USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dedham > Tale of a Dedham tavern; history of the Norfolk hotel, Dedham, Massachusetts > Part 9
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8 Boston Atlas, September 21, 1848.
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A Dedham Tavern
"While I write, a delegation from Roxbury is just marching to the Hall, preceded by a full band of music and appropriate banners. The Hon. Mr. Lincoln, of Illinois, is expected to address the meeting. There is a good deal of enthusiasm, and a good spirit prevails here."
The Dedham Transcript, quoting an eye-witness, says of Lincoln's visit: 1
"Mr. Lincoln in Dedham
"Hon. George H. Monroe, a well known Boston newspaper man, and we believe a native of Dedham, thus writes of Mr. Lincoln's visit to this town 53 years ago.
"Mr. Monroe, who had never heard of Lincoln previous to that day, escorted him from the Tre- mont House, Boston, to Dedham. As Lincoln en- tered the old Providence depot, on Pleasant St., he must have stepped on the very spot now occu- pied by the fine statue of himself in the act of free- ing the slave, which stands in Park Square. Mr. Monroe's first impression of Lincoln was not par- ticularly favorable. He was awkward and appa- rently ill at ease, scarcely uttering a word during his half hour trip to Dedham, where they arrived about 4 P. M. At one of the finest private houses in the town,2 to which the visitor was escorted by a
1 February 16, 1901.
2 The old Haven House, corner of High and Ames streets, owned in 1912 by Mrs. John R. Bullard; also known as the "Freeman Fisher House."
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1
Martin Bates and Others
brass band, he appeared even more ill at ease than before, and the natural inference seemed to be that he found the atmosphere 'this side of the moun- tains' entirely uncongenial. When the party ar- rived at the little hall (Temperance Hall), late in the afternoon, it was found to be but half full, and with an apparently stupid and morose speaker it was thought the jig was up. 'But,' says Mr. Mon- roe, 'the moment Mr. Lincoln began to speak there was a change. He was no longer indifferent, but started off with fine effect.' Pretty soon he turned up the sleeves of his black alpaca sack coat, then he turned up the cuffs of his shirt, and by and by he loosened his necktie, and wound up by taking it off altogether, the enthusiasm of his rural lis- teners rising steadily as the transformation pro- gressed. The speaker bubbled over with humor, told funny stories of western life to illustrate points in his argument, and talked to his auditors in the most familiar and off-hand way imaginable. Sud- denly after he had been talking half an hour, a locomotive bell on a train about to start for Bos- ton was heard. Lincoln stopped and said he had to speak in Cambridge in the evening, and must run for the train. Cries of 'No! No!' 'Don't Stop!' came from all over the hall, and one man promised to hitch up his nag and take the speaker to Cam- bridge later, but Lincoln said 'I have kept my word with you and I must do the same by the Cambridge people; I can't afford to take any
[ 149 ]
I
A Dedham Tavern
chances,' and he went, attended by every evidence of genuine regret on the part of the Dedhamites."
From this period (1848) until 1866, when St. Mary's School took possession, the Norfolk Hotel suffered much in reputation and fell into public disfavor, though balls, assemblies, and dances were often given there, the Ballroom with its spring floor being an ideal place for these gatherings. Part of the time the house remained closed for want of a landlord and part of the time Martin Bates acted as such himself when he could not rent it.
The Phoenix House now became unquestionably the popular public house in Dedham and remained so until its destruction by fire in 1880. The Society in Dedham for Apprehending Horse Thieves, which had held its annual meetings uninterruptedly in the Norfolk Hotel since its organization in 1810, transferred its headquarters to the Phoenix House in 1850.1 On the opposite page is a photograph of an 1843 poster of this Society, given the author by Francis Marsh, Esq., of Dedham, grandson of Martin Marsh. Many of thenames recorded within these pages are found on this poster.
Not long after Lincoln's visit to Dedham the Norfolk Hotel seems to have been closed to the public for a year or more. May 9, 1849, William Ames says: "Today they are selling the furniture of the Norfolk Hotel by auction - it goes at low
1 Norfolk Democrat, November 29, 1850.
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SOCIETY IN DEDHAM FOR APREHENDING
Horse
Thieves
OFFICERS FOR 1843.
FRANCIS ALDEN, President. JOHN BALCH, Jr., Vice President. MARTIN MARSH, Treasurer. JOHN BULLARD, Clerk.
Standing Committee.
ABNER ELLIS,
GEORGE ELLIS, 2d.
OLIVER CAPEN,
MARTIN BATES,
JOHN BULLARD,
JOSEPH FISHER, JOHN MORSE,
EZRA W. SAMPSON, MARTIN MARSIL.
ABIATHAR RICHARDS,
LEWIS RHOADES,
WM. FAIRBANKS, 2d.
LEMUEL DANA,
Riders.
Theodore T. Kimball,
Reuben Guild, 2d.
Aaron Clark,
Reuben Farrington jr.
Jabez Sumner,
John Balch, Jr.
Colburn Ellis,
Obed Baker,
Elipbalet Stone,
Joseph Sumner,
Jesse Weatherbee,
Elijah Bullard,
Williamn Smith,
Edmund Melntire,
Ivane Ellis.
Nathaniel A. Hewins,
Joel Richards,
NAMES OF HEBBERS.
Ainasn Alden
Ilenjamin Boydra
Richard Ellis
Edward D. [loimes
Jabez Suruner
Francis Aldra
Solomon Brazpa
Nathaniel A. Hewins
Joseph bummed
George Alden
Julmi E. Boyden
John Endicott
Theodore I. Kuntall. Withama danh
I.usher J Baker
Nathaniel Capen
Juha Fishar
Martin Marsh
Asahal Both
Aaron Clark
Samuel French
EdinJos Mrloties
Phphalet Niona
John Bullard Eljoh Bullard John Batch jr.
Oliver Capen Ebenezer Capon
. Stephan Fatos Ju ling l'arrington
John Morao Samuel &' Mann
Las W Tant
Nancy Baker
James Downing Joseph Ilay Julne Pran 20
Wilbe n Fairbanks La. Joseph Fishar
Nathan I'mnllips Charles Richards Lewis Rhosdra
l'elatiah Whiting
Jolin Baker
lagac Elha
Calvin Guild
Abiathar Racharde
Joasa Weatherbec
John Baker 24
Abner Ellis
Ellis Gay
Jock Richards
Thomas Barrows
Colbora Klus
Juhn Guild
Russell & Baker
Martin Baren'
George Elhis 2d.
Rouben Guild 21
Jeremy Huntun
Wdham Bullard
Win Kipz, Gay
Bamvel Swett
Jushus &. Thompson
Austin Heyant Jerusho Binghom
Abyah C'ulburn & Co.
lorael Wlowry
Robert Thompson Isaac Whiting Juhn P. Wilsur
George Bird Obed Haker Jool M. Baker
Lemuel Dana
LowIstwy. Fisher
Abel Richardla
Thar W Hampson
Rnuhan Firmington
Khishe M. Intosh
Daqui C'haau
Ons Farmarton
l'benezer Wight
Joerph Whuips
OCIETY IN DEDHAM FOR APPREHENDING HORSE THIEVES, 1843
Martin Bates and Others
prices." The Norfolk Democrat, June 1, 1849, says: "There is but one temperance hotel in Dedham village since the Norfolk has been closed." And again in Mann's Diary, September 26, 1849, he speaks of a ball at the Phoenix Hotel, "this being the only public hotel in the place at this time."
Again in the Norfolk Democrat, February 22, 1850: "It is rumored that the Norfolk Hotel is about to be reopened. Some people in this part of the village have expressed a regret, for the sole rea- son that they shall not always know where to find the butcher wagon." It was in fact soon reopened, for in the same paper, June 21, 1850, L. Stimson gives notice of a "Day School for the instruction of Young Ladies, Masters and Misses in Dancing at the Hall of the Norfolk House, Dedham. . Pupils will be taught Waltzing in all its variety, the National Bohemian Polka, the Mazourka, the National Schottische Dance, the Redoway, Bril- liants and Waltz Quadrilles. Particular attention will be paid to improve the manners and deport- ment of his pupils, which is a very important partof this branch."
At about this time or a little later, Miss Harriet Jones also had a school for dancing here which she continued for a few seasons.
For the next fifteen years the newspapers have little to say of the Norfolk Hotel. The following are a few references :
William Ames's Diary, April 20, 1850: "The
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1
£
A Dedham Tavern
Norfolk Hotel is to be reopened in a few days by a man of experience."
Norfolk Democrat, August 23, 1850: Notice of a meeting of the Norfolk Agricultural Society at the "Norfolk Hotel"; Edward L. Keyes, Secretary.
Same, January 17, 1851 : Notice of a meeting at the Norfolk Hotel of the "Contributors to the Social Supper to be given to the several organized Engine and Hook and Ladder Companies and Fire- wards in the First Parish"; Samuel C. Mann, Eben S. Fisher, Martin Bates, Committee.
Same, March 14, 1851: Landlord of the "Nor- folk Hotel" convicted on four complaints and fined for selling liquor illegally. The witnesses testified that they went "down cellar" for their liquor.
Mann's Diary, September 12, 1851: "Firemen's Muster. A portion of the Fire companies of Ded- ham had a splendid voluntary parade in this vil- lage today, under direction of the Firewards. The line of march was formed at 92 A.M. commencing at Pitt's Head on High St. extending towards the Phoenix House. Present Co's. 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, with their engines. On arriving at the Key Bridge, at Powder House, the line for playing and trial of engines was formed in the meadows adjacent to the Rock, the exercises began and occupied some 2 or 3 hours. . .. Leaving their engines on the ground about 2 P.M. the whole marched,in procession to dinner - most of the companies making their headquarters at the
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Martin Bates and Others
Phoenix, - others at the Norfolk, etc. There were present, on this occasion at the different tables nearly 400 mostly connected with the Fire Dept. . . . The Powder House Rock was decorated today with the fairest of our fair villagers, to witness the exploits of the firemen in line on the plat before them, on the margin of the river Charles. They must be remembered in a toast, - The Ladies, - encouraged by their smiles, the fireman fears no foe; and can only be subdued when combatting fires of their own kindling."
This is the last reference to our Tavern by Her- man Mann, for he died two months later.
Norfolk Democrat, December 5, 1851: Attempt at incendiarism in. the "stable belonging to the Norfolk House."
November 18, 1853: Company Shoot. Dinner at "Norfolk Hotel." 1
From this time the Tavern is almost always re- ferred to as the Norfolk House and not Hotel.
Norfolk Democrat, December 9, 1854: "Dress making taught by Miss Gray at her rooms in the Norfolk House, Dedham."
Same, May 22, 1858: "Mrs. Addison, M.D. Medical Reformer and Independent Clairvoyant. This celebrated lady, who has gained a wide reputa- tion in the practice of medicine, has taken rooms at the Norfolk House, Dedham. She cures patients thought to be impossible."
1 From Company Shoots, by Alvan J. Fisher and Allen Howe.
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A Dedham Tavern
Now comes a period when Martin Bates en- deavored to rid himself of the Tavern, which had become an incubus on his hands. April 15, 1858, he sold the property to Samuel R. Bickner, of Dedham,1 the consideration stated being $6500, taking back a mortgage for $4500. Bickner did not prove successful as landlord, however, and Bates had trouble in collecting his interest. The town taxes became overdue, and finally Bates was obliged to take a tax deed, November 18, 1862.2
June 12, 1858, James Richardson, a prominent citizen of Dedham and a frequent visitor at the Norfolk Hotel, died. He graduated from Harvard in 1797 and became a distinguished lawyer. For a time he was law partner of Fisher Ames when both were stanch Federalists. He was a member of the Senate, a Trial Justice, President of the Norfolk Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and President of the Norfolk Bar.
The landlords under Bickner during his short ownership of the Norfolk Hotel were one Crossman and Benjamin Allstrum, of Providence. Bickner would fill in the gaps when there was no other land- lord.
There is an amusing story concerning Crossman and Bates, both of whom were keen business men. They became joint owners of a moose which they
1 Norfolk Registry of Deeds, Book 265, p. 34.
2 Norfolk Registry of Deeds, Book 310, p. 229.
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Martin Bates and Others
kept in the yard of the Norfolk Hotel. Crossman fed the animal and understood its habits - Bates did not. After a while the former wanted to pur- chase Bates's half-interest, but the latter refused to sell except for a large sum. Finally Crossman hit upon a plan. He changed the diet of the moose from browse of the woods which it liked to hay which it did not like. The animal in consequence grew thin so rapidly that Bates soon noticed the change and began to ask questions. Crossman casually remarked that the moose was homesick and might die; whereupon Bates, anxious to get some return on his investment, gladly sold his in- terest to his partner for a trifling amount. Cross- man then fed browse instead of hay to the moose, which quickly regained its weight and was later sold to a circus for a good round sum, much to Bates's chagrin.
As an example of the disturbances which occa- sionally at this period caused the reputation of the Norfolk Hotel to suffer in comparison with its more orderly rival, the Phoenix, I quote from William Ames's Diary, September 11, 1860: "Last night the Irish of Dedham and Roxbury had a ball at Tem- perance Hall; about 2 o'clock in the morning they went into the barroom of the Norfolk Hotel and being heated with whiskey got into a fight in which numbers of them were badly bruised, and four of them stabbed, one dangerously. A magistrate is now examining those accused of getting up the
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A Dedham Tavern
riot." The next day Ames writes: "Three or four of the men engaged in the fight are in jail."
Of this same affair the Dedham Gazette of Sep- tember 15, 1860, says: "This is we trust the cul- mination of a series of disturbances of the peace which have given great offence to the order loving citizens of the town, and which have too often during the present season rendered night hideous. In times past this village has been noted for the quiet and good order which has prevailed within its limits; but since the opening of the Norfolk House as a hotel, and particularly since the com- mencement of the work upon the Court House, the character of the village has decidedly suffered."
Another fracas is mentioned by William Ames in his Diary, August 28, 1861 : "Last Monday a woman who was standing at the kitchen door of the Nor- folk Hotel received a violent blow in the pit of her stomach and was in spasms for a long time. It seems that she had a dispute with two women a few days ago, one of whom is strongly suspected of hav- ing thrown a large stone at her."
Note the following references to the Hotel:
Dedham Gazette, January 15, 1859: "A key to the south door of Dr. Lamson's meeting house will be kept hereafter at the Norfolk House. In case , of fire Mr. Bickner will hand it to any responsible person who may volunteer to officiate as bell- ringer."
Same, August 4, 1860: "The Coach will leave the
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Martin Bates and Others
Norfolk House, Dedham, at 9.30 A.M. and 3.15 P.M. connecting with the Metropolitan R. R. at Jamaica Plain for Boston. De Rochemont and Kenny, Proprietors."
Same, December 14, 1861: Dr. W. Hazeltine, dentist, at "Norfolk House, Dedham."
The Ballroom, with its fine spring floor, was so superior to the one at the Phoenix that even at this time many balls and parties were given here, at- tended by the best people of Boston and Norfolk County.
During the Civil War the Ballroom was occa- sionally the scene of military displays. The Hon. Frederick D. Ely, of Dedham, attended a review by Governor Andrew of Colonel Robert G. Shaw's Fifty-fourth Regiment of colored troops at Read- ville, and in the evening was a spectator of a grand ball given at the Norfolk Hotel by the soldiers of that famous regiment. Mr. Ely roomed in'the ell of the Hotel from 1859-1862. He remembers that during these years many of the judges, lawyers, jurors, and parties to suits boarded and lodged here during Court Session.
Dedham furnished her full quota of soldiers for the War. Many of her sons died on the battle-field, and their names are recorded in the Dedham Me- morial Hall.
During the War and preceding it martial and other patriotic displays were frequent in Dedham. One in particular is referred to in William Ames's
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A Dedham Tavern
Diary, October 23, 1860: "The Lincoln Wide Awakes had another torch light procession in the town last night. About 1500 of them marched through the streets to Agricultural Hall, where they had a collation. Many of the houses were il- luminated, our Phoenix among the rest. So many hundreds of torches made a fine show. Many Lin- coln men came here from Boston and the towns in the vicinity." Not only the Phoenix, but the Nor- folk Hotel as well, must have entertained many of the members of this procession.
Charles H. Este of Boston seems to have been one of the last landlords and apparently the general character of the Tavern did not improve, as may be gathered from this notice in the Dedham Gazette, December 23, 1865: "2 or 3 serious rows in and about the Norfolk House in this town during the past week resulted in the arrest of the proprietor [Este], who, with his wife, is bound over for further examination on Tuesday next." Este was found guilty of maintaining a common nuisance.1
1 Dedham Gazette, December 30, 1865 and following.
Photographed by John F. Guild, Dedham
Photographed by John F. Guild, Dedham
THE NORFOLK HOTEL, 1866-1905
VII
Saint Mary's School and Asylum, 1866-1905
A FTER being a tavern for over sixty years, the Norfolk Hotel, or Norfolk House, as it was now usually called, became a Roman Catholic institution.
By deed dated June 1, 1866, Martin Bates con- veyed the "land, with the Norfolk House (so called) standing thereon," to Ann Alexis Shorb, Andrea Corry, and Aloysia Reed, all of Boston, Trustees for Saint Mary's School and Asylum, on condition that the premises "shall always be used for the pur- poses set forth in said articles of association of said Saint Mary's School and Asylum." 1
The "articles of association" referred to appear in the Agreement of Association of May 28, 1866 (a few days prior to the above conveyance), when Saint Mary's School and Asylum was organized as follows: "Be it remembered that the undersigned, resident within the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, hereby agree to associate themselves pur- suant to Chap. 32 of the General Statutes of Massachusetts as a corporation for the purpose of establishing and maintaining an Orphan Asylum and School under the charge of the Sisters of
1 Norfolk Registry of Deeds, Book 344, p. 10.
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A Dedham Tavern
Charity as founded by St. Vincent de Paul, and for visiting the sick and instructing the ignorant and promoting virtue, learning and piety in the town of Dedham, under the name of Saint Mary's School and Asylum." Signed by Ann Alexis Shorb, Joanna Andrea Corry, Margaret Ann Vincent Mc- Closky, Mary Frances Quirk, Mary Ann Aloysia Reed, and Dolores Mahoney.1
It is said that Martin Bates, through spite, on account of a quarrel with the town officials, made a gift of his hotel to Saint Mary's School and Asy- lum. "Once on a time the town of Dedham desired to purchase the Norfolk House from Uncle Bates for town purposes; and because the town would not pay Uncle Bates his price, he, in a spirit of vindictive- ness, gave it to some religious organization under certain conditions." 2
The Dedham Gazette makes mention of this trans- fer in an editorial : 3
"Important transfer of real estate. The Norfolk House estate has been conveyed by Martin Bates to certain Sisters of Charity, as Trustees for St. Mary's School and Asylum. . .. The deed was given in consideration of $1. and other good con- sideration, and upon the condition that the pre- mises shall always be used for the purposes set forth in the articles of association. It is understood
1 Norfolk Registry of Deeds, Book 343, p. 34.
? "Echoes of the Past"; Dedham Transcript, August 23, 1902.
3 July 7, 1866.
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Saint Mary's School
that the premises were a voluntary gift to the cor- poration by Mr. Bates, although we cannot learn that he was actuated therein by any attachment to the Romish faith. . . . The buildings are much out of repair and when offered at public auction about a year since no bid could be obtained for the estate higher than the amount of the mortgage.
"Whatever prejudices may naturally exist against the establishment of a Roman Catholic School in so central a location, the community cannot but feel that the transformation of a build- ing recently used only for the indiscriminate sale of liquors into an institution founded for 'promoting virtue, learning and piety in the town of Dedham' is an object worthy only of the most exalted mo- tives, and in this view should be accepted as a public blessing."
It may be here interesting to note that on the land originally granted in 1636 to Ezekiel Holliman, a Baptist and an apostle of freedom of thought, there stood in 1866 a Unitarian Church, a Congre- gational Church, an Episcopal Church, and finally a School of the Sisters of Charity, established by the Roman Catholic Church. On the same ground was also the site of the first free public school in Dedham.
The Sisters of Charity soon met with favor, as may be seen from the following editorial : 1
1 Dedham Gazette, August 4, 1866.
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£
Cốt
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A Dedham Tavern
" The new Catholic Institution in Dedham
"Three Sisters of Charity arrived in this town on the 20th ultimo to take possession of the estate known as the Norfolk House, lately donated to them by Martin Bates for a School and Asylum. Their respective names are Sisters Catherine (Superior- ess) of Syracuse, N. Y., Sister Veronica of Troy, N. Y., and Sister Anselm of Chicago, Ill. They are much pleased with their new home and have met with unqualified marks of favor from all with whom they have had the honor to become ac- quainted. All seem to extend to them a hearty wel- come, and if we may judge from the presents and donations they are receiving, they will soon be able not only to make the Norfolk House a comfortable abode, but also render. it more ornamental to that conspicuous part of the village in which it is lo- cated. We hope they will meet with that success ever attendant upon self sacrificing heroines in the great cause of charity and the diffusion of Christian knowledge. They intend, for the support of the in- stitution, to carry on schools nearly in all respects similar to the common school system of public edu- cation. They also propose in the future opening a High School. Girls alone are taught by the Sisters of Charity. We hope every success may crown their labors in the town of Dedham."
In the following year (1867) sixty children at- [ 162 ]
Saint Mary's School
tended the School and ten orphans were provided with a comfortable home.1
In 1871 the attendance was the same and the institution continued not only to flourish, but to improve. I quote from the Dedham Tran- script : 2
"This institution continues not only to flourish, but to improve. Occupying as it does a building that was once a public house or tavern in the cen- tral part of the village, brings it somewhat more prominently before the people than if it had been established in some more humble edifice. . .. We are told that never have the teachings of the Sisters been more practical in their tendencies than now, and never have the workings of the school been more harmonious. The course of study remains the same as during the previous year, but conducted with even greater spirit and efficiency than before. The average attendance is about sixty, which we believe is unparalleled in the history of the institu- tion. One thing about this school claims particular notice. Many of the scholars who have been as- sisted could not have received benefit in any other way as their time is employed during the regular school hours. It is with a feeling akin to pride that we sat through the exercises on Thursday afternoon of last week, and we think it must be admitted on all hands that the St. Mary's School has proved a
1 Dedham Gazette, May 18, 1867.
2 Dedham Transcript, July 8, 1871.
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A Dedham Tavern
potent means of elevating the foreign class, both intellectually and morally.
"The entrance of the scholars, all girls, into the hall, two by two, dressed in white, was a pleasing feature of the afternoon; the smaller girls leading off, and Mrs. Featherstone playing a march upon the piano. The next exercise was the crowning of the following named young ladies by the Rev. Father Brennan, with wreaths of artificial flowers:" Here follow their names.
The Sisters had a great deal to contend with after their arrival in Dedham, owing to the lack of funds necessary to carry out the objects of their institution.1 Fairs, concerts, and other entertain- ments were given in order to raise money.2 One Fair is said to have realized to the School about $2000.3
"Exhibition at St. Mary's School. The neatness, the cleanliness, the comfort and the unwearied at- tention of the 'Sisters' to their protégées we can cer- tify to from personal observation." 4
The School continued until 1879, when, owing to the precarious support accorded, it was closed on June 27: 5 "The St. Mary's School closed on the 27th ult. at 8 o'clock A.M. with a private distribu-
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