Mrs. Pierce. ... The ceremony was performed about seven, & such a prayer as Mr. Greenwood made ! ! ! it elevated some above this vain world for a while I believe- & the effect of ' Old Hundred' was very solemn. Hannah could hardly support it. She was the Queen of the eve, of course . . . & had the highest seat at supper table. Our company departed early -'twas bitter cold - poor Hannah, tho't I - Ann went to Town with her."
The next day Susan, Charles, and Mary went to call on the bride. " I could not resist the temptation . . . they were rejoiced to see us ... everything looked like comfort and happiness
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I passed an hour or two very happily - it seemed exactly
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like play - I could not realize Hannah was mistress of such a pretty little establishment, & was not to return home & be one of us any more . .
Hannah's marriage and new home created a fresh joy and a new centre of happiness for the sisters. John Howe and Han- nah made an ideal host and hostess; they were young, hand- some, sweet-tempered, and. hospitable. Whenever an excuse could be made Susan and Ann would hurry to town to spend a few restful hours in "Hannah's sweet little parlor," and enjoy the novelty of Boston life and new acquaintances. Both Mary and Elizabeth Heath were now of an age to participate in the home gayeties and take their place in society. Mary was a lovely and refined young woman, with rare powers of mind and great personal beauty ; evidently by far the superior daughter of the house, yet distinguished for simplicity, unsel- fishness, and purity of thought, loving and beloved by all. She had been in delicate health for several months, still no real apprehension was felt, and her sudden death in the autumn of 1824 came as a great shock to her family and friends. It was the first real break in the home circle and the precursor of change. Her mother never quite recovered from the loss, and life assumed a graver and more serious aspect for her brothers and sisters. From this time their letters and journals lost the light-heartedness which had previously characterized them.
In the spring of 1825 the Heath sisters met two delightful young ladies who were visiting in Brookline -the Miss Pea- bodys -and their acquaintance rapidly ripened into intimacy. "The Miss Peabodys have caused universal excitement, " says an old letter, "the youngest is a lovely girl, she has the sweetest expression and manners! There is great simplicity in them both - such child-like simplicity of manners and such wonderful cultivation of minds, are not usually combined."
This friendship was cemented by an occurrance that soon took place. The Marquis de la Fayette having finished his tour of the United States, returned to Boston to be a guest at the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of Bunker Hill Monument, on June seventeenth. On the following Suuday
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the Marquis with members of his suite dined with Colonel Thomas Perkins of Brookline. Again I quote : " Sunday, June 19-Sweet day for a hot one . .. all went to meeting . . . Dr. Pierce preached . . . Such a time as we had after meeting ! I never witnessed such a scene of excitement and enthusiasm! Col. Perkins sent a billet to Pa, inviting him to call there and see La Fayette. The idea that La Fayette was coming to Brookline made us all a little crazy-& we had some thoughts of waving ceremony & going with Pa- But a little reflection convinced us of the impropriety of that. Miss Peabody who came from meeting with us was quite frantic with joy - & resolved at any rate she would stop the carriage & speak to him, she took her station under a tree opposite the house & no persuasions could induce her to come into the house lest she should lose the opportunity of seeing him pass. We joined her- & our party increased very soon to about fifty people - the Pennimans - Sumners-& Ackers were sent for & they completely filled the road - so that horses were frightened. Mr. & Mrs. Worthington rode up just in time to share in the honour we were anticipating. Pa, Charles, & Mr. Goddard went up to Col. Perkins & made their call-& brought us certain intelligence that the Gen. & his suite would pass this way - I never knew anything like the enthu- siasm of E. Peabody - she seemed perfectly distracted with joy. At length the object of our adoration appeared in a car- riage with Mr. Loyd and several other carriages in company. They all stopped & E. Peabody was the first who sprang for- ward & almost devoured the hand of La Fayette with kisses & he returned the compliment ! She could not speak - & he seemed quite touched. The scene no doubt was unexpected to him & he was really affected. We all in succession shook hands & those who bestowed a kiss received one in return. And here I record the memorable event that I received a kiss from the Marquis La Fayette ! an honour wholly unexpected & what I never aspired too! ! ! ' Ladies you make me very happy.' ' You have my most affectionate regards' he repeated till the carriage drove away. I fancy the other gentlemen were amused. - The scene tho' new to us was not so to La Fayette
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- he is accustomed to the homage of all ranks. I wonder human nature can sustain such a weight of attention. It must be painful, even if it is gratifying. After the object was accomplished for which the party assembled -- they dispersed .... & then we went up to the Pennimans to finish the eve in congratulations as we were too much excited for composure & reading. . ."
Before parting, Miss Elizabeth Peabody proposed that all who were present should agree to always meet upon the same spot on the anniversary of that day and celebrate this event, as long as they should live. Accordingly, the next June we read :" The party (in the evening) was a proposition of the Miss Peabodys - to celebrate La Fayette's visit to Brookline- they wished to have all invited who shook hands with him, and no others - but as that was by no means possible, we exercised our judgment and invited whom we pleased. - Our party consisted of the Peabodys, Sumners, Pennimans, Ackers -Dr. Pierce and Sarah-& Mr. & Mrs. Hayden, & David -& Barlow ... After tea Barlow read a very pretty ode, written for the occasion - & Miss Peabody read her rules and regulations & had the names of all who belonged to her . society written in her book-she was exceedingly engaged in the affair & really inspired us all with spirit ... she lives upon enthusiasm. We had a pleasant surprise at the end of the eve. Just as the company were about separat- ing we heard music, which sounded delightfully -but where it came from no one knew. It was a Clarionette, playing a beautiful tune. We all rushed out to discover who the musi- cian could be & it proved to be the famous Foreigner we have heard of frequently ... Pa invited him in & ... (he) came and sung several songs- & sung one out in the yard & played on his Clarionette . . . It was a most delightful ending of the eve -we could not have planned it better had we exerted our utmost skill-some thought it a concerted scheme & were sure the singer was an invited guest."
The anniversary was celebrated with suitable exercises for several successive years; but as time went on, one after another of that favored company failed to appear on the
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appointed day, although Susan and Ann were always ready and waiting for them. Miss Peabody herself was not always able to be present, but she never failed to write a letter to her old friend and vividly recall those first impressions. Age never dulled her enthusiasm. When just passed her seven- tieth birthday she wrote of "the voice of our noble guest . . . in his 'oh you make me very happy!' It was because I felt so much the depth of sentiment of universal unity in him that I wanted we all of us should recognize it forever, how- ever little we might see each other between the anniversaries, and however diverse might be our other feelings and rela- tions." The day of remembrance, at least only ceased for these three, when their lives in this world ended.
Ebenezer's eldest son, John Heath, married at an early age. When his daughter Harriet was quite young she became an inmate of the Heath household and was like another sister to Abigail. At the time when it seemed wise to send these little girls to school, no fitting one was carried on in the neighbor- hood, so Ann opened a school for young children in a spare room of the " old house." It was well attended by both boys and girls, and many pleasant notes from their mothers testify to the great care and fine influence which she exercised over her scholars. Meanwhile every summer brought Hannah back to her old home with her little children, to enjoy the country air, and freedom of Brookline. In 1828 Charles, the brother on whom both mother and sisters relied, and depended for counsel and sympathy, was married to Caroline Penniman, whom they had all known so long and so intimately. The young couple first lived in Boston, but constantly drove out to spend long days at home and never a Sunday passed with- out welcoming them to dinner or to tea. Their children, too, brought new life into the hospitable home, which always accommodated and encompassed the family, no matter how large. The centre and soul of all was the mother, whose life of physical activity was now being gradually curtailed by severe rheumatism which crippled hands and feet and caused great suffering, but whose beauty of character and warm affections deepened every day. She traced with laborious
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fingers in her extract book. "For the seven last weeks I have found it difficult to do anything with my hands-I must lay aside my pen. . God has seen fit to deprive me of the use of my hands in great measure -but he has given me a peace of mind far more desirable than activity of body."
The year 1832 opened with trouble-severe illness in a member of the household, followed by minor ailments among the elder daughters. Then in March came the unparalleled blow and loss to the family, the death of Mrs. Hannah Heath. Only ill for a few days, she displayed her customary sweet- ness and fortitude ; bade farewell to her relatives and friends, and sent loving messages to absent ones; soothed and sus- tained the children who watched over and cared for her, and gathered about her bedside, joined in singing her favorite hymns. When at last all was over, her spirit of tranquillity and peace seemed still to rest upon her children and to aid them in bearing their great sorrow.
My chronicle of the two old Brookline homesteads now comes to an end. The house built in 1791 is still in good preservation, and has always been occupied by members of the family ; but a distinct period in its history was closed by the death of its mistress, Mrs. Hannah Heath. The "other house " which had been standing for a century and a quarter had outgrown its usefulness. Soon after Mrs. Heath's death, her son Charles decided to leave Boston and to make his home on the old place in Brookline. Accordingly he had the older house taken down and on its foundation built a new one. Now the original conditions were reversed ; this was the "new house," the other "the old.".
The inhabitants of these houses continued to be actuated by the same strong moral and religious principles that had governed their forefathers, and the stanch patriotism and devotion to duty that had characterized the spirit of the Revolution were shown anew when the Nation again fought for its liberty in 1861. It is good to remember that John Heath's youngest grandson was among the first to respond to his country's call, and served as a gallant officer; that his youngest granddaughter was equally prompt and steadfast in
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providing clothing and comforts for the troops ; and that his great-grandson was an ardent worker in the Sanitary Com- mission, that life-saving work of noble men and women, which · had so vital an influence in assisting to win anew the freedom of thought and action for which John White left England and joined the Massachusetts Colony.
BROOKLINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
1905.
Trustees.
RUFUS G. F. CANDAGE, President. MRS. MARTHA A. KITTREDGE.
MISS JULIA GODDARD. CHARLES H. STEARNS, Vice-Pres.
MRS. SUSAN V. GRIGGS. CHARLES F. WHITE. EDWARD W. BAKER, Clerk and Treasurer.
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