USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dedham > Tale of a Dedham tavern; history of the Norfolk hotel, Dedham, Massachusetts > Part 3
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2 Village Register, January 11, 1822.
$ Village Register, November 2, 1821.
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IV
Moses Gragg, Landlord, 1821-1828
M OSES GRAGG was born at Groton, Massachusetts, in 1791 and died in Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, in 1885. In 1817 he was commissioned Adjutant of the First Regi- ment Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. After leaving the Norfolk Hotel in 1828 he moved to Milton and later to Roxbury. He became a member of the Massachusetts House of Repre- sentatives, and in Roxbury held the position of Superintendent of Streets. He was also a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. At the time of his decease he was the oldest pen- sioner of the War of 1812-15 on the United States pension rolls in the Boston agency.
Gragg made no material alterations or additions to his tavern as Francis Alden did afterwards, though he must have built himself a new tavern sign or had the old one repainted; for Mrs. Horace Bacon, daughter of Francis Alden, remembers that a bust of Washington was painted in the centre of the sign, with the words "Norfolk Hotel" across the top and the date "1822" underneath. This was the regular swinging tavern sign which the law required to be placed in front of every tav- ern in those days, and was attached to a sixty- foot flagstaff.
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MOSES GRAGG
Moses Gragg
The first reference to the Tavern under the sole management of Gragg is found in Mann's Diary under date of December 10, 1821: "Chorister Meeting. Annual meeting of the singers of the First Church and Parish, at Gragg's Hotel this evening. ... The meeting closed according to ancient custom by singing Old Hundred!" William Fairbanks was chosen President at the meeting.
The Norfolk Hotel now became a popular place for all sorts of functions. The hall on the ground floor must have been well suited for dancing, for various classes for the instruction of that "polite accomplishment" now began to be held there and continued for many years. Later, when the ell containing the ballroom was added there was no finer floor in the County.
The first reference to dances in that hall is in the Village Register, August 2, 1822: " Summer Dancing School. Mr. Stimson respectfully informs the in- habitants of Dedham that his school for the in- struction of young Masters and Misses in the po- lite accomplishments of Dancing will commence Aug. 13th, at 2 P.M. at Mr. Gragg's Hall." The next spring the same gentleman announces a "Spring and Summer Dancing School" 1 at the same hall, and during the summer a Mr. Barber also opened a school for dancing there.2
Later in the year the Village Register, November
1 Village Register, April 18, 1823.
? Village Register, July 25, 1823.
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21, 1823, announces that "Mr. Withycombe from England proposes commencing a course of instruc- tion for the polite accomplishment of Dancing, on Dec. Ist, in Mr. Gragg's Hall. Great Attention will be paid to the deportment of the pupils to give an easy and graceful appearance in society." And in 1825 James Clark advertises a school for dancing at "Mr. Gragg's Hall. . .. It is his intention of keeping an afternoon class for Masters and Misses, and an evening school for a Senior Class. His day school to commence at half past three P.M., his evening school at 6 o'clock. Terms, six dollars."1
Village Register, May 17, 1827: "Day school for the Instruction of young Ladies, Masters and Misses in Dancing.
Mr. L. Stimson
respectfully informs the inhabitants of Dedham that he proposes opening a school at Mr. Gragg's Hall. . .. He will be happy to have his former scholars enter to practice Cotillions the last quar- ter, as they are the most fashionable dances of the present day. His time will not only be devoted to this, but particular attention will be paid to their manners and deportment."
Besides dancing, Gragg's Hall seemed well adapted for singing:
Village Register, April 18, 1823: "Mr. E. Shaw tenders his professional services to the young ladies
1 Village Register, March 31, 1825.
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Moses Gragg
and gentlemen of Dedham. . . . A class to be formed to instruct in the useful and agreeable ac- complishment of Singing; at Mr. Gragg's Hall."
Mann's Diary, December 18, 1823: "Concert. Was much gratified this evening and the preceding with the musical performance of Mr. D. King, at Gragg's Hall. Mr. K's talents in sentimental songs are far above mediocrity; and his comic songs (dressed in character) kept the audience in con- tinued good humor."
The Engine Companies have been mentioned be- fore. The following are references to the years 1823 and 1824, when they met at "Gragg's Hotel":
Village Register, January 10, 1823: "The two Engine Companies on Monday last celebrated their annual anniversary. They partook of an excellent entertainment at Mr. Gragg's Hotel, and were honored with the company of a number of highly. respectable guests. James Richardson, Esq. pre- sided."
The next year, January 5, 1824, Mann describes their annual meeting in his Diary:
"Annual meeting of the two Engine Companies. This meeting being the annual meeting of the two Engine Companies of this village, they united as usual, and celebrated their anniversary at Mr. Gragg's Hotel. A handsome entertainment was provided. The regular toasts were liberal and pa- triotic in sentiment. Rev. Mr. Boyle and Lamson were present, together with several other citizens.
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"The Court of Sessions are now convened in this place; and it being understood that they con- template erecting a contemptible ten foot building near the present Court House for the safe keeping of the County Records, etc. instead of building a handsome and commodious new Court house, as is most generally desired by the people, it has caused great dissatisfaction and discontent among the citi- zens. Being called upon for a toast this evening I gave the following:
"Public Spirit - May the respectable appear- ance of our public buildings convince sojourners that our citizens are neither mean nor parsimoni- ous.
"The following was incorporated among the se- lect toasts. It alludes to the Caucus which it seems is about to be held by some of the members of Congress at Washington, for the purpose of nomin- ating a candidate for the Presidency, which is, at the present time, and it appears to me always ought to be, very unpopular:
"The Presidential Caucus Engine - May it burst upon its first trial of strength, and scatter its foul waters on the heads of its framers."
James Richardson, S. Noyes, W. Bullard, M. Richards, and E. Fisher, Jr., proposed toasts on this occasion. 1
The following year the two Engine Companies of the village again celebrated their anniversary
1 Village Register, January 9, 1824.
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Moses Gragg
at the Norfolk Hotel where an elegant entertain- ment was provided. After the cloth was removed, a number of appropriate and spirited toasts were drunk, and the evening was passed with much hilarity.1
By 1828 the number of Engine Companies had increased to three, - the "Hero," the "Enter- prise," and the "Good Intent." Mann describes their anniversary that year in his Diary : 2 "Engine Anniversary. The three Engine Companies of this town held their anniversary this evening at Gragg's Hotel. An elegant supper was provided. J. Rich- ardson, Esq. presided, assisted by H. Mann. The evening passed with much harmony and hilarity. Rev. Messrs. Boyle, Lamson and White were pre- sent. Being called upon for a toast, I embodied the names of the three engines and roared out the fol- lowing: 'The Vigilant Engineman - while in the performance of duty may he unite the courage of a Hero with the spirit of Enterprise, and may Good Intent be his motto.' As the evening advanced and the wine gradually disappeared I could not resist a second call and gave another."
The members of the Engine Companies were able not only to point a hose, but a rifle as well, and many a Turkey Shoot did they and others attend in the vacant fields about Dedham. Thanksgiving was a favorite date for this amusement. There was
1 Village Register, January 6, 1825.
2 Mann's Diary, January 7, 1828.
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always great fun at the taverns, where the losers paid for the suppers.
Herman Mann in his Diary, Dec. 27, 1822, men- tions a Turkey Shoot "on Wigwam Plain, a little eastward of the pond." The sportsmen afterwards had their supper "at Gragg's Hotel."
Theold-fashioned Turkey Shoot is thus described by Mann: 1
"A number of the marksmen of this village met this morning with their rifles for the purpose of recreation as well as improving themselves in gun- nery. It was agreed to fire upon sides; and two of the reputed best gunners were designated to choose. Twenty-six dead turkeys had been procured by the Company and every man was to fire ten shots. The turkeys hit were to be retained and divided among the party who won them. A piece of ground was selected and the turkeys set off about 30 rods. There were nine gunners upon each side and the turkeys were all hit before five rounds were com- pleted. Pieces of paper were then substituted and placed on a plank at the same distance. The party that hit the least number of marks were to defray the supper expenses of their opponents."
In 1822 an extraordinary visitor at the Tavern wasan Elephant. Whether the animal was exhibited in the house itself, as the advertisement reads, or, as is more likely, in the yard or possibly the stable, does not appear. The occasion was heralded by the
1 Mann's Diary, November 26, 1822.
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1
1
AN EXHIBITION
Of a Natural Curiosity.
I'd be seen at Mr. M. CRAGG'S Tavern, 1 in Dedhain, This Day Only,
The Learned ELEPHANT,
which for Sagacity and Docility, exceeds any one ever imported into this country, will go through her astonishing performances which have excited the admination of every beholder
Admittance 12 1-2 Cents. Children half price Exhibition, from 9 o'clock in the Morning, un .- til s in the Evening. May 21. -
1
1
Moses Gragg
Village Register of May 24, 1822, as shown in the illustration.
The Norfolk Hotel played a part in the celebra- tion of Independence Day in 1822 and 1823:
Village Register, June 21, 1822: " Attention : The patriotic citizens of Dedham and its vicinity, who are in favor of celebrating the glorious anniversary of American Independence are requested to meet at the Norfolk House this evening at 8 o'clock."
At this meeting it was proposed by J. Chickering, Esq., to celebrate the 4th of July by forming an Agricultural Society on that day, and a committee was formed for that purpose. According to Mann 1 "this gave offense to many as it was construed into an attempt to divert the people from assembling to celebrate this era of our Independence by fixing their attention on this Society. However plausible a way this might be if such was the object of the projectors of it, I rejoice to say it did not suc- ceed."
Mann's Diary, July 4, 1823: "July 4, 1823, was celebrated with the usual demonstration of joy. The dinner was provided by Mr. Gragg; the tables were spread on the grass plot adjoining the Meet- ing House. About 300 citizens partook. The toasts were many and patriotic, a band of music from Stoughton and the old cannon added to the cheers with which they were received by the Company. Hon. James Richardson presided and read the De-
1 Diary, July 4, 1822.
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claration of Independence. A spirited oration by Horace Mann."
Toasts given by Rev. Alvan Lamson, General Nathaniel Guild, Jonathan H. Cobb, William Ellis, John B. Derby, Alvan Fisher, John D. Fisher, Samuel Noyes, Dr. S. Bugby, Rev. Isaac Boyle, Rev. M. White and Charles C. Sewall.1
Horace Mann, referred to above, "for several years lived at the Norfolk House then kept by Capt. Alden." 2
The "Dedham Reading-Room" had two meet- ings at "Gragg's Tavern" in 1823 :
Village Register, November 23, 1823: "Dedham Reading Room. The subscribers to the Reading room are requested to meet this evening at Gragg's Tavern for the purpose of organizing and for the adoption of such measures as may be neces- sary to attain the objects of the Association. JOHN W. AMES, JAMES RICHARDSON, JEREMY STIMSON."
Mann's Diary, December 2, 1823 : "Attended a meeting of the members of the Reading Room at Mr. Gragg's. ... The number of members at present is 36. J. W. Ames, Rev. A. Lamson and E. Fisher Jr., Standing Committee for the first year. E. Foord, Clerk and Treasurer."
It is also likely that the Sabbath School of the First Church, organized in 1816, had its sessions about this time in the Norfolk Hotel, probably
1 Village Register, July 12, 1823.
1 Dedham Historical Register, January, 1895, p. 17.
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Moses Gragg
immediately after the sale and pulling down of the brick school-house in 1823.
LAFAYETTE
The Nation's Guest, 1824
The most conspicuous visitor in Dedham during Gragg's landlordship was General Lafayette. He arrived in New York August 16, 1824, on the ship Cadmus from France, and was greeted by the citi- zens of that city and the other places he visited in the country during his triumphal progress as the Nation's guest, with the most lively and heartfelt demonstrations of joy and gratitude. He soon left New York for Boston by way of New Haven, Say- brook, New London, and Providence, passing through Dedham August 23 and arriving in Bos- ton the next day. "He was handsomely escorted the whole distance by the civil and military authori- ties. "1 Josiah Quincy, the Governor's Aide-de- Camp, attended him while within the State.
Mann's Annals of Dedham gives an excellent description of this visit to the town:
"Aug. 23, 1824, arrival of the Nation's Guest. General Lafayette arrived here (Dedham) at half past ten o'clock in the evening, and stopped at Alden's Hotel. The loud and repeated cheerings from the assembled citizens, who had continued to collect through the day in expectation of his ar-
1 Mann's Diary, August 24, 1824.
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A Dedham Tavern
rival, - the salute of the artillery, the ringing of bells, and the brilliant illumination of the houses in the village, gave some faint evidence of the satis- faction experienced by all on the arrival among us of this distinguished Revolutionary Chief, this friend of America in her time of need, and of lib- erty throughout the world. He tarried here but one hour, during which time hundreds of ladies and gentlemen had the gratification of shaking hands with the General; and had he tarried until morning the time would have been too short to gratify all who aspired to that honor. General Lafayette is a remarkably tall, majestic looking man, about sixty- eight years of age, and was dressed in a plain citi- zen's dress. He was accompanied by his son and one or two other French gentlemen of his house- hold. At half past eleven he entered his carriage, and was again greeted with the three times three cheers of the citizens, and was escorted by a caval- cade of about one hundred horsemen to the seat of Governor Eustis in Roxbury, where he spent the night.
"August 24th, the town was nearly deserted by the inhabitants; old and young hastened to Boston to witness the reception of the Nation's Guest in that city. A cavalcade of two thousand mounted horsemen escorted the General from the seat of Gov. Eustis to the city line, where he was received by the Mayor and Aldermen, and escorted through the city by the light infantry companies of the me-
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Moses Gragg
tropolis, and accompanied by thousands of citizens on horses and in carriages, under the direction of marshals, to the common. The children of the pri- mary schools were here arranged in lines, through which the General passed. He was afterwards received at the State House by the State authori- ties, and partook of a public dinner at the Exchange. Every street through which he passed was deco- rated with flags and triumphal arches - every building was filled with the beauty and taste of the city - every heart responded to the joyous 'Wel- come' which greeted the war worn veteran from every quarter. Similar manifestations of joy and gratitude were exhibited by the people in all parts of the Union which he visited. Such was the recep- tion awarded to the gallant Chief from a foreign land, who periled life and fortune in our behalf, and who, nearly a half century before, had borne so conspicuous a part in the great struggle of this country for Independence. Its sublime effect will not be lost upon the world."
In "Mid-Century Memories of Dedham," by William Horatio Clarke, published in the Dedham Transcript, June 4, 1904, there is this reference to Lafayette's visit: "South of Temperance Hall on Court St. was the old hotel kept by Francis Alden.1 When the Nation's Guest [Lafayette] passed through the town Aug. 23, 1824, amid the ringing of the church bells, he stopped an hour at Alden's 1 In point of fact at this time, 1824, Moses Gragg was sole proprietor.
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hotel, during which time hundreds of ladies and gentlemen had the honor of shaking hands with him before he journeyed on to Boston." 1
There is some contention that Lafayette stopped at the Dedham Hotel, later Bride's, and not at the Norfolk Hotel. Samuel G. Bent, of Dedham, nine- ty-seven years of age at the time this "Tale" is written, relates that when he was a "young man" a famous general, whose name he had entirely for- gotten, stopped one evening at Bride's Hotel for an hour or so, and he had the honor with many others of shaking hands with him. This general may have been Lafayette; if so Bent must have been a young man, indeed, scarcely eight years of age. There is other evidence to substantiate Bent, if he referred to Lafayette; there is also evidence to contradict him. However this may be, the descend- ants of Francis Alden have always understood that Lafayette honored the Norfolk Hotel with his presence; - Francis Alden himself is their au- thority.2
Some people have affirmed also that Washington, the great friend of Lafayette, at one time visited the Norfolk Hotel. But as the corner-stone of the house was not laid until 1801, and Washington died in 1799, it would seem that the Father of his Country could prove an alibi!
1 For another reference see the Village Register, August 26, 1824.
? See Appendix A, "The Passing of Lafayette, a Romance of the Norfolk House."
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Moses Gragg
The laying of the corner-stone of the new Court- House in 1825, as well as the dedication in 1827, were notable events in Dedham and in the history of the Norfolk Hotel.
The Village Register of June 16, 1825, gives no- tice that the laying of the corner-stone will take place with Masonic honors, on July 4, 1825. Signed by the Committee of Arrangements, who were: Jonathan H. Cobb, Moses Gragg, John Will- iams, John K. Briggs, Martin Marsh, and Jason Messenger.
On the appointed day, July 4, 1825, the corner- stone of the Court-House was laid with great cere- mony. In a cavity made in the corner-stone a leaden box was deposited containing the following articles: 1. The newspapers of the day. 2. Web- ster's address on Bunker Hill. 3. An account of that battle. 4. A miniature beaver hat of the latest fashion. 5. A marble keystone with Masonic em- blems. 6. Specimens of marble paper. 7. A silver plate with an inscription. 8. A piece of the Fore- father's Rock.1
Of this occasion the Village Register says: "On Monday last [July 4, 1825], being the Anniversary of our Independence, the Corner Stone of the Court House, about to be erected in this town, was laid with ceremonies peculiar to the most Ancient So- ciety of Free and Accepted Masons. The morning was ushered in by the firing of cannon and ringing
1 Mann's Diary, July 4, 1825.
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of bells. All thearrangements which had been made by a Committee of Constellation Lodge were car- ried into effect."
There was a grand procession which marched to "Rev. Mr. Burgess' Meeting House. There pray- ers were offered by Rev. Br. Samuel Adlam of the Baptist Church in this town and an address deliv- ered by R. W. and Rev. Benjamin Huntoon. . After the religious services the procession repaired to the tables and partook of a sumptuous repast, prepared by Brother Moses Gragg." Seats were provided for five hundred or six hundred people.1
Two years later, on February 20, 1827, the new Court-House was opened and dedicated by an ad- dress from Chief Justice Parker of the Supreme Court. The Court began its sitting that day.
With the opening of the new Court-House Nor- folk County became a favorite place for lawyers to try their cases in. It must be remembered that in the early days of the last century and up to 1834, when the Providence Railroad was extended to Dedham, when Court was in session it was a very different affair from present conditions. As there were no facilities for coming and going as now, all the judges, lawyers, parties, and witnesses met at the beginning of each term and remained until their cases were finished. The Norfolk Hotel, being but a few steps from both the old and the new Court- Houses, entertained many of those people. As
1 Mann's Diary, same date.
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THE COURT HOUSE, DEDICATED 1827 ; NORFOLK HOTEL ON THE LEFT From Historical Collections, by John W. Barber, 1839
Moses Gragg
stated before, Judges Theophilus Parsons, Thomas Dawes, and Samuel Sewall, as well as Lawyers Samuel Dexter, Fisher Ames, and James Otis, were among those who frequently attended Court in Dedham in the early years of the century; and later we find among the judges and lawyers the names of Daniel Webster, Joseph Story, Isaac Parker, Robert Rantoul, Lemuel Shaw, Theron Metcalf, Pliny Merrick, James Trecothick Austin, Caleb Cushing, Caleb Strong, Samuel Putnam, Samuel C. Wilde, Horace Mann, George P. Sanger, Rufus Choate, Marcus Morton, Robert C. Win- throp, Charles Francis Adams, Edward Everett, Horace Gray, Ebenezer R. Hoar, Charles A. Dewey, Seth Ames, Richard H. Dana, William Gaston, John A. Andrew, and Benjamin F. Butler, - most if not all of whom actually had their rooms in or otherwise patronized the Norfolk Hotel during Court Session.
John Quincy Adams frequently visited Dedham while President and afterwards. The following are references to his visits:
Village Register, September 29, 1825: "President John Quincy Adams passed through this town yes- terday evening on his long contemplated visit to his aged and venerable parent." He visited his father, John Adams, on this occasion, and in the following year this old ex-President and another ex-President, Thomas Jefferson, breathed their
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last on the same day, July 4, 1826. On July 31 of the same year eulogies were pronounced in Dedham over their deaths, described as follows : 1 "A very large procession was formed at Alden's Hotel and proceeded around the square to Rev. Mr. Lam- son's meeting-house. . .. President John Quincy Adams, with his brother and two sons, were first in the procession after the marshals. . .. The eulogy was pronounced by Horace Mann, Esq." After the services "the procession was again formed and escorted as before to Alden's Hotel where they separated. "
John Quincy Adams was in Dedham as late as 1843, for we find this note in Mann's Diary of October 24 of that year: "John Quincy Adams visited Dedham previous to his departure for Wash- ington. He made an address at Rev. Mr. Burgess' Church." On this occasion he spoke against slavery.2
The following are scattered references to the Tavern while Gragg was landlord:
Village Register, January 4, 1822: Certain peti- tioners for new roads from the Court-House and from the house of Giles Richards notified by the Court of Sessions to meet "at the house of Moses Gragg, Innholder, in Dedham."
Same, November 23, 1823: "Notice. Those who
1 Dedham Transcript, July 30, 1887.
2 William Ames's Diary, October 24, 1843.
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Moses Gragg
have subscribed for the support of an Academy in this village are requested to meet at Gragg's Hall," etc.
Mann's Diary, February 11, 1825: He attended the burial services of Governor Eustis in Boston with the Dedham Light Infantry. After the Com- pany was dismissed for the day, he says, "part of the company tarried to the theatre; after supper I got into the stage and started for home; excellent singing on the way; stopped at Taft's; delectable 'bellows top'; arrived at Gragg's about 10; sang a Te Deum; descended from the carriage, and thus ended the campaign."
March 17, 1825, the Norfolk Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company was organized at Gragg's. The first President was Hon. John Endicott; the directors from Dedham being Erastus Worthington, George Dixon, and Josiah S. Fisher.1
Village Register, March 3, 1825: "Stop Thief! The subscriber's dwelling house was entered last night by some villain who stole therefrom the fol- lowing articles . .. $30, reward offered. MosEs GRAGG."
Same, April 1, 1825: Notice of a sale of crockery- ware "in the lower hall of Mr. Gragg's tavern"; Calvin Guild, auctioneer.
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