USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newbury > Reminiscences of a nonagenarian > Part 31
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daughter, Miss Harriet Livermore, from childhood had been noted for eccentricity ; her singular conduct and conversation was a frequent topic for remark.
William B. Bannister esq., had recent- ly formed a partnership with Edward Little.
Tom Carey, the son of the late Rev. Thomas Carey, a talented, highly edu- cated, polished and entertaining young man, would probably have acquired a high reputation, had he not, like too many others of that generation, suc- cumbed to the demon of dissipation. Possessed of wealth, a handsome per- son, pleasing address and rare accom- plishments and culture, with a power of adapting himself to any society, great wit, humor and generosity, not- withstanding his convivial proclivities, as yet he held posts of trust and honor, gentlemen hailed him as the prince of good fellows, and ladies, with whom he was a general favorite, smiled their sweetest at his approach.
One evening, Tom Carey and a num- ber of other young men had been hold- ing an orgie, in a low tavern near Mar- ket square: About midnight they sal- lied forth, "half seas over." The northern sky was brilliant with an au- rora, but in their muddled condition Tom's companions took it for a fire at the north end, and commenced to give an alarm. " Shtop, shtop, " cried Tom, " don't scream, its only the Rora Bo- lis, keep to the west, keep to the west !" The next afternoon, sobered and shaved, curled, powdered and cued, in fine broadcloth, Wellington boots, bell crowned beaver, kid gloves and gold headed cane, Mr Carey ac- companied by Dr. Spring, as school committee, was making the round of,
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the schools. As they passed down State street, old Morrill, a rough, saucy blackguard, stood at the door of his boarding house, and espying the pair, he shouted, " Keep to the west Mr. Carey, keep to the west." Tom had the grace to color, while his compan- ion looked the curiosity he was too polite to form into a question. Mr. Carey passed the matter by some re- mark, and for a time it was noticed he was remarkably circumspect in his conduct, but the story became current, and " keep to the west, " remained a jest for a long time.
William H. Prince, Ebenezer Mose- ley, Sam L. Knapp. John Scott and Moody Noyes, were all young lawyers boarding at Coburn's Hotel in the Tra- cy House. Tom Carey also boarded with Coburn. This bevy of young attorneys were a special attraction to the belles of the period. The previ- ous Fourth of July Squire Moseley de- livered an oration in the Pleasant street meeting-house ; there was a pro- cession, fine music, and a grand gala through the day and evening. Young Moseley acquited himself with great eclat and some of the enthusiastic misses plaited a crown of laurels as a gift for the orator, but not having the courage to present it, he never knew the proposed honor, though ever after he was known amongst them as the " laurel crowned Demosthenes. "
Sam L. Knapp was a splendid man, the prince of beaux, winning his way as by enchantment, particularly distin- guished as a belles-lettres scholar, he wielded the pen of a ready writer, his imagination was vivid, his power of description graphic, his conversation both brilliant and instructive.
Moody Noyes, a promising young
man, modest and retiring in society, died young. Jacob Gerrish was another young lawyer, and Stephen Hooper, a son of Mr. Stephen Hoop- er of the Pipe-stave hill farm.
Messrs. Clark, Chandler and Ad- ams, Archibald McPhail, AsaW. Wildes, Benjamin A. Gould, George Tit- comb and Joseph Gleason, the editor and publisher of . the "Statesman, " the Democratic newspaper, were favor- ites in society. Arthur Gilman, John Porter, David Peabody, George Pea- body, Francis B. Somerby, Edward Toppan jr., Joseph Huse, George Cross, Oliver and Prescott Spalding, Abner, William, James, John and Alexander Caldwell, and their cousin William Caldwell, Moses Osgood, John Chickering, Jonathan Coolidge, Henry Frothingham, John R. Hudson, Edward S. and Isaac Rand, Isaac Rand Jackson, Joseph Marquand, Joshua Aubin, Sewell Toppan, Joseph Abraham, Robert and William Wil- liams, Nathaniel, John, William, Thomas, Leonard and David Smith, Samuel T. DeFord, Simeon Wade, Eben and Charles Hale, Nathaniel Greeley, the Johnsons, Greenleafs, Stones, Noyes, Balches, of Newbury- port, Joseph Balch of Belleville, Jo- seph T. Pike, David, Abner and Jerry, sons of Abner Wood, William and George, sons of the widow Wood, were prominent among the rising young men. George Wood after- wards became a well known author. Besides these a number of our young men were engaged in business in for- eign ports, or as masters or supercar- goes of ships; amongst these were Capt. Nathaniel Jackson, Captains John and Benjamin Harrod, Capt. Green Sanborn, and Capt. Richards.
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Capt. Nathaniel Jackson had just brought home his lovely wife. This lady, her infant son, and his Swedish nurse, clad in the costume of her country, attracted much attention. Mr. and Mrs. John Dean and Jacob W. Pierce and wife were young, married people. Nicholas Johnson had re- cently led to the alter Miss Sarah, old- est daughter of Mr. Anthony Daven- port. John and William Smith had just established their brides in their elegant homes. These ladies with Mrs. Tom Thomas, Mrs. Thomas Hooper, who was a daughter of Judge Bradbury, Miss Ann Jackson, Mr. Leonard Smith's niece, Hitty Smith, and his daughter Sarah, were the acknowledged queens of society.
The three daughters of Dr. Smith of Mount Rural, Miss Mary, Hannah, Judith, and Caroline Little, and the six daughters of Mr. John Balch of Belle- ville, Mr. Joseph Williams' only daugh- ter Caroline, Mr. John Tracy's daugh- ters Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth and Catharine, the daughters of the late Nathaniel Tracy, Louisa and Helen, Miss Sukey Fowle, and Miss Sally Cutler, Mr. Daniel Balch's daughters, the Misses Searle, Harrod, Frothing- ham, Johnson, White, Wheelwright, Marquand, Davenport, Stocker, Faris, Greenleaf, Wood and Pierce, Miss Sa- rah Hale, Maj. David Coffin's only daughter Mary, Mr. Moses Brown's only daughter Mary, Miss Margaret Andrews, the Misses Giles, Miss Mary Ann Oxnard, Hannah Bartlett, Betsey Lawrence, Martha, Sally and Katie Caldwell, and their cousin Sally Cald- well, Sophronia Peabody and her cous- in Sophia, the youngest daughter of Leonard Smith were the most promi- nent belles. Miss Lydia Osgood, the
youngest daughter of Deacon Osgood of the upper parish Newbury, was a general favorite in this circle ; no fes- tivity was complete without her.
Miss Ann Thaxter, a step daughter of Joshua Carter, had been married a short time previous to Nathaniel Par- sons of Boston. In his visits to his fi- ancee Mr. Parsons created a sensation in the neighborhood, as he dashed to the door, in his coach and four, with a darkey in livery holding the ribbons, and the splendor of the wedding was long remembered. After the bride had become settled in her city home, her two intimate friends, Mary Brown and Sophronia Peabody, paid her a visit. The house, which was near Bowdoin square, was a large brick structure ; a gateway led through a paved court to a spacious stable. Over this gateway from an arched iron railing was suspen- ed a square glass lantern. This was cus- tomary at that period, at the better class mansions. The interior of the house was magnificent both in propor- tion and finish. Mirrors were inserted in the drawing room doors to enhance the effect. The furniture had been im- ported expressly for the house, it was both rich and stylish ; glittering chan- deliers, and other ornaments embel- lished the rooms ; the silken canopy to the bed in the guest chamber, was gathered around an oval mirror set in the centre of the arched top. The whole mansion was resplendent with French luxury and novel elegance.
The first class dwellings of New- buryport, were mostly square struct- ures, three stories in height, or of two stories with dormer windows in the roof ; some were gambrel roofed houses. There were generally four rooms on the lower floor, a spacious hall from
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which a flight of broad, low stairs, with elaborately carved balusters led to the story above. Usually an L was at- tached for an outer kitchen, and a court yard, frequently flagged, led to a stable beyond. Gardens were attached to most residences, those on the upper side of High street usually had exten- sive grounds. The heavy claw-footed furniture of a previous date had been followed by lighter, in the French style. Stiff looking, slender legged chairs and sofas were primly ranged round the room, with card table to match in the piers; these. sometimes had marble tops. Above them hung large Dutch mirrors. Often the walls were adorned with one or more family portraits ; these though not Coply's were usually good pictures. The French Revolution had sent many ref- ugees to our shores who had been com- pelled to turn their talents and accom- plishments to account. Mr. Moses Cole painted fine portraits, and he was well patronized by his townsmen. An engraving of the Washington family was a favorite picture that could have been seen in many houses. Carpets had come much more generally into use. The Turkey carpets bordered and fringed had given place to those from English looms, though Turkey rugs were still highly esteemed. Very pretty carpets in striped patterns of home construction had become fashion- able, and those from rags for common use were often seen.
The dining or sitting room almost invariably held a large mahogony side- board. Beneath generally stood an or- namental liquor case, and upon the top were some half dozen cut-glass decan- ters filled with wine, brandy and other liquors ; these were flanked by trays of
wine glasses and tumblers. The old fashioned silver tankard had become obsolete, but a display of silver tumb- lers was considered desirable. The chambers were still furnished with hangings to the bedsteads, but bureaus had supplanted. the case of drawers. In many mansions stairs led from the china closet to a private cellar, which usually was well stocked with choice wines and liquors. Our foreign trade gave facility for obtaining the best brands ; few families were without a larger or smaller supply. Cider was put in the common cellar and used as freely as water. On one occasion Mr. Nathaniel Tracy caught his negro serv- ing man carousing with a brother darkey in the wine cellar, drinking "to better times" from a silver goblet brimming with choice old Bordeaux. ' Chaises were now in general use ; there were a few barouches ; four-wheeled wagons were superseding the two-wheeled spring cart. Coaches drawn by two horses, sometimes four, were the fash- ionable equipage ; several were kept by families in the town.
The attire fashionable for a gentle- man at that period was similar to that I have described as worn by Tom Ca- rey. Small clothes were still stylish for evening parties and balls. The French mode prevailed in the costume of the ladies. Short, scant ruffled skirts, short waists ; for young ladies short sleeves, and low necks, especially so in the bosom ; an under handker- chief fitted so neatly it was scarcely discernable, and tuckers finished the neck. Long gloves, sashes, and a great variety of ornaments were worn in full dress. The hair was worn high, often the back hair having been divid- ed, half fell in curls on the neck while
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the remainder was wound round the comb; at other times it was wholly braided and twisted into a crown upon the head, the front hair clustered in short curls over the forehead or on the temples. The elder ladies wore vari- ously fashioned caps and turbans. Ear jewels were universally worn. The strings of gold beads so general in my mother's girlhood were then deemed old-fashioned ; necklaces and chains had taken their place ; often a minia- ture painted on ivory set in gold was worn on the chain. Both my Aunt Peabody and Bartlett had good like- nesses of their husbands, which were fine paintings. Brooches, bracelets and rings were of various patterns, some exceedingly elegant in design. Rich thread laces were much in demand, and linen cambrie. The gentlemen's shirt bosoms were ruffled with this fabric. Silk bonnets were worn, but straw was the style. A black satin cloak with cape and sleeves was the usual out- doors garment for older ladies, for the younger, silk pelisses in fancy colors were fashionable ; both reached below the knee and were finished by a trim- ming of black lace. Long cloth wrap- pers were made for common wear. White dresses were worn entirely by young ladies when in full dress, and usually on Sundays. However cold the weather or wet the walking a white cambric, with a green, blue, or lilac silk pelisse, a straw bonnet trimmed to match, white silk stockings and kid slippers of the same hue of the pelisse, or cork soled morocco walking shoes, with a sable muff and tippet, was the street dress of a young lady of ton. Muslins and gauzes over under dresses of satin, with rich trimmings of lace, ribbon, spangles, bugles etc., were the
mode for evening attire. Silks were seldom worn excepting by older ladies, and woolen fabrics were only admissi- ble for home wear. A deal of fun was made of Mr. John Balch's daughters, because their mother very sensibly com- pelled them to wear crimson bomba- zette dresses to a party one snapping winter night, with the thermometer be- low zero. On pleasant days fashiona- ble ladies devoted the morning to call- ing or receiving visitors. Cake and wine were invariably handed to the guest.
One o'clock was the dinner hour for all classes. At the first stroke of the bells of the Pleasant and Federal street churches the streets were filled with a hungry throng rushing homeward. There was little ceremonious visiting of an afternoon, unless invitations had been issued for a tea party. At these the ladies assembled from four to five o'clock, Tea was served at six.
In most families there was a boy or girl bound to service until the age of eighteen. When the hour arrived this young servant passed round napkins upon a salver ; next a man or maid servant bore round the tray of cups, the younger waiter following with the cream and sugar. Bread and butter and cake succeeded, these were passed round two or three times, and the younger servant stood, salver in hand, ready to take the cups to be replen- ished. If the gentlemen came to tea, and this was the only refreshment, sliced ham or tongue were usually add- ed, but often there would be a hot meat supper at nine or ten o'clock. This was a customary meal in many fami- lies. In Mr. Leonard Smith's family it was as regular as either of those dur- ing the day. As both my aunts con-
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sidered the practice unhealthy it was never introduced into their households. Dinner partie's were common, when the table would be loaded with luxuries. After the dessert the ladies retired to the parlor for an hour's gossip, while the gentlemen sipped wine, smoked long Dutch pipes and discussed the af- fairs of the nation The ladies having been rejoined in the drawing room cof- fee was passed. These parties were often the scene of much conviviality, but "being a little after dinnerish" it was considered a slight matter, and any escapade in consequence was wholly overlooked. In 1780 the Mar- quis de Chastellux, the Vicomte de Vau- dreuil, M. de Taleyrand and M. de Montesquieu visited Newburyport ; they came from Portsmouth over the Merrimac Ferry and stopped at the "Wolfe Tavern." These foreigners had a letter of introduction to Mr. John Tracy, but before it was delivered Mr. Tracy and Col. Wigglesworth called to invite them to pass the evening with Mr. Tracy. I copy the account of this visit from a description written by the Marquis de Chastellux, as it is a per- fect picture of the tone of society at that time and for a long period after. M. de Chastellux writes, "This Colonel remained with me till Mr. Tracy fin- ished his business, when he came with two handsome carriages, well equipped, and conducted me and my aide-de- Camps to his country house." (This was the mansion on High street above the former Dexter house.) "This is in a very beautiful situation, but of this I could myself form no judgment, as it was already night. I went, however, by moonlight to see the garden, which is composed of different terraces. There is likewise a hothouse and a number of
young trees. The house is handsome and well finished, and everything breathes that air of magnificence ac- companied with simplicity, which is only to be found among merchants. The evening passed rapidly by the aid of agreeable conversation and a few glasses of punch. The ladies we found assembled were Mrs. Tracy, her two sisters, and their cousin Miss Lee. Mrs. Tracy has an agreeable and sen- sible countenance, and her manners correspond with her appearance. At ten o'clock an excellent supper was served. We drank good wine, Miss Lee sung, and prevailed upon Messrs. de Vaudreuil and Taleyrand to sing also. Towards midnight the ladies withdrew, but we continued drinking Madeira and Xery. Mr. Tracy, ac- cording to the custom of the country, offered us pipes, which were accepted by M. de Taleyrand and M. de Mon- tesquieu, the consequence of which was that they became intoxicated and were led home. where they were happy to get to bed. As to myself, I remained per- fectly cool, and continued to converse on trade and politics with Mr. Tracy."
In addition to the entertainments I have described were evening parties and balls. These parties were often large, and music was usually provided for dancing, with a choice and elegant treat. Sillabub at an earlier day had been a fashionable evening beverage. There were sillabub tables, small, square, four-legged ones, with a narrow ledge running round the sides, on which were placed the glass sillabub bowl and ladle, the mixture, which con- sisted of milk, wine or cider, sugar and spice, being dipped into tall, slender stemmed glasses. The introduction of tea brought sillabub into disuse. Ices
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had not then become general. Cream whipped to a froth, sweetened and flavored, was much favored. Served in glasses it looked very pretty, and "whips" were the one genteel thing for an evening soiree. Jellies, various cakes, fruit, wines and hot punch were the usual additional refreshments.
The old Tabernacle upon whose floor the stately minuet of a preceding generation had been danced had given place to the new Washington Hall on Green street, which had a spring floor, considered especially excellent for danc- ing. It was reached by two flights of stairs leading from the lower entry to the one above ; two ante rooms opened into this, from which doors led to the hall, which was lofty and spacious. Large windows draped with red faced on either side ; at the upper end was a gallery for musicians ; opposite were two fireplaces where huge logs crackled and sparkled. Round the sides was a platform, slightly raised above the spring floor, upon which stood rows of yellow wooden settees. Two glittering chandeliers were suspended from the ceiling. Upon the mantels and orches- tra stood glass candelabra and candle- sticks.
Here during the winter a series of monthly assemblies were held, at which the young people danced contra dances, four-handed and eight-handed reels, while their elders amused themselves at the card tables spread in the ante rooms. A black waiting maid, and two or three sable male waiters were in attendance. The refreshments were similar to those at the parties.
It was expected the morning after a party or ball that the gentlemen should call upon their fair partners to inquire respecting their health. It was com-
mon for them to drop in of an evening socially. Sam L. Knapp rendered him- self especially welcome, and Tom Ca- rey's varied information and fine voice fitted him for a most entertaining com- panion. Singing was a universal ac- complishment. In a few houses a spinet or harpsichord could be found, but as yet there were but four pianos in the town. These belonged to the daugh- ters of Parson Giles, Miss Mary Coffin, Miss Catharine Davenport and Miss Sophronia Peabody. A French refu- gee, formerly a nobleman, whose name I cannot recall, came from Boston once in two weeks to give these young la- dies lessons.
The organs in St. Paul's and the Pleasant street church were played by Mr. Daniel Bayley and William Wood, the brother of the author, George Wood.
The pianos were small, slender- legged, tinkling instruments, imported from Paris. The music was love songs, dancing tunes, etc., "Hail Columbia," "Yankee Doodle," the old revolution- ary song, "Why should vain mortals tremble at the sight of death and de- struction on the field of battle," "Moll Brooks," "What can the matter be," "The Campbells are coming," and the duet "Shepherds have you seen my Flora pass this way?" were favorites. I copy an ode entitled "Freedom's An- niversary," from a music book published in 1808 :
"This day fires our minds, This day fires our minds,
This day fires our minds With a flame as arose, When our sires drew the steel,
Which laid prostrate our foes,
With mirth inspiring lay, We'll celebrate the day,
Till the orbs cease to roll or the earth melts away.
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Brave heroes who fought, Brave heroes who fought,
Brave heroes who fought, And have labored to crown
Columbia's rich fields in the pride of renown, From your station on high one moment look down
On myriads of wretches that grovel around ; To Afric's broad zone turn the wings of the mind,
Traverse regions unknown and nations un- named,
Or fly to famed Asia and there you will hear, Oppression's loud clangor, hoarse grating the ear;
Or haste to proud Europe, her regions ex- plore ;
Mark the myriads that starve, yet kings they adore ;
Disgusted with tyrants, disgusted with slaves,
Extend fancy's pinions and mount o'er the waves,
To your own native clime, for there you may find
The wisest and happiest of all human kind. Thus highly exalted, ne'er cease to adore
The God of the skies, and his mercies im- plore.
This day fires our minds,
This day fires our minds,
This day fires our minds
With a flame as arose
When our sires drew the steel
Which laid prostrate our foes,
With mirth inspiring lay, We'll celebrate the day,
Till the orbs cease to roll or the earth melts away."
There is a Thanksgiving anthem :
"Sing aloud to God our strength,
Sing aloud to God our strength,
Sing aloud to God our strength, to God our strength,
Make a joyful noise to him with psalms, to him with psalms, to him with psalms, to him with psalms,
Praise the Lord all ye nations, praise him, praise him, praise him all ye people,
For his mercies are great, his mercies are great.
We will rejoice and give thanks, will rejoice and give thanks, will rejoice and give thanks, will rejoice and give thanks.
Let us come before his presence, before his presence, before his presence, with thanksgiving, with thanksgiving, with thanksgiving, with thanksgiving, and en- ter his courts with praise.
Thou, O Lord, hast crowned the year with goodness, with goodness, with goodness. The pastures are covered o'er with flocks, The vallies are also covered o'er with corn, The vallies are also covered o'er with corn. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujar, hallelujah, hallelujah, amen.
Hallelujah, amen, amen, hallelujah, hallelu- jah, amen, amen."
CHAPTER XLVIII.
For some years an orphan asylum had been established where some half dozen girls were reared and instructed, until of an age to become bound to ser- vice in some family, there to remain until eighteen. This institution was lo- cated on Federal street, and at that time was under the supervision of Mrs. Joanna Akerman. The orphans were dressed in uniform. On Sunday, head- ed by the matron, they demurely walked two and two, in procession, to the Old South meetinghouse, where a pew in the gallery was appropriated to their use.
That spring, to the horror of the more rigid, two dancing schools were opened, one by Mr. Ingalls, at Union Hall, the other by Mr. Nichols, who "gave lessons as taught by the cele- brated Italian master, Mr. Dochoun. Gentlemen desirous of practising the small sword, cut and thrust, broad sword, and a powerful defence with the cane," were desired to leave their names at the bookstore of Thomas & Whipple. A convenient bathing house
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was also established on Water street, above Market square.
At this time two newspapers were supported in Newburyport, "The Her- ald," which was the Federalist organ, and the "Statesman," Democratic. A large circulating library was well pat- ronized, and there were several good private libraries in the town. These were anxious times, and the news from Europe was impatiently awaited. Buon- aparte was in the midst of his career, his progress was eagerly watched, and the accounts of his success were read with wonder and avidity. Byron and Scott had begun to enchant the world. "Elizabeth, or the Exile of Siberia," was the new novel which every one was perusing.
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