USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Newport > The history of Newport, New Hampshire, from 1766 to 1878 > Part 17
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1784. Jedediah Reynolds, Christopher Newton, Uriah Wilcox.
1785. Jedediah Reynolds, Christopher Newton, John Lane. 1786. Aaron Buell, Samuel Church, Jesse Lane.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
1787. Jedediah Reynolds, Ezra Parmelee, Stephen Parry.
1788. Jesse Lane, Samuel Hurd, Uriah Wilcox.
1789. Jesse Lane, Uriah Wilcox, Samuel Church.
1804. Jesse Wilcox, Jr., Phineas Chapin, Josiah Wakefield.
1791. Uriah Wilcox, Jesse Lane, Jeremiah Jenks.
1792. Uriah Wilcox,
Elias Metcalf, Matthew Buell, Jr.
1793. Jesse Lane, Samuel Church, Elias Metcalf.
1794. Uriah Wilcox,
Matthew Buell, Jr., Reuben Bascom.
1795. Uriah Wilcox, Phineas Chapin, Elias Metcalf.
1796. James Corbin,
Reuben Bascom, Elias Metcalf.
1797. Uriah Wilcox, Reuben Bascom, Elias Metcalf.
1798. Samuel Church, Phineas Chapin, Elias Metcalf.
1799. Samuel Church, Phineas Chapin, Joseph Bascom. 1800. Samuel Church, Phineas Chapin, Jeremiah Nettleton.
1801. Samuel Church,
ISOI. Phineas Chapin, Josiah Stevens. 1802. Samuel Church, Phineas Chapin, Jesse Wilcox, Jr. 1803. Jesse Wilcox, Jr., Joseph Bascom, Stephen Hurd.
1790. Uriah Wilcox, Jesse Wilcox, Thomas Warner.
1805. Jesse Wilcox, Jr., Reuben Bascom, Moses P. Durkee.
1806. Moses P. Durkee, Reuben Bascom, Joseph Bascom. 1807. Josiah Wakefield, Joseph Bascom, Reuben Bascom.
1808. Jesse Wilcox, Jr., Phineas Chapin, David Allen.
1809. Samuel Church, Phineas Chapin, Jesse Wilcox.
1810. Samuel Church, William Cheney, Phineas Chapin.
ISII. Samuel Church, Josiah Wakefield, Moses P. Durkee.
1812. William Cheney, Caleb Heath, Peter Stow.
1813. Peter Stow, Caleb Heath, Arphaxad Whittlesey.
1814. Peter Stow, Oliver Jenckes, William McAllaster.
1815. Oliver Jenckes, Josiah Wakefield,
209
OFFICERS.
1815. Erastus Baldwin. 1816. William Cheney, Josiah Wakefield, Oliver Jenckes.
1817. William Cheney, Josiah Wakefield, James D. Walcott.
ISIS. William Cheney, James D. Walcott, James Breck.
1819. William Cheney, James D. Walcott, James Breck.
1820. James Breck, David Allen, Oliver Jenckes.
1821. James Breck, David Allen. Oliver Jenckes.
1822. James Breck, David Allen, Oliver Jenckes.
I823. Oliver Jenckes, James D. Walcott, Austin Corbin.
1824. Oliver Jenckes, James D. Walcott, Moses P. Durkee.
I825. Oliver Jenckes, James D. Walcott, David Allen.
IS26. James D. Walcott, Israel Kelley, Samuel Hurd.
1827. Oliver Jenckes, James D. Walcott, David Allen.
1828. James Breck, Joseph Farnsworth, Henry Kelsey.
1829. James Breck, Joseph Farnsworth, Henry Kelsey.
1830. David Allen, Austin Corbin, Seth Richards. 1831. David Allen, Austin Corbin, Seth Richards. 1832. Seth Richards, Silas Wakefield, Jeremiah I). Nettleton.
1833. Silas Wakefield, Jeremiah D. Nettleton, Seth Richards.
1834. Jeremiah D. Nettleton. Henry Kelsey, Samuel F. Chellis.
1835. Alvin Hatch, Edward Wyman, Charles Corbin.
1836. Alvin Hatch, Edward Wyman, Charles Corbin.
1837. Josiah Stevens, Jr., John B. Stowell, Parmenas Whitcomb.
1838. John B. Stowell, Parmenas Whitcomb, Silas Metcalf.
1839. Silas Metcalf, Amos Little, Jonathan M. Wilmarth.
1840. Eli Twitchell, Zina Goldthwaite, Jonathan Cutting.
1841. Nathan Mudget, Jonathan M. Wilmarth, Jonathan Cutting.
1842. Bela Nettleton, Nathan Mudget, Alexander Metcalf.
1843. Nathan White, Joseph S. Hoyt, James Hall. 1844. John B. Stowell,
210
HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
1844. Jeremiah D. Nettleton, Nathaniel O. Page.
1845. Jeremiah D. Nettleton, Edward Wyman, Zina Goldthwaite.
1859. Dexter Richards, Sylvanus G. Stowell, Samuel K. Wright.
1860. Francis Boardman, Abner Hall, Moses C. Ayer.
1846. Edward Wyman, Jonathan Cutting, Isaac Griffin.
1861. Francis Boardman, Moses C. Ayer, Lewis W. Randall.
1847. Edward Wyman, Jonathan Cutting, Josiah Bailey.
1848. Edward Wyman,
Jeremiah D. Nettleton, Sylvanus Larned.
1849. Dexter Richards,
Jeremiah D. Nettleton, Silas Metcalf.
1850. Dexter Richards,
Jeremiah D. Nettleton, David A. Farrington.
1851. Dexter Richards,
David A. Farrington, Jeremiah D. Nettleton.
1852. Dexter Richards,
John H. Higbee, Mark Gove.
1853. Jonathan Cutting, Ezra T. Sibley, Calvin N. Perkins.
1854. Jonathan Cutting, Calvin N. Perkins, Austin L. Kibbey.
1855. John H. Higbee, Austin L. Kibbey, Charles Emerson.
1856. John H. Highee, Charles Emerson, Christopher C. Shedd.
1857. William Emerson, Christopher C. Shedd, Albert S. Adams.
1858. William Emerson, Albert S. Adams, Henry A. Jenckes.
1862. Francis Boardman, Lewis W. Randall, Orange Whitney.
1863. Jonathan M. Wilmarth, Orange Whitney, Moses W. Emerson.
1864. Francis Boardman, Moses W. Emerson, Simeon Whittier.
1865. George W. Nourse, Simeon Whittier, William Kelley.
1866. George W. Nourse, William Kelley, John B. Cooper.
1867. George W. Nourse, John B. Cooper, William H. Sprague.
1868. George W. Nourse, William H. Sprague, Frank W. Rawson.
1869. George W. Nourse, William Dunton, Orren C. Kibbey.
1870. George W. Nourse, Orren C. Kibbey, William H. Perry.
1871. George W. Nourse, William H. Perry, Leander F. Dodge.
1872. George W. Nourse, Leander F. Dodge, Augustus Wylie.
1873. Daniel Nettleton, Augustus Wylie,
211
OFFICERS.
1873. William B. Kibbey. 1874. Daniel Nettleton, Lyman Rounsevel, Benjamin Marshall. 1875. Francis Boardman, William Woodbury, George H. Towles. 1876. Francis Boardman,
1876. William Woodbury, George H. Towles. 1877. William Woodbury, George H. Towles, Charles A. Silsby. IS78. Freeman Cutting, D. George Chadwick, Frederick S. Little.
STATE JUSTICES OF TIIE PEACE.
Wm. H. H. Allen,
Rufus P. Claggett,
George W. Nourse,
Edmund Burke,
Samuel H. Edes,
Dexter Richards,
Levi W. Barton,
George E. Dame,
Jacob Reddington,
Ira McL. Barton, Thos. W. Gilmore,
John Towne,
Shepherd L. Bowers, Benjamin F. Haven,
Albert S. Wait,
Lyman J. Brooks, A. V. Hitchcock,
Edmund Wheeler,
George R. Brown, Richard S. Howe,
Nathan White,
Francis Boardman, Ralph Metcalf,
Paul J. Wheeler.
Martin A. Barton, Aaron Matson,
Austin Corbin, William F. Newton,
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AND QUORUM.
James Breck,
James Hall,
N. O. Page,
Henry E. Baldwin,
William Cheney,
Amos Little,
Elisha M. Kempton, Edward Wyman. Edward A. Jenks.
Amasa Edes,
Jeremiah D. Nettleton,
James A. Gregg,
Bela Nettleton,
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
David Allen,
Paul S. Adams,
David Allen, Jr.,
Albert S. Adams, Cyrus Barton, E. P. Burke,
Herbert J. Barton, Elbridge Bradford, Sawyer Belknap, William E. Brooks, George S. Barton, Benjamin F. Carr, David B. Chapin, E. C. Converse.
H. G. Carleton, Frederick Claggett,
J. C. Crocker, Frederick Chapin, D. D. Chapin, Austin Corbin, Jr., Edwin L. Cutts, George Dodge, William Emerson, W. S. Eastman, Jonathan Emerson, George C. Edes, Josiah Forsaith, Benjamin B. French,
George H. Fairbanks,
Henry D. Foster,
Calvin N. Fletcher,
Jeremiah Fogg. Zina Goldthwaite,
Joseph George,
Francis H.Goldthwaite,
Milton Glidden, Caleb Heath, Elijah D. Hastings,
'Alfred F. Howard, Joseph S. Hoyt, Matthew Harvey, John H. Higbee,
212
HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
David Harris, George Herrick, Alvin Hatch,
Arthur H. Ingram, Oliver Jenckes,
Milton S. Jackson,
Abial D. Pike,
Nathaniel C. Todd, George H. Towle,
William Kelley,
Calvin H. Pike,
C. A. Thompson,
Frederick W. Lewis, Solomon H. Moody, Silas Metcalf,
James L. Riley,
Isaac A. Reed,
Siloam S. Wilcox,
Matthew H. Moody, Nathan Mudget, Harvey J. Marshall, W. H. McCrillis,
Seth Richards, Seth M. Richards, Josiah Stevens,
Calvin Wilcox,
Parmenas Whitcomb,
John Wilcox, William Woodbury.
Hubbard Newton,
E. E. Stearns,
Aaron Nettleton, Jr.,
Aaron F. Nettleton,
Joseph Sawyer, Jr., Benj. F. Sawyer,
Ezra Stowell, Frank A. Sibley,
William Nourse,
Chase Noyes,
Jonathan Silsby,
Allen Towne,
John S. Parmelee,
Granville Pollard,
Daniel P. Quimby,
D. Willis Watkins, A. P. Welcome,
Nathan E. Reed,
Augustus Wylie,
Samuel F. Nims,
CHAPTER XXVIII.
MUSIC.
N TEWPORT, as a town, has always taken a commendable interest in music, has always been its liberal patron, and has devoted much time and money to its advancement. Among its inhabitants has always been found a full average of musical talent.
The leading singer and most successful teacher of vocal mu- sic among the early settlers was Matthew Buell, Jr., who came with his father from Connecticut. He was the leader of the Congregational choir. He made music a sort of profession, and taught in a large circle of neighboring towns and at the West. At the same time, at the north part of the town was Mr. Philip W. Kibbey, the leader of the Baptist choir, who as a singer had nearly the same traditional merit. At the histori- cal celebration of this town, in 1846, the Rev. Dr. Stow, in his oration, paid in substance the following tribute to their musical talents : "Since leaving the home of my parents, I have trav- elled much in my native land, and much in Europe. In the presence of my wider observation the once magnificent Su- gar river has become an humble stream, and its banks seem not far apart ; and the once grand, awe-inspiring Coit has dwindled in its proportions ;- but nowhere, in town or in country, in church or cathedral, have I heard music so sweet, so thrilling, so full of soul, as that led in my boyhood by those glorious champions, Matthew Buell and Philip W. Kibbey."
In addition, the following men have each in their day been teachers and leaders of the different choirs : At the Congrega- tional,-Oliver Lund, John B. McGregor, Luther Webber, S. J. Allen, Francis Boardman, James H. Parmelee, Augustus Whitney, A. S. Wait, D. P. Quimby, M. R. Emerson, and B. R. Allen,-the latter having rare talent in drilling and leading
214
HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
a choir. At the Baptist,-Elias Metcalf, Timothy Fletcher, Adolphus King, Asa and James B. McGregor, Abel Wheeler, A. L. Kibbey, Oliver B. Jenks, Walter W. King, and Henry M. Chase. At the Methodist, Thomas A. Twitchell, R. A. Web- ber, Charles S. Partridge, and E. Darwin Cummings. At the Unitarian, William H. Belknap and Nathan E. Reed.
Among the ladies who have enjoyed a popularity as singers are Hannah Tenney, Mary G. Newton, Caroline L. Forsaith, Abby Jones, Maria Buell, Lucia Dean, Augusta Allen, Lois Kibbey, Isabel Averill, Mary Larned, Ida Sanderson, Mrs. Dr. Brown, Minnie Harvey, Lizzie Barton, Lucy E. Nettle- ton, and Emma H. Baldwin.
Among the leading bass singers are M. W. Allen, A. F. Net- tleton, J. M. Bartlett, Henry P. Coffin, and George Pressey.
Among the most prominent and successful singers and teach- ers of vocal music was Elnathan Duren, who resided at Charles- town, but flourished here in the musical line from about 1820 to 1835. He had resided in Boston, and was a prominent member of the Boston Handel and Haydn Society. A con- temporary says of him,-" For twenty years he was the most powerful and majestic singer, the most accomplished leader, and the most successful teacher of vocal music known to the general public in all New England. His talents as a composer of music were amply attested by many of the finest sacred airs and anthems. He had an extraordinary compass of voice, and his performances, in solos, duets, and anthems, were unrivalled. For fifteen years he conducted the musical exercises on com- mencement days at Dartmouth college." His many years of faithful service in this town enabled us better to appreciate the excellences of the higher grades of music.
Prof. H. E. W. Barton, a native of Croydon, and a brother of Hon. Levi W. Barton, of this town, had a fine voice, which was thoroughly cultivated by the best musical professors of Boston. He was one of the finest instructors. He resided in this town for several years, and while here was a successful teacher and the leading singer.
The Newport Instrumental Music Society was incorporated in June, 1815, having a fund of $500. Their monthly meetings were held on Wednesday preceding the full of the moon.
215
MUSIC.
Among those who have been most successful with the piano are Mrs. S. C. Phillips, as a teacher, Mrs. D. P. Quimby, Emroy Barron, now the wife of Hon. John M. Shirley, of Andover, Etta M. Guild, Willie A. Edes, Mattie Wheeler, and May Howard.
The Arion Quartette Club, consisting of four of the best sing- ers in town, flourished in 1870, and won golden opinions where- ever they went.
The Quadrille Band, led by William H. Belknap, superin- tended all the dances for several years. It was organized as early as 1856, was well trained, and quite popular.
ORGANISTS. Marion McGregor, daughter of Dr. John B. McGregor, now Mrs. Christopher of New York, was the first person in town to master the organ, and the high position which she has held for so long a time, in the first churches of the cities of Rochester and New York, gives her a rank among the leading organists of the country.
Mrs. Ellen P. Kimball, daughter of the late Dea. D. B. Cha- pin, the present organist at the South (Congregational) church, who to rare natural gifts has added superior culture, has with our leading connoisseurs long been the favorite player.
Among others who have enjoyed a popularity, Zamira Glea- son, late wife of S. F. Lund, a charming player, Prof. A. P. Wyman, Mrs. Ira Mitchell, and Frank A. Sibley should be mentioned.
Among those who have given their attention to martial mu- sic, the first position should be assigned to Mr. Sylvester H. E. Wakefield, by all who were permitted to listen to the rattle of his youthful drum, or the thrilling notes of his silvery bugle in maturer life. James Morris Evarts, an educated and gentle- manly journeyman printer, was the champion flute player. The mellow tones of his enchanting instrument, heard in the choir as well as on the parade ground, are still remembered with the greatest pleasure by those who were his once charmed listeners. Carl Krebs, afterwards a distinguished clarinet play- er in Boston, had his home here in 1860, and produced quite a sensation by exhibitions of his wonderful skill with the instru- ment. The clarinet of Abijah Dudley, the fifes of David Harris and Ransom Pike, and the drum of Willard Harris, were in-
216
HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
dispensable to the complete success of all military trainings and musters. Walter W. King was a favorite bugle player in the days of musters.
In 1815, Col. Wm. Cheney was instrumental in forming a band, which was well maintained and quite popular for a long time.
The Newport Band was organized in 1840, with Mr. S. H. E. Wakefield as leader. It enjoyed the instructions of Mr. A. Bond, of Concord. It was well sustained for many years.
The Newport Cornet Band, B. R. Allen, leader, made its first appearance in public in July, 1860. Two years after, in October, IS62, the full band, eighteen pieces, enlisted for the war in the nine months service. Soon after its arrival at the seat of war, it was appointed a brigade band. It was thorough- ly drilled, and had among its members some of the finest play- ers, and enjoyed while it existed an enviable popularity. Soon after their return home, it was discontinued, several of its best players having left town. Marcine Whitcomb was for a while a leader of the band. It was revived again in 1875, and enjoyed the instruction of a Mr. Prosho, a German of superior skill. It is now led by Charles A. Puffer.
The Sullivan County Musical Convention met here in June, 1848. It was under the direction of Lowell Mason and George G. Webb, of Boston. It was an occasion of much interest, and was fully attended. It had another session here again in Sep- tember, 1851. It was this time under the direction of Profes- sors Baker and Southard, assisted by a Miss Cobb, of Boston, and was again full of interest, and most satisfactory.
SULLIVAN COUNTY MUSICAL ASSOCIATION. This associa- tion was organized Sept. 27, IS72. It has been one of the most popular and successful institutions of the kind ever held in the county. At the first annual meeting, held September, 1873, Solon Wilder was conductor, and Joseph P. Cobb, of Boston, pianist and humorist. At the close of this convention, which was holden in the new town hall, they were so well pleased with their accommodations in all respects, that they voted unanimously that the annual meetings of the association be permanently located in this town. The annual meetings of
217
MUSIC.
this association have since been assisted by the best musical talent of New England.
Conductor-From 1874 to IS; S, inclusive, Prof. L. O. Emer- son, of Boston.
Humorists-H. C. Barnabee, of Boston, 1874, '75 ; Joseph P. Cobb, of Boston, IS77, '78.
Soloists-G. W. Foster, H. M. Chase, F. F. Haskall, Geo. LeClair, E. A. Wood, Geo. L. Sanborn, Mrs. H. M. Smith, H. E. Carter, A. D. Shannon, Misses Sally M. Clough, Lena Part- ridge, Ella M. Smith, Clara D. Haubrick, Ophelia Baker, Anna C. Holbrook.
Piano Accompanist-Mrs. Martha D. Shepard, of Ashland, N. H.
Presidents of the Association-Rev. G. R. W. Scott, M. B. Presby, and Rev. H. C. Leavitt.
Present Board of Officers-President, Rev. H. C. Leavitt ; Vice-President, Francis Boardman; Secretary, Arthur B. Chase ; Treasurer, Granville Pollard.
15
CHAPTER XXIX.
WEDDINGS.
F ROM the earliest records down, it would seem that the people of Newport, in common with the rest of the world, have been inclined to marry and be given in marriage. Tra- dition says that the first marriage in town was solemnized under the shadow of a tall, wide-spreading, grand pine tree, which stood near the present residence of Dea. Joseph Wilcox, the one under which the early settlers first met to worship. and which was in the midst of a most charming wood. It was honored by the presence and hearty good wishes of all the settlers.
The style of weddings, like most other matters, has been un- dergoing constant change, and may be divided into four epochs. During the first period, when there were comparatively few settlers in town, and they, from their isolated condition in the wilderness, had learned the full value of friendships and neigh- borly offices, and each seemed to the other more precious than a brother, all were desired and expected to be present. As there were but few horses and carriages in town, they attended weddings on sleds or in carts, drawn by oxen. Those without teams were always taken along by their more fortunate neigh- bors, so all might be present. We are informed by one of the descendants, that when Mr. Jonathan Brown was married, in 1777, at the house of Amos Hall, on the Unity road, the whole town was invited, and two sleighs,-all there were in town,- and twenty-four ox-sleds were present at the wedding.
During the second period the settlers had become too numer- ous to be all accommodated in the comparatively humble dwell- ings of that day, and especial invitations were sent to the rela- tives and more intimate friends. Horses had now become plenty, and all attended on horseback. As they rode along in
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WEDDINGS.
pairs, all gaily attired, while attending the bridal couple to their new home, the cavalcade, often very long, presented an impos- ing and beautiful appearance. In that day every lady was an expert horseback rider. The side-saddle, often a very elegant and expensive affair, was an indispensable thing, and always stood at the head of that list of bridal fixings which the parents were expected to furnish their daughters upon marriage.
It was during the third period, when the roads were in a better condition, and vehicles of various kinds had become suf- ficiently numerous, that saddles were discarded, and all rode in carriages. For many years after the introduction of the chaise,- a two-wheeled carriage with a top,-the man that should pre- sume to attend a wedding without one would have been con- sidered as wanting in due respect for himself and his host, and might almost expect to be met at the door with the question, "Friend. how camest thou in hither not having on the wedding garment?" It was at this time that the habit of serenading the newly-married couple grew up,-a habit very pleasant and dreamy when coming from sweet voices, and instruments in skilled hands, but very annoying when proceeding from a band of lawless lads armed with tin horns and pans and nameless hideous sounding instruments. The present custom undoubt- edly arose from a desire to avoid being a victim to this prac- tice.
In the fourth and last place, I will say, for the benefit of the future historian, that the present custom seems to be this : To get married wherever the fancy may dictate,-at home, in the church, or at the clergyman's residence, and go immediately away on a bridal tour; and the man who should decline to spend the honeymoon at one of our large cities, or at some fashionable watering-place, would be deemed as lacking in gallantry.
During the three earlier periods, it was the habit, as it was the law, for the town-clerk to announce the bans on three suc- cessive public days. It was usually done in church : so the people had matrimony as well as religion to mingle with their Sabbath evening meditations.
A NEGRO WEDDING. The following account of a negro wedding, upon old Coit mountain, was given the writer, in
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
boyhood, by an eye-witness : In those days all were married by the clergy. On this occasion the whole of the negro colony, comprising many families, were invited, and all the neighbor- ing "white folks." Priest Haven, of Croydon, was invited to officiate. He made his prayer, and proceeded with the cer- emony until he came to that portion which relates to the usual salutation, when he remarked that it was customary on such occasions for the officiating clergyman to salute the bride, but on that occasion he would be excused from that part of the cer- emony. After the bans came an entertainment, where, added to a bountiful supply of " hog and hominy," were all the nice " fixin's" which the prolific genius of the sable bride could in- vent. It was arranged that the evening should close with a dance : but here was a dilemma. The musician on whom they depended had disappointed them. In this emergency the clergyman, animated, maybe, partly by a desire to make amends for his failure to perform the whole ceremony, or, perhaps, by the recollection of that portion of scripture which says, "There is a time to dance," being an accomplished musician, stepped forward and took the viol, when all went merry as a marriage bell. At the close, the sable groom very coolly remarked that it was customary at weddings for the bridegroom to pay the officiating clergyman a crown, but he would be excused on that occasion from that part of the ceremony. The wit of Sambo was received with a hearty langh, at the clergyman's expense. He never afterwards saluted a bride.
CHAPTER XXX.
AMUSEMENTS.
A MONG the more prominent amusements, especially with the gayer and less serious portions of the inhabitants, is dancing. The frequent assemblies, balls, and plain dances of former times, and the dedication, anniversary, and other balls, and especially the Masonic anniversaries of modern times, when the choicest music is employed, and most elaborate toilets made, have been occasions of much interest. As long ago as IS23, a ball at the Eagle hotel, with Abraham Pushee, of Leb- anon, the favorite master, at the viol, and Mrs. Silver as cater- er, was considered the perfection of an " elegant time." The cotillon was for several years the favorite dance. Waltzing was considered by outsiders, for some time after its introduc- tion, as an " absurd practice."
Checkers has always been a favorite game. Fox and gecse was more played formerly than now. Wrestling was one of the carliest, and an exciting game, and was indulged in at rais- ings, election days, and all similar gatherings, the champion always feeling himself the hero. Quoits and round ball (some- what similar to the present game of base ball) were among the earliest games, and are still in vogue, while ten-pins, billiards, and croquet are of more recent introduction.
The royal game of goose was introduced here by Gov. Ralph Metcalf, on his return from Washington, D. C., where it had been a fashionable game. Chess was introduced by Dr. W. W. Leavitt, about the year 1855. To James Cushing, a merchant, who came here in IS35, we are indebted for the introduction of backgammon.
Among the younger classes, Copenhagen, button, hunt the
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT.
slipper, blind man's buff, and the grace-hoop have been the pre- vailing games.
Cards have been more or less indulged in. They were for some time held in disrespect, as tending to gambling and other vices, from the circumstance that card-playing was most prac- tised at taverns and stores after business hours, when money was sometimes staked, and when the loser in the game was expected to pay the grog bill. In later years, whist and euchre are the games which have been most in vogue. A euchre circle, known at the time as the "Coit family," was formed in 1858, including among its members a large share of the younger people of the village. It was an agreeable, after-tea affair, managed by the ladies, and gave much apparent satisfaction to all its members.
The squirrel hunt, in which the parties, pitted against each other, slaughtered all the wild game of the forests, after which they met, counted their game, and partook of a supper, the los- ing side paying the bill, is one of the recreations which have often been pursued, and which is pardonable only when wild game is so plenty as to annoy the inhabitants by destroying their crops.
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