USA > Virginia > City of Richmond > City of Richmond > Virginia, especially Richmond, in by-gone days; with a glance at the present: being reminiscences and last words of an old citizen > Part 14
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tained. The site of his Printing Office and of the Library, is now occupied by Goddin's Hall.
One of his apprentices, or journeymen, is now the oldest of the craft in Richmond, and the oldest citizen of Richmond birth. The venerable Mr. Warrock, at the age of eighty-three, still handles the composing-stick, and continues to publish his Almanac,* which has recorded half as many years as himself.
Though somewhat damaged by time, his case has no bad type, and, after the impressions of so many years, his form is still capable of work.
[Mr. Warrock died March 7th, 1858, aged 84 years and 4 months.]
* Apropos to Almanacs; it is a curious fact that, in the commencement of this century, " Bannaker's Almanac " was annually issued and was calculated by Benjamin Bannaker, a black man, who resided in Maryland, and whose name has been rendered conspicuous in the records of the Maryland Historical Society by Mr. Latrobe and Mr. Norris.
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PUBLICANS AND PATRIOTS.
CHAPTER XXII.
PUBLICANS AND PATRIOTS.
DR. JOHNSON says, "who drives fat oxen should himself be fat." In Richmond it was proved that he who served the beef should acquire the obesity.
The hosts of our taverns, in old times, were a jolly looking set. The oldest in my day were old Burgess and his wife, round and rosy, of that ancientest of inns, " The Bird in Hand," at the foot of Church Hill. Then came in succession locally, Raphael, of the City Tavern, fat and lazy. These hosts were not distinguished by military titles, as were most of their local superiors. Major Bowler has already been described. Caspar Fleisher and his wife were host and hostess of the Rising Sun-as round and as red as he, when seen through a fog-against the effect of which Caspar furnished an antidote. His sun rose and shone for many years near the old Capitol, and on the spot now occupied by stores on Four- teenth street, north side of Exchange alley.
The rotundity of Caspar and his wife gave warranty that their table was well served and
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their beer not small, for beer was a general and genteel beverage in those days, although lager had not raised it head, if it has any. * At that time very good beer was made by Hay & Forrester, at their brewery on Canal and Fourth streets. We were independent of the North for all our bever- ages. Our French brandy and Jamaica rum were not distilled in New York, nor our champagne (if we had any) bottled in New Jersey.
Col. Radford of the Eagle, was of grand di- mensions, as was his house in those days, and of great resort. Esme Smock afterwards became landlord of the Eagle. I mention him because the name is now obsolete here, as applied either to men or things.
Crouch's Virginia Inn, on the ascent of Gov-
* P. S. 1860 .- Lager has raised its head and a strong one it is, as are those of its countrymen. Lager has gone ahead of all other beverages. The number of "Saloons " that bear its name, is scarcely exceeded by that of clothing-shops, kept also by Germans. They are a valuable acquisition to our city, in many useful trades. They are also our gayest citizens, and enjoy their hours of relaxation. They have their Musical and Turner's Societies, their private theatres, their "Volks Garten," and support two or three newspapers, and though last, not least, Churches of different denominations. .
This is a new and pleasant phase in the aspect of our city. . More German names than any other appear over the doors in some parts of it, and to judge by the conversation heard in the streets, one might be at a loss to know whether German or English is the language of the country.
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ernor street, had nothing to distinguish it that I remember, except the difficulty of getting. to it, and the small inducement to do so. Where now stands the Exchange, or a very small portion of it, stood Major Davis's Tavern, itself of very small pretensions, but its host of very great-never less than a scarlet vest, cocked hat and other externals to correspond, and a very martial air, even when not on parade. A tough pull was it, in wet weather, to attain to the Major's house, the locality of which was chosen in respect to Byrd's Ware- house, a tobacco inspection opposite, which may be said to have gone to h-1, or h-1 to it-accord- ing to a modern application of that word, unfit for ears polite-considering how a portion of the site is now occupied. Major Davis's tavern, was in- vaded and demolished by Byrd's Ware-house, which, from some motive, politic or otherwise, changed sides, and took possession of the whole of the present Exchange premises, but in a few years came to a conclusion.
Col. Goodall, of the Indian Queen, was a man of commanding mien, rotund and rosy, as if he enjoyed the good things he dispensed to his guests.
The Queen, like all her race, was deposed, and her effigy which was arrayed in furs and feathers, was supplanted by a martial figure of Washington on horseback, sword in hand. His " monument " was substituted for himself in designating the old
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tavern, and even this did not prove "durable as brass," but subsided into the unaspiring cognomen of "Central." But the Colonel deserves to be mentioned in a different character than as host of the Indian Queen, under whose plumes he nestled.
When Governor Dunmore, like a thief in the night, took a quantity of powder secretly from the magazine at Williamsburg, in 1775, Patrick Henry was elected to the command of the first company of volunteers that took up arms against royal au- thority, or encroachment, in any State south of Massachusetts, and immediately after the affair at Lexington and Concord. The volunteers of Han- over dared to offer resistance to their King, the Elector of Hanover. Of this band of patriots, Patrick Henry was Captain, Samuel Meredith Lieu- tenant, and Parke Goodall Ensign; and he was detached, with sixteen men, to demand of Richard Corbin, the king's Receiver-General, the sum of three hundred and thirty pounds, in payment for the stolen powder, or in case of refusal to take him prisoner. Mr. Corbin was not at home, but Dun- more found it prudent to order him to pay the money. This was the first overt act of rebellion in Virginia against royal authority, and Colonel Goodall deserves to be remembered for his partici- pation in it.
The Union Tavern, (previously Mrs. Gilbert's Coffee-house,) was kept in 1802, by Wm. Booker,
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whose threshing machines, (for wheat, not for guests,) were probably the first ever made in Vir- ginia. His successor, as a host, was Jas. H. Lynch. The tavern, which, though of moderate dimensions, assumed the Globe for its sign, was when in a state of dissolution, removed to the suburbs, to make room for the grand store of Kent Paine & Co., as already mentioned.
The Swan Tavern was kept by Major Moss, who probably also served in the Revolutionary war. He exhibited good breeding, good feeding, and good fellowship in his full figure and face. His house might have been called the Lincoln's Inn or Doctor's Commons of Richmond, for there assem- bled, in term time, the non-resident judges and lawyers ; and though of unpretending exterior, the Swan was the tavern of highest repute for good fare, good wine, and good company. Here cen- tred " the logic and the wisdom, and the wit," nor was " the loud laugh " wanting. It has lost its name and fame, and few of its professional guests survive.
An occasional appendage to the Swan was a house nearly opposite to it, at the corner of Broad and Ninth streets, where a large China store now stands. In that house Aaron Burr was kept prisoner during his trial for treason, the Federal Court having no prison under its control. His first place of imprisonment was the common jail,
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but his counsel stated to the Judge that there was no privacy there to allow of free conference, and he was removed to the Penitentiary, where pleasant apartments were assigned him-if apart- ments in a prison can be called pleasant-and from thence, when his trial came on, he was incarcerated . in the house above mentioned, being near the Court room. He was the first of modern filibusters, and had not his plans been thwarted, might have become the Napoleon of the West, the scourge of Louis- iana, the liberator of Mexico, with a host of adherents who, fortunately for themselves, had not become so far implicated in his plots as to be arraigned at the bar.
The occasion of his trial brought to Richmond many distinguished men, as counsel, witnesses, &c., some of whom would have held a very different position, had Burr's plans proved successful. Among the number was the purblind but accom- plished Mr. Blannerhasset, and Dr. Erick Bolman, who was devoted to the ladies, and paid his ad- dresses to all who gave him an opportunity. He had distinguished himself previously by an attempt in concert with Mr. Huger, of South Carolina, to rescue Lafayette from the Castle of Olmutz. Gen. Jackson was one of the witnesses, with whose tall, lank figure was contrasted the short, fat and pompous one of Gen. Wilkinson. The concourse that assembled in Richmond, serious as the occa-
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RACES AND BALLS.
sion was to the parties accused or suspected, made it a gay time, and those parties, except the princi- pal, generally partook of the gaiety.
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CHAPTER XXIII.
RACES AND BALLS.
IN old times in Virginia, horse-racing was the sport of gentlemen. Many wealthy planters had their stud of horses of the best stock, as well as of the most useful, and bred them for the turf, the saddle, the harness, and the plough. There was no West then, as now, to supply them, and mules were scarcely known. One gentleman who had seen their value elsewhere, for the purpose of introducing them, brought two or three jacks to Richmond, but in vain. He turned them out on the common, and the school boys derived great sport from riding them. Washington Irving has introduced a gentleman in one of his sketches, under the name of Ralph Ringwood, who I must also introduce here as one of the school-boys. To make sure of a holiday ride, he caught one of the donkeys over night, and stabled him in his father's smoke-house. At an early hour in the morning, the household was alarmed by a most unearthly,
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but not a heavenly noise. The house-keeper thought her bacon had gone to the devil or the devil had got into it. The young scamp had to allay the demon by producing the key and releas- ing the donkey. Irving gives a richer, and of course an amusing version of the story, showing that the adventure with the donkey tended to make Mr. Duval Governor of Florida.
Gentlemen of town and country formed the Jockey Clubs, which held the Spring and Fall races at Richmond and Petersburg, and perhaps elsewhere. They and their friends came to town in their coaches and four, in their phaetons, char- iots and gigs, bringing their wives and daughters ; a very convenient time for obtaining the Spring and Fall fashions. The race-field presented a brilliant display of equipages, filled with the reign- ing belles and their predecessors. Many were the pairs of gloves lost and won between them and their beaux. Nothing could appear more animated than such an assemblage of beauty and fashion. The equestrians, on fine blooded horses, riding from coach to coach, or during the heat of the race, going at high speed, to obtain a commanding view of the contest. The race week was a perfect carnival. The streets were thronged with equi- pages, and the shops with customers. Not only taverns and boarding-houses were filled, but pri- vate families opened their hospitable doors to their
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country friends. Among the amusements of the week was the Race Ball, which (as well as the regular dancing assemblies of the winter) was held in the large ball-room of the Eagle. Boots and pants in those days were proscribed. Etiquette required shorts and silks, and pumps with buckles, and powdered hair. The ball was opened by one of the managers and the lady he thought proper to distinguish, with a minuet de la Cour, putting the grace and elegance of the couple to a severe ordeal.
Such bowing and courtseying, tiptoeing and tipfingering, backing and filling, advancing and retreating, attracting and repelling, all in the figures of Z or X, to a tune which would have served for a dead march! A long silken train following the lady, like a sunset shadow; and the gentleman holding a cocked hat under his arm, or in his hand, until at last the lady permitted the gentleman at full arms-length, to hand her, by the very tips of her fingers, to a seat, when, with a most profound bow, he retreated backward to seek one for himself.
Then commenced the reel, like a storm after a calm-all life and animation. No solemn walking of the figure to a measured step-but pigeon-wings fluttered, and all sorts of capers were cut to the music of Si. Gilliat's fiddle, and the flute or clario- net of his blacker comrade, London Brigs.
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Contra dances followed, and sometimes a congo, or a hornpipe; and when "the music grew fast and furious," and the most stately of the company had retired, a jig would wind up the evening, which, by-the-by, commenced about eight o'clock.
The waltz and the polka were as great strangers to the ball-room floor, as were champagne and Perigord pies to the supper-table.
No hands were then "promiscuously applied Around the waist or down the glowing side."
The sports of the turf have so degenerated of late years, that few ladies of the present genera- . tion ever saw a race. The field is now chiefly in possession of a class, termed in softened phrase, "sporting characters," in the same way that negro- traders are called " speculators." Exclusive of the racing, the field presents a scene of the lowest gambling and dissipation ; but there is now a pros- pect of the sport being more respectably patron- ized and conducted.
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SOCIETIES.
CHAPTER XXIV.
SOCIETIES.
THE worthies of Richmond, of the last century, formed among themselves three associations, for very different purposes-charitable, literary and social-in which order I shall introduce them.
THE AMICABLE SOCIETY was instituted in 1788, with the benevolent object of relieving strangers and wayfarers in distress, for whom the law makes no provision.
The first officers elected by the Society were Anthony Single- ton, president ; Alexander Montgomery, vice-president; Alex- ander Buchanan, treasurer ; and Charles Hopkins, secretary. Their successors were, in the presidency, in 1794, Andrew Ron- ald, and in 1800 the Rev. John Buchanan, who retained the office for a great number of years; in the vice-presidency, in 1791 John Henry, in 1792 John Groves, in 1807 John Rich- ards; and as treasurer William Berkeley in 1801, John Foster in 1807, and subsequently Edmund W. Rootes until his death.
It may be curious, if not gratifying, to the few survivors and to the numerous descendants of the early members of the Society, to inscribe their names on these pages. The following is an extract
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from the records of the Amicable Society, kept in clerkly style :
"A company of gentlemen having met at the Richmond Coffee-house, on Saturday, 13th December, 1788, viz : Alex. Montgomery, John Groves, George Wier, Charles Hopkins, John Graham, and Alexander Buchanan, they resolved to form themselves into a society, by the name of the Amicable Society of Richmond, on the principles and for the purposes expressed in the Rules which were then considered and adopted; at the same time, the following gentlemen were considered as members :
" James Montgomery, Anthony Singleton, George Pickett, Andrew Ronald, Philip Southall, John Cunliffe, and Joseph Higbee.
"The same evening officers were appointed, to remain in office till the next annual meeting :
"Anthony Singleton, president ; Alex'r Montgomery, vice- president ; Charles Hopkins, secretary; Alex'r Buchanan, treasurer.
"On the 20th December, 1788, the following new members were admitted :
"Arthur Stewart, Thomas Keene, Richard Hartshorne, John Marshall, William Wiseham, William Shermer, Joseph Lakel, and William Fenwick."
On the 7th February, 1789, the accession of new members was, William Mitchell, Jos. Dalzel, John Cringan, John Buchanan, John Harvey, James Kemp and Joseph Darmstadt.
At a meeting on the 2d May, 1789, the following entry is made on the record of the Society : "It having appeared, by advertisement, that a surplus of a fund arising from a ball on General Washington's birthnight was to be given to this Society, Mr. Alexander Montgomery, as a manager of that ball, paid this evening, to the treasurer, the said surplus, amounting to twenty pounds, sixteen shillings and sixpence."
At this meeting, the following new members were admitted :
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SOCIETIES.
Thomas Mann Randolph, Geo. Nicolson and James Brown; and on the 7th November, 1789, Jas. Strange, of Manchester, and Alex. Youille-at which time a vote of thanks was given to Alex. Donald for a donation of five pounds.
The new members in 1790 were Robert Gamble and John Ker. The Legislature of 1790-'91 authorized a lottery, to raise one thousand pounds for the benefit of the Society. In 1791, Andrew Leiper, George Gray, James Knox and Charles Hay, were added to the members, and also Abraham Lott, Hugh J. Crawford, John Henry, Thomas Rutherford, Wm. Hay, Wm. Foushee, Wm. Mewburn, Wm. Heth, Jas. Innis, Patrick Hart, John H. Briggs and John Satchell; subse- quently, John Hopkins, John Banks, Alex. Quarrier and Thos. Gilliatt were admitted, and a rule adopted that the Society should be limited to sixty resident members. The admission of members subsequently, were, in 1793, John Richard; in 1797, Charles Copland and Jos. Anthony; in 1798, Wm. Berkeley and John Foster; in 1804, Wilson Allen; in 1809, John G. Smith and M. W. Hancock. In 1811 a revival oc- curred, and twenty-one members were added, namely : W. H. Fitzwhyllsonn, J. G. Gamble, R. Gamble, John Adams, J. Brockenbrough, A. Pollok, C. J. Macmurdo, Thos. Taylor, Samuel Myers, Jos. Marx, Jas. Gibbon, Wm. Hay, Jr., James McClurg, E. J. Haven, W. N. Morris, Robert Johnston, E. W. Rootes, C. B. Page, J. Wickham, M. B. Poitiaux and Robt. Gordon.
In 1812, Jas. Brown, Jr., and Dr. J. D. McCaw.
In 1813, Robt. Greenhow and S. Pleasants; 1815, W. Lam- bert ; 1816, Wm. Finney; 1822, Rev. J. H. Rice and T. H. Bradley. In 1825, a second revival brought a large accession of members, namely : S. Jacobs, B. Brand, A. Otis, C. J. Nicholas, W. Bibber, L. J. Salignac, R. G. Scott, G. C. Pickett, G. H. Backus, J. Bronaugh, J, Goddin, J. McKildoe, W. H. Hubbard, J. H. Eustace, T. Brockenbrough, W. Galt, Jr., Jaq. Taylor, Dr. T. Nelson, D. Warwick, J. Rawlings, T. Ritchie, J. Hall, Dr. J. Trent, W. Gilliatt, R. Gwathmey, T. Gwathmey,
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J. Bosher, W. Munford, J. Ambler, J. Parkhill, W. F. Micou, W. W. Henning, R. Wortham, N. Sheppard, W. Brockenbrough, D. J. Burr, M. Walthall and T. Diddep.
Having extended the record through the period of two generations, I will leave the last thirty years untold. Of all those named, I can count up but thirteen survivors.
The funds of the Society accumulated, and the surplus of interest on its investments was regu- larly re-invested.
In 1841, when the stock held by the Society was about $9,000, it made a donation of more than one-half to the Female Humane Association of Richmond, in fifty shares of bank stock, in aid of the large bequest made by the benevolent Edmund Walls, a native of Ireland, and for many years Inspector of Flour in Richmond, who left the great bulk of his fortune to erect a building for that charity, which has been faithfully applied.
On the formation of the Male Orphan Asylum, the Amicable Society made a donation to it of $1,000-in 1851.
The Society still exists in a small number of members, and it is to be hoped that it will acquire additional and active ones, whose exertions may invigorate and perpetuate it .*
* It is gratifying to state that since the preceding was written, this research has recalled the attention of a public spirited gentleman to the long dormant Amicable So-
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SOCIETIES.
As an institution of our forefathers, it should be honored and cherished for their sakes; and as a charitable one, for our own and our succes- sors. It should be deemed a perpetual legacy, from generation to generation.
The LIBRARY SOCIETY under the management of its founders, who embraced most of the persons . constituting the Amicable Society and in general the principal citizens, was as well conducted as such establishments usually are, and under the custody of Thomas Nicolson, Librarian, the books were well cared for, and the circulation of them was extensive. To what its failure is to be ascribed, I know not, unless it was an undue influence obtained by some lady novel readers, who induced their friends of the directory to fill the shelves with "Minerva Library " novels, a notorious London mint for the issue of trash, such as is now hawked about our streets at twenty-five cents, for as much worthless matter as then cost two or three dollars.
After an existence of twenty years or more, the
ciety. At his instance, a new accession of members is obtained. Some funds have been invested and some have been applied to the relief of the distressed during this, the severest winter (1855-6) known for many years. Snow has mantled the earth for six weeks, and the rivers in Virginia were closed to navigation during the months of January and February, with ice more than a foot in thickness.
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early teens of which were vigorous and useful, the library gradually declined; the books were dis- tributed among the members, and the society ceased to exist.
An interval of seven years ensued, of literary darkness, so far as a public Library was necessary to diffuse light, and then a successor to the old institution was created, and would I could add, a thriving one, and that its readers were as nume- rous as the number and character of its volumes should invite. It requires a considerable accession of members to keep its shelves furnished with the valuable and the good current literature of the day. For the credit of the city, it is to be desired that all who can enjoy such literature, should make the small contribution required to entitle them to membership, and to sustain so useful an es- tablishment. It would be a reflection on the intellectual character of the city to say, that it cannot support a Library, nor even a Reading Room. The city appropriates an apartment in the Athæncum, with light and one hundred and fifty dollars annually, to the use of the Library, on condition that every visitor may there have gra- tuitous access to the books. *
* In a paroxysm of municipal frugality the Athæneum and the fine lot of land attached to it were sold-the lot fronts on Marshall street and extended from Tenth to Eleventh. The building has been demolished and dwellings are erected on the
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SOCIETIES.
I will now introduce the Quoit Club, or as it is called, THE BARBACUE CLUB,
" Who mixed reason with pleasure, and Wisdom with mirth."
This club was formed some sixty years ago, and met on Saturdays during the genial season, at Buchanan's Spring, under the oaks of original growth, with no other shelter than the shade they afforded, and an open shed, to protect the dinner table. Quoits was the game, and toddy, punch and mint julep the beverages, to wash down a plain substantial dinner, without wines or dessert.
Among the most skillful in throwing the Discus as he was in discussion, was Judge Marshall, even in advanced years, and it delighted his competitors as much as himself, to see him "ring the meg." The brother Parsons, Buchanan and Blair, were honorary members of the club, and the latter, though apparently of fragile form, was a practical member with the quoits, and both of them with the jests and good humor that prevailed.
grounds. Soon afterwards in a fit of prodigality, La Fayette Hall fronting the Capitol Square on Tenth, with grounds ex- tending back to Ninth street, was given as a donation, to the Mechanics Association. An injudicious location for their object and a loss to the city, which cannot be replaced in point of local- ity, for the use of the fire, water and gas departments. These are not the only instances of injudicious management of city property, in the last few years. (1859.)
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A list of the members of this club, would com- prise many of the most worthy citizens of their day-but are not their names written in the book of the Amicable Society ? I will record here, only Jasper Crouch, their mulatto cook, and who offi- ciated at all public dinners ; he acquired the gout in this congenial occupation, and also the rotundity of an alderman and fell a victim to the good things of this life. A similar club was formed many years after, and met at Clarke's Spring-near the Hollywood Cemetery-not then established. The two clubs were not rivals, but on the contrary, so cordial an understanding existed between them, that their meetings became alternate at each other's fountains.
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