USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dedham > Tale of a Dedham tavern; history of the Norfolk hotel, Dedham, Massachusetts > Part 7
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Other elm trees were planted near the Tavern about this time. William Ames, May 6, 1836, says: "Two elm trees, one 30 feet high, the other 27, were dug up today to be set out near Alden's Tav- ern. The smallest came from a swamp."
Dedham Patriot, December 10, 1835: "Likenesses taken in full length" at "Capt. F. Alden's Hotel."
Norfolk Advertiser, January 23, 1836: Notice of a meeting of the Dedham Village Avenue Associa- tion at Alden's Hotel. I. Cleveland, Secretary.
Same, March 12, 1836: "Citizens desiring of or- namenting the streets of Dedham with forest trees" are notified to meet at Alden's Hotel.
Same, February 4, 1837: "In place of the cars, a stage is run daily to Boston by Mr. McIntire, starting from Alden's at 8 A.M. & will continue to run until the cars resume their wonted trips."
Same, February 18, 1837: Abner Alden, son of Francis Alden, had a narrow escape from death. While riding a horse kept at his father's stable, it ran away, severely injuring him.
Same, July 8, 1837: Two chaises collided in front of Alden's Hotel. "One of the pillars which sup- ported the portico in front of the hotel was carried away, and a stone post much loosened."
Same, November 1I, 1837: "Mrs. Barry pro- poses opening a School on the 13th Nov. at Mr.
1 The "Old Norfolk House"; Dedham Transcript, March 6, 1909.
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Alden's Hotel for the purpose of teaching the Art of making Wax Flowers, Fruit, etc."
Mann's Diary, December 26, 1837: "Court is in Session, Judge Cummings presiding. Alden's Hotel is full from garret to cellar."
William Ames's Diary, March 28, 1838: "Anti- Slavery Convention in Dedham. Negroes and mulattoes attended. These Mulattoes ate dinner, supper and breakfast at Alden's with their white abolitionists, who it was plain were only acting a part."
Norfolk Democrat, April 27, 1839: A meeting of the Dedham Boat Company was held at "Alden's Hotel."
William Ames's Diary, November 10, 1839: "Mr. T. Metcalf and family came to board at Alden's Hotel yesterday."
· In 1839 Francis Alden made another unsuccess- ful attempt to dispose of his tavern and published this notice in the Norfolk Democrat, October 12:
" Valuable Tavern Stand. " At Auction.
"Will be sold at public auction on the 13th inst. at I P.M. that well known establishment, Alden's Hotel, situated in the centre of Dedham Village, within a few rods of the Court House. The establishment consists of a large and commodious House, three stories high, with suitable Stables and
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outbuildings. This sale will afford a rare opportun- ity to obtain an eligible Stand for a country Hotel. The buildings are in good repair, having been mostly built within a few years. . . . "
October 27 of the same year William Ames writes: "My landlord, Mr. Alden, means to sell out or rather his brother Leonard who owns the Hotel means to, and Mr. Alden is about to take charge of the cars on Dedham Branch Railroad." And on November 3: "My landlord, Mr. Alden, means to sell out on the 13th inst."
Later Alden was more successful in disposing of his tavern, and on March 10, 1840, the Norfolk hotel passed into the hands of Martin Bates, the consideration specified being $6000.1 . The title since September 7, 1829, had been nominally in Leonard Alden,2 brother of Francis Alden, but the latter remained in charge as landlord until the sale to Bates.
1 Norfolk Reg. of Deeds, Book 127, page 3.
2 Norfolk Reg. of Deeds, Book 88, page 122.
VI Martin Bates and Others, Landlords, 1840-1866
M ARTIN BATES was the last of the tav- ern keepers of the Norfolk Hotel. His policy was to lease the house to various landlords, but he acted himself as such at different times, filling in the gaps when the house was with- out a landlord.
The Dedham Gazette, December 18, 1869, pub- lished this short sketch of Bates's life: "Mr. Mar- tin Bates, who died in this town on the 8th inst. was a native of Dedham, and was the son of Samuel and Mary F. Bates. Early in life he went to Dan- vers, where he learned the trade of a Nailer, and returning to his native town, followed his trade at Mill Village. He afterwards removed to this village, where for some time he carried on business as a blacksmith. Gradually he commenced the purchase of Real Estate, of which he was at one time the largest owner in town. For several years he was the owner and proprietor of the Norfolk House. The value of his estate will not fall short of $35,000." 1
There is a reference to the Tavern in William
1 For further particulars of Bates's life and family see Dedham Re- cords, Church and Cemetery, 1638-1845; edited by Don Gleason Hill.
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Ames's Diary 1 within a week of Bates's ownership, though it is still called "Alden's Hotel":
"Last night there was a large Whig meeting at the Town Hall which was as full as it could hold, both seats and aisles. A Boston gentleman made an eloquent, animating speech, two others were made, one by a mechanic, the other I think was a Walpole farmer, both of them showed good sense and the last not a little humour. After this a gentle- man sung a song in praise of the gray bearded sol- dier Harrison to the tune of 'old lang syne' -- the audience sung the chorus with great enthusiasm. Delegations from Canton, Walpole and Roxbury were present - these were invited to Alden's Hotel where they were furnished with a cold colla- tion. I saw E. G. Robinson and Wilder of the Ded- ham Loco Foco paper present at the meeting. Great earnestness and zeal were shown on the occasion." Arrangements had been made for this meeting ten days previously when over one hundred Whigs met at "Alden's Hall" and formed themselves into a Whig Association.2
George W. Haseltine, landlord from April 1, 1840, to February 4, 1841, was the first of the several lessees during the Martin Bates régime. Herman Mann thus introduces him: 3 "Mr. George W. Haseltine from Salem has just taken the hotel in
1 March 17, 1840. ? William Ames's Diary, March 7, 1840.
' Mann's Diary, April 20, 1840.
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this village formerly kept by Mr. Alden. About 50 of the citizens called upon him this evening by previous arrangement and partook of an elegant supper, by way of trial of his skill, and found it excellent. Several gentlemen volunteered toasts on this occasion; myself being called upon gave 'Our new Landlord - though the Hazel-tine has taken the place of the Alder, may no one have cause to regret the change - let the tree be judged by its fruit.'"'
William Ames briefly alludes to Haseltine's ad- vent as landlord :
"March 27, 1840, at last Mr. Hazleton, my new landlord, has come - he begins to keep Alden's Hotel April Ist."
"April 1, 1840, today Mr. Hazelton takes Mr. Alden's place. I doubt his success." Ames makes many allusions to Haseltine and it is curious to see the various ways he spells his new landlord's name.
The year 1840 was marked by the exciting Har- rison or "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" campaign. On July 4, 1840, there was a grand Whig Celebra- tion in Dedham in honor of General Harrison. On the Common in front of the First Parish Meeting- House a crowd estimated at from 7500 to 10,000 people. was addressed by the various speakers - "A glorious day for Old Norfolk." 1 The Nor- folk Hotel must have done a large business that day.
1 Mann's Diary, July 4, 1840.
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William Ames describes the day as follows: "Some thousands of Whigs marched in a long pro- cession from the space in front of Mr, Lamson's Meeting House to the Harrison Grove where all things were in readiness - seats for the ladies and Revolutionary soldiers, a log house and platform for the speakers. General Wilson of New Hamp- shire addressed the audience almost two hours. . . . We all listened to him with the deepest interest and attention. Never before did I see an audience show so much of both and to such an intense degree that they often seemed unwilling to applaud for fear of losing a few of the speaker's words. We ate dinner at long tables in the woods after which we had toasts and sentiments. . .. at four we came back to the green in front of Mr. Lamson's Meet- ing House. Bells were rung, cannon fired, music played."
November 9, 1840, was Presidential Election Day in this campaign. Ames thus describes it: "Election day. Old Tip is sure of his election. Four p.M. it seems 643 votes were cast in this town today, a majority of 104 for Whig Electors. . .. At night a large number of Whigs met at Hazel- ton's Hotel where we kept receiving returns from the towns in Norfolk County which all showed a gain for the Whigs. As fast as the result was de- clared we cheered. At supper the two long tables were full and after the first comers had eaten an- other lot took their places. A number of bottles of
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champaign were drank. I went to bed at half past one in the morning. It rained very hard all the time, so the men that brought in the votes were wet as drowned rats."
Haseltine, though landlord for less than a year, was a popular one nevertheless. The winter of 1840-1841 brought its full share of fun and frolic to his hotel. The following serve as illustrations :
Norfolk Democrat, November 28, 1840: "Social Ball. Those who wish to unite in a Social Ball are requested to meet at Haseltine's Hotel on Dec. 5th at 7 P.M." Such was the success of this ball that it was resolved to have a New Year's Ball at the same place. 1
Same, December 26, 1840: "There is to be a Social Ball at Haseltine's Hotel on Jan. 6th. The Hall in this house has recently been enlarged and newly fitted up for the accommodation of dancing parties. The managers are right good ones, the music the best - Mr. Haseltine's accommodations are good and the tickets come at a reasonable price ($3). Nothing is wanted as we can see to insure a large company and a right merry time." The Managers were D. B. Farrington, Albert Morse, Samuel Davenport, C. D. Reed, Horace Bacon, William Shattuck, and Jesse Weatherbee.
William Ames's Diary : "December 19, 1840. Three Swiss or Tyrolese sung last night at Hazel- tin's. About 200 present."
1 William Ames refers to it, December 31, 1840.
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Same, "December 22, 1840, a Band of Music played at Hazelton's Hotel, began 7 P.M."
Same, "January 5, 1841, Engine Supper at . Hazelton's, about 60 present. Mr. Richardson made a speech, some songs, toasts, etc. Very little wine drank." 1
Same, "January 6, 1841, A Ball at Haseltine's last night lasted till 4 A.M. today, about 50 couples present." Ames has spelt his landlord's name cor- rectly at last.
During this same winter the Universalists held a number of meetings at "Haseltine's Hotel," lec- tures being delivered on the subject of Universal- ism by the Rev. Hosea Ballou, Rev. Emmons Part- ridge, Rev. O. A. Skinner, Mr. Whittemore, and Mr. Thompson.2
The Dedham Thief Detecting Society was or- ganized at "Hazeltine's Hotel" February 3, 1841, when the Constitution was approved with this preamble:
"From the great numbers of Larcenies recently committed in this village and vicinity in no case of which the perpetrators have been discovered it seems to have become necessary that some mea- sures should be adopted which shall have for their object the more effectual suppression of the crime of Larceny and petty pilfering. . . We have
1 See also Mann's Diary, January 4, 1841.
2 Norfolk Democrat, January 22 and 29, February 19 and March 5, 1841. Also William Ames's Diary, December 21, 1840, January, 1841.
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agreed to unite in a Society to be called the Ded- ham Thief Detecting Society.
"JOHN BULLARD, Committee to
"WM. H. MANN, draft the.
"AUSTIN BRYANT, Constitution." 1
The organization of the Society was followed by an adjourned meeting, February 6, 1841, at "Haz- eltine's Hotel" when the following officers were chosen: Jonathan Cobb, Moderator; President, John Bullard; Vice-President, George Ellis, 2d; Secretary, William H. Mann; Treasurer, William Ames. A "Detecting Committee" of nine was chosen, consisting of J. N. E. Mann, Hezekiah Whiting, Nathaniel A. Hewins, John H. Loring, Eliphalet Stone, Edmund McIntire, David A. Baker, and Austin Bryant. A "Pursuing Com- mittee" of thirteen was also chosen : George Alden, William Whiting, John Cox, John H. Loring, Joshua E. Carter, Jason Guild, Reuben Farrington, Jr., Reuben S. Wilson, Benjamin Boyden, Oliver Capen, Theodore T. Kimball, Francis Alden, and John Bullard, Jr. Until 1847 the Society held its meetings at the Norfolk Hotel. It was limited to the First Parish.2
Edmond McIntire succeeded Haseltine as land- lord February 4, 1841. William Ames thus intro-
1 Original Records of the Society in the Dedham Historical Society. See also William Ames's Diary, February 4, 1841.
2 Mann's Diary, January 6, 1846.
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duces him : "February 4, 1841, this morning my new landlord, Mr. MacIntire, began operations, a sud- den move to us all." The preceding day Ames writes: "My landlord Haseltine has sold out to Reuben Farrington who cannot have bought for himself." Haseltine had contemplated leaving the Norfolk Hotel the December previous.1
The Norfolk Hotel, or "McIntire's," as it now came to be known, continued to be the headquar- ters of the Whigs, whose champion, Harrison, had brought the campaign to a close in a blaze of glory for the party. The Whigs determined to celebrate his inauguration as President on March 4, in a be- fitting manner, and so gave a grand ball in the Nor- folk Hotel. It proved to be probably the most bril- liant spectacle ever witnessed there. Mann thus describes it in his Diary, March 4, 1841 :
"Grand Ball. The Whigs of Dedham gave a Ball in honor of the success of Whig principles and the Inauguration of Wm. Henry Harrison this day, as President of the U. S. It was decided to dance out the old administration and to dance in the new one. Accordingly the Company began to assemble at an early hour last evening at the Norfolk Hotel, (McIntire's) and the house was soon crowded from top to bottom. The extensive Hotel was brilliantly illuminated throughout, the music was excellent, and everything conducted with order and decorum. An elegant supper was provided by the landlord,
1 William Ames's Diary, December 28, 1840.
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and double tables set the whole length of the din- ing hall; but it was found impossible to seat more than half the company at one time. The halls were handsomely decorated with festoons, flags and other patriotic emblems. This was my first appear- ance in a Ball room as one of the company - all my family but the youngest attended. As soon as the clock told the hour of twelve and that the reign of Van Burenism had terminated, the fact was an- nounced and three times three hearty cheers were given by the whole company for the success of the new administration. Several patriotic songs were sung."
William Ames also mentions this ball in his Diary, March 4, 1841 :
"There was a great Whig Ball last night at Mac- Intire's Hotel at which about 120 couples were present. The Hotel was illuminated. Many Whig songs were sung and the frolic kept up till between 4 and 5 in the morning. I was a spectator merely - ate supper however with the dancers."
Harrison died soon after his inauguration and John Tyler succeeded him as President. Tyler ap- pointed May 14 as the day for all Americans to do honor to Harrison's memory. Ames alludes to this occasion in his Diary, May 7, 1841: "A meeting was held last night at MacIntire's Hotel to notice the 14th of May as President Tyler has recom- mended in honour of Harrison's memory. A com- mittee of 9 was chosen to see about the arrange-
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ments." On the appointed day Ames writes: "The Banks and shops closed and places of worship open."
President Tyler's Veto.of the Tariff Bill is re- called by the first reception of the news in Dedham: "On Tuesday afternoon last as a number of our quiet citizens were regaling themselves at McIn- tire's, up drove a man in a light gig, his horse drip- ping wet and himself bespattered with mud, whose first and most anxious wish was to get a fresh horse to carry him to Boston. He had come from Wash- ington, on express, with the President's [Tyler] Veto, and not a moment's delay could he willingly suffer. His call was promptly responded to, and he was away with speed equal to John Gilpin or Joe Fairbanks. After he was gone the news spread like wildfire that the Veto Message had gone to Boston by express." 1
Ames notes several Whig meetings at "Mc- tire's":
"February 28, 1841, A Whig Caucus last night at MacIntire's - a full one."
"October 2, 1841, A Whig Caucus at McIn- tire's Hotel. Wm. Mann, Chairman, Wm. Ames, Sec'y. The following persons were chosen members of the Whig Norfolk County Convention to be held at McIntire's Oct. 6th. to wit, Samuel C. Mann, Wm. Whiting, Wm. Ames, Joseph Day and Mer- rill D. Ellis."
1 Norfolk Democrat, August 12, 1842.
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"October 6, 1841, a Whig Norfolk County Con- vention met at McIntire's today, 65 members voted at one time and there were more present. We nom- inated the old list of Senators again and put down money enough on the table to pay the expenses of printing votes, etc."
"April 13, 1842, attended a Whig Convention at McIntire's today. About 100 persons were there, resolutions were voted in favor of a Tariff."
"July 16, 1842, we had a Whig Caucus last night at McIntire's, chose a large Committee of Vigil- ance." 1
The Abolition movement began to make its pre- sence felt in the County about this time. Wendell Phillips,2 William Lloyd Garrison,3 and Frederick Douglass 4 occasionally spoke on the subject in Dedham. The following notices connect the Nor- folk Hotel with this anti-slavery agitation:
Norfolk Democrat, September 17, 1841: Notice of a meeting of the friends of the Liberty Party at McIntire's Hotel to make nominations for the No- vember election. An editorial in the same issue describes this Liberty Party as made up of "Politi- cal Abolitionists" and warns Democrats "to be
1 For other Whig meetings see William Ames's Diary, October 16, November 3, 1841; September 10, October 1 and 5, November 10, 1842.
2 William Ames's Diary, October 30, 1841.
* William Ames's Diary, May 8, 1842; Mann's Diary, April 24, 1845.
4 Mann's Diary, April 24, 1845.
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on their guard against this party which is the work of Federalism."
Same, January 7, 1842: Notice of a "Dedham Anti-Slavery Fair at the Hall of the Norfolk Hotel." The net proceeds amounted to $60, "which ex- ceeded the expectations of the ladies who had la- bored to get up and sustain the Fair."
Another Fair, this time in aid of the Burial- Ground, was held in "McIntire's Hall":
Norfolk Democrat, June 3, 1842: "The Ladies of the Society for the Improvement of the Burial Ground will hold a Fair at McIntire's Hall on June 6th." An editorial, June IO, states that "the Fair was well attended - the Hall was beautifully decorated and the tables were covered with lots of useful and pretty things. The receipts amounted to $234. Hurrah for the Ladies!" The Ladies "tendered to Mr. McIntire their thanks for the use of his Hall. His politeness and kind attention will be remembered with gratitude by all."
Concerts, parties, and social assemblies con- tinued to be held in the Ballroom:
William Ames's Diary, July 23, 1841: "Tonight Mr. & Mrs. Hall of Boston now boarding at MacIn- tire's Hotel gave quite a large party there. We had raspberries and cream, lemonade and ice creams."
Mann's Diary, March 25, 1841: "Concert at McIntire's, - Old Billings music." 1
1 For other concerts see Norfolk Democrat, July 8, 1842; September 2, 1842.
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Norfolk Democrat, December 31, 1841 : "Social Assemblies. A course of Assemblies will be given during the present winter, alternately at the Phoenix Hotel and McIntire's Hotel. There will be six Assemblies in the course. . . . R. S. Wilson, Joseph Crane, Henry Waterman, George W. Tucker, Managers." An editorial on these Assem- blies states that "the music is of the tallest kind; those who have not heard it had better brush up their pumps and test its merits."
Same, January 6, 1843: Notice of a social as- sembly at "McIntire's Hotel," to which " a general invitation is extended to people in the neighboring towns." Dancing, band, collation, etc. Moses Boyd and Calvin Grover, managers. There were many assemblies in the hall during this winter, another being managed by George W. Tucker.
William Ames's Diary, January 13, 1842: "A Ball tonight at McIntire's. Almost a hundred couples. I saw Miss Cobb, Miss Hoffman and others. Though I did not dance I looked on and enjoyed the scene."
Same, April 8, 1842 : "There was a Ball last night at my Hotel. None of our Dedham folks were there, most of the dancers were from Boston. They kept it up till 4 in the morning. The young men hurrahed, jumped and stamped up and down stairs, some of them got drunk- a bad school to go to, my friends. The number was smaller than McIntire expected. I don't believe he got enough to pay his expenses."
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Same, January 5, 1843: "We had a large party and dance at McIntire's Hotel. I sate up till after 2 A.M. Mr. & Mrs. McIntire gave out the invita- tions. There was music, a hot supper, mirth, talk and laugh, so all went off pleasantly." 1
The last reference to the Masons meeting in the Norfolk Hotel seems to be in the Norfolk Democrat, July 23, 1841 :
Ù.
Are ditected to assemble at Mo'Intire's Ho- tel in Dedhain, on Monday the twenty - third day of August, provided with the implements of the craft." JOHN KING, G. M. at Dedham. A. L. 5845.
Mann's Diary, July 8, 1843: "Concert this even- ing by the 'Ethiopian Serenaders.' They played and sung in character and in harmony, and ac- quitted themselves very well. The Concert was in the Hall of the Norfolk Hotel, this and last even- ings, and would have been much better attended had it not been for a company who performed a few evenings since, pretending to be the original 'Ethiopian Serenaders', but who could not sing at all, and would doubtless have been treated
1 For other balls see Ames's Diary, January 16 and 26, 1843, Febru- ary 6 and March 3, 1843.
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as they deserved had there been no ladies pres- ent."
The Company Shoots continue, with their suppers at the Norfolk Hotel.
Mann's Diary, November 23, 1841: Company Shoot near the Old Powder House. William Fair- banks, talisman. L. Dana attended to the marks. Among the shooters were William Stearns, M. Bates, E. W. Sampson, A. Richards, T. Reed, Carey, Randall, W. H. and S. C. Mann, Joseph Whiting, William Ames, 2d, L. H. Kingsbury, and John King. After the shoot "the company ad- journed to McIntire's Hotel where an elegant sup- per had been provided, and the poultry shot for deposited."
Mann tells of another military organization which also practised target shooting:
September 7, 1843: "The Boston Veteran Asso- ciation, a company organized for military and social purposes, made an excursion to this village today. They appeared with full ranks under the command of Capt. Green, practised target shooting on West- ern Avenue and dined at the Norfolk Hotel. Being introduced to thecommanderas one of the 'editorial corps' of Dedham, was politely invited to a seat at the table, which invitation I did not see fit to de- cline. I gave as a toast-'The Enemies and Trait- ors to our country - when placed before our citi- zen soldiery, may it ever be their fortune, like the targets of today, to get well riddled.' A detachment
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from the Boston Brass Band accompanied the Vet- erans and discoursed eloquent music at the table. The whole formed quite a pleasing deviation from the usual monotony of our quiet village."
It was probably in McIntire's time that Rufus Choate and probably Richard H. Dana had rooms at the Norfolk Hotel: "Rufus Choate, when at- tending the said session of Court, put up at the Norfolk House, then a favorite resort for the old timers." 1
In 1843 McIntire left the Norfolk Hotel and afterwards moved to the West with his family. His son, Samuel McIntire, in 1902 contributed his "Echoes of the Past, or the Home of my Boyhood" to the Dedham Transcript, which gives some inter- esting memories of Dedham fifty or sixty years before:
"In my mind I can see the old Norfolk House, a relic of the past, then a hotel owned and kept by one Martin Bates, 'Uncle' Bates as he was usually called - a man with some most excellent traits of character, but averse to boys devoting too much time to play; and more than once when the lads ac- cidentally kicked the football over the fence and on to his premises, he would 'cabbage' the ball, nor give it up until my mother, his adopted daugh- ter, had lectured him on his ingratitude, his little- ness as she termed it, towards the boys. Uncle Bates had only one eye, having lost the other in his
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