USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > North Providence > Annals of Centerdale : in the town of North Providence, Rhode Island : its past and present, 1636-1909 > Part 7
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Square dances, or cotillions, as they were then called, were the popular dances of those days, and the "Schot- tische" and "Polka" were generally tried once during the evening; but "Money Musk" and the "Virginia Reel" were always included in the programme.
These grand balls, as they were called, occurred about four times during the winter, and were held on the evening of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Washing- ton's birthday. Those held at other times were called cotillion parties. They were highly popular throughout this section of the State between the years 1835 and 1857, particularly so between 1847 and 1857, while the tavern was under the management of James Halsey Angell (son of the original landlord). But during the financial de- pression throughout the country in 1857 the people had less money to spend for recreation and amusement, and this, being followed by the breaking out of the Civil War
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THE VILLAGE TAVERN.
in 1861, caused the old-time balls to live only in the pleasant memories of those who in their younger days had taken part in them.
The tavern room, or bar-room as it was generally called, undoubtedly was the most attractive room in the house to most visitors to the village tavern. It was in this room in the early days of the tavern that the farmer and his neighbors would congregate in the long winter evenings, and seat themselves upon benches and heavy oaken chairs around the open fire-place, with the wood piled high upon the iron andirons, and listen to the yarns spun, perhaps by some returned sailor from a long whaling voyage, or perhaps to some one who had a hunting or fishing story to tell or re-tell that number of times that there was some danger that he would convince himself that the story was true. The teamster was always welcomed to these gath- erings, for he was sure to bring the latest news from the northern part of the State as well as from the city.
This was long before the advent of the steam railroad, when all of the supplies as well as the products of the large mills and other industries of the northern part of the State were hauled by horses and oxen. And as it re- quired two days to make the round trip, the Centerdale tavern was the stopping-place for the night, and sixty or eighty horses would often be accommodated at the tavern stables, together with half a dozen yoke of oxen.
It was in this room that many of the old-time sailors would drink the good-bye to their friends before leaving for New Bedford, Mass., to embark on a five-years' whaling voyage. Jack Walmsley, Henry Burlingame, Jerry Daily, Stephen Briggs, and Captain John Lawton are names well worthy of being mentioned as brave and
106
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
hardy whalemen who took their departure from here. It was here that the adventurous gold hunters of '49 assem- bled to plan and arrange for a trip around Cape Horn to California, in the good ship "Perseverance."
The bar, which was the most important fixture of this room, was placed at one end of the room, and was a curi- ous little affair in comparison with the modern idea of bar fixtures of artistic wood carvings and massive mirrors. This little bar was about six feet in length by fourteen inches in width, the top being fully four feet above the floor; and if a man was a little under size, his head would come but little above the top of the bar.
Suspended over the bar, securely fastened to the ceiling by strong hinges, was a sort of gate which was let down at night when the bar was closed, and gave to the room somewhat of the appearance of a bank, only the grating was made of wood instead of grill-work of polished brass. In the morning the gate would be raised up and secured to the ceiling by a strong iron hook. In 1853 the gate was removed; but the little bar remained until 1870, when that gave way to one of more pretentious appearance.
Back of the bar were four or five shelves built against the wall, like the shelves in a store, along which were arranged tall glass jars filled with' long sticks of striped candy; tobacco, cigars, and nuts of all kinds were also kept for sale. But the liquor was kept under the bar, out of sight, and consisted of brandy, West India rum, New England rum, Holland gin, and Jenckes gin,* wine. and cider, and in the early days a kind of drink called "Bitters." Whiskey was but little used here before 1860. but was kept in small quantities. Ale, or strong beer as
*An American product.
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THE VILLAGE TAVERN.
it was called, was moderately drunk; but no lager was sold until after 1870. The first lager beer brewed in the United States was in 1843, and was made then only in very small quantity in New York, and it was several years after be- fore it was sold regularly in a saloon in that city; and it took several years more for it to become popular; the diffi- culty of keeping it without ice being a bar to its general use until the use of ice became more common.
GLASSES USED IN OLD TIMES AND TO-DAY.
It is curious to note the prices charged in those times and compare them with the prices charged to-day. Brandy and rum were but four cents a glass; gin was three cents,
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
unless a little molasses were added, then the price was four cents. The price of whiskey was the same as gin; but, as said before, whiskey was but little used.
The glasses used were the common water or table tumblers, like those now in general use about the house- hold, instead of the diminutive little glasses in use to-day.
Cigars were one cent each, or six for five cents; and in after years two and three cent cigars were introduced, but not many of that extravagant price were sold. After the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861, prices advanced rapidly, and, strange as it may seem, have kept on ad- vancing.
A reference to the following bills, copied from an old account book of James Angell, while landlord of the Centerdale tavern, will prove interesting. Those having dates earlier than 1824 were taken from books while he was at the Fruit Hill tavern.
NORTH PROVIDENCE March 1826
AMASA SMITH
To JAMES ANGELL DR
Mar 4 To 3₺ gills Gin. . 22
66 28 2 glasses Rum. 08
66 I Glass Gin and Molasses. 4
Dec 26 I glass Gin & I pint New Rum IO Jan 2 5 glasses gin 16
2 glass gin 6
.66
NORTH PROVIDENCE 1827
JAMES LATHAM
To JAMES ANGELL DR Feb 27 To I Drink of Rum and I Drink Beer . 06 Mar 16 2 S
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THE VILLAGE TAVERN.
Dec I3 To Lodging and Wine
20
27
66 4 drinks. I6
66
66
2 8
58
NORTH PROVIDENCE 1827
CHRISTOPHER BROWN
To JAMES ANGELL DR
Feb 15 To I quart Gin. I4
66
20 I dinner and Bitters. 22
OI
Ginger bread for boy 06
-43
NORTH PROVIDENCE 1827
THOMAS MANCHESTER
To JAMES ANGELL DR
Feb I7 To I glass Rum & 12 cigars .I2
66 I Pie and cheese 08
Mar 18
18 cigars. I6
Wine and Egg. 07
23 4 Cigars & I Orange 08
27 ' 9 cigars 3 glasses gin I glass wine 22
-73
NORTH PROVIDENCE 1830
MR AMSDELL
To JAMES ANGELL DR
Oct II To 2 meals victuals Lodging & Bitters - 44
12 To I 66 and Bitters 22
Nov 30 To I 66 66 & I drink 22
97
HALSEY SWEETLAND Oct 9 1817 To boarding your man Henry Macquire 9 weeks & 6 days at $2.00 per week. $19.71
I Cigar.
29
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ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
CHRISTOPHER BROWN
May 16th 1817 To 2 quarts N. E. Rum .25
..
I Lodging 08
.. I Gill Bitters IO
". 18
6.
" Cider Cigars and Tobacco. 08
Aug 9 1834 JOHN ANGELL Blacksmith
To i dinner and Wine. 20
66
12 .. " Supper Breakfast & Lodging 44
15
" I Lodging o8
It would seem from the above account that a man with but little money could manage to live quite like a gentle- man of leisure. With board only two dollars per week and brandy four cents a glass, or wine and eggs for seven cents, and then enjoy a cigar for one cent, there certainly would be no occasion for him to complain of being over- charged.
But regardless of the exceeding low prices charged in those days, the tavern-keepers seemed to prosper and get rich just the same as they do now, with board at two or more dollars per day, brandy at thirty-five cents a glass, and cigars fifteen cents each; but just how they accom- plished it is hard to understand.
At the time the tavern was built it was still the custom to hang out a sign-board, or swinging sign, in some con- spicuous place, and a tavern would be thought hardly complete without its swinging sign. Some of the tavern- keepers took especial pride in their swinging signs, and oc- casionally one would be seen which displayed no little ar- tistic taste; but as a rule they did not possess much merit.
The tavern-keeper would select such a design as met his fancy. If he was a lover of horses. he might select a horse for his emblem. And if the painter should happen
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THE VILLAGE TAVERN.
to have more black paint than white, and painted the horse black, the tavern might afterwards be known to the country around as the Black-Horse Tavern, or the White- Horse Tavern, accord- ing to the color the painter painted the horse. The deer, bull, or lion's head were all popular designs. The CENTER HOTELL picture of an Indian was sometimes used. But during and after the Revolution the pic- ture of Washington, or an American eagle, was the favorite emblem painted upon the swing- ing signs. The em- blem selected by James BROWN Angell for his sign- board was the eagle. J.ANGELL At the time the sign was painted an attempt no doubt was made to add a little dignity to SWINGING SIGN ON THE VILLAGE TAVERN. the house by naming it the "Center Hotell"
(with two l's) instead of tavern, but the public did not seem to relish the high-toned name, for it was always called the "Center Tavern," and later the "Centerdale Tavern," until recent years when the term hotel was adopted.
112
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
The sign is still kept as a relic of old times and is in a good state of preservation, considering the number of years it was exposed to the weather. The old sign was re- moved from the house in 1852.
It will be interesting to note the successors of James Angell as landlord of the hotel. James Angell presided as landlord from 1824 to 1841. It was during his seven- teen years' administration as landlord that the place established the reputation of being a model hostlery. In 1841 he was succeeded by his son Nathaniel, who remained until November 1, 1848, when he was succeeded by his brother James Halsey Angell, who conducted the house until April 1, 1858. It was during these years that the balls spoken of in this chapter were so popular, par- ticularly so during the administration of James Halsey Angell (or Halsey, as he was always called). J. Halsey Angell retired from the hotel business April 1, 1858, and was succeeded by Henry C. Peckham, of Danielson, Conn., who remained until April 1, 1859, when Albert Haynes assumed charge; and April 1, 1861, was suc- ceeded by Albert Mowry, who remained only one year,
or until April 8, 1862, when Nathaniel Angell again became landlord, for the second time, and successfully conducted the house until November 3. 1873. Thus it will be observed that of the first half-century of the exist- ence of the Centerdale hotel, forty-five years of it were under the direction of James Angell and his two sons. And the policy adopted by the father was always adhered to by the sons, no one being permitted to drink to excess at the bar, and no card-playing or gambling devices were ever allowed upon the premises.
Nathaniel Angell finally retired from the management
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THE VILLAGE TAVERN.
of the hotel, November 3, 1873, when James Barnes assumed charge and continued until July 7, 1886, when he was succeeded by James Higgins. Mr. Higgins did not remain long, and October 6, 1887, James Barnes returned and remained until April 1, 1889, when he was succeeded by Albertus Searle until April 10, 1890, when James Barnes for the third time assumed charge of the place and remained until his death, which occurred July 17th, 1891. Cassius S. Mathewson, son-in-law of James Barnes, then assumed charge of the house and continued to be the genial landlord of the Centerdale hotel until his death, which occurred January 28, 1909.
The following is the chronological order of the suc- cession of the landlords of the hotel from its beginning to the present time: James Angell, from 1824 to 1841; Nathaniel Angell, from 1841 to November 1, 1848; James Halsey Angell, from November 1, 1848, to April 1, 1858; Henry C. Peckham, from April 1, 1858, to April 1, 1859; Albert Haynes from April 1, 1859, to April 1, 1861; Albert Mowry, from April 1, 1861, to April 8, 1862; Nathaniel Angell, from April 10, 1862, to November 3, 1873; James Barnes, from November 3, 1873, to July 7, 1886; James Higgins, from August 16, 1886, to September 19, 1887; James Barnes, from October 6, 1887, to April 1, 1889; Albertus Searles, from April 1, 1889, to April 10, 1890; James Barnes, from April 17, 1890, to July 17, 1891; Cassius S. Mathewson, from July 17, 1891, to January 28, 1909.
It will now be necessary to go back a few years in our story of the old tavern. James Angell, the original land- lord of the hotel, died November 20, 1870. The hotel estate was then conveyed to his son James Halsey Angell,
8
114
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
who held it until his death, July 1, 1890: when it passed to his oldest son, George F. Angell; when, upon his death. August 18, 1894, it passed to his widow, Sarah L. Angell, who continued to own the property until August 25th, 1897, when it was sold to Cassius S. Mathewson. Thus the old familiar hostlery passed out of the Angell family after continuous ownership of the land for over 160 years.
Shortly after Mr. Mathewson purchased the estate he proceeded to renovate the old hostelry and introduce many modern conveniences. An addition was built on, a steam- heating plant installed, electric lights introduced, the bar- room enlarged to more than double its former size, and the house throughout the inside was thoroughly remodeled. And if we were to visit to-day the Centerdale hotel, we would recognize but little in common with the old tavern stand of eighty years ago. The swinging sign has dis- appeared, the cheerful fire places have been removed, supplanted by the modern steam heater: the bright and glaring electric light has taken the place of candle and the lamp, the little bar with its portcullis gate has been removed to make way for the modern bar fixtures of carved oak, and massive mirrors; all of which give to the ancient hostlery the appearance of a modern hotel instead of the old-time tavern stand.
The only room that still retains its old-time appearance is the little dance hall with its high-arched ceiling, which still remains intact with the exception that one of the fire- places has been removed; and as we gaze around the room our eyes rest upon the lone fire-place with the empty andirons which once held the bright and glowing embers, but now are cold and cheerless. A feeling almost of sadness comes o'er us as our minds revert back to the
115
THE VILLAGE TAVERN.
time when the cheerful fire shown brightly across the open hearth, adding much to the joyous scenes of bye- gone days, and seemed to burn more brightly as the merry dance went on; and not unlike the warm heart of a cherished friend, that beat the faster when the cup of joy and happiness is full.
CHAPTER XII.
THE COUNTRY COBBLER .- THE HARNESS MAKER.
THE COUNTRY COBBLER.
IN the early days of the colony it was the custom for the shoemakers, or cobblers, as they were called. to pack their kit, together with a few lasts, in a strong bag, and with a roll of leather travel from house to house and re- pair up the shoes, or make new ones, for the whole family.
These visits were made once or twice each year, and without doubt the fall visit was a welcome one to the farmer boys, who, in most cases, were obliged to go bare- footed until the cobbler came, no matter how late in the season his annual visits were made.
Just who the first cobbler was whose annual visits made gład the hearts of the pioneer's home is not posi- tively known. Indications point strongly to Epenctus Olney.
There is no question but that Epenetus was a shoe- maker. His name is mentioned in the "Early Records of Providence" as Epenetus Olney the "SHOOMAKER." be- sides, the inventory of his estate after his death in 1698 includes all sorts of shoemaker's tools, etc.
But whether he ran a perambulating shop or not is hard to determine, but undoubtedly he did, for the people were too thinly scattered about the country for a cobbler permanently located to get much work; besides. it was the custom in those days for the cobbler to make house
117
THE COUNTRY COBBLER.
to house visits. Diligent research and inquiry fail to reveal who his successor was. There is no positive evi- dence that a shoemaker was permanetly located in Cen- terdale until about 1820, or shortly after the introduction of the cotton industry by Israel Arnold, when Samuel Sweet did all of the cobbling that the neighborhood had need. He was at that time the miller at the grist mill, and when grinding was dull he would turn his hand to cobbling. After he gave up business there was no resident shoemaker here for many years, the people carrying their work to Graniteville (an adjoining village), where Paris Whitman attended to their wants. Paris Whitman was succeeded by Horace Convas, who carried on the business until his death. In 1850, Arnold Hawkins, who had previously occupied a shop on Fruit Hill, moved to this place and established a shop which was really the first shoemaker shop permanently established in Centerdale. Arnold Hawkins was an expert workman at his trade, and was capable of producing work quite equal to any.
At the time he came to this place but few ready-made boots or shoes were worn, except of the very common or cheap kind, most people preferring to have their boots and shoes made by the village cobbler. The term Boots is used here to designate the long-legged boot worn in those days, which extended as far up as the knee-in some cases above the knee. Comparatively few shoes were worn by men or boys, and a man would not be considered fashionably dressed with shoes, except in the ball-room, when pumps (a low-cut slipper) were worn. It was a common custom when a father's boots were past repairing to take the long legs of the boot to the shoemaker and have a pair made from them for one of his boys. If the leather ran a little
118
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
short of the proper length the shoemaker would add on a piece of fancy colored leather (usually red) at the top, and the boy who was fortunate enough to have a pair of red- topped boots usually wore his trousers tucked inside of his boot-legs, to attract the attention of his comrades to his coveted prize.
Arnold Hawkins continued in the business until his death, which occurred in 1894, after forty-four years of active business life in this place.
HARNESS MAKING.
The first harness shop in Centerdale was established by James E. Bailey in the year 1857, in a building then stand- ing at the junction of Smith street and Waterman avenue; the building where the first store was started and where the first post-office was located. He remained at this place about a year, when he removed to a room in a build- ing that had been recently erected on Mineral Spring avenue, by George H. Page, for the manufacture of car- riages. James E. Bailey was a practical harness maker, having served a full apprenticeship, and was proficient in making all parts of a harness. He was a man of a genial disposition, possessing a kind and pleasing voice, and exceedingly courteous in his manner, even carrying his polite and courteous manner to an extreme limit. He was much interested in military affairs and connected himself with a prominent military company in the city of Provi- dence, and in due time was promoted to the office of 2d Lieutenant; and at the breaking out of the Civil war, in 1861, went to the front with the First Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, and afterwards re-enlisted in the Third Regiment, Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, and served
119
THE HARNESS MAKER.
throughout the war, returning with an honorable record, having been promoted to the office of Major. His military record will be given in another place.
Shortly after Bailey went to the defence of his country a shop was opened by Louis Bell, in a small building number 1999 Smith street, where he conducted the business for about two years, when he was succeeded by Thomas Anderson until the summer of 1864, when the shop was closed for a short time.
At the close of the war Major Bailey returned to Cen- terdale, and, finding his old place of business closed, and desiring to again enter into business, re-opened the shop in August, 1864, and continued in business until the spring of 1866, when from business adversities he was compelled to make an assignment and close up the shop.
The place did not remain long closed, for in April, 1866, Alexander W. Harrington re-opened the shop, and for many years did a thriving business. He was a very energetic and public-spirited young man, and did much for the improvement and social welfare of the community.
In 1876 he entered into the manufacture of paper, and with others leased two paper mills at West Medway, Mass. He has since that time continued in the paper business, in some of its branches, and for many years had an office in New York City. He was succeeded in the harness business, in May, 1877, by Frank C. Angell. The business under his management soon began to in- crease, and soon called for larger and more commodious rooms, and in 1881 he erected the building known as the Masonic Hall building, and numbered 2001 to 2007 Smith street, and removed to that place, occupying nearly the entire lower floor of the building. With the increased
120
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
room there was ample opportunity to extend the business and add many accessory lines of goods. After doing a thriving business for fifteen years he decided to retire from the business that he might give his full attention to the real estate business, in which he was at that time much interested.
The advent of the steam and electric cars eventually caused the business to decline, in consequence of which there has been no harness and saddlery store here since, except in a small way when some one would open a shop for repairs, but, meeting with indifferent success, would remain but a short time.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH AND WHEELWRIGHT AND THE FIRST LIVERY STABLE.
Under a spreading chestnut tree The village smithy stands; The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands. -LONGFELLOW.
TO O speak of the village blacksmith shop would cause the mind of the old-time resident of Centerdale to revert to an old smoke-blackened building standing a little way back from the highway; near it a large tree with long spreading branches covered in the summer with green foliage and reaching far out over the blackened ground in front of the shop; and in the mind-picture may be seen, just a little to one side of the door, a pile of half-burned embers, the remnant of the circular fire used for heating tires for the heavy cart-wheels.
The building, which long since had lost its upright position, is dotted here and there with patches of dingy red paint, the remains of what was once a coat of red, but which had long since failed to withstand the storms of time. And leaning against the old weather-worn shop a number of cast-off wagon tires have found a resting- place, and, lying near, is a pile of old wheels and broken parts of old wagons. Inside of the shop, upon the smoke- begrimed sides and beams, are hanging long rows of horse-
122
ANNALS OF CENTERDALE.
shoes, of many shapes and sizes, waiting to be nailed to the feet of the faithful horse. At one end is the forge with the open fire, which now and then sends forth spiteful sparks as the strong arm of the smith forces down the lever of the massive bellows. Near the forge, upon a solid oaken block, rests the anvil, behind which stands the village blacksmith with face all tanned and begrimed with smoke to nearly the color of his long leather apron; his sleeves rolled far above the elbows, showing the muscles and sinews of brawny arms.
Soon we see him take from off the forge a half-com- pleted horseshoe and raining down rapid blows with a heavy hammer, which seems like a toy in his vice-like grasp, throwing out myriads of glittering sparks on all sides like a minature display of fireworks, now and then tapping the anvil a measured blow which seems to chime with the heavier one like music.
This was the appearance of the old blacksmith shop as it was more than three-score years ago, when John R. Cozzens, the village blacksmith, stood behind the anvil in Centerdale.
To give the early history of the first shop it will be necessary to go back to the year 1820, when Halsey Sweet- land leased a piece of land from Nathaniel Angell on the west side of Smith street, nearly opposite the junction of Waterman avenue; here he erected the first blacksmith shop in the village, which at that time contained scarcely half a dozen houses. He was quite successful in his business, and October 16, 1826, purchased the land the shop stood upon, and continued to work at his trade until March 18, 1829, when he sold the place to Brown Sweet.
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