. -'j -v- 1 SOCIAL N K W Y ( ) R K UNDER THK GKORGI S 1714-1776 li NEW i PUBLIC LIP: A6TO-, TILDE N FOo C 00 3 O O U c CS i i .: YORK IBRARY COPYRIGHT, 1902 BY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY Published November, ..:: : : * '*: /. . . * PREFACE THE purpose I have had in view in the following work has been to show clearly the social conditions of the prosperous class in New York during the period sometimes known as " The Golden Age of New York," which extended from the accession of George I. till the outbreak of the Revolution. Other writers have taken pleasure in describing the humUr side of life here with the Dutch vrouw at her spin- ning-wheel and the goodman on his settle at the fireside. In the following pages, this lowly side of life in Manhattan has been entirely neglected, my aim having been to exhibit the opulent and fashion- able life that revolved around Fort Georgfe. o Nothing could more clearly show the life of suc- cessful activity and at the same time of luxury led by the wealthy citizens of New York than the descrip- tions of the houses they lived in, the contents of their various rooms, their plate, glass and china, t In- delicacies with which their tables were supplied, the gardens and domains in which they took their pleas- ure, the clothes they: iywrd, the/ fri'ukici/they sanu and ; ' \ j 1 > > > played, the plays, exhib'i'tipiV.sa.nd, shows they attended, lbaLlS*' -dinners, and assem- the public and private j Social New York Under the Georges blies at which they gathered, and the field-sports in which they indulged. No survey of the period would be complete, moreover, without a glance at the ac- complishments, tastes, and fashionable fancies and fol- lies of the day. This material, collected and classified in chapters, has been gathered from many sources. Old letters and diaries have been consulted through the courtesy of descendants of those who wrote them. The ordi- nary sources of documentary history have been thor- oughly examined and sifted ; wills and inventories preserved in Albany and New York have been con- sulted, and in some cases complete interiors have been reconstructed by their aid. The richest mine of wealth, however, has been the newspapers of Colonial days. The publications of Messrs. Zenger, Gaine, Holt, Parker and Rivington have been ex- haustively searched ; and items of news that serve to elucidate the life of the old days, and advertisements of the merchants who catered to the needs and pleas- ures of the community, have been carefully gathered and classified. The picture here presented of the home of a pros- perous citizen is therefore no fanciful one, since the facts as given tell their own story convincingly. This * " e* * * .1 i is not a book Of ofpfinio.ns'', but l ctf: .facts : in all cases I **,* OtOt CC*c have endeavoured to avpj d'.a'll ( ' personal prejudice and j * < U GI * l t l favour, and merely -t<3 -re^EQchi^e the social life of the '" ' '' Preface Georgian Age with the minimum of personal com- ment, occasionally indicating the connection between the fashions and tastes of that day in New York and those of the mother country. To many people, the facts here presented will be fresh and full of interest. To others, perhaps, the illustrations showing articles that were actually in tin possession of old citizens famous in their day will be even more interesting. The Waltons, Ver Plancks, Beekmans, de Peysters, Alexanders, Duanes, Living- stons, Jays, de Lanceys and others, who were prom- inent in the mercantile and official life of the period, have left many descendants w r ho still possess and prixe useful and ornamental articles that belonged to their ancestors. By the courtesy of the present owners, these ob- jects have been specially photographed for this book, and many of them have never appeared in any pub- lication hitherto. It will be noticed that among the illustrations are several portraits of social leaders of the period, and that on other pages appear articles that belonged to them. The quaint tail-pieces of the chapters are fac-simile reproductions of various adver- tisements that occur in the columns of the news papers. I have to tender my best thanks to those ladies who have kindly allowed me to illustrate my houk with pictures of their precious heirlooms; audio the ix Social New York Under the Georges New York Historical Society, and especially to its librarian, Mr. Robert Kelby, to whose kindness I am greatly indebted for the privilege of using its priceless collections. E. S. NEW YORK, October 20, 1902. CONTENTS PART I ASPECTS OF THE SMALL TOWN I. THE CITY AND ITS STREETS, . $-14 II. VACANT LAND AND TYPICAL HOUSES, . III. HOUSE-BUILDING, FIRES, RENTS AND MAILS, 2; 59 IV. COUNTRY-SEATS AND FARMS, . . 40-48 PART II HOUSES AND FURNITURE I. EVIDENCES OF LUXURIOUS LIVING, . 53-65 II. LIVING-ROOMS AND THEIR CONTEXTS, III. CABINET-MAKERS AND VENDUE SALES, IV. WALLS, PICTURES AND LOOKING-GLASSES, V. BEDS, CHAIRS, TABLES AND CLOCKS, . - 103-115 PART III TABLE FURNISHINGS I. CHINA: USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL. II. PLATE: TANKARDS, PUNCH-BOWLS DLESTICKS. . III. TEAPOTS, URNS AND SPOONS, IV. PEWTER, GLASSWARE, CUTLERY XI) BR.' xi Contents PART IV COSTUMES OF MEN PAGE L THE MAN OF FASHION: HIS WIGS AND HATS, . 171-180 II. THE CLOTHES MEN WORE, . . . 181-186 III. COATS, BUTTONS, SHOES AND GLOVES, . . 187-197 X PART V THE DRESS OF WOMEN 1. TOILET, PAINTS AND PERFUMES, . . . 201-208 II. HAIR-DRESSING, CAPS AND HATS, . . . 209-219 III. GLOVES, SHOES AND STAYS, .... 220-228 IV. HOOPS AND MANTUA-MAKERS, . . . 229-239 V. EXTRAVAGANCE AND ECONOMY, . . . 240-249 VI. JEWELRY AND ORNAMENTS, 250-256 PART VI AMUSEMENTS I. OUTDOOR SPORTS, . . 259-271 II. THEATRES, ... . . 272-285 III. MUSIC, . . . 286-300 IV. BALLS, ASSEMBLIES AND PUBLIC ENTERTAIN- MENTS, . . 301-315 V. SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS, . . 316-326 x'u Contents PART VII MANNERS, FOOD AND CULTURE PAGE I. ACCOMPLISHMENTS, . .... 329-341 II. FOOD FROM THE FIELDS AND THE SEA, . 342-354 III. MARKETS AND COOKERY, . . 355-364 IV. TAVERNS AND TEA-GARDENS, . . . 365-372 V. FASHION AND LUXURY, . . ... 373-385 VI. EXTRAVAGANCE AND A RETURN TO SIMPLICITY, 386-395 CONCLUSION, . . . 395-396 Xlll LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS l-.V.E THE VAN CORTLANDT HOUSE, .... Frontispiece CHIPPENDALE SECRETARY AND BOOK-CASE, 10 BEDROOM IN THE VAN CORTLANDT HOUSE, 23 HOUSE TO BE SOLD OR LET (Tail-piece), . . 26 SILVER TEA-KETTLE AND STAND, . . .36 THE LONDON PACKET (Tail-piece), . - - 39 KITCHEN IN THE VAN CORTLANDT HOUSE, . . 49 CHAIRS, . .54 SIX-LEGGED HIGH CASE-OF-DRAWERS, ... .57 CHAIRS AND WRITING-DESK, . ... 62 "MEN, WOMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS" (Tail-piece) . . 65 CHILD'S ROCKING-CHAIR AND CRADLE, . . 67 CHAIRS, . . ... 71 MAHOGANY DINING-TABLE, . .75 JAR AND BEAKERS OF HIZEN WARE, ... .77 SIGN OF ANDREW GAUTIER (Tail-piece), . . -7 s CHAIRS, - 81 MAHOGANY TABLE, . SIGN OF THOMAS I'.URLING (Tail-piece), . . 87 SPECIMEN OF WALL-PAPER, . GROUP OF CHINA, - 93 DRAWING ROOM MANTEL-PIECE, BI.KKMAX II>USE, - - 94 CHIPPENDALE MIRROR, . . 96 DECORATED TEA TRAY, . . 100 XV List of Illustrations PAGE THE KING'S ARMS (Tail-piece), 102 CHAIRS, . . 104 CHEST-UPON-CHEST, 108 CHAIR AND TEA-TABLE, . . . , 114 SIGN OF THOMAS ASH (Tail-piece), . . . . .115 GROUP OF ORNAMENTAL EARTHENWARE, . . 120 WHITE ENAMELLED AND SALT GLAZE EARTHENWARE, . 124 LOWESTOFT CHINA, . 126 VASES, BOWL AND PLATE, . 129 GROUP OF WEDGWOOD, . . .... 130 SILVER TANKARD, . . 134 SILVER CANDLESTICKS, . . .136 GROUP OF SILVER BELONGING TO THE SANDS AND RAY FAMILIES, . .... 138 SILVER PUNCH BOWL, . .140 THE PHILA (Tail-piece), . 144 URN, COFFEE-POT, SPOONS, ETC., . . . .147 SILVER CANDLESTICKS, . .... 150 GROUP OF SILVER BELONGING TO THE DE PEYSTER FAMILY, . 153 GROUP OF SILVER BELONGING TO THE COX AND ALEX- ANDER FAMILIES, . ... 156 SIGN OF SMITH RICHARDS (Tail-piece), 158 DRESSER AND CHAIRS . 160 SPOONS, KNIVES AND FORKS, . .... 164 KNIFE-BOXES AND SPOON-CASE, 166 SIGN OF JAMES YOULE (Tail-piece), ... . 168 MINIATURE OF LEWIS MORRIS, ... . 173 xvi List of Illustrations ARTICLES BELONGING TO WILLIAM BEEKMAN, . SIGN OF NESBITT DEAXE (Tail-piece), 180 PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM BEEKMAX, 1X3 HOUSE (Tail-piece), 186 WHITE SILK WAISTCOAT, . 189 SHOE, STOCK AND KNEE MTCKLES, WATCHES, ETC., 191 PORTRAIT OF RICHARD RAY, . . 195 THE SHIP HOPE (Tail-piece), . . 197 PORTRAIT OF MRS. RICHARD RAY, PORTRAIT OF MRS. PIERRE YALLETTE (MARIA JAY) , . . 206 SIGN OF G. DUYCKINCK (Tail-piece), . GREEN AND BLUE SILK CALASHES, . 213 PORTRAIT OF MRS. JAMES DUAXE (MARIA LIVINGSTON), . 2 iR SIGN OF JOHN BURCHET (Tail-piece), . 219 FRENCH FAN, . . 223 FRENCH FAX, PORTRAIT OF CATHARINE ELMLXDoRPII, . . 227 SIGN OF JOHN MILLIGAN (Tail-piece), PIECE OF MARY VAN CORTLANDTS WEDDING-DRESS (1727), . 230 GROUP OF CUT GLASS, . 232 PIECE OF EMBROIDERED LUTESTRING. 234. GOWN SPRIGGED WITH SILVER, GOWN OF GAUZE EMBROIDERED IN SILVER, 242 PORTRAIT OF CORNELIA BEEKMAN, ^47 SIGN OF PETER IIULICK (Tail-piece), LORGNETTE AXD WATCHES OWNED HV ANGELICA SCHUYLER CHURCH, xvii List of I/lustrations PAGE SET OF JEWELRY, . . . 255 PASTE AND MARQUISATE NECKLACES, BRACELETS, EAR- RINGS, ETC., . 256 SILVER BOWL, . 260 SWORD, FANS, CANES, ETC., 263 BRASS HEARTH-FURNITURE, . . .266 SILVER CANDLESTICKS, ... .... 270 BULL-BAITING (Tail-piece), . . 271 SILVER OWNED BY THE DUANE, JONES AND BOWERS FAMILIES, . ... 273 SILVER TEA-POT, . . .275 SPINET MADE BY JOHANNES HITCHCOCK, . . . .278 CHAIRS, . . . 282 SILVER TEA SET, . . ... 284 THE BRIG THOMAS (Tail-piece), . 285 HARPSICHORD MADE BY JACOBUS KIRKMAN, . . 287 SECRETARY, . . 291 PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM WALTON, . .... 294 PORTRAIT OF MRS. WILLIAM WALTON, . . . .297 STAGE-WAGGON (Tail-piece), . . . .300 DRESS OWNED BY ANGELICA SCHUYLER, . . . .302 DRESS OWNED BY SUSANNAH DE LANCEY, . . . .305 DRESS OWNED BY JUDITH C. VER PLANCK, . . 307 LOCKET SET WITH DIAMONDS, . . . . .309 TEA-TABLE AND SILVER MUGS, ... .312 CHAIRS, . HOUSE AND LOT (Tail-piece), . . . . MAHOGANY TABLE, . . . 3I 8 xviii List of Illustrations PAGE PAINTED TRAY AND PLATED WARE, 321 MAHOGANY AND GILDED MIRROR, 324 MAHOGANY CARD TABLE, 326 EMBROIDERY, 329 SAMPLER, 333 SPINNING-WHEEL, 336 SAMPLER, .... 340 EFFIGY OF MR. RIVINGTON (Tail-piece), 341 PART OF ALMANAC, . 344 WINE BOTTLES, GLASSES AND KETTLE, . . . .348 CHOCOLATE POT, . 352 SIGN OF ABRAHAM DELANOY (Tail-piece) 354 DUTCH CABINET, 356 CHINA HORSES, 361 CHAIR, . .... . 363 SIGN OF GEORGE WEBSTER (Tail-piece), 364 PLATED WARE, .... 368 SILVER OWNED BY THE BOWERS, CROOKE, BLEECKER AND DUANE FAMILIES, . 371 FERDINAND (Tail-piece), . ...... 372 SNUFF-BOXES AND OTHER ARTICLES, . . 376 GOLD SNUFF-BOX, . ... -379 RUNAWAY NEGRO SLAVE (Tail-piece), 35 VERNIS MARTIN BOX, SINGING-BIRDS, ETC., . . 388 SILVER SALVER, . . .394 XIX PART I ASPECTS OF THE SMALL TOWN PART I ASPECTS OK THE SMALL TOWN THE CITY AND ITS STREETS No city was ever more beautifully situated than New York. Commercially, also, its favourable posi- tion could not help rendering it the metropolis of a hemisphere. During the early years of its settlement, every traveller was struck with its natural beauty. Coming up the bay, whose shores at that date were abundantly wooded, the quaint little town lying at the southern point of Manhattan Island must have formed a picture that was perfectly delightful. It is doubtful if any city was ever so important commer- cially and politically in proportion to its size. What Goa or Batavia was to the Orient, New York was to the Western Hemisphere. Ships with manufactures and the products of the earth arrived daily from Eu- rope and the West Indies. This little port was a great mart and clearing-house. Its size, however, remained insignificant all through the Eighteenth Century. In 1712, two years before- George I. came to the throne, the city contained only 5,816 inhabitants, of whom 970 were blacks This number rose to 8,882 in 1731, and 21,863 3 Social New York Under the Georges years later. In 1/44, there were only 1,141 houses; and in 1751, only 2,059. Four years later the num- ber was 2,200. In 1766, there were 3,223, distributed as follows: East Ward, 521; North Ward, 487; South Ward, 314; Out Ward (exclusive of the dis- trict of Harlem), 270 ; Dock Ward, 287 ; and Mont- gomerie Ward, 664. In 1773, the city contained 18,726 whites, and 2,737 blacks. Approaching the city, the principal front of which faced Long Island, the first building that struck the eye was the Fort, the southern end of which was built on rocks at the water's edge. It extended from the present Greenwich Street and Battery Place to the junction of Whitehall Street and Front Street. Be- yond this, old prints show a cluster of quaint houses topped by a few spires, and then the ground un- dulates with low hills and woods in the distance. Within the Fort, lived the Governor, whose house was burnt in 1741, and again in 1773. On this site, the new Custom House is now (1902) in course of erection. In early days, the city had been stockaded as a protection against Indians. In 1 745, the dread of a French and Indian invasion was so great that a line of palisades and blockhouses was built around the northern end of the town from river to river. It was constructed of cedar logs about fourteen feet long and nine or ten inches in diameter, placed in a trench with loop-holes for muskets. The breast-work was four feet high, and four feet wide. There were three blockhouses, thirty feet square and ten feet high, with six port-holes for cannon. They were made of logs. 4 Aspects of the Small Town There \vere four gates, or outlets, l<> the city : in Pearl Street, Chatham Square, Broachvav and (ireen- wich Street. The palisades started from James and Cherry Street, ran diagonally across Duane Street and Pearl Street, and so irregularly west, south of I ; rc>h Water and north of Warren Street. In 1/53, an enthusiastic author writes: " With respect to what Nature has done for us there is not a happier People in the World than the Inhabitants of this Province. I have myself spent a month in their Metropolis, the most splendid Town in North America. Everything in it conspires to make New York the best Mart on the Continent. Our Coasts are regular and by a good Lighthouse might be rendered safe and easy. "The City of New York consists of about twenty-five hun- dred buildings. It is a mile in length, and at a Medium, not above half that in breadth. On the South it forms a Point into a large Bay. The East side lies on a Straight which at eighteen or twenty miles Eastward opens to the Sound. It adjoins to the Hudson river on the West and such is its Figure, its Centre of Business and the Situation of its Buildings, that the Cartage in Town from one part to another does not at a Medium exceed one-quarter of a mile. The prodigious Advantage of which to a trading City is more easily conceived than expressed. It facilitates and expedites the lading and unlading of Ships and Boats, saves Time and Labour, and is attended with Innumer- able Conveniences to its inhabitants." A few more impressions recorded by contempo- rary visitors will help us to give a clear idea of tin- aspect and character of the town. In 1748. Kalm wrote : " In size it comes nearest to Boston and Philadelphia: but with regard to its fine buildings, its opulence, and extensive commerce, it disputes the preference with them." 5 Social New York Under the Georges Describing the streets, he said : " Most of them are paved, except in high places, where it has been found useless. In the chief streets there are trees planted, which in summer give them a fine appearance, and during the excessive heat at that time, afford a cooling shade. I found it extremely pleasant to walk in the town, for it seemed quite like a garden. " The trees which were planted for this purpose are chiefly of two kinds ; the water beech is the most numerous, and gives an agreeable shade in summer, by its large and numerous leaves. The locust tree is likewise frequent ; its fine leaves and the odoriferous scent which exhales from its flowers make it very proper for being planted in the streets, near the houses and in gardens. There are likewise lime-trees and elms in these walks, but they are not, by far, as frequent as the others. One seldom meets with trees of the same sort adjoining each other, they being in general placed alternately. Besides num- bers of birds of all kinds, which make these trees their abode, there are likewise a kind of frogs, which frequent them in great numbers during the summer. They are very clamorous in the evening, and in the nights (especially when the days have been hot, and the rain is expected,) and in a manner drown the singing of the birds. They frequently make such a noise that it is difficult for a person to make himself heard. " Most of the houses are built of bricks; and are generally strong and neat, and several stories high. Some had, accord- ing to old architecture, turned the gable -end towards the streets; but the new houses were altered in this respect. Many of the houses had a balcony on the roof, on which the people used to sit in the evenings in the summer season ; and thence they had a pleasant view of a great part of the town and likewise a part of the adjacent water and of the opposite shore. The roofs are commonly covered with tiles, or shingles ; the latter of which are made of the white fir tree, or Pi/nts Strobus, which grows higher up in the country. The inhabi- tants are of opinion that a roof made of these shingles is as durable as one made in Pennsylvania of the white cedar or 6 Aspects of the Small Town Cuprcssns tliyoiJcs. The walls were whitewashed within, and 1 did not any where see hangings, with which the people in this country seem in general to be little acquainted. The walls were quite covered with all sorts of drawings and pictures in small frames. On each side of the chimnies they usually had a sort of alcove; and the wall under the windows was wain- scoted, and had benches placed near it. The alcoves and all the woodwork were painted with a bluish grey colour." In 1781, the traveller, Anburey, wrote : "The city of New York stands on the southern extremity of the island, and its situation is extremely delightful ; com- manding such a variety of prospects, as are the most charming that can be conceived. The city is mostly built upon the East River, on account of the harbour. In many of the streets are rows of trees on each side to shelter from the amazing heats in summer. Most of the houses are built with brick, very strong and neat, and several stories high ; many of them have balconies on the roof, where company sit in the summer evenings, to enjoy the prospect of the opposite shores and har- bour ; and the roofs are covered with shingles. The streets are paved and clean, but in general very narrow ; there are two or three indeed which are spacious and airy. The length of the town is somewhat more than a mile, and the breadth of it about half a mile." The authorities of the city were then possessed of a great deal of civic pride. They took pains to make the city beautiful and keep it neat. Many laws show this. Before examining the houses, it will therefore be well to look at a few of the ordinances dealing with streets and city life. In 1713, an Act was passed for mending and keeping in repair the post road from New York to Kingsbridge. The road was in a ruinous condition. It was to " Be laid out the breadth of four rod and cleared the breadth of two rodd at least." 7 Social New York Under the Georges The constable had a plenty of work to do, for the city contained a considerable amount of lawlessness. It must be confessed, however, that the law's retalia- tion was at least as savage as the crimes that offended it. Negroes often gave trouble, though probably they were not as bad as the low piratical whites who haunted the wharves and drinking dens of New York as of any other port. Coiners and note forgers often " found how hard it is apt to go when the law and the thief have quarrels." The more humane punish- ments were imprisonment, ducking, whipping, pil- lorying, branding and hanging. In 1/36, the Public Whipper was Edward Breuwen. On Jan. i5th of that year he received 2. 10 o for his quarter's sal- ary and fifteen shillings " for sitting in the pillory, and whipping through the town at a cart's tail one Pat- rick Butler for issueing counterfeited dollars." Fif- teen years later this official's pay was increased. In 1 75 1, it was announced that "The Public Whipper of the City of New York being lately dead ; if any Person inclines to accept that office with 2o a year, he may apply to the Mayor and be entered." Punishments were innumerable. Among many may be instanced the case of John Morris, who in 1 768 for sheep-stealing was found guilty, but was granted the benefit of the clergy, burnt in the hand and discharged. The following year Daniel Martin received fifteen lashes for stealing fiddle strings. For defrauding and cheating, Richard Ely " was exalted on a wooden horse on a triumphal car with labels on his breast ; after which he was conducted to the pub- lic whipping-post where he received a proper chastise- 8 Aspects of the Small Town merit." In 1/69, a certain John Jubeart, for passing false dollars, was executed "at the stone fence," near the city. The frail of the opposite sex were treated with equal severity, and negroes were sometimes burnt at the stake. The savage nature of the pun- ishments did not always instil greater respect for the law. On one occasion while witnessing an execution for grand larceny a gentleman had his pocket picked beside the gallows. From 1725 to 1756, the site of the gallows was on the Common : in the latter year this was removed "to the place where the negroes were burnt some five years before called Catiemut's Hill near Fresh Water." Looking after the safety of the city was consid- ered the duty of every inhabitant. In 1731, there was declared to be a great necessity of a strong and sufficient watch to be kept every night in New York for the safety and peace of the said city. Therefore, all householders in the six wards, " Being able and fit to watch, or to find an able and fit person to watch for him, her or them, or in his, her, or their stead, do and ought, by reason of their habitation, occupation and dwelling, to keep watch within the said city for the preservation of the king's peace and for the ar- resting and apprehending of all night-walkers, male- factors and suspected persons which shall be found passing, wandering and misbehaving themselves" Of late years great numbers were declared to have come privately into the city, some of whom were suspected to be English convicts. Hence the ne- cessity for a strong watch. The Act called for a constable and eight watchmen every night, and equal 9 Chippendale secretary and book-case. See page ill. Aspects of the Small Town duty was to be performed by every ward in the fol- lowing order : East, Dock, North, South, West and Montgomerie. No boys or servants were to be ad- mitted as watchmen. The Negro Plot afterwards for a time made necessary military watches. Night-hawks and Mohocks were by no means un- known in New York. They do not appear to have committed such brutal excesses as made them hated and feared in the English metropolis, but they some- times indulged in the gentle and joyous pastime of beating the watch, wrenching off door knockers and breaking street-lamps. In 1751, a law was passed to curb the exuberance of nocturnal vivacity. It recites that sundry of the inhabitants of the City of New York, as well for the prevention of several evil prac- tices usually committed in the night-time, as for the convenience of persons using the streets about their lawful business, are willing at their own expense to hang out lamps to illuminate the streets of the said city, but are discouraged therefrom for fear that such lamps may be broken, taken down, destroyed or car- ried away, or the lights therein put out or extin- guished. For every such offence a forfeit of 20 was provided. We occasionally come upon evidence of the pranks played by those Roaring Boys. Two months after the passage of the above Act, we find the following (February 3, 1752): "Last Monday night several of the glass lamps put up about the City were taken down by Persons unknown and left whole in the Meal Market altogether. It is thought to be done by some daring Rakes, in order to convince the own- 1 1 Social New York Under the Georges ers how easy those lamps might be demolished with- out discovery." Another and more serious occur- rence is reported in July, 1766 : " Four officers sallied from a tavern where they had drunk too freely and near the college began to break the city lamps. A man who keeps a public house there happened to be up and leaning over his door, upon his reproving them, they gave him abusive language, rushed into the house, attacked him with their swords and wounded him in the arm. Then they alarmed and terrified the family and lodgers, some of whom they pulled from their beds. After this they proceeded down the Broad Way and broke 34 lamps. Meeting the watch they wounded several, but one officer was arrested. The others then went for help and rescued their companion. The next day they were held under heavy bail for the Supreme Court. The pen- alty was ,20 for each lamp." In 1/71, suggestions were made for improving the lighting of the streets. It was recommended that the lamps should be ten feet high and at a dis- tance of fifty feet from one another and four feet out from the houses, the diameter of the lamp globe be- ing ten inches. Among the acts regulating good order in streets we find that in 1725, the nuisance of do;s running- i ij > 5 > loose was remedied by legislation. The Act recites that " The butchers and other inhabitants of this city superabound in a very great number of mischievous mastiffs, bull-dogs and other useless dogs, who not only run at coaches, horses, chaises, and cattle in the daytime, whereby much mischief has ensued, but in the night-time are left in the streets of this city and frequently tear, bite and kill several cows and render the passage of the inhabitants upon their lawful occa- 12 Aspects of the Small Town sions very dangerous ... by attacking and Hying at them." In 1 731, several important municipal ordinances \vere passed. One was intended to check mad riding through the streets by slaves as they took their masters' horses to water. If the streets were sometimes in a de- plorable condition, as complaints in the papers would argue, this was not because the city fathers were in- different. In 1731, a law declared that "the former laws of this city made for paving the streets within the same have been much neglected, whereby the citizens and sojourners within the said city are much annoyed, and the intercourse of trade among the in- habitants thereby much lessened." All inhabitants of houses or owners of lots fronting on any street, lane or alley were therefore commanded (at the expense of the landlord) to pave the walk in front and keep it in repair. In the same year, a law was passed prohibiting any person from casting into the streets, docks, or slips, ashes, oyster-shells, or any kind of carrion or filth. People were forbidden to encumber the streets witli building-material. The inhabitants, moreover, "shall on everv Friday, rake and sweep together all the dirt, filth and soil lying in the streets before their respective dwelling-houses, upon heaps, anil on the same day, or on the Saturday following, shall cause the same to be carried away and thrown into the river, or some other convenient place." The law for the observance of the Sabbath in New York in 1731 prohibited servile work and buy- ing and selling. It also forbade children, youths, 13 Social New York Under the Georges maids or other persons to meet and sport, play, or make noise or disturbance. No tavern-keepers were to serve customers other than travellers during divine service or preaching. During service, two or more of the constables of the six wards walked through the several streets and lanes of the city with their staffs and took care that the law was duly observed. It was enacted " that if any children, youth, apprentices, servants, or other persons, do fire and discharge any gun, or pistol at any mark, or at random against any fence, pales, or within any orchard or other inclosure, or in any place where persons frequent to walk," the offender should be fined twenty shillings. It was customary in those days, as now, to wel- come the new year with great noise. We are told, in an Act of 1773, that great damages are frequently done on the eve of the last day of December, and on the first and second days of January, by persons going from house to house with guns and other fire- arms, and being often intoxicated with liquor they have not only put the inhabitants in great terror, but committed many mischiefs. A penalty of twenty shillings was provided to stop this. In 1769, a law was passed inflicting a penalty of twenty shillings for firing "any gun, pistol, rocket, cracker, squib, or other fire-work, in any street, lane, or alley, garden or other inclosure, or from any house, or in any other place where persons frequently walk." II VACANT LAND AND TYPICAL HOUSES WHEN Manhattan Island was first settled, it was covered \vith trees, with the exception of the low-lying salt meadows. Much of the timber was soon cleared away to make room for meadows and gardens, so necessary to the comfort and pleasure of the Eng- lish as well as the Dutch. What is now Exchange Place was originally called Garden Street, and this Street was again called Gar- den Street in 1728. Maiden Lane was originally the Green Lane. The Corporation under the English rule were always willing to have the city beautified. The inhabitants in i 708 received permission to plant trees in front of their houses. Fifty years later, trees were still a conspicuous feature of the streets. Swamps, marshes and streams were plentiful. Broad Street was originally a marshy tract through which the Dutch had made the " Graft ' or canal. At the foot, it was crossed by a bridge that gave its name to Bridge Street. At the mouth of the inlet was one of the principal landing places for vessels. Other swampy districts that became well-known landmarks were Beekman's Swamp or Cripple Bush, and a swamp on DC Lancey's estate in Greenwich village. The former was below Pearl Street and was not drained till comparatively late. \Villiam \Yal- Social New York Under the Georges ton's house was only about a hundred yards distant from it. In 1734, were "To be sold 6 Lotts of Land on the West Side of the Swamp or Criplebush, 3 of them front the Road that leads from Spring Garden to the Fresh Water, the other three the Street next to the Swamp ; there is 4 good small Houses on them, one in the Possession of Mrs. Scot." Open spaces even within the narrow confines of the city were not inconsiderable. Besides gardens, there were meadows that were not occupied by houses. Duyckinck's map of 1755 shows King's Farm, west of Broadway, between Dye and \Varren Streets, with only "part of it layd out in plots." On the other side of Broadway, facing the King's Farm, was the Common, or Park, which at the northern end was separated from the negroes' burial ground by palisades. The latter adjoined Fresh Water, a lake from which water flowed down both to the North and East River. On the Common, near the site of the present City Hall, was a powder-house. In 1725, a gallows was also erected on the Common. From time to time, we find complaints of en- croachments on the common rights of citizens by individuals. As the houses multiplied and private gardens and open spaces were built over, the impor- tance of common land for pasturage and recreation increased. In 1767, a writer complaining of the high price of milk and its adulteration thinks it arises "from the scarcity and expensiveness of pasturage near this City ; and this again proceeds from the late practice of leasing out the Common Lands to people who have large farms of their own adjoining. . . . 16 Aspects of the Small Town They afford us at a small expense earth for the red brick used in all our new building's and if \ve were deprived of those lands a great advance in the price of bricks would certainly be the consequence. We should also be deprived of the stone, now much used for underpinning and other purposes. . . . They might at the common expence be put into the best order for pasture, meadow, etc., with proper enclosures and other conveniences, and keepers be hired to look after the cattle, and drive them to and from town and pasture. ... It is also worth noting that since we are prohibited from hunting or shooting upon other men's lands, it is necessary that the citizens should have some other place for that manly diversion or exercise ; otherwise they will be in danger of forget- ting to use their firearms with dexterity, however necessary they may be for their own defence, and of sinking into effeminacy and meanness." In the above communication, the allusion to the prohibition of hunting or shooting on other men's lands shows that an old grievance had only lately been remedied. In fact, only two years previously had an Act been passed to prevent hunting with fire- arms in the City of New York and the Liberties thereof. By this Act, a twenty shillings fine was in- curred by anybody but the owner or his servants "that fires a gun in any orchard, garden, cornfield or other inclosed land, or enters into or passes through it." " It has long been the practice of great numbers of idle and disorderly persons in and about the City of New York and the Liberties thereof to hunt with firearms and to tread down the grass, and corn, and 3 17 Social New York Under the Georges other grain standing and growing in the fields and enclosures there, to the great danger of the lives of [I is Majesty's subjects, the ruin and destruction of the most valuable improvements, the grievous injurv of the proprietors, and the great discouragement of their industry." Another open space was in front of the Fort. At the beginning of the English rule, a market fair had been ordered to be held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday " att the market-house and plaine afore the Forte." Later, however, it was called The Parade, on account of the English garrison exercising here. In 1/32, the Corporation resolved to "lease a piece of land lying at the lower end of Broadway, fronting the Fort to some of the inhabitants, in order to be enclosed to make a Bowling-Green there, with walks therein, for the beauty and ornament of said street, as well as for the delight of the inhabitants of this city." It was leased to John Chambers, Peter Bay- ard and Peter Jay for eleven years at a rent of one pepper-corn per annum. The lower part of Broadway, being near the resi- dence of the Governor, was always a fashionable quarter. The lots on the west side of Broadway averaged about fifty feet in width and extended back to the Hudson, which was nearer than it is now. Where is now the corner of Battery Park and Broad- way, Captain Kennedy, the naval commander and collector of the port, built a fine dwelling-house in 1760, having purchased some ground on which were some small buildings for 66, from Abraham Depey- ster. The Stevens, Livingston and other families 18 Aspects of the Small Town followed his example, and the shady stretch reach- ing up to Trinity Church became known as the Mall. A rival fashionable district was Pearl Street. One of the old houses built in the Eighteenth Century survived till very recently. Here lived Mr. William Walton, and his house and grounds were typical of many a rich city merchant of his day. It was a brick house, three stones high, relieved by brown stone water-tables, jambs and lintels. His large and fine garden extended down to the water. Another fine residence in this district was the de Peyster house, erected in 1695, in Queen Street, nearly opposite Cedar. This was also three stories high, with a balcony over its double door. Governor Clinton lived here and this house was used by Washington for headquarters. At Broad and Pearl Streets, was the famous Fraunces's Tavern, still standing. The rich merchants sometimes had their stores and counting-houses adjoining, or in, their dwellings. Sometimes they lived in manor-houses or country- seats in the island a few miles away from the city and drove in to business. The merchants' usual busi- ness hours were from 10 A. M. to 2 r. M. In the middle of the century, Hanover Square was the centre of trade ; here were the counting-houses of Walton, Desbrosses, Borche, and other great merchants of the City ; Lewis Morris lived here, and so did the Waltons. We find houses of all sizes on lots of varying dimensions. A few extracts from the newspapers will serve to show what kinds of houses could be bought or rented here : 19 Social New York Under the Georges " A lot of land lying on the South side of Queen's Street, thirty two Foot six Inches Front and the same in the Rear, the Length being from said Street to Low Water Mark part of the ground at the old Slaughter House." (1730.) "A certain House and Lot of Ground, situate, lying and being in Hanover Square in the East Ward of the City of New York, now in the tenure and occupation of Mr. John Aubernau, containing in the Front, Twenty-eight foot in the Rear, Thirty- five foot; running from Hanover Square aforesaid to the Lane formerly called Drain Ditch and now The Sloat." " The two lots of Land with the Brew-House and Malt- House thereon and a very good Well situate in Ann Street to be sold."' (1732.) " To be sold, the House and Lot of John Symense in the Broad-Way in New York, the House is as good as new, and has very good Stone-Walls; there is a small Kitchen, a Grass Plot, Wood-Yard, several Fruit Trees, and other Conveniences be- longing to it, enquire of John Symense now in possession of the Premises." (1734.) " A good dwelling-house and lot of ground North side of Pearl Street. The house is two stories high and has two rooms on a floor with a kitchen back, a gang-way on the side of it, with a large yard back bounded by the Fort Garden." " To be let, the storehouse of Mr. Isaac Latouch's, adjoin- ing the dwelling-house; it has a very neat warm room with a fireplace annexed to it, and is an exceedingly commodious store, with proper shelves, and well noted as a dry goods store. It would be very convenient for a batchelor." (1754.) " A new two-story house and several adjoining lots are for sale fronting Fore Street, 44 feet and Nassau Street 46 feet. It is well built of brick and stone, has three rooms on a floor, seven fireplaces in all, spacious garret, good kitchen, fine large cellars, large entry through the middle of the house and a hand- some staircase. Its situation is extremely pleasant near the Rev. Mr. Barclay's and Alderman Van Cortlandt's, where, from the chamber windows you have a beautiful prospect over the Commons and up the North River, being a seat suitable for a gentleman or merchant, having a large storehouse on the back 20 Aspects of the Small Town part 40 feet long with a double door in the front, and a very fine garden, all in good fence." (1754.) " A house and lot of ground in the Broad-Way, late belong- ing to Mr. Thomas Duncan, deceased, being in front, 31 feet 3-4, in rear, 41 feet 10-12, in length on the north side, 323 feet and on the south, 321 feet 1-2 : from the back of the lot runs a water lot of 41 feet, 10-12 front and rear and 200 feet in length to be sold with the house : In the house are four good rooms on the first and second floors, and an entry all lined with hang- ings, besides a fine pantry and a bed room; also two conve- nient rooms in the third story, a good cellar, a cellar kitchen, underneath; to this adjoins a back building of two stories high with four convenient rooms and two cellars." The house was brick. On the bank of the river was a handsome hanging gar- den, with two flights of stone steps, and a summer-house at the water's edge. The yard was laid with flag stones and there were two cisterns and a pump." (1761.) It will be noticed that the houses were not num- bered. They were identified by signs. These must have made the streets look exceedingly picturesque. The signs were usually appropriate to the occupation of the tenant or owner of the house. Thus, we have John Brinner at the Sign of the Chair, a cabinet- maker. Other instances are : C. O. Bruff (gold- smith) Teapot and Tankard ; James Duthie (drug- gist) Golden Pot ; Peter Goelet (ironmonger) Golden Key ; Jacob Wilkens (brass-founder) Andiron and Candlestick ; Robert Boyle (pewterer) Dish ; Peter T. Curtenius (ironmonger) Golden Anvil and Ham- mer ; Joseph Cox (upholsterer and cabinet-maker) Royal Bed and Star; Thomas Brown (ironmonger) Cross-daggers; Samuel Lawrence (coach-maker) Char- iot and Phaeton; Cornelius Ryan (tailor) Sun and Breeches; Jos. Stephens and Jno. Xewstead (livery 21 Social New York Under /be Georges stable) Two Running Horses ; Moses Taylor (brazier) Cat and Kettle ; William Anderson (tailor) Hand and Shears, etc., etc. Other signs include the Dove and the Rainbow ; Bible ; Bible and Crown ; Blue Ball ; Golden Broad-Ax, Lock and Key ; Horse and Cart ; The Rose and Crown ; Sign of the Two Cupids ; Golden Fleece ; Chariot ; Unicorn and Mortar ; High- lander ; Chair Wheel ; The Admiral Yernon ; Chair Box and Carriage ; Platter ; Three Pigeons ; Black Horse ; Quadrant and Surveying Compass ; Dog's Head in the Porridge Pot ; St. George and the Drag- on ; Bunch of Grapes ; King's Arms ; Duke of Cum- berland ; Prince of Orange ; etc., etc. It was not alone the house of business that was known by its sign. Occasionally we meet with a notice such as this : " To be sold, a good brick dwell- ing-house in John Street, near Alderman Courtlandt's and known by the Sign of the White Bear." It would seem that flagstaff's and vanes were rare on the buildings, or, at least, that they were worthy of special notice. For example: "John Browne, lately married the Widow Breese, continues his Leather Dresser's business in Smith's Fly near Beekman's Swamp, or Cripple Bush ; at the south end of the house a staff is erected, with a Yane on the top of it." When Kalm visited New York in i 748, he noted that there was no good water in the city ; and he mentions that "at a little distance there is a large spring of srood water, which the inhabitants take for l O O their tea and for the uses of the kitchen. Those, however," he continues, " who are less delicate on this a o _c a ca o o -o u oa Social New York Under the Georges point, make use of the water from the wells in town, though it be very bad." The spring that he refers to became the Tea-Water Pump, situated at what is now Roosevelt and Chatham streets. Here an engine was soon erected that forced the water up. This is some- times referred to as the " Fresh-Water Engine from which the town is supplied." This was the chief source of tea-water until about 1800. The well was about twenty feet deep and was capable of producing daily a hundred and ten hogsheads, each containing a hundred and thirty gallons. The water was carted to town in hogsheads and casks. This spring was also a favourite resort and near it an ornamental garden had been laid out and called the "Tea-Water Pump Garden." Among the wells in the city, the most frequented was that near the pond known as the Collect and the one in Greenwich between Thames and Cedar Streets near Comfort's Dock. Every morning and evening the slaves came in great numbers to fill their kegs with " Comfort's Tea-Water." The pleasure that the inhabitants of New York took in gardens is constantly in evidence. As the town grew, it was natural that real estate in the busi- ness centre should become more valuable, and conse- quently that the gardens should be sacrificed and cut up into town lots. We sometimes meet with announcements like the following (1734): "To be Sold. The house, Store house and garden of Benja- min D'harriet, situate in Wall St. and several lots of ground in John St. on the W T est Corner of Gold St., formerly the garden of Mr. John Outman." 24 Aspects of the Small Town .The gardens were laid out according to the national or individual tastes of the owners. In the early years of the century, the formal Dutch garden predominated, but as the English, French, Italian or Chinese garden came into vogue abroad, people of wealth and fashion here eagerly adopted the new styles. Advertisements of able gardeners in want of situations are plentiful, and so are offers of all sorts of flower-seeds, fruit-trees, and other necessaries for a well-appointed garden. In 1/71, there is a notice of a man being killed by a summer-house, that he was mov- ing, falling upon him. This was in the garden of a Mr. Faulkner, near Cowfoot Hill. The famous grottos of Twickenham and other English estates were imitated here. In 1765, Henry Smith, Church Street, wants to sell a fine collection of curious shells for grotto-work. In 1751, the following announcement appears : "Any gentlemen or others desirous of adorning their gar- dens, Tops of their Houses or doors, etc. with Flower Pots, In- cence Pots, Urns, Vases, or any other Ornament capable of being made with clay, may be supplied by Edward Annerly near the Fly Market, he having Set up the Potter's Business by Means of a Family of Germans he bought, supposed by their work to be the most ingenious in that Trade that ever arrived in America, at his Estate at Whitestone, where he has clay capable of making eight different sorts of Earthenware, a large quantity of various kinds being already made fitting to be baked, which will be soon." The varieties of architecture, landscape-gardening, etc., most in favour in the middle of the century are shown in the following advertisement : " Theophilus Hardenbrook, surveyor, designs all sorts of buildings well suited to both town and country, Pavillions, 25 Social New York Under the Georges Summer Rooms, Seats for Gardens, all sorts of Rooms after the taste of the Arabian, Chinese, Persian, Gothic, Muscovite, Paladian, Roman, Vitruvian and Egyptian ; also Water houses for Parks, Keepers' Lodges, burying Places, Niches, Eye Traps to represent a Building terminating a Walk, or to hide some disagreeable object, Rotundas, Colonades, Arcades, Studies in Parks or Gardens, Green Houses for the Preservation of Herbs, with winding Funnels through the Wall so as to keep them warm, Farm Houses, Town Houses, Market Houses, Churches, Altar Pieces: He also connects all sorts of Truss-Roofs and prevents their separating by a new Method, and also "all sorts of Domes, Spires, Cupolos, both pile and Hanging Bridges. Note: He designs and executes beautiful chimney-pieces as any here yet executed. Said Hardenbrook has now opened school near the New English Church, where he teaches Archi- tecture from six o'clock in the Evening till Eight." (1757 ) "To be Sold or Let." (1767.) 26 Ill HOUSE-BUILDING, FIRES, RENTS AND MAILS THE citizen was ever in dread of fire. Houses built i-n the Eighteenth Century were principally of wood. The introduction of fire-engines in 1/31 was due to Stephen de Lancey and his partner, John Moore. They sent to London in May of that year for two engines " with suction and materials thereto," and upon their arrival a room in the City Hall was arranged for their accommodation. They were used for the first time on Dec. 6th, i 732, when a fire broke out at midnight in a joiner's house. The report says : " it began in the garret where the people were all asleep, and burnt violently ; but by the help of the two fire-engines which came from London in the ship Beaver, the fire was extinguished, after having burnt down that house and damaged the next." Within a very few years, engines were being man- ufactured here. In 1739, "A Fire Engine that will deliver 2 Hogsheads of Water in a minute, in a con- tinued Stream is to be Sold by Wm. Lindsay the Maker thereof." In 1/31, a law for the better preventing of fnv required two viewers of chimnevs and hearths to see that the latter were kept clean. It also ordered every owner of a house that had three fire-places to keep two leather buckets on hand ; and one bucket, if less 27 Social New York Under the Georges than three fire-places. The buckets had to be allowed out of the rent by the landlord, whose initials they had to bear. Every brewer had to keep six buckets, and every baker three. One of the frequent fatal fires was reported as follows : " Mr. Thos. Duncan's house burnt with wife and 4 children, eldest daughter (18) saved by jumping out of a window three stories high into the arms of a gentleman who had encouraged her to this dangerous tho' only expedient. . . . The house with many valuable effects were entirely destroyed; but by the in- dustry of the inhabitants, who are deservedly celebrated for their zeal and dexterity in extinguishing fires, assisted by the gentlemen of the army and the soldiers now quartered here, it was prevented from extending farther. One Mr. Flanagan, for being too industrious at the above fire, was committed to gaol." The almanac of 17/6 informs us that the citv " Fire Engines are kipt at the Fort, four at the City Hall, one at Hanover Square, one near the Chapel, one Maiden Lane, and one at the Alms House. To manage which are one engineer, two assistants ; and from each of the six wards twelve Firemen." In September, 1749, there was a long article in the Post-Boy from a contributor who wished to help his fellow citizens to provide against the dangers of fire. His arguments give us considerable knowledge of the condition of the houses of the period. The majority of the roofs being shingle, the great danger of conflagration arose from flying embers from other fires. He says : " The danger is greatly increased for want of a conveniency readily to come at every part of the roof, most houses having only a way to come at the chimney, and some even not that. 28 Aspects of the Small Town The method usually taken is to knock a hole through the roof as near the place afire as they can ; and if they have the good luck to put the fire out, yet is the house greatly damaged. In cyder to prevent this good servant (fire) from becoming a bad master, I would advise every man to erect a balcony over the ridge of the roof of his house. " In extreme dry times such a place would be convenient for tubs and pails of water, for the springs then being low and most part of the wells in the city exhausted and dry, yield- ing very little water at a time, a considerable stock may be got and kept ready there against a time of need. This balcony may be useful in many ways. All gentlemen of fortune and substance might keep up there, a small garden or fire engine, which costs from ^15 to ^20. This will enable them to keep their own roofs wet and play upon any contiguous burning house. "They may sometimes from the tops of their houses for their own diversion, water the gardens with the water already there which by long standing in the sun would be rendered more fit for that purpose than cold water from the well. They may wash the dust from their roofs, and thereby render the water they receive into their cisterns more clean and pure. When they intend their servants should sweep their streets, they may from thence sprinkle and allay the dust. Thus by frequent use, themselves and others may become expert in working of the engines, which will also thereby be kept in good order. . . . There are above 500 persons in this city able to provide a small engine without prejudice to their estate. . . . Further, such a balcony would afford a commodious place for the observations of those versed in astronomy; having a clear and uninterrupted prospect, freed from intervening objects. These observations generally being made at night, the curious thus employed would be as so many sentinels to discover the first breaking out of any fires in the neighbourhood, which would produce a satisfaction in any man's breast to find him- self thus eminently serviceable to the public. Here a man may sometimes repair and with pleasure behold the beauties of a rising or setting sun; and by it correct his watch or clock, and 29 Social New York Under the Georges have the prospect of the neighbouring gardens, objects on the river, etc., which to some men would be no disagreeable amusement, and all without going from home." This public-spirited citizen next has a fe\v words to say about methods of building. We gather that the upper part of the roof had a considerable space on which a man with care could walk from end to end and side to side, but this left much to be desired in comfort and safety, for these roofs not being en- closed with rails, and having a considerable slope or descent, a man could walk well enough in the day and in dry weather, but when rendered slippery in wet or frosty weather, those who ventured there risked their lives, especially in the hurry and confusion of fire. The writer therefore recommended his fellow citizens to heed God's ordinance in Deuteronomy xxii, 8. "When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou brino- J O not blood upon thy house if any man fall from thence." He continues : " How would it cut a man to the heart to see his friend lie bleeding in the street when he might by a small charge and reasonable care have prevented it ! If a man is not utterly void of compassion and gratitude to his benefactor, or sym- pathy for his friend, he must needs feel a sting in his breast upon and after such an unhappy accident ; besides the great discouragement it gives others to be active on the like occasion. To the honour of the inhabitants of this city, be it spoken, that their dexterity and readiness in extinguishing of fires is singu- larly remarkable, and generally attended with great success, even beyond what might be hoped for. " Upon the first touch of the fire bell, how soon do our streets swarm with men from all parts ! and their willingness and expeditious behaviour has even surprised the strangers 30 Aspects of the Small Town amongst us who have seen it." [The writer then proceeds to cite many instances of threatening fires that were put out with remarkable skill and bravery, and pays a handsome compliment to the firemen and authorities. He then passes on to show how a man's house may be made reasonably safe. He invokes the Legislature, first, to offer a premium to him who shall make by a limited date one thousand of the best tiles ;] " also a bounty to any merchant importing any quantity in proportion to what parcel he imports. As there is plenty of clay in this province . . . in the space of six years, a sufficient quantity of tile might, by the like encouragement be procured ; especially since the break- ing up of the war affords us a number of idle hands. Let me add here for information of some that know it not that several houses in this town have been tiled with very good pantiles made at Albany, as cheap as they could be had from Holland. Witness Mr. Bayard's Sugar House." He next proposes a tax on all houses roofed with shingles, and a bounty on so much a foot for every house covered with tiles : " Roofs I say, because the gable ends of some houses are decked with shingles against N. E. storms and rains where tiles cannot be used. . . . But the flat sort of tile, such as is generally used in the City of London is preferred before the hollow sort as being easiest made and therefore cheap- est." The writer goes on to draw unfavourable com- parisons between the houses of his day and those for- merly built here : "The last fire in Duke Street could not have been so soon mastered had it not been for the tiled houses on each side, and a large high roof likewise tiled a little to leeward of the fire was looked on as a check. That very house would have stood but an ordinary chance to have escaped had it been shingled. Here observe the care and circumspection of our forefathers in cov- ering their houses in such a manner as affords daily proofs of their prudence when we their sons are indolent and degenerate; 31 Social New York Under the Georges we must praise their prudence, but our children will blame our folly." [Our reformer next suggests that if there are any ob- jections against pantiles or flat tiles, such as the expense, or lack of time to procure them, even then Nature has sufficiently furnished us with means of security by giving us plenty of very good slate, since there are several places on the North River where there is as much slate to be had as would load a thou- sand ships.] It may he that the solicitude shown by this writer for the improvement of roofing in New York is not entirely disinterested, for having reached this point of employing slate, he interpolates: "Any mason or others who desire to know the method of cutting and laving on of slate, may be informed by signifying his desire in this paper." Next comes the question as to the means of rais- ing the premiums to be paid for the manufacture of tiles. Five hundred pounds would probably suffice and this might be easily raised by taxing shingled houses. Besides this, there might be " a tax on coaches and chaises kept for pleasure generally by able men ; a tax on luxury and extravagances ; a duty on shingles, and other things that might easily bear it ; as an extravagance in dress in particular." In 1761, it was enacted that houses erected in the city after Jan. ist, 1766 should be made of stone or brick, and roofed with tile or slate, under a penalty of ^50. The reason given for this law was " the fre- quent instances of the extensive destruction made by fire in many populous cities. . . . And there being reason to apprehend that great part of this city, from the number of the houses in the same being roofed with shingles is peculiarly exposed to the rage of 32 Aspects of the Small Town that dreadful element." The enforcement of this law was, however, deferred till Jan. ist, 1/74. The reason given in 1/65 was that "a sufficient quantity of slate or tile cannot at present, be had, or procured, to cover, or roof the houses and buildings that are yearly erected within this city." It appears that the legislature adopted some of the suggestions of the above writer, for in March, 1774, it was announced that "the money arising from the Act laying a tax on dogs and cats in this city and county, passed last session, is to be given as a bounty for the making of tile for covering houses in this place." An Act was also passed regulating the size of bricks. The consequence was that in April, 1774, the papers stated that the hard sort of bricks had risen from twenty-eight to forty shillings per thou- sand, and the soft sort from sixteen to thirty shillings. One of the peculiarities of early New York archi- tecture, both without and within the houses, was the use of tiles. This especially struck Madam Knight when she visited the city in i 707. She noticed that the bricks in the houses were of various colours and arranged in patterns, and she remarked upon the tiled hearths and mantel-trees and noticed that the stair- cases were even laid with white tile. This, of course, was Dutch in origin, and the use of this form of deco- ration continued in manv of the houses. Although J there were ninety-four burghers whose estates were valued at more than a thousand guilders each ; and twenty-two of these estates represented between fiye and ten thousand guilders. Johannes van Burgh, Jacob Leisler and Johannes de Peyster were each worth about fifteen thousand. The other rich mer- chants were Cornells van Ruyven (18,000) ; Jeroninus Ebbing (30,000) ; John Lawrence (40,000) ; Olaf yun Cortlandt (45,000) ; Nicholas de Meyer (50,000) : Cornelis Steenwyck (50,000) ; and Hendrick Philip- sen (80,000). Wealth was rapidly accumulated from the fur and timber trade and from general barter. Twelye years later, Mr. Steenwyck was worth about 16,000, an immense sum in those days. By 1700, there were a good many burghers whose estates amounted to ,5,000. John Spratt (1697) with an estate' of ,3,770 and O>1. Eewis Morris (1691) with ,4,928, are in- stances of opulent Britishers. 53 Social New York Under the Georges An examination of the inventories shows that wealth and luxury were not despised. Men came here to make money, and they spent it lavishly on their homes and persons. They went richly and fashionably dressed, and their homes were provided with every comfort, convenience and ornament it was possible to procure. Their wives wore dresses of rich material and had costly jewelry ; their walls were adorned with fine pictures by Dutch masters ; their tables were bright with massive silver ; and their rooms were full of fine furniture of English, Dutch and Oriental manufacture. Queen Mary is generally credited with setting the taste in England for porcelains and other Eastern wares when she had shelves and cabinets fitted up in Hampton Court on taking up her residence there in 1690. Long before this, how- ever, porcelain and lac- quer ware were found in New York houses, and sometimes in con- siderable quantities. As the English element began to predominate, merchants of that na- tion grew 7 rich in in- creasing numbers and luxury and fashion became more pronounced. The governors who came here were men of birth, breeding 54 Rush-bottom and leather chairs ; in the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames. See page i 10. Houses and Furniture and education, and accustomed to the best that wealth and fashion could give. Bellomont was a friend of King William ; Cornbury was a Royal rake of the first order; Hunter was a wit and beau; Burnet was a friend and supporter of the House of Hanover before the accession of George I. ; and all the other governors, including De Lancey, had been accustomed to the best society and familiar with kings' courts. The picture so often drawn of the goodwife spin- ning in the kitchen, which forms the general living- room of the house, is therefore misleading when we are dealing with the wealthy class. The latter lived in fine houses in town with adjoining gardens, stables and offices, or had country-seats not far from the city where they were in easy reach of business. There were very few of them who were not engaged in shipping or foreign trade of some kind. They made money in all sorts of ways ; farming was the least of their activities. In fact, farming on a large scale was not possible, because the area of land around their country-seats was usually comparatively small. Take, for instance, the country-seat of Alexander Golden, Esq. It is described as " situate on Nassau Island, fronting and commanding a fine view of the harbour and citv of New York. It consists of a j dwelling-house and about nine acres of excellent land. The house is large and commodious, and the offices numerous and convenient. In the garden and orchard are choice collections of fruits, and of the best Newtown, Spitzenburg and other apple-trees ; and towards the river on a wharf newly erected are a storehouse and boat house." 55 Social New York Under the Georges The merchants and gentry of New York were always ready for a trade venture that promised profit. It must be confessed also that they were not always over scrupulous. They would traffic with pirates and send supplies to their haunts ; and notwithstanding prohibitions, they would baiter firearms and fire-water with the Indians. They did not hesitate to evade the laws of trade, such as customs, when they could safely do so ; and sometimes they were publicly ac- cused of giving aid and comfort to the King's enemies by furnishing the French and Spanish with provi- sions, arms and munitions of war. Their privateering ventures also prospered ; and the result of this mis- cellaneous foreign and domestic trade was that the riches, luxuries and elegances of two hemispheres were landed on the wharves of New York. The simplest way to gain a clear idea of the in- terior of the wealthier homes of citizens during the Eighteenth Century is to examine a few of the in- ventories of men in different stations of life ; official, mercantile and professional beginning early in the century. Let us note for the sake of future comparison the possessions of one Cornelis Jacobs in i 700, who was worth ,1953-19-3. He owned a cedar chest worth ,3 ; six leather and six cane chairs, 6 ; three ham- mocks, 2 ; a chest-of-drawers, two stands and a table, j ; a walnut table, ,1-10-0; three looking- glasses, ,3-12-0; five pictures, 2; a whitewood bedstead with furniture, including a speckled silk coverlid, i 2-7-0; a pair of brass andirons and iron frame, ,1-4-0 ; i pair of andirons and i pair of dogs, 56 Houses and Furniture ,1-10-0 ; i cupboard and lignum-viue punchbowl, 2 ; a bedstead and furniture, ,7-10-0; a children - bedstead and furniture, ,1-10-0; a table and six old chairs, 10 shillings; a brass lamp, 3 shillings; i glass case, three shillings ; two chimney cloths, 10 shillings ; a white muslin cloth for chest of drawers, ,0-7-6 ; and a great deal of brassware, pewter, china, earthen- ware and linen. Mr. Jacobs was a good example of an ordinary Dutchman, for he had a few luxuries. His books were worth no less than 6, and his 295^ ounces of wrought plate, 103-8-6. He possessed wrought and unwrought gold equal to ,3 2-5-0; a watch valued at ,4 ; two East India small trinkets, ,2-10-0; a " cokernut " shell tipped with silver, i \ a silver- headed sword, ,3- 1 o-o ; two canes, ,3 ; two clasped books, ,2-10-0; "achaine of pearl," $ ; a feather tippet, ,1-4-0; a silver box and four buttons, ,0-19-3; "a china lack- ered bowl," ,0-3-0 ; two tortoiseshell combs, ,0-10-0; and a great deal of money, some of it Arabian and Spanish. His house, kitchen and ground were valued at ,300. Turning to an English household in Queen Anne's O Q 57 Six-legged high case-of-dra\vers in the Museum of the Ne\v York Colonial Dames. See page 1 09. Social New York Under the Georges reisrn, let us see what Col. William Smith of St. o George's, Suffolk Co., owned in i 705. He was worth ,2589-4-0. To begin with, he had six bedsteads, the handsomest hung with silk and valued at ,30, and three, worth 20, furnished with fine calico cur- tains. He had a " landskip screen," 2-10-0 ; a handsome chest of drawers of walnut and olive wood, 15, and two other chests of drawers, 2-15-0; one large Japanned looking-glass, 10, and two others ^"0-15-0; fifty-two chairs, seven of which are large elbo\v chairs, thirteen leather, and twenty-three cane, altogether ^2 7-1-1 ; a number of feather beds and a good deal of household linen ; seven bed quilts, one of which was of silk and worth &. He owned five fine twisted rugs valued at ^'35 ; seventeen flannel blankets worth i each ; silk and other cushions, 3-10-0 ; three Turkey-work carpets and a blue cloth carpet, 4 ; a table, two comb boxes and two powder boxes, ^3 ; a " silk twilite " for a table and 8^ yards of silk, 4 ; pictures worth ,3-10-0 ; holland muslin and cambric, ^35 ; an hour- glass and two cases of knives, ^ 1-4-0; six great black leather trunks, ^6 ; another one, and also two large hair and three small hair trunks, ^4-10-0; four large cases and bottles, ^6 ; i case Venice glasses, ; and books, ^40; silver plate, ^150; pewter, 20 ; chinaware, 5 ; and flint glasses, 3-14-0. Among his miscellaneous articles, we may note a violin, worth 3 ; a fishing-rod, two screws for letters and two pewter standishes ; a silver hiked cane, 3 ; a blunderbuss and some pistols ; three swords, 8 ; a Turkey scimiter, 5-10-0 ; a large compass, two per- Houses and Furniture spectivc glasses; an instrument to try pearls, 12 shil- lings; a loadstone and a touchstone, 2 ; and t\v<> silk colours and two drums, /iv His wearing <*v* *J ,~~* apparel was valued at ,109; and, in addition, In- owned two seals, 2; 104 silver buttons, ,5-10-0; a silver watch and gold buttons, ,5-10-0 ; eleven embroidered belts, \ 10 ; two razor cases, and a hone, and sixteen razors, ,3. Colonel Smith was one of the residents who owned a coach, which, with cushions and harness, equaled ,40 ; and a number of saddles, valued at ,12-10-0, among which was a velvet saddle and a velvet side saddle worth ,10. Judging from this list of articles, even in the days of Queen Anne, when the town was amused or shocked at the pranks of her kinsman, the wild Lord Cornbury, there was considerable wealth and luxury, which had increased very greatly by the time George I. ascended the throne. Four years after the latter event (1718), Captain Giles Shelly of New York had the following household furniture. As he was a very rich man, worth no less than ,68 12-1 6-7^, it is not surprising to see that he had surrounded himself with every comfort. Among his goods, were five bed- steads. One had red china curtains ; one was a sack- ing bedstead with blue shalloon curtains ; one, a canopy bedstead with silk muslin curtain and white muslin inside curtain and valance ; another, with a head and tester cloth ; and the last, a sacking-bottom bedstead with a suit of striped muslin curtains lined with calico, a chintz quilt going with the latter. He had seventy chairs: one red plush elbow, one 59 Social New York Under the Georges easy-chair, two elbow chairs, six of Turkey-work, twenty-one of cane, and twenty-seven matted, and twelve of leather. One cane couch was also among' o his possessions. Then there were thirteen tables : one, a small oval, one a large painted oval and one a large oval ; one clock and case ; one repeating clock ; six looking-glasses, two pairs of sconces, one of which was gilt ; a hanging candlestick ; a pair of brass candlesticks with snuffers ; two trays for tea ; a brass lantern; " a brass hearth with hooks for shovel and tongs ; " a dressing-box ; two chests-of-drawers ; a chest-of-drawers and looking-glass ; a dog painted on a board ; two warming-pans ; seventy-four pictures, some in black and some in gilt frames, some black prints and " one landskip chimney piece ; " five chests ; three Turkey-carpets ; three pairs muslin curtains and valance ; four calico curtains with valance and chim- ney cloth ; a flowered muslin toilet ; a suit of calico curtains ; a red and gold satin carpet ; an embroidered counterpane ; three pair of arras hangings ; " the arras hangings from the Bowery ; " four hand fire-screens a parcel of sand-glasses; a red rug; a prospect glass; and many feather beds, handsome brass hearth furni- ture, and pewter and copper for the kitchen. He had a case of knives and two silver-handled knives ; a chafing-dish ; a great deal of valuable plate, including a tankard of 24 oz., two silver chafing-dishes and a pair of silver salts. The china included a red tea-pot, three basons, a sugar-box, twelve images and "six chancy lions." Captain Shelly owned a sword, four small arms and a trumpet. Forty-five beer glasses, a punch-bowl and a pipe of canary and some 60 Houses and Furniture bitter wine show that he was fond of good cheer. Two pairs of tables, men and dice prove that he was fond of games; two fine coach horses, that he drove about the country in style ; two patch-boxes, that he wore the fashionable mouchcs upon his cheeks ; and a lot of jewelry, that he was fond of pretty trinkets. Among his curios, he had a " deer's foot tipped with gold." As a contrast to the home of a rich country- gentleman, we may examine the belongings of Gov- ernor William Burnet, who died in 1/29, worth ,4 5 40-4-3 . His home in Perth Amboy was lux- urious and filled with the most fashionable articles of the day, yet some of it must have belonged to an older period, since certain pieces of furniture are referred to as " much shattered." He owned two eight-day clocks, each valued at 18 ; a scrutoire with glass doors, 20 ; eleven tables, one an oval of black walnut, another, a large one of black walnut, a third, a plain tea-table, a fourth, a japanned tea-table, a fifth, a small round table, a sixth, a card-table much shat- tered ; and others, a square table, an oval table, and a small square table, and plain tables. " A fine gilt cabinet and frame much shattered " must have been an unusual piece of furniture for even in its dilapidated condition it is valued at 12. This was probably one of those handsome cabi- nets of the Regency, or early Louis XV. style. His looking-glasses and sconces seem to have been hand- o o some : one is described as large with glass arms ; he also had a small dressing-glass. His beds included a "coach bed with chintx curtains," worth ^25 ; there 61 Social New York Under the Georges was another with red curtains, valued at /~io; and a third, an iron bedstead, with chintz curtains, worth 7-10-0. Among other articles, were a writing-desk and stand, a linen-press, a horse for drying clothes, an old chest-of-drawers, a mattress of Russia leather, a brass hearth and dogs, two old checquered canvases Walnut chairs and writing-desk, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin S. Church. See page 65. to lay under a table, and " a large painted canvas square as the room." The latter was valued at $. The Governor's chairs consisted of twenty-four *> red leather chairs with embowed backs, worth .28-16-0; fifteen bass bottomed chairs and a child's chair, eight walnut framed chairs, nine embowed or hollow back chairs with fine bass bottoms, 9 ; seven 62 Houses and Furniture walnut chairs with fine bass bottoms, j ; two bass chairs, four ordinary chairs, and an easy chair covered with silk. He owned four pieces of tapestry valued at 20 ; "a fine piece of needlework representing; a rustick ", $ ; a fire-screen of tapestry work ; two paper fire-screens ; and two four-leaf screens covered with gilt leather, worth ^15. The silver, china, glass and pewter, were very valuable. He had no less than a dozen silver candle- sticks and "two branches for three lights," amount- ing, with other plate, to 1172 ounces. Three dozen silver knives and three dozen silver forks in three cases were worth another j2 ; his china and glass, ,130-16-0 ; and the pewter was valued at 100-2-6. Governor Burnet seems to have been quite a col- lector of pictures. He owned 151 Italian prints, 20 " masentinto prints," besides numerous other pictures in black or glazed frames. Governor Burnet's successor, Governor Mont- gomerie, lived no less elegantly. He established him- self at Fort George, and prepared in every way to enjoy life, to make friends and to render his rule popular and brilliant. He had eight negro slaves to wait upon him and one to entertain him, a musician, worth double as much as any of the others. The Governor owned sixteen horses, a four-wheeled chaise and harness, a coach with a set of fine harness, two sets of travelling-harness, and a fine suit of embroid- ered horse-furniture with bridles, bits, etc., etc. His barge with its accoutrements, was worth ^25 and he had a small four-oared boat. His wine cellar must have been stocked with choice vintages, since it was 63 Social New York Under the Georges valued at ,2500, and his library must also have been unusual, for it was estimated at ,200. Naturally, his dwelling was richly appointed. He had a fine yellow camlet bed valued at ^"15 ; a pair of large sconces with gilded frames, 9 ; walnut framed sconces and branches, g ; an eight-day clock, /S ; a repeating table-clock, ^8 ; a large looking-glass with a gilt frame, 4 ; a gilt leather screen, ^3 ; twelve leather chairs, ,3-12-0; six new black-bot- tomed chairs, 6 ; twelve new-fashioned matted chairs, ^4-8-0 ; and six yellow chairs, thirty-six in all ; a bed with blue china curtains ; four pairs of crimson harrateen window curtains and five pairs of yellow camlet curtains. Among other articles were a Japanned tea-table, a pair of gilded-frame sconces, a large chimney-glass, and a walnut card-table. Two dozen knives and forks, a complete set of china, Japanned fruit plates, cut glass cruets, water and champagne glasses, and a great deal of silver. His important pictures repre- sented Greenwich Park, a vineyard, some goats, a landscape, sheep-shearing, and a water scene. He had a parrot cage and a " Tycken " umbrella. Some of these articles and some additional ones were of- fered for sale shortlv afterwards. j Passing over a period of ten years, we may gain an idea of a typical rich man's house towards the middle of the century,- -that of Rip Van Dam, who had held the office of President of the Council and acting Governor. The house he lived in was worth about ^500. It was of brick and was two stories high. The worth of his household furniture 64 Houses and Furniture and negro slaves was estimated at from ^250 to ^300. Among his goods and chattels, he had a Japanned chest-of-drawers, valued at ^3 ; a black walnut table, a looking-glass, a desk and bookcase, ten chairs, an elbow chair, (4) ; a clock, (^9) ; a large table, a chest-of-drawers, twelve leather chairs, twelve black chairs, a mahogany table, a writing-desk, a screen, two sconces, and a backgammon table. He also owned a silver-hilted sword, and twelve gold rings. His negroes came to ^50 ; and his silver to 90. Two interesting chairs, whose style dates from about 1720, appear on page 62. These are walnut with high crown-backs, jar-shaped splats, cabriole legs and hoof feet. The writing-desk was given by Gen. \Vashington to Gen. Walter Stewart. They are owned by Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin S. Church, of New York. Men, women, boys and girls, to be sold cheap." ( II LIVING-ROOMS AND THEIR CONTENTS THE ordinary modest house of the period was of two stories with a basement. On the first floor were two rooms, used for the parlour and dining-room, occa- sionally divided by glass doors. Up-stairs were three bedrooms, the extra one, of course, being a small one over the hall or entry. In the basement were the cellar-kitchen and the wine-cellar. The kitchen was usually in an additional back building of two stories, the upper one reserved for the negro slaves. Frequently the house had a wing fitted up as an office. A home of this type was occupied by Abraham Lodge who had built up quite a fortune in his twenty years' practice as a lawyer. The house was so cor- rectly furnished that it may be taken as an example of the prosperous New York home of i 750. It was a two-story brick house with basement. The hall contained four high-backed Windsor chairs and two lanterns. From it you entered the parlour, completely furnished in mahogany. Here were eight mahogany chairs with cabriole legs and claw-and-ball feet, the seats of crimson silk damask. There was a large mahogany scrutoire and bookcase with glass-doors ; a small mahogany dining-table ; a round mahogany tea-table ; and a mahogany card-table. A large pier- 66 Houses and Furniture glass, a large chimney-glass, and a large gilt-framed picture brightened the walls, and the room glowed with the light of sparkling logs on the brass andirons, near which stood the customary shovel, tongs and bellows. Eleven other pictures contributed addi- tional ornaments, as well as a great array of cut glass and burnt china ware, then extremely fashionable. A valuable treasure in this room was a casket in which the family jewelry was kept, consisting of a Child's rocking-chair and leather-covered cradle ; in the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames. See page 78. gentleman's gold watch, a lady's gold watch and sev- eral diamond rings. There was also some handsome family silver. The dining-room was scarcely less comfortable. The fireplace was furnished with brass andirons, and the light was softened by green window curtains. Here was a large mahogany oval table, a clock, ten matted chairs, a large sconce with gilt frame, two glass sconce candlesticks, a number of small pictures 67 Social New York Under the George s and all the table furniture, among which a lot of blue and white china was conspicuously displayed. Up-stairs were three rooms. The front bedroom was the guest-chamber, and, like the drawing-room, was furnished with the greatest care in fashionable Chippendale taste. The large mahogany bedstead was unusually handsome because it had claw-and-ball j feet ; its tester and curtains were of red stamped camlet, and red was the colour of the room. There was a mahogany easy chair with claw-and-ball feet and a crimson silk damask cover and cushion ; a mahogany dressing-table with drawers ; a mahogany tea-table with claw-and-ball feet and upon it a " paint- ed table cover " ; an iron bound chest and a small gilt leather trunk stood on the floor. Upon the walls hung two gilt-framed sconces, two large gilt- framed pictures, three small pictures, and two small black-framed pictures. The china in this room con- sisted of a large blue and white bowl and six burnt china coffee cups and saucers. The back bedroom contained a large bedstead and a small folding-bedstead for children. The rest of the furniture comprised a small black-framed looking- glass, two black framed pictures and a small table with leaves. This sombre hue was relieved by the presence of six red leather chairs and the bright fire upon the brass andirons. Mr. Lodge had two silver- hilted small swords and walking-cane. The third room, over the entry, was small ; and here was only an old walnut cupboard an old-fash- ioned Kas and a close-chair. The basement was de- voted to the cellar, kitchen, wine-cellar, and store- 68 Houses and Furniture room. Mr. Lodge kept four slaves, a man, two women, and a girl, who lived over the kitchen at the back of the house. Still farther away was the stable. Adjoining the house was Mr. Lodge's office, fur- nished with a writing-desk, table and stand, three matted chairs and his library. Above this office, he had a private room to which he might retire for rest. The Walton house, built in 1752, and which has already been mentioned, was richly appointed. Most of the woodwork, including the staircase, was of ma- hogany and the furniture was of this wood. The handsomest curtains were of silk damask, which was the material used for covering many of the chairs and sofas. There were a number of green Windsor chairs in the house. Some of the furniture was upholstered with the hair-seating that had then become fashionable. There were three large walnut and gilt-framed mirrors in the house. Mr. Walton had acquired an immense fortune in his commercial ventures and made himself exceedingly popular. On the return of the British army from their victories in Canada in 1759. he en- tertained the officers in magnificent style, and it is said that the wealth displayed here was brought forward at home by some of these travellers as a proof that the American colonists were perfectly able to pay taxes for the war. The silver that was in daily use in this luxurious home will be described elsewhere. Another handsome dwelling was that of de IVv- ster, in Queen Street, near Pearl. It gained histor- ical interest when Governor Clinton lived there and Washington used the house for headquarters. Abra- ham de Peyster, a descendant of Johannes de Peyster 69 Social New York Under the Georges (a native of Holland and a merchant of New Amster- dam) and mayor of New York in i69i-'5, was pos- sessed of great wealth. The house that he built in 1695, and that remained standing until 1856, was situated in Pearl Street, and was a fine specimen of the rich home of the day. It was of three stories with a balcony over its generous door. The parlour, on the first floor, was furnished with a couch and fifteen mahogany and black walnut chairs and several tables: one of these a round ma- hogany card-table ; another, a square mahogany card- table ; a third, an old mahogany table ; and there were also a Japanned tea-table ; and two marble tables and stands. The fireplace was furnished with an iron hearth with brass handles, tongs, shovel, and brush ; and near it stood a fire-screen. A mahogany desk and bookcase with glass doors and a large pier-glass completed the furniture of this room. Upon the walls hung thirteen glazed pictures and three landscape paintings one large and one small- and seven pictures painted on wood and canvas. Light was contributed by two glass candlesticks with branches. The windows were draped with curtains. Three cases of ivory-handled knives and forks, a case of plated ware, three china punch-bowls, a china bas- ket and twenty china plates, and an entire china tea- service, consisting of tea-pot, cream-jug and sugar- bowl, besides cups and saucers, would seem to indicate that refreshments were served so frequently in this room that it was necessary to keep the dishes there. The dining-room was directly behind the parlour. Here the most noticeable piece of furniture was the 70 Houses and Furniture large mahogany dining-table, but there were also a mahogany tea-board and a round mahogany table. Seven black walnut chairs with blue worsted bottoms furnished the seats ; the windows were hung with calico curtains ; and a canvas cloth was spread upon the floor. Andirons, shovel, and tongs gave evidence of the cheerful open wood fire. The other furniture Chairs from the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames. See page 109. included a clock, a fire-screen, a pier-glass, two pairs of sconces with gilt frames, a pair of brass candle- sticks, a mahogany tea chest, and two portraits, King George and Queen Caroline. In the hall were two sofas covered with leather, five leather chairs, a dining-table and three lanthorns. The floor was laid with canvas. At the head of the Social New York Under the Georges stairs stood a tea-table, a lanthorn, and a painted wooden dog. The principal bedroom was known as " the wain- scot room." The prevailing hue was green. The bed \vas hung with green worsted curtains, and there were two green stools. The other furniture comprised a dressing-table and mirror, a pier-glass, mahogany stand, six black walnut chairs, two arm-chairs, an easy chair, a cabinet, andirons, tongs and shovel. Next was the "west bedroom," and on the same floor the " tapestry room " hung with tapestry that had once been extremely fashionable but was now not much valued. The chairs here were of leather. On the same floor there was a front room used as a sitting-room. Here were two Dutch painted tea- tables, an old-fashioned pier-glass, fifteen cane seat chairs, pictures, china tea-cups, etc. Going up-stairs, there was a " Blue Bedroom." Of course, the curtains of the bed and windows were blue. The furniture consisted of a " chest-upon- chest," six cane seat chairs, a dressing-table, a home- spun rug, a pier-glass, eight glazed pictures, and five India pictures. Upon this floor were two other bedrooms : one, contained a bedstead with curtains, brass hearth-fur- niture, a looking-glass, four glass sconces, ten matted chairs, and some pieces of earthenware on the mantel- piece. In the other, in addition to the bedstead, were four matted chairs, a slate table, a square deal table, a small stand and five India pictures. Of course, there were a garret and cellar, a wine- cellar, and an office or counting-room. In an exten- 72 Houses and Furniture sion were placed the kitchen and the apartments of the negro slaves. Farther away was the stable where O * were kept the horses, the chaise and the double and single sleigh. A good idea of the luxurious furniture of New o York in the middle of the Eighteenth Century may be gained by glancing at the will of Mrs. Alexander, widow of James Alexander, who died in i 760. She bequeathed 5000 to her eldest son John, also " my late son David's picture which hangs in the great room above stairs : " to her son William, " my dwelling-house with the outhouses, ground, stables and appurtenances;" also "my largest and best car- pet as also his father's and my picture." To her daughter Mary Livingston, " all my wearing apparel whatsoever, as linen, woollen, silk, gold and jewels of all kinds, . . . also my chaise called the Boston Chaise and the horse I have and keep at pasture." To her daughter Elizabeth Stevens, the wife of John Stevens of New Jersey, 100 "to purchase furniture for a bed." To her daughter Catherine Parker, " 16 crimson damask chairs, one dozen and four crimson damask window curtains, the looking- glass, the marble table that now are in the dining- room, the square tea-table with the china thereon in the blue and gold leather room, as also the one-half of all the china and glass in all the closets, the mahogany dining-table the next in size to the largest, the ma- o hogany clothes chest, as also my wench called Venus and her two children Clarinda and Bristol, also my long- silver salver, a silver tea-kettle and lamp, the chintz bed in the large back room with the feather bed, 73 Social New York Under the Georges bolster, pillows, bedstead and furniture, . . . my third best carpet and all my pictures not given to any other . . . also ^ 100 to buy furniture for a bed." To her youngest daughter Susannah, ^"1500 ; also " the two large looking-glasses and the two marble tables which are placed and stand under them, the eighteen chairs with green bottoms and the green window curtains ... in the great Tapestry Room above stairs, . . . also three sconces suiting in the above- mentioned glasses and the twelve chairs with green bottoms which are in the little front parlour below stairs, also the looking glass and pictures that hang in the old parlour below, the green russell bed and win- dow curtains, the green silk bed quilt, two blankets, one rug, the feather bed, two pillows, bolsters and bedstead belonging thereto. . . . also the chintz bed that stands in the little back room, with the bedstead, feather bed, two blankets, one rug, one quilt, two pillows and one bolster, the large Holland cupboard, the dressing-table and dressing-glass, twelve chairs with yellow bottoms, the live pair of window curtains, the square tea-table with white china upon it which are in the room hung with blue and gilt leather, my large mahogany table and three small mahogany tables, my second best carpet, one set of blue and white china dishes and plates for a table, also a tureen, eighteen pair of sheets, 36 pillow cases, 24 table cloths, 36 napkins, 24 pewter dishes, 60 pewter plates, four of my best kettles, four of my best iron pots, four saucepans, four pair of andirons, four pair of tongs and shovels, 24 ivory handled knives, 24 do. forks, also the other half part of all the china and 74 Houses and Furniture glass in all the closets of the house I live in also . . . my best silver tankard and two silver mugs, two pair of silver salt cellars, two sauce cups, 12 table spoons, one silver bowl, two silver tea cannisters, one sugar box, one milk pot, 12 teaspoons and a tea-tongs, one silver tea-kettle and chafing-dish, two small salvers belonging to the tea table furniture and my silver salver next to the largest." Her best horse and chaise Mahogany dining-table, owned by Mrs. W. Sherwood Popham. See page i i i . she gave to her daughters Catherine and Susannah equally. All other house linen was to be shared equally among her four daughters ; all other plate among six children. This was a very charming home. One room was evidently furnished in crimson damask and contained sixteen richly upholstered chairs ; another room was hunjj with blue and sold leather ; another, rich with O ~ 75 Social New York Under the Georges tapestry, contained eighteen chairs with green bot- toms matching the curtains ; and another was in yel- O J low, if we may judge from the twelve chairs with yellow bottoms and five pairs of window curtains. These chairs, in all probability, were of walnut, or mahoijanv, with the carved wooden backs. Mrs. o J " Alexander had also some handsome beds, notably the one draped with green, the material being a kind of flowered worsted damask known as russell. She had looking-glasses and sconces in glittering frames, marble tables, and a vast amount of china and plate. The large Holland cupboard, which was, of course, a Kas, shows that some of her furniture \vas old. Mrs. Alexander was a striking instance of the fact that in New York the keeping of a shop in colonial days did not interfere with social position. She was a woman of much energy and enterprise, and for many years had actually imported and sold goods. She was a widow when she was married to James Alexander, who was a lawyer of wealth and distinc- tion. Their son was educated in England and while abroad endeavoured to claim the title of the Earl of Stirling. Not recognized, he returned to America where he was always addressed as the Earl of Stirling. Having noted the contents of Mrs. Alexander's home, it may be interesting to read the following advertisement that appeared in 1761 : " To be sold at prime cost the shop goods of the late Mrs. Alexander, consisting of Broadcloths, Ratinets, Shalloons, Dur- ants, Tammies, Worsted Hoses, Gold and Silver Lace, Silk for Women's Wear, Ribbons and China ware and a Variety of Other Goods at the House of the late Mrs. Alexander." 76 c J OQ Crt J a- .S 8 ffi ^ -i- o C/3 t-c u w o -a 4J 1- u o u Social New York Under the Georges Furniture for the comfort of the children is fre- quently met with. We have seen that Mr. Lodge had a folding bed for his children. A child's rocking- chair and a leather-covered cradle appear on page 67. The latter bears the date i 734 in brass nails. "Andrew Gautier, Windsor chairs." (1765.) Ill CABINET-MAKERS AND VENDUE SALES THE people of New York had every opportunity to furnish their homes handsomely. Ships brought each week the newest articles in furniture and orna- ment from London. Any one who had the means and took pride in living in the best taste could easily keep up with European fashions. The cabinet- makers and upholsterers were a numerous race. New artisans were constantly arriving:. They had learned J O J their trade from English cabinet-makers and were ready to make up "gentlemen's goods" at the short- est notice in accordance with the latest fashions. Some of these cabinet-makers were undoubtedly experts ; for instance, Mr. John Brinner, whose ad- vertisement appears on page 97, was a master carver. He brought with him six artisans of ability. Any one who is familiar with Chippendale's Gcntlcniaris and Cabinet-Maker s Directory, cannot fail to recog- nize the style of furniture that Mr. Brinner was able to make. We find him mentioning nearly everv article that appears in Chippendale's book of de- signs, even to cases and shelves for china, furniture in Gothic and Chinese taste and the heavily draped field bedsteads. We also find Mr. Joseph ( 'ox making "ribband back," Gothic, and rail-back chairs, French elbow, 79 Social New York Under the Georges easy and corner chairs, canopy, festoon, and field- beds, burg-airs, china-shelves and other articles that only a master-hand could produce. By noting the advertisements of almost any cabi- net-makers and upholsterers we can readily understam the kind of articles they made. For example, in i 750, we read : " James Huthwaite and Stephen Callow, upholsterers from London living in the Bridge Street, near the Long Bridge makes all sorts of Beds, Settees, Chairs and Coaches after the newest Fashion ; likewise stuffs Riding chairs and hangs Rooms with Paper and other things." Stephen Callow " made Beds, Chairs, Settees, Suffoys, couches, and likewise hangs Rooms with stuff or Paper." In 1753, he advertises : " Stephen Callow, upholsterer from London (near Oswego Market), makes all sorts of beds, chairs, settees, sofas, etc., and hangs rooms with paper or stuffs in the neatest manner. He has a choice assortment of paper hangings and upholster- ers' goods at reasonable rates." Other cabinet-makers dating from 1/54 to 1767 included Robert Wallace, in Beaver Street ; Thomas Griggs, near the Gentlemen's Coffee House ; John Parsons, between the New and Fly Markets near his late master Joshua Delaplain ; Gilbert Ash, in Wall Street ; and Charles Shipman, near the Old Slip. These artisans made chairs, easy -chairs, close-stool chairs, settees, couches, all sorts of cabinets, scru- toires, desks, bookcases, chests-of-drawers, and tables of all kinds, square, round, oval, plain, " scallopt," or "quadrile." Mr. Brinner, of whom we have already spoken, who arrived in 1762, evidently did more elab- 80 Houses and Furniture orate work. It is quite interesting to note, however, that there were numbers of workmen who did noth- ing but carve, and among these was Samuel Dwight, carver, who lived between the Ferry Stairs and Bur- ling Slip and did "all kinds of work for cabinet- Chippendale chairs (1750 and about 1740). Now in the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames. See page 83. makers,"- -that is to say, he carved the furniture that they made. In 17/3, Willett and Pearsey, cabinet and chair- makers, were at the Sign of the Clothes Press, nearly opposite the Oswego Market, at the upper end of Maiden Lane, "where cabinet and chair work of every kind is punctually performed with the greatest neatness and care." They offered "three elegant desks and bookcases, chest-upon-chest of drawers, one 7 Si Social New York Under the Georges Lady's dressing-chest and bookcase, three desks and one pair of card-tables, two sets of chairs, three dining-tables, five breakfast tables, one clock-case furnished with a good plain eight day clock, sundry stands, etc." In 17/5, Samuel Prince, cabinet-maker, at the Sign of the Chest-of-Drawers, in William Street, near the North Church in New York, made and sold all sorts of cabinet-work in the neatest manner and on the lowest terms. Orders for the West Indies and elsewhere were " compleated on the shortest no- tice." He had on hand for sale "a parcel of the most elegant furniture made of mahogany of the very best quality, such as chest-of-drawers, chest- upon-chest, cloath-presses, desks, desks and bookcases of different sorts, chairs of many different and new patterns, beuro tables, dining-tables, card-tables, break- fast-tables, tea-tables and many other sorts of cabinet work very cheap." The two most fashionable upholsterers were George Richey and Joseph Cox. The former had a shop in 1759 opposite the Merchants' Coffee House, but in 1770 he was at The Sign of the Crown and Tossel opposite the Old Slip Pump. During these years he kept up with the latest London fashions and made beds, chairs and easy-chairs, couch-beds, settees, sofas, and French chairs. He festooned window- curtains "according to the latest style, as practised in London," and was always receiving from abroad paper- hangings "in the newest taste." In 1770, he made mattresses fit for sea or land and " lines and tossels to answer furniture of any colour, at the shortest notice." 82 Houses and Furniture Joseph Co.\ was also from London and had The Royal Bed for his sign. This hung out in Dock Street and afterwards in Wall Street. lie made ex- actly the same articles as his rival, and in 1771, put up "all sorts of Tapestry, Velvet, Silk and paper-hangings in the neatest manner." He kept a fine assortment of " lines and tossels for beds and window curtains of different colours;" and, in 1773, offered "lines and a few very handsome balance tossels for hall Ian- thorns," as well as a "large assortment of bed laces, amongst which is some white cotton bed lace of a new manufactory and white fringes for ditto." In J o this year he advertised that he "makes all sorts of canopy, festoon, field and tent beadsteads and furni- ture ; also every sort of drapery, window curtains, likewise sopha, settees, couches, burgairs, French elbow, easy and corner chairs ; back stools, mewses, ribband back, Gothic and rail back chairs ; ladies' and gentlemen's desk and book-cases, cabinets, chest-of- drawers, commode dressing and toilet-tables, writing, reading sideboard, card and night ditto ; clothes presses and chests, china shelves, ecoinures, fire screens, voiders, brackets for lustres and busts, with every other article in the business." Two styles of chairs that were fashionable through- out the period appear on page 81. These are designs that Chippendale was fond of making, and their is every reason to suppose that the New York cabinet- makers produced them in large numbers. Apart from the efforts of the cabinet-makers and upholsterers, the merchants and importers to supplv tin- Xew Yorkers with fashionable furniture and other 83 Social New York Under the Georges luxuries and comforts, there was still another means by which the homes of the period could be richly stocked with choice articles. Many opportunities were afforded by the public vendue, or auction. Households broke up then as suddenly as now ; death sometimes removed the head of the family, but more often the British officers and those in authority were transferred to other stations and preferred to sell their household effects rather than to carry them home or move them. Many English residents who came to America as an experiment wearied of their experiences, and be- fore returning home sold out the contents of the house that they had taken such pains to furnish. When one remembers the custom that English people have of taking such a vast number of belongings into the wilds, it will not require much imagination to believe that when they came to New York (a comparatively easy journey), they did not hesitate to transport a ship-load of articles. Of course the Governor sur- rounded himself with every luxury, and at the begin- ning of our period, upon the death of Gov. Mont- gomerie, we find all .his goods offered for sale at pub- lic vendue at Fort George. It may be interesting to see what kind of things he considered necessary to his comfort and pleasure, and what handsome articles New Yorkers were able to secure as early as 1/31. The list reads : "A fine new yellow Camblet Bed lined with silk and laced which came from London with Captain Downing with the Bed- ding. One fine Field Bedstead and Curtains. Some blew Cloth lately come from London for Liveries ; and some white 84 Houses and Furniture Drap cloth with proper Trimming. Some broad Gold Lace. A very fine Medicine Chest with great variety of valuable Medi- cines. A parcel of Sweet- meat and Jelly Glasses. A Case with Twelve Knives and Twelve Forks with sil- ver handles guilded. Some good Barbados Rum. A considerable Quantity of Cytorn Water. A Flack with fine Jessamine Oyl. A fine Jack with Chain and Pullies, etc. A large fixt Copper Boyling Pot. A large Iron Fire-place. Iron Bar and Doors for a Cop- per. A large lined Fire Skreen. And several other Things. All to be seen at the Fort. "And also at the same Time and Place there will be sold One Gold Watch of Mr. Tompkins make and one silver Watch. Two Demi-Peak Saddles, one with blew Cloth Laced with gold and the other Plain Furniture. One Pair of fine Pistols. A fine Fuzee mounted with Silver and one long Fowling-Piece." Some time later we read: "At New York on Thursday, the ist of June, at three o'clock in the Afternoon will begin to be Sold at Public Auction, a Collection of valuable Books, being the Library of his Excellency John Montgomerie, Esq., late Gov- ernour of New York, etc., deceased. A Catalogue of 85 Mahogany table, owned by Mrs. Edward Parke Custis Lewis. See page 1 1 2. Social New York Under the Georges the Books may be seen at the Coffee House in New York with the Conditions of Sale." In August were offered " several tine Saddle Horses, Breeding Mares and Colts, Coaeh-Horses and Harness, and several other things belonging to the Estate of his late Ex- cellency Governor Montgomerie ; " and on Monday the 2d of October "about Noon, at the Exchange Coffee House will be exposed to Sale at Publick Vendue, a large fine Barge with Awning and Damask Curtains ; Two Sets of Oars, Sails, and everything that is necessary for her. She now lies in the Dock and did belong to the late Governour Montgomerie." The negroes, plate, and furniture of the late Hon. Rip Van Dam, Esq., offered for sale in 1/49, show that the choice goods of another governor were scat- tered among Ne\v York houses, while in 1 754 at public vendue at the Fort were sold "sundry goods and effects belonging to Sir Danvers Osborne, Bart.," -the ill-fated overnor who committed suicide soon after his arrival. These included " beds, bedding, household furniture, kitchen furniture, pewter, turn- ery, china-ware, a coach and harness, linen, two gold watches, some old hock, etc., etc." The furniture, plate, coaches and horses belonging to the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Loudoun, also sold at auction at Fort George in i 758, gave the residents another opportunity of securing valuable possessions. Captain George Douglas, Captain Thomas Seymour, Sir Charles Hardy, Captain Plenderleath, Captain Benjamin Davies, and the Hon. Major Carey are among those who sold out their household goods when they were transferred to other stations, or were 86 Houses and Furniture about to return to Kngland. In addition to bis ma- hogany furniture, Captain Benjamin Davies offered for sale in 17/5, "a tine chamber organ and a spinet." Sometimes there were sales of objects of art. For example, in 1771, the following pictures: " A large kitchen with dead game, Snyders ; Its companion, do., A storm, capital, Backhousen ; A Calm, Wright ; A conver- sation, Hemskirk ; Its companion ; A Landskip, Flemish ; A View in Flanders, Brughel ; Its companion ; A Fruit Piece with a Mackaw, Vander Moulen, together with three pairs of most elegant vases for ladies toilet or dressing-rooms, ornamented in the highest taste." "Thomas Burling, cabinet-maker." i 1774. i IV WALLS, PICTURES AND LOOKING-GLASSES AT the beginning of the Eighteenth Century, the walls of houses were usually panelled, painted or whitewashed. In the homes of the rich, tapestry and gilt leather hangings were found. When Kalm visited New York in i 748, he noticed that the rooms were wainscotted ; that the woodwork was generally painted a bluish grey ; and that the people seemed to be slightly acquainted with hangings. Two years later, wall-paper was imported in such quantities that we may feel safe in assuming it was as generally em- ployed here as in England. In 1749, Isaac Ware noted that " Paper has in a great measure taken the place of sculpture." Furthermore, he says: "The decoration of the inside of rooms may be reduced to three kinds : first, those in which the wall itself is properly finished, for elegance, that is where the ma- terials of its last covering are of the finest kind, and is wrought into ornaments, plain or uncovered ; sec- ondly, where the walls are covered with wainscot ; and thirdly, where they are hung ; this last article comprehending paper, silk, tapestry and every other decoration of this kind." He might just as well have written this after an examination of interiors in New York. In the mid- dle of the century, these three forms of finishing 88 Houses and Furniture in the English and hangs it walls were found, but the latter was growing in pop- ularity. In 1/49, Stephen Callow " hangs Rooms with Paper or Stuff in the newest Fashion ;" James Huth- waite also " hangs Rooms with Paper and other Things," in i 750 ; and, in 1756, John Hickey " stamps or prints paper manner so as to harbour no worms." Among the varieties of paper that are im- ported, we find stained paper for hangings, i 750 ; flowered paper, 1751 ; stamped paper for living- rooms, 1/54; stucco pa- per for ceilings, 1 760 ; gilt leather, i 760 ; and gilt paper hangings, 1 765. There was also a paper .{|*i<2 ~"^v Wall-paper from an old house in Cazenovia ; in the Museum for the Art of Decoration, Cooper Union. with landscape views, and paper composed of pic- tures of the Seasons, or shepherdesses, or emble- matical figures, framed in the rococo style of Louis XV. Another style, towards the end of our period, was drawn from the Classic ornamentation that the Adam brothers had made fashionable in England. A specimen of the latter appears on this page. Generally speaking, walls were hung with pictures painted on glass, mezzotints, and engravings. Occa- 89 Social New York Under the Georges sionally portraits were found, and in many of the houses of Ne\v York were oils that to-day would be priceless. In the inventories, quite often, a "land- skip," a sea-piece, a "small winter," a "break of day," a "bunch of grapes," "a cobbler," "a plucked cock torn," an "Abraham and Hagar," a "sea strand," a "ship," "ye city of Amsterdam," suggest good Dutch art, not specially valued in that day, but commanding- fancy figures now. O J O The fashionable pictures came from England. It may be worth while to examine the importations, remembering that Duyckinck, Rivington and Garret Noel and Company, were the chief dealers. The Success brought pictures on glass with gilt frames, in 1749, in which year, G. Duyckinck had "a very good assortment of Glass Pictures, Paintings on Glass, Prospective History Pieces, Sea and Landskips, a large assortment of large Entry and Stair-case Pieces ready framed, Maps of the ^Vorld and in four parts, London, all on Rollers ready for hanging, Prints of divers sorts, Prints ready coloured for japanning, also a very good assortment of Limner's and Japanese colours with gold leaf and Japanner's gold dust, Silver leaf and Silver dust." The Neptune brought in pictures burnt on glass in 1/50; " metzotintoes burnt on glass" in 1750; "a large assortment of maps, metzotinto and copper plate prints," in 1757; mezzotints, Japanned, pros- pect and common prints, and "pictures of India birds and many fancies," 1759. The Jupiter brought India pictures in 1759; "pictures of the present King and Queen, Mr. Pitt, the Marquis of Granby ; and 90 Houses and Furniture the never-to-be forgotten Gen. \Volfe, who sold his life dear to the French on the Plains of Abraham ;;t Quebec the i3th of September," 1762. The l]\^t- uwrclaiid brought " portraits of the .Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Seckes, Rev. Mr. Sterne, Lady \Valdegrave and her child, Garrick in tragedy and comedy, metsotinto prints of Garrick and Mrs. Cib- ber in Jaffer and Belvidera, six vcrv line prints of Ke\v Gardens," in i 764. John J. Roosevelt imported from England and sold at his store in Maiden Lane in 1772, "an elegant variety of pictures, one print in particular (with a very handsome frame of glass) of Regulus opposing the entreaties of the Roman Senate, importuning him not to return to Carthage. Price ^14. This piece, the death of Gen. Wolfe and several others were copied from the original paintings of the cele- brated Mr. West of Philadelphia." We also find advertisements that are occasionally illuminating, such as one for 1759, as follows : " Lately published in England and to be sold by Garret Noel and Company, near the Meal Market, the celebrated Mr. Strange's very elegant Prints, consisting of Le Retour du Marche, a Cupid, a Magdalena, a Cleopatra, a Headpiece from the Painting of Guido Rheni, a Virgin Martyr from ditto, Lib- erality and Modesty from ditto, Apollo Rewarding Merit and Punishing Arrogance, Cresar putting away Pompey, and Charles Prince of Wales, James Duke of York, and Princess Mary, Children of Charles I. st . These surprising Pieces are bound up in Boards to preserve them, but may be taken out and put in Frames. Likewise, the Heads of Illustrious Per- sons of great Britain, on 180 Copper Plates, engraved by Mr. Houbraken and Mr. Virtue, with their Lives and Characters by Thomas Birch, D. D., Secretary to the Royal Society. Done 91 Social New York Under the Georges upon Imperial Paper and Curiously Bound. N. B. Gentlemen of Taste that are willing to purchase either of these much esteemed curiosities are desired to apply in time, as there are but very few Copies to dispose of." Another, dating from 1 760, gives a good idea of popular subjects. James Rivington of Hanover Square, had "just imported a very fine collection of Pictures of various sorts, consisting of the Heads of all the principal persons who daily distinguish them- selves by their Virtues at Home or Victories abroad ; of very elegant Views, Landscapes, Maps and Charts, Horses, Birds, Hunting-Pieces, Prospects of Lon- don, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Peterborough, elegant Buildings in Poland, Prussia, the East Indies, Ma- drid, Lisbon, Bristol, Edinburgh, Rome, Palmyra and Athens ; a complete Sett of the celebrated Beauties of Hampton Court, the Harlot's Progress, Hemkirk's Humorous Pictures, Monamy's famous Sea Pieces, Pictures for Watches, Copies to teach to Write the Round Text, the large and Small Round Hands, Black Lines, Letter Files, etc." The feature of the room that struck Madame Knight most forcibly, when she visited New York in 1707, was the impressive fireplace with its deep hearth framed with tiles. This was generally about five feet square, and behind the fireplace was a large cast-iron and ornamented back. Sometimes they were plain, but more frequently were decorated with, perhaps, the arms of the owner, or figures, flowers, or conven- tional device. In 1751, we read: "Stolen out of a house rebuilding on Bever Street a small Iron Chim- ney back with the figure of a Parrot in a Ring on it." 92 ex '-C C/3 00 r- C OJ 5 o o rt IS u Social New York Under the Georges Peter Curtenius had " some plain and figured chimney backs " in i 769. The mantel-piece was frequently carved, as in the accompanying example owned by the New York His- torical Society. It came from the Beekman House. Tiles gave a very gay appearance to the chimney- piece. They were almost always in strong colours and the pictures were scriptural, historical, or landscape views. They were in white, green, yellow, red, blue, or purple. Mar- ble chimney-pieces and marble hearths were also to be met with, and sometimes these were finished with a brass border. James Byers, brass founder, in South Street, said in 1 768, that he could make " brass mouldinsfs to t_ cover the edges of marble or tiled fire- places." Once in a while, some one liked to ornament his chimney-piece, like his ceiling, with stucco-work, which Mr. Bernard Lintot was able to supply in 1760. From the above, it will be seen that the great logs burning and crackling in their frame-work of 94 Dra\ving-room mantel. From the Beek- man house, Turtle Bay. Houses and Furniture curving, gay tiles and brass andirons and fender con- tributed not a little to the charm of rooms. Although the wood lire was universal all through the period, coals also were used. " Very good sea-coal " was advertised by Nicholas Bayard as early as i 744, in which year "the newly invented Pennsylvania lire- places" were attracting some householders, and a little before that date Franklin had invented his famous stove; and Christopher Saner, his German device. Steel hearths and stove grates came in about 1/51, and in 1752 kip Van Dam had for sale "a large iron hearth plate with brass feet and handles." Cast-iron stoves, round and square, were also in use. "Dutch and English fashion stoves "and "brass O mounted grates with shovel and tongs " appeared in 1767; and "elegant grates, or Bath stoves, for burn- ing coals" in 1768. Xow that coals were used, the poker became a necessary addition to the equipment of the hearth. "A copper furnace and grate" was advertised in 1/51. It was not until the middle of the century that carpets became general. The word had long been used as a covering for tables, and even as late as i 771 we find an advertisement of "bedside and table ear- pets," showing that it was still associated with a piece of furniture. Painted canvas and haircloth were used for a long time. The latter was particularly admired for staircases and entries. It must have been the same as that used for upholstering, since Bernard Lintot imported from London in 1764 "haircloth for chair seats and staircases." Haircloth for stairs had been popular since 1750. From about 1757, 95 Social New York Under the Georges "rich, beautiful Turkey fashion carpets," as well as Persian, Scotch and Wilton, were imported in great profusion, and in 1771, Axminster appeared. The carpet was kept down on the stairs bv means of brass rods. In a period in which Chippendale and his school flourished, it is not to be wondered at that the chim- ney-piece, the mirror, the cornice, the bracket, the sconce and the girandole should have been of the utmost importance. At the begin- ning of the century, the Dutch style of carving was in vogue ; and under the Georges, the carving, naturally enough, con- formed to the tastes that had been formed by Grin- ling Gibbons and his school. Hence it is safe to believe that New York had long sup- ported good carvers. During the Georgian age, they flocked here in great numbers ; and we find many cabinet-makers who were also carvers, like Chippen- Chippendale mirror (ma- dale. One of these was John hogany with gilded bird), Brinner. He advertised him- self as a " Cabinet and chair- maker from London," establishing himself at the Sign of the Chair, opposite Flatten Barrack Hill in the Broad-Way, his announcement reading : 96 owned by Mrs. F. H. Bos worth. See page 98. ffouses and Furniture " Every article in the Cabinet, Chair-Making, Carving and Gilding Business, is enacted on the most reasonable Terms, with the Utmost Neatness and Punctuality. He carves all sorts of Architectural, Gothic and Chinese Chimney Pieces, Glass and Picture Frames, Slab Frames, Girondels, Chandeliers, and all kinds of Mouldings and Frontispieces, etc., etc. Desk and Book Cases, Library Book Cases, Writing and Reading- Tables, Study Tables, China Shelves and Cases, Commode and Plain Chest of Drawers, Gothic and Chinese Chairs; all sorts of plain or ornamental Chairs, Sofa Beds, Sofa Settees, Couch and Easy Chairs, Frames, all kinds of Field Bedsteads. N. B. He has brought over from London six Artificers, well skill'd in the above branches." In an age of carving and gilding, the mirror re- ceived its share of attention. No one who studies the newspapers carefully can fail to note how impor- tant it was to discard an old-fashioned frame, or even * shape, for the newest style of looking-glass that Lon- don had adopted. Towards the end of i 730, we read : " James Foddy, Citizen and Glass-seller of London, who arrived here the latter end of last June, and brought with him a parcel of very fine Looking-glasses of all Sorts, and likewise appeared several times in this Paper, to acquaint the Publick that he undertook to alter and amend Old Looking-glasses; but he not meeting with suitable Encouragement, is shortly destined for the \Vest Indies. All Persons therefore who are inclin'd to have their Glasses repair'd, or buy new, may apply to the said James Foddy at Mr. Verplanck's in New York." By 1/35, there were some new styles. Air. Duyck- inck informed the public that he had " Looking-glasses new silvered and the Frames plaine Japan'd or Flowered, also all sorts of Picktures made and sold, all manner of painting work done. Likewise Looking-glasses and all sorts of painting Coullers and Oyl sold at reasonable Rates by Girardus Duyckinck, at the Sign of the Two Cupids, near the Old Slip Market. 8 97 Social New York Under the Georges " N. B. Where you may have ready Money for old Look- ing-Glasses." Looking-glasses, of course, included the large glass that so frequently ornamented the chimney- piece, the tall pier-glass whose place was between the windows, and the concave and convex mirrors with sconces for candles that were hung upon the walls. Frequently the frames of these were richly carved and gilded, and from the candlesticks hung glittering drops of glass, known as girandoles. Mahogany and black walnut were also used for frames, and a ma- hogany or walnut frame, brightened with gilt edges and adorned with some carved and gilded ornament, was also popular. One of the latter appears on page 96 ; and another on page 324. The former is orna- mented with a gilded bird, one of Chippendale's favourite designs. This belongs to Mrs. F. H. Bos- worth. The second, now belonging to Mrs. Wilmot Townsend Cox, was originally owned by Rutger Bleecker. In 1769, one Minshall, carver and gilder, from London, lived in Dock Street, opposite Bolton and Sigell's Tavern, where he had " carved frames for glasses, picture frames, tables, chairs, girondoles, chimney-pieces, brackets, candlestands, clock and watch cases, bed and window cornicing. He makes Paper ornaments for Ceilings and Stair-cases in the present mode." In the same year Nicholas Bernard, carver, advertised : " A neat assortment of Looking-glasses in the most elegant and newest Fashions, with carved, and carved and gilt frames, do. pediments and plain mahogany and walnut, also Dressing- 98 Houses and Furniture glasses, Girondelles, Chimney-Pieces, Figures of Plaster of Paris, and Paper Machine for Ceilings; the King's Coat-of- Arms neatly carved, fit for Church or public Building." In 1775, the above Minshall, who for some time had had a Looking-Glass Store, removed it from Smith Street to Hanover Square (opposite Mr. Goe- let's Sign of the Golden Key), and told his custom- ers that he had " an elegant assortment of looking- glasses in oval and square ornamental frames." He also had some in mahogany frames and " the greatest variety of girandoles ever imported to this city." He had "an elegant assortment of frames without glass " and " any Lady or Gentleman that have glass in old-fashioned frames may have them cut to ovals, or put in any pattern that pleases them best." The frames could be finished " white, or green and white, purple, or any other colour that suits the furniture of the room, or gilt in oil or burnished gold equal to the best imported." An Apprentice was wanted "to learn the above art of Carving and Gilding ; none need apply but those who have a lad of sober and promising genius and are willing to give a premium." The following partial list of importations may be of interest to illustrate the large general demand for mirrors : Gilt and plain looking-glasses and sconces of sundry sizes, in 1 745 ; " a parcel of very fine large and small looking-glasses," 1747; japanned dressing-glasses, 1 748 ; new fashion sconces and look- ing-glasses, i 749 ; looking-glass sconces, i 750 ; gilt and plain looking-glasses of sundry sizes, 1 75 1 ; a choice assortment of very handsome looking-glasses, sconces and pier glasses of all sizes, 1752; a neat 99 E p "flR The King's Arms. (1767.) IO2 V BEDS, CHAIRS, TABLES AND CLOCKS THE bed was, of course, the most important piece of furniture in the bedroom. Almost invariably, it was a tall and wide four-poster of mahogany, more or less richly carved. But the framework, handsome as it might be, and even if crowned by a carved tester, was comparatively unimportant when the furnishings are remembered. A large feather bed, weighing many pounds and stuffed with the softest feathers, rested upon a simple arrangement of bed- cords, or a " sacking-bottom,"- a kind of heavy sail- cloth from which the word " bed-bunt " was probably derived. " Bed-bunts" were imported and were usu- ally 6 X 4 ft. and 9X4 ft., which shows the average size of the bed. The sheeting usually came from Holland, and \vas known as " ozenbrigs ; " the blankets were " striped," "rose," or "swanskin ;" and the spreads, or "sprees," early in the century were " white cotton bed carpets," but they were supplanted later by " white flowered counterpains." Marseilles quilts came in about 1/72. India chintz counterpanes were also used in 1768, and scarlet, blue, flowered, and black figured "drawboys" in 1771. A silk quilt, or a Turkey quilt, was usually folded neatly and laid across the foot of the bed. The bolster and pillows, stuffed with softest feathers, Social New York Under the Georges were encased in white linen, and everything about the bed invited repose. The true glory of the bed, however, was its hang- ings. Not infrequently, they were very luxurious in Chair and double corner-chair ; in the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames. Seepage 109. texture and rich in colour. A "yellow silk damask bed," a "yellow camlet laced," a "crimson harra- teen," a "green russell," a "crimson moreen," a ' flowered russell," a " blue and green flowered rus- sell," or "a green silk and worsted damask," was generally to be met with in the richest homes. Some- 104 Houses and Furniture times the curtains were altogether of silk damask ; sometimes, of worsted damask lined with silk ; some- times a mixture of each ; and sometimes of purely woollen goods. Occasionally, these curtains were ornamented with "silk bed lace," or fringe, or gimp, or "snail trim- ming," a kind of braid arranged in symmetrical rolled-up patterns, that was exceedingly popular with the upholsterers of the day, who were called upon to arrange the festoons and rosettes, lines and tassels, according to the latest advices from London. The curtains at the windows always matched the bed-hang- ings, and gave the room its designation of " the yellow room," " the blue room," " the red room," or "the green room." In summer, these rich hang- ings were removed, and the beds \vere draped in white, or supplied with mosquito netting, or " catgut gauze." In some of the rooms, the beds were simpler, such as, for example, the one seen in the illustration on page 23, showing an excellent bedroom of the period, from the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames at Van Cortlandt. The simpler bedsteads were of maple or walnut, instead of mahogany, and perhaps, indeed, of pine or white-wood, stained or painted. These were hung with coloured calico cur- tains, like the one referred to, bright-hued or flowered chintz, or figured dimity. Ships were constantly bringing over such varieties of attractive English and India chintzes, and calicoes of such multitudinous colours and patterns, with "lines and tossels to match," that we can readily believe the bedrooms 105 Social New York Under the Georges were anything but monotonous in colour and effect, even if the same arrangement of furniture was to be found in every home. About 1770, a new style of bed and window cur- tain was introduced from England, " copper plate and pencilled furniture " in red and white, blue and white, purple and white, green and white, etc., etc., so called from the pictures that were printed upon it, very similar to those upon the "pencilled china" that came into vogue about the same time. About 1761, mattresses stuffed with hair were offered for sale, but these did not, by any means, supplant in favour the feather bed and " sacking-bottom." By the side, or at the foot of the bed, stood the bed-steps. At the other side, a small table with a candlestick was always to be found in a comfortable j bedroom. In the early part of the century, a strip of carpet, called "a bedside carpet," to distinguish it from the carpet upon the bed (for the word carpet had not lost its first meaning), was placed beside the bed, but as the years advanced, rugs were more plentiful and a carpet frequently covered the entire floor. The bed was often covered with a spread, and the dressing-table with a " toilet " made by the ladies of the house. The bedstead generally stood opposite the open fireplace, where the logs burned brightly upon brass andirons, guarded by a fender and supplied with shovel, tongs and bellows. A mahogany case-of- drawers standing upon its high cabriole legs and gar- nished with brass escutcheons and handles, and a small case-of-drawers, also bright with brass mounts, 1 06 Houses and Furniture were conspicuous objects. Above the latter hung a dressing-glass. Perhaps there was also a large chest- upon-chest of drawers, or an old mahogany kas, or wardrobe, a " bureau table," a wash-stand, and almost always two or three small tables, upon one of which a set of tea-things stood ready for use. Sometimes were to be seen a " couch and squab " and a " lolling- chair' for further comfort, and very often a " scru- tore," or large secretary. The room was profusely ornamented with china. China vases and curious images decorated the chim- ney-piece and appeared on the top of the chest-upon- chest, or the tall case-of-drawers, provided the latter was not finished with the favourite scroll or " swan- neck " sweeps. Even then, in the centre from which they sprang, a small china vase, or other ornament was placed. A screen and a number of chairs completed the furniture. The latter might consist of a set of mahogany, including two arm-chairs, the seats match- ing the bed and window curtains, or they might be of cheaper wood with plain splat backs and rush seats, ordinary walnut frame and leather-bottom chairs, or of the cabriole leg with ball-and-claw foot and em- bowed back, the seat being of Turkey -work, worsted damask, or hair. Again, the chairs might have cane, or matted seats. Next in importance to the bed in the up-stairs apartments were the high and low cases-of-drawers, popularly, but erroneously known to-day as the " high bov " and " low bov." These consisted of a series of / j drawers that stood on a frame composed of spindle- shaped legs connected by a straining-rail or stretcher, 107 Social New York Under the Georges as shown in the example from the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames on page 57, or standing on the springing cabriole leg ending in the plain hoof, or the more ornate claw-and-ball foot. The former kind that stood on a frame of six legs generally had a square top ; the latter variety frequent- ly terminated in a scroll top. In addition to these pieces of furni- ture, there was the chest-of- drawers and the chest-upon-chest, of which an ex- ample in French walnut is here rep- resented. This be- longed to Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Van Home (the latter a daughter of Frederick Van Cortlandt and Frances Jay), married in 1765. It is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Mat- thew Clarkson of New York, having descended to them through the Jay family. The brass escutcheons and handles on these pieces of furniture were impor- 108 Chest-upon-chest, originally owned by Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Van Home ; now by Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Clarkson. Houses and Furniture tant additions, and varied from simple drop-handles to patterns that were quite elaborate. In the early part of the century, the chairs were of leather (one variety of which is shown on page 54), cane, and matted. The latter was popular about i 700, and was often of the kind represented on the same page. We also find in the early homes elbow chairs and easy chairs covered with red plush, or silk, or damask. About 1725, and onward, the walnut or mahogany chair with the claw-and-ball foot, was con- stantly used. This chair invariably came in sets, in- cluding two chairs with arms. The covers of the seats were of red leather, Turkey-work, silk, silk or worsted damask, the favourite colours being red, green and yellow. Types of these chairs appear on page 71. In 1 760, haircloth for chair-seating was imported. It continued long in fashion. Sometimes it was fig- ured, and sometimes coloured. In 1765, Joseph Cox advertised " a variety of beautiful black horsehair for chair bottoms, such as are in the greatest vogue at home" (home being London); in 1771, "figured horsehair for chair bottoms;" and in 1772, "patterns of horsehair for chair bottoms." Figured calico, chintz and copper-plate materials were used for furniture coverings and draperies to- wards the end of our period, especially in bedrooms. With sets of chairs, the double chair, or settee, was often included. This was formed of two chair backs placed side by side and carved or perforated to match the single chairs. The "corner chair' that Joseph Cox made in 1773 was of the variety shown 109 Social New York Under the Georges on page 104. This one is ornamented with a double back. The stuffed chair was often in use. Some- times it was referred to as the " French " chair. The "burgair" chair, also in Cox's list, was an upholstered chair of special design. The stuffed sofa gained in popularity. It was frequently draped in the most elaborate style with festoons caught in waves and swags, and fastened at regular intervals by a rosette. Sometimes it had a canopy carved in the Gothic or Chinese taste, and sometimes it was made to fit into an alcove and be- come a kind of couch-bed with curtains that were drawn into their symmetrical position by means of cords and tassels that connected with pullies. Chip- pendale was especially fond of fringe, cords and tassels for his sofas and beds, and for his ornate pieces recom- mends gold cords and tassels. Before the middle of the century, the Windsor chair had become popular. An example is shown to the left of the bed, in the room on page 23. The Windsor chair was of various kinds and was painted in different colours. Many chair-makers devoted theii energies solely to this kind of chair. The following advertisement of i 769 gives an idea of the industry : "A large and neat Assortment of Windsor Chairs made in the best and neatest manner, and well-painted, viz., High- back'd, low back'd, and Sack backed Chairs and Settees or double seated fit for Piazza or Gardens, Children's Dining and low chairs, etc. To be sold by Jonathan Hampton in Chapel Street, New York, opposite Captain Andrew Law's." The " scrutore," escritoire, or secretary, was found in both drawing-room and bedroom. It was often a no Houses and Furniture combination bookcase and desk, the upper portion being enclosed by doors with panes of glass. Two specimens appear on pages 291 and 10. The former is said to have come from Holland, but it is similar in character to many that Chippendale included among his designs. This belonged originally to Ryck Suy- dam (1675-1741) supervisor of Flatbush, L. I. and is now owned by his descendant, Mrs. Henry Draper of New York. The second is also of mahogany and is of the " Gothic Style " of the day. This belonged to Thomas Barrow, and was brought by him to New York in 1/64. It is now owned by a descendant. Another form of desk was a simple chest-of-drawers with a flap which, when let down, formed the table for writing. In every home was a number of tables ; in many cases, the rooms contained several devoted to different uses. The dining-table was of mahogany. The oak drawing-table had long been out of fashion, and the extension table with its additional leaves had not yet been introduced, so that when more room was desired, tables were added to the central one. These tables all had drop leaves supported upon a movable leg. A good specimen is illustrated on page 75. The straight leg ends in a ball-and-claw foot. This now belongs to Mrs. W. Sherwood Popham of New York. Nearly every house had its card-tables which were usually of walnut or mahogany, like the specimen shown on page 326, or of an older design with cabri- ole leg and ball-and-claw foot. The tea-table was of the utmost importance : it was of mahogany, painted, or japanned, or of walnut. Almost invariably, it re- 1 1 1 Social New York Under the Georges volved and could be made to tip as well as turn, and sometimes, when not in use, stood in the room in the position of the one shown on page 85. Of the three varieties of tea-tables, the one on page 3 1 2 was the older in design, as the " snake-foot " proclaims. The one on page 114 is more delicate in form and not only has the ball-and-claw foot but the acanthus carved j upon the tripod legs. The third on page 85, is a more elaborate specimen and its large top is cut out of a solid piece of wood. The first belongs to the Barrow family ; the second, to Mrs. W. W. Shippen of New York ; the third, was originally owned by Col. and Mrs. John Cox of Bloomsbury, Trenton, but now belongs to Mrs. Edward Parke Custis Lewis of Hoboken, N. J. A small mahogany stand, or table, was usually placed by the side of the bed, as shown on page 23. Previous to the advent of Heppelwhite, the sideboard in the dining-room was a long table with square ends. Chippendale, in his book of designs, does not give a single example of the sideboard as we know it to-day, nor is such a piece of furniture found among the plates of Darly, or Ince and May hew. The "side- board table " that Chippendale recommends often has its framework richly carved in Gothic, or Chinese style. Therefore, when we are told that so many tables were in the dining-room, we are not wrong if we call one of them "a sideboard table." The tea-table was present in every room. The number of articles used in the service of tea was considerable. Mahogany tea-boards (little tables), tea-chests, cannisters, lamps, kettles and nests of ket- 112 Houses and Furniture ties, kettles with lamps, tea -tongs, sugar -clcuvrrs, sugar-tongs, spoons, urns, tea-trays, etc., etc., of all varieties appear again and again. The tea-kettle stand was also important, and the tea-tray was of many kinds and sizes. It was frequently of mahogany with a carved rim in the Chinese or Gothic taste ; but hardly less popular was the tray that was painted and ja- panned. We give two of these : the one on page 321 dates from the beginning of our period ; the second, on page 100, from towards the end. Like the painted and japanned tea-table, it was always a favourite. The former is said to have been brought to America in 1686. It is now in the Museum of the Colonial Dames at Van Cortlandt. The picture upon it is a landscape. The second, is a more beautiful example and is decorated with a charming oil painting after Joseph Vernet. It is now in the Museum for the Art of Decoration at the Cooper Union, New York. Tea-trays and waiters " of the newest fashion with landscapes" were still coming in in 1781. Japanned-ware was popular throughout the Eight- eenth Century. It was not only used for tea-trays, tea -kitchens, tea-tables, cannisters, sugar-boxes, and knife-cases, but for dressing-tables, clock-cases, chairs and every other style of furniture. As early as i 734, we find " eight-day clocks with japan cases " offered for sale by John Bell, and, as late as 1771, Stephen Gueubel of Wall Street announced to the "nobility and gentry " that he had "just arrived in this cit\ ' and had for sale "a quantity of beautiful furniture elegantly painted and varnished in the Japan taste* and had "some complete toilets." He also under- 9 113 Social New York Under the Georges took to " paint coaches and chairs in the same manner." In 1772, Jane Wilson in the Fly Market offered a "great variety of beautiful japanned goods with cream Walnut chair and mahogany tea-table, owned by Mrs. W. W. Shippen. See page 112. coloured grounds and other colours of the newest taste." Her wares included tea-tables, tea-chests with cannisters, tea-trays, bread-baskets and inkstands ; and she also had " some white japanned clock-faces, which have the appearance of enamelled watch-plates." Al- 114 Houses and Furniture though there were many watch and clock-makers in New York, the ships constantly brought clocks and clock-cases to New York. The tall clock with its brass dial, frequently embellished with the changes of the moon, and occasionally equipped with ma- chinery for telling the tides, was the favourite. Bracket and pedestal clocks were also in use ; and many clocks were furnished with musical chimes. Nearly every household owned a tall clock, and in many houses the enormous clothes-press known as the Kas was frequently found. This, of course, was of Dutch origin and corresponded to the more mod- ern wardrobe. Another piece of furniture that the English found when they arrived was the cabinet in which the citizens of New Amsterdam kept their choicest china and other curios. Thomas Ash, Windsor chair-maker." (1774.) 115 PART III TABLE FURNISHINGS PART III TABLE FURNISHINGS CHINA, USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL OCCASIONALLY, one hears it said that there was little or no china in New York before the Revolu- tion ; but whoever will pause to think for a moment will know that this could not be true. The Dutch, as is well known, were among the very first collectors of china in Europe. It is not likely that the Dutch ships constantly arriving in New Amsterdam should fail to import wares of this nature. Indeed, china and porcelain were to be found in Dutch homes on this side of the Atlantic, in great quantity, before the English satirists attacked the china-mania. The home of Cornells Steenwyck, who died in 1686, was profusely decorated with china. In one room alone the Great Chamber there were no less than " nineteen porcelain dishes," besides two flow- ered earthen pots. Margarita Van Varick was an- other person who possessed a vast amount of china. She had three East India cups and three East India dishes, three " cheenie pots," "one cheenie cup bound with silver," "two glassen cases with thirty-nine pieces of small chinaware," and eleven " Indian babyes." 119 Social New York Under the Georges Besides this, there were 126 pieces of chinaware, con- sisting of cups, saucers, tea-cups, dishes, basons, jugs, flower-pots, toys and images. Mr. Jacob De Lange, who died in 1685, had a magnificent collection that would be priceless to-day. It included 164 separate pieces. Francis Rombouts (1692), had one Holland cup- board furnished with porcelain and earthenware, worth ^15 ; and another, valued at ,5-13-0. Cornelis Jacobs (1700), owned a china lacquered bowl and a parcel of chinaware and earthenware, twelve new plates and nine earthen dishes. Abraham Group of ornamental earthenware, owned by Mrs. F. H. Bosworth. See page 127. DeLanoy (1702), had 120 dishes, cups and saucers; Colonel William Smith of St. Georges (1705), had chinaware worth ^5; Joseph Nunes (1705), had "one small Delph plate" , Joseph Bueno (1709), had an earthen woman and a dog ; seven china cups ; twelve cups and saucers ; and five images in glasses. 1 20 Table Furnishing Capt. Giles Shelly (1718) owned much china, in- cluding a punch -bowl, "six chancy lions," eleven images, three "chancy basons," a red tea-pot, a sugar- box, an image and much earthenware ; George Dun- can (1724) possessed much earthenware and china, among which were seven images and a box with images ; Governor Burnet's china and glass amounted to ^130-16-0 ; and Governor Montgomerie had a set of china valued at ^75. The people of this period valued their china highly. They kept it in cabinets and cases with glass doors, on shelves, and in racks made especially for it, besides decorating with it mantel-pieces and the tops of cupboards, cases, presses and chests-of-drawers. Much of the china was purely ornamental, such as birds, animals, figures, and images. Specimens of the china images of the period are shown on page 361. These horses are white with trappings of the brightest colours. They are owned by Mrs. F. H. Bosworth. Much of the china of the day, having come from the Orient, was exceedingly handsome, and was dis- posed of in special bequests. For instance, in 1684, Judith Stuyvesant left to her son, Nicholas, all her china " except the three great pots." These she left "To my cousin, Nicholas Bayard" and "My black cabinet of ebben wood with the foot or frame belong- ing to it, together with the three great china pots before reserved." There is no reason why these three great pots should not have been similar to those shown on page 77, which have been for many years in the Beekman family. This covered jar and two beakers 121 Social New York Under the Georges are of the famous old Hizen ware, and were probably made about two hundred years ago. It may be said here that in the province of Hizen were two ports, one of which, Nagasaki, was the seat of the Dutch trade after 1641, and the other, Irnari, the port from which most of the china was exported. One pecu- liarity of Hizen ware is that it somewhat resembles Chinese art. From Imari were sent two kinds of china: one, decorated with red, blue and gold ; the other, merely with blue. The style of decoration consists of medallions representing landscapes or fig- ures framed in branches of chrysanthemum, peony, fir, or bamboo. The jars on page 77 are of the red and blue variety. They were in the home of the Beekmans at " Rural Cove," New York and are still owned by the family. A specimen of the ordinary Dutch cabinet filled with china, brass and copper-ware of the period, showing exactly what might have been found in the simplest home of New Amsterdam, is, with its con- tents, shown on page 356. People of such wealth as Cornelis Steenwyck, Jacob De Lange, and Margarita Van Varick owned much handsomer cases and cabi- nets for the display of their curios ; but such a cabinet as the above was not beyond the reach of any one. From the arrival of the English down to the Revolution, china was imported in increasingly large quantities from year to year. Among the largest im- porters were James Gilliland in Wall Street and later in Canon's Dock ; John J. Roosevelt, Maiden Lane ; George Bell, Bayard Street ; and Henry Wilmot, Hanover Square. Every now and then, they adver- 122 Table Furnishing tised large assortments of china and earthenware of the " newest fashion," and very frequently they de- scribed their goods. It must be remembered that the various English potteries were in their full glory. The Elers were working near Burslem, producing a red ware similar to Japanese pottery, salt-glaze and black ware ; at Burslem, Aaron Wood, Thomas Whieldon and John Mitchell were turning out yellowish white and cream- coloured salt-glaze, tortoiseshell, cauliflower and melon ware, and agate ware, and Wedgwood was improv- ing every variety in partnership with Whieldon and later with Bentley. Liverpool, Worcester, Leeds, Yorkshire, Chelsea, Plymouth, Bow, Lowestoft, Swansea, and other noted English potteries were at the period of their greatest activity, so that when we read such a simple announcement in 1/57 as that James McEvers has for sale "china ware by the chest, newest fashion," or that Gregg and Cunning- ham at their store in Queen Street have " a few hogs- heads of earthenware, containing punch-bowls and plates, crates containing cups, saucers and tea-pots ; also a parcel of common earthenware" (1756), we can tell very well what kind of articles went into New York homes. The following advertisement of 1757 is a little more detailed: " To be sold by Edward Nicoll on the New Dock crates of common yellow ware, both cups and dishes; crates of white stone cups and saucers; crates of blue and white ditto; crates of white ware ; crates of blue and white crates of black ; crates of tortoise shell and crates of red, all well sorted; crates of pocket bottles, boxes of glass, consisting of wine glass; salts, sugar dishes, cream pots and tumblers; tierces and hogsheads o S3 U I O u-i c (L) N re C Table Furnishings of Delft ware, consisting of punch-bowls, dishes, tea-cups and saucers ; with a large and good assortment of earthenware and glass; and a parcel of fine mosaic dishes and plates by retail." Nothing throughout our period was more popular than cream-coloured earthenware glazed with salt, upon which Wedgwood experimented until he pro- duced the famous cream between 1761 and 1765. It attracted the attention of Queen Charlotte and thence- forth became known as Queen's Ware. It constantly appears in the New York advertisements after 1765. Cream-coloured ware from Leeds, similar to the Staffordshire Queen's Ware, was also popular. It oc- curred most frequently in the basket, or wicker, pattern and was exceedingly light in weight. A choice group of this kind of ware appears on page 124. It belongs to Mrs. F. H. Bos worth. Here we find basket and perforated plates, a fruit-dish with a cover imitating various fruits, and a sauce-boat in the shape of a melon resting on a leaf, with a stem gracefully twisted to form a handle. Lowestoft ware was made as early as 1752. Chi- nese patterns and floral patterns (particularly the pink rose), were the designs in most universal use. Very frequently, fine tea-sets and dessert services were decorated to order with coats-of-arms, crests, or cyphers, accompanied by a floral or scroll border. This ware was also imported into New York. A tea-set that was Driven to Gen. and Mrs. Hezekiah o Barnes, in 1780, on the occasion of their wedding, appears on page 126. It might, however, be of earlier date. This set is now in the Museum of the Colonial Dames at Van Cortlandt, New York. 125 Social New York Under the Georges A good idea of the china that was used in 1 762 may be obtained by referring to the stock of Keeting and Morris, who had removed from Beekman's Slip to the New Dock and announced " a compleat assort- Lowestoft china in the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames. See page 125. ment of the most fashionable kinds of Glass and Stone- Ware." This included "table plates and dishes both of the oval and round shape, black tea-pots, mugs and bowls of all sizes, tortoise, table plates and dishes of the newest patterns, green and tortoise tea-pots, milk pots, bowls, cups and saucers, Venice flower vases and horns, glass quart, pint, and half pint decanters, wine glasses, enamelled stone tea-pots, mugs, bowls and tea-cups, and saucers of all sizes and of the newest patterns, with a great variety of plain white ware." There was no less interest in quaint figures of animals, birds, images and curious objects than there was in the days of the Dutch. Ornamental china was made in great quantities, particularly at Chelsea, Plymouth and Bow. Busts also grew in popularity. 126 Table Furnishings These were generally of earthenware brightly painted. Shakespeare, Milton, George II., George III., Wolfe, Chatham, and all the popular heroes, poets and actors of the day could be had. Other ornaments for chim- ney - pieces, tops of bookcases, chests - of - drawers, shelves and cabinets, included brightly painted birds, cats, dogs, lambs, shepherds and shepherdesses, myth- ological figures, figures of Britannia seated on a lion, Minerva with shield, owl, and books, Neptune with trident on a base of shells and rock-work, lovers, pas- toral figures, allegorical figures, such as the Seasons, etc., etc. A typical group of such ware appears on page 1 20. This belongs to Mrs. F. H. Bosworth. A few citations of importations will show how popular was this form of decoration ; for example : "some beautiful ornamental chimney china" 1766; "white stone-ware, including complete tea-table toys for children, with a great collection of different kinds of birds, beasts, etc., in stoneware, very ornamental for mantle-pieces, chests-of-drawers, etc.," 1767 ; "one set of image china," 1768; "the greatest variety of ornamental china, consisting of groups, setts of fig- ures, pairs and jars just opened," 1/70; and "birds and baskets of flowers for the tops of bookcases," 1/75- Oriental ware never declines in popularity. Din- ner services, tea-pots, cups and saucers, vases, etc., come from Canton and Nankin as in modern days. A few dishes, with a salad-bowl and soup tureen that belonged to William Denning about 1765, are shown on page 93. They show the kind of Oriental china that was in common use in the best New York houses. 127 Social New York Under the Georges A tea-table set of Nankin china was mentioned among the private sales in 1773. The taste for Eastern art was not shared by every one, however, for in a long fable in 1 754, we read the following description of a tea-pot that was evi- dently the fashion : " A tawdry Tea Pot a la mode Where Art her utmost skill bestow'd, Was much esteem'd for being old, And on its sides with Red and Gold Strange Beasts were drawn in taste Chinese, And frightful Fish and hump-backed Trees. High in an elegant beaufet This pompous Utensil was set. And near it on a Marble Slab Forsaken by some careless Drab A veteran Scrubbing Brush was plac'd And the rich Furniture disgrac'd." Some of the families that inherited old china always kept it jealously. A few examples still survive. They have conquered every change of fashion. On page 129 is a pair of "Mandarin vases," originally owned by William de Peyster, who died in 1 784. He also owned the richly decorated Oriental bowl that ap- pears on the same plate. These three pieces were buried for safety, during the Revolution. Between the vases is a plate that belonged to Margaret Liv- ingston in 1758. In 1767, we note that Breese and Hoffman, of Wall Street, had imported " India china, enamelled and blue and white bowls, caudle cups, blue and white cups and saucers, with small sets of service china, and Nankin china mugs." Among the lists of importations from 1750 to 1775, are found Eng- 128 Table Furnishings lish Delft, blue and white earthenware, japanned, gilded, green, agate, tortoiseshell, Tunbridge, Porto- bello, cream-coloured, brown edged sprig, enamelled burnt china, quilted china, cauliflower and melon, black, pencilled, Dresden, Staffordshire and flint Vases, bowl and plate originally owned by William de Peyster, and now by the family of the late James de Peyster. See page 128. ware. Fine-apple and " colly flower coffee pots," white tortoise mugs and jugs, black ware and agate and melloned ware were advertised in i ;65~'6 ; while white and enamelled tea-table sets, white and burnt china bowls, blue and white enamelled china, blue and white landscape china, enamelled white and gilt landscape, nankin, brown edged sprig and duck break- 129 IO Social New York Under the Georges fast cups and saucers, black and white ribbed and engraved china, burnt china, and white, quilted and plain china were imported in 1/67; burnt china jars and beakers, fruit-baskets, sauce-boats and " pickel " leaves in 1/72; "burnt china, quilted china, pencil'd china, blue and white Queen's ware, Delph, and stone enamelled black," in 17/3 ; blue and white, blue and gold, purple and gold and enamelled and burnt, in 1774; "elegant sets of Dresden tea table china and ornamental jars and figures decorated and enriched in the highest taste," in 1775 ; and "very handsome red china tea-pots, Wedgwood's," in 1 778. In view of these importations, it may be interest- ing to define a few T of the varieties mentioned. The tortoiseshell \vare was covered with a mottled glaze, Group of Wedgwood, owned by Mrs. F. H. Bosworth. See page 132. bro\vn, purple or green. Frequently, wine cups and drinking-glasses were made of this. A specimen cup with the head of Bacchus appears on page 120. Agate was variegated ware, imitating agate or marble, and was made by mixing different clays to- 130 Table Furnishings gather. Cauliflower ware imitated that vegetable in form and colour, and was especially attractive to pot- ters of the day who prided themselves on their green odaze and cream-coloured body. Pickle-leaves were o * dishes in imitation of the leaf ; the pineapple was imi- tated, for jugs and tea-pots ; the lettuce was used fre- quently for bowls and jugs ; and the favourite melon ware included melons and other fruits. The Porto- bello ware was made by Astbury in 1727 after the ex- pedition of Admiral Vernon, who took Portobello. There was also a great demand for the decorated painted and enamelled china. The china was orna- mented with portraits of George II., Queen Char- lotte, William Pitt, George III. and Shakespeare, and pictures of the Four Seasons, Freemasons' Arms, Masonic Emblems, Milkmaid and other pastoral scenes after Watteau, Milkmaids and May Dance after Gainsborough, Garden Scenes, Tea Parties, Landscapes with Ruins and River Scenes, Chinese Landscapes and Figures, Fishing and Garden Parties, Haymakers, Architectural Ruins after Panini, and pictures after Angelica Kauffman, Cipriani, Cosway and Bartolozzi. Much of this came from Worces- ter, Liverpool and Battersea. In all probability, this ware was the "pencilled" china so frequently mentioned among the late im- portations. Quilted china was done somewhat aft IT the style of the pineapple and cauliflower ware, and much of it was made at St. Cloud in France. The most famous of the many famous English potters, however, was Josiah Wedgwood, who made every kind of ware that we have mentioned and Social New York Under the Georges adapted it to every article, including snuff-boxes, can- c esticks, inkstands and the handles of knives and fv rks. The first ware that brought fame to Wedg- wood was the "cream coloured," which, as we have seen, became the Queen's Ware. Then he made a *W kind of red ware after the style of the Elers ; and, in 1 766, the black ware, which he called basaltes, or black Egyptian. In 17/3, he made a fine white terra cotta of great beauty and delicacy fit for cameos, por- traits and bas-reliefs, and in 1776 the famous jasper ware that could be made of any tint, such as light and dark blue, pale buff, salmon-pink or sage-green. An interesting group of W T edgwood specimens ap- pears on page 130, owned by Mrs. F. H. Bosworth, of New York. There are upon this illustration sev- eral pieces of black basalt, jasper ware of pale blue, lapis lazuli, sage-green and buff enriched with cameos and festoons, and a white vase. In the centre is a tea-pot of black basalt. Although the New York families were constantly buying china of the latest fashions, they took great care of the pieces that had long been in their homes, as is shown by the number of men who made a busi- ness of repairing. One of these, Jacob Da Costa in Batteau Street, advertised in 1 769, that he " mends broken china with rivets and cement, mends all sorts of marble or china furniture, such as is used for ornamenting chimney-pieces, chests-of-drawers, etc., mends the necks of decanters that have been broken, hoops glass and china mugs that have been cracked and mends ladies' fans." 132 II PLATE, TANKARDS, PUNCH BOWLS AND CANDLESTICKS WROUGHT silver was always highly prized. From the first settlement of this country, every prosperous householder possessed pieces of plate. In New York, before i 700, examples occur in numerous inventories of English, Dutch and French homes. Thomas Eaton in 1668, bequeathed to Mrs. Abigail Nicolls, "my silver boat, my silver meat fork, and a silver spoon." George Cook's silver, in 1679, was worth ^40. John Sharpe, in 1681, owned 730 oz. of silver plate valued at ^219. At that date, wrought silver was worth six shil- lings and eightpence an ounce. It may be mentioned here that its value averaged about seven shillings an ounce for the next two hundred years. Col. Lewis Morris (1691), had 900 oz. of silver plate, which at 6 sh. 9d. per oz. came to ,303-15.0. Five years later, 185 oz. belonging to Margarita Van Varick was valued at 7 sh. gd per oz. Besides this 185 oz., which was probably in the form of cups, beakers, salvers, etc., she had a lot of miscellaneous articles in silver. These comprised two pairs of scissors, two brushes lined with silver, a spice-box, an egg-dish, a thimble, a wrought East India box, a small knife and fork, three wrought East Indian cups, two wrought East Indian dishes, two knives, five wrought East Indian 133 Social New York Under the Georges boxes, a tumbler marked R. V., a fork with studded handle, a wrought East Indian trunk, a salt-cellar, a china cup bound with silver, and eighty-three play- things, or toys. All these items were separately specified as silver. Some of the individual prices of plate of this period may be of interest. In 1690, it is expressly stated that six large and three small spoons together with six forks, belonging to Madame Blanche Sauzeau, cost 10. In 1686, a silver beaker belong- ing to Derick Clausen was appraised at $ ; and the 295 oz. belonging to Sarah Jacobs were valued at seven shillings per ounce. Asser Levy, a butcher in 1683, was evidently fond of plate. His pieces comprise twenty-two silver spoons, one fork, three goblets, one tumbler, one tankard, one mustard pot, one cup with two ears, five small cups, one ditto, one gob- let, two salt-cellars, one cup, one spice -box, a cornelia tree cup \vith silver and two ditto dishes, weighing in all 10 Ibs. and valued at ^"48. His total estate was Silver tankard, owned by William COX (1689), Frederic J. de Peyster, owned a case of silver hafted Esq. Seepage 137. knives, silver tankard, cup, plate, sugar-box and spoon, salt-cellar, two porringers, tumbler and twelve spoons. It is thus abundantly evident that, at the opening of our period, the chests, kasses and cupboards of the Table Furnishing^ New York traders were well supplied with plate. But before going further in our examination of the Eighteenth Century silver, it will be well to recapitu- late those articles most commonly found already. These are the dram cup, the caudle cup, the salt, the beaker, the salver, the tumbler, the goblet, the tank- ard, and the porringer. In addition to these, there were boxes for spices, pepper and sugar, besides knives, spoons, forks and candlesticks. It must be remembered, however, that even in 1 700 the fork was not yet universally used. The voider was a dish or tray into which crumbs and fragments of food were swept from the table after a meal. The " voyder knife " used for this purpose is frequently mentioned in the inventories. The voider soon came into gen- eral use : families that could not afford one of silver, had one painted, or japanned, or made of mahogany. The " salt ' still preserved its massive Mediaeval character in many cases, though the low circular, or octagonal, form was rapidly driving it out. Twenty ounces was not an excessive weight for one of the high chased and carved " salts " used here in i 700. & A great water-pot with its cover, belonging to James Laty, in 1692, was, perhaps, one of those fine ewers employed for pouring water over the hands after every course at meals in an age when forks were not in general use. They were accompanied by ba- sins, similarly ornamented. The description, however, would rather fit the " tankard " that came into general use during the Seventeenth Century. The word was originally applied to a receptacle for water, tub, bucket, or jug and gradually restricted to -mean a 135 Social New York Under the Georges silver or pewter mug with handle or cover. From the accession of Charles II. to that of George I. this article was usually plain in form and de- sign, with flat hinged lids and heavy han- dles, the latter some- times terminating in a whistle. The later " Oueen Anne " tank- f*s ards, however, had a swelling drum and domed lid, some- times ending in a knob. Their orna- mentation principal- Silver candlesticks (1762^3), originally , consisted o f the r\i*Tr\f*A VMT- QoT-nn*=! O O G a. (H c/ Table Furnishing possession of the Vintners Company, London, which is of the year i 702. The fluted bowl, the large rings depending from the lions' heads, and the gadrooned base are characteristics of this period. This kind of punch-bowl was usually called a Monteith, from a scalloped or battlemented rim that was placed on the top of the bowl for the purpose of carrying the glasses. The name was given to it on account of its association with a gentleman of fash- ion who was noted for wearing a scalloped coat. The glasses were arranged in the scalloped rim with their bases outward. The bowl was brought in empty, for every gentleman took pride in mixing punch. The various ingredients and the ladle were brought in with the bowl. When the bowl was placed on the table, the glasses were first lifted out of the rim and then the rim was removed. Punch ladles were of silver, or horn tipped with silver. One, of silver with a twisted ebony handle, appears on page 388. Punch- strainers were also used. Ewers and basins became plentiful before 1 700, the absence of forks, as has been said, rendering them very necessary at meals. The great number of nap- kins in every home of wealth is thus accounted for also. The salvers that accompanied the helmet- shaped ewers were usually quite plain. The other salvers, about i 700, were plain circular dishes with en- graved ornamentation. The engraving as a decora- tion had taken the place of the rcpoussd work of the earlier styles, some of which are very beautifully wrought. A magnificent specimen is shown on page 394. The De Peyster arms are stamped in the centre. 141 Social New York Under the Georges The " Oueen Anne " salvers have their ed^es both f^ O chased and shaped, and they stand on three and some- times four small feet. The plainer ones are often gadrooned around the edges. The succeeding style of salver had a beaded edge, and instead of being circular, or shaped, was a plain oval tray with a handle at each end. One of these appears on page 156 with one of older date above it. The lower one was given by Gen. Washington to Eleanor Custis. The hall-mark shows that it was made in England in 1797. The Lewis arms are en- graved upon it. It is interesting as showing how long this style lasted, at least, till the end of the century. The small salver, above it of very handsome design, has the hall-mark 1743. It belongs to Miss Garnett of Hoboken, N. J. On the same plate are shown two coffee-pots, one of which belonged to James Alexander (see page 76), a tea-pot with hall-mark of i749~'5o ; a tankard (174950) and a sugar-dredger. Candelabra, candlesticks and sconces of silver were found in fashionable homes very early in the history of New York. The big " standing candle- stick " often had two or three arms or branches. The candlesticks in the form of fluted columns were the favourite form in the reign of Charles II. They lasted for many years. The bases were generally square, but sometimes octagonal. At a certain height above the base, these candlesticks had a projection that served as a knob by which they could be conve- niently held or carried. This simple form remained in fashion through the reigns of William and Mary, and Anne, but the fluted columns changed to balus- 142 Table Furnishing ter stems with square bases having the corners some- times cut off, and sometimes set back and rounded. During the reign of George I. the florid ornamen- tation and twisted work of the Regency and early Louis Ouinze style came into vogue, especially the designs of Meissonier. Good examples are the can- dlesticks on page 136 and the very beautiful tea-kettle and stand on page 36, both of which belonged to the Ver Planck family. The candlesticks are part of a set of six originally owned by Samuel and Judith Crommelin Ver Planck. The hall-mark shows that they were made in i 762. These are now owned by Mr. William E. Ver Planck of New York. The tea-kettle on page 36 has the same hall-mark, and is now owned by Mrs. Louis Fitzgerald, of New York. At the beginning of the reign of George III., the fashionable pattern for the candlestick was the Co- rinthian column, and this was the first style that in- variably had a removable socket-pan. Fine examples are shown on page 150. These bear the hall-marks of 1766 and belonged to the Waltons (see pages 19 and 69). Four candlesticks of the same period, owned by Frederic J. de Peyster, Esq., appear on page 270. Every home that had any pretensions to wealth or fashion was supplied with silver candlesticks for at least one room. Glass was also very fashionable for sconces. In 1729, Governor Burnet owned twelve silver candlesticks weighing 171-^ oz., two branches for three lights and two large glass sconces with glass arms. (See page 63.) Like the china, the plate was often kept in cup- boards made for its display. Among the possessions Social New York Under the Georges of George Duncan (1724), who owned 258 oz. of silver, we find a plate case with glass doors valued at ,3-5-0. These cupboards did not afford much pro- tection against theft, and rendered the burglar's task easy. We find many advertisements of stolen plate, with rewards for its recovery. In most cases it bears the arms and almost invariably the initials of the owner. Several contemporary engravers found plenty of employment in New York. In 1755, Henry Daw- kins, engraver, lives opposite the Merchants' Coffee House. In 1763, "Joseph Simons seal-cutter and en- graver from Berlin, cuts all sorts of coats-of-arms, cy- phers etc. in stone, steel, silver, or any other metal, also engraves coats-of-arms, crests and cyphers on plate &c." For Bristol, the brigantine Pbila, freight and passage, Cruger's wharf." (i?73-) 144 Ill TEA-POTS, URNS AND SPOONS BESIDES the plate imported from France, England and Holland, a considerable quantity was manu- factured here. On the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, many of the best workers in the precious metals left France and settled in Holland, Germany and England. Not a few crossed the Atlantic. The names of the silversmiths who were freemen of Ne\v York from the close of the Seventeenth Century till the Revolution were as follows : Everardus Bo- gardus, Ahasuerus Kendrick, Cornelis Kiersteade and Benjamin Wyncoope (1698) ; Richard Overin and Jacob Vanderspiegel (1701); Benjamin Kip (1702); Bartolo Schaats (1708) ; Cornelis Cornelison (1712); Coenraet Ten Eyck (1716); Peter Vergereau ( i 72 1) ; Samuel Broadhurst (1725); John Hastier (1726); Cornelius Wynkoop (1727); Stephen Bourdet ( i 730) ; John Brevoort (1742) ; Silvester Morris (1759) ; John Burt Lyng and John Heath (1/61) ; Joshua Slydell and William Grigg (1765) ; Walter Thomas (1769) ; and John Rominie (1770). It will be noticed that some of the above names are unmistakably Huguenot, while others are English and Dutch. Besides these freemen, other silversmiths kept shops in New York and advertised in the papers. In 1767, Gary Dunn was in New Dutch Church 11 H5 Social New York Under the Georges Street. Joseph Pinto of Bayard Street was a silver- smith who kept his wares prominently before the public. In 1759 he announced : "Very neat chased silver tea pots, sugar pots, mugs chased and plain, milk pots, coffee pots, pepper castors, salts with shovels and glasses to them, fluted and chased children's whistles, double and single jointed tea tongs, tea spoons, punch strainers and ladles." He also sold "crystal and paste shoe, knee, stock and girdle buckles" and in 1761 he offered : " Very fine silver chased turene, dish and spoon ; chased and plain stands, full finished ; chased candlesticks, coffee and tea pots, sugar dishes, slop bowls, and sauce boats, chased and plain pint and half pint mugs, salvers of different sizes, and milk pots, salts and pepper castors and narrow spoons, cases with silver-handled knives and forks, silver watches, silver and plated spurs, chased and plain whistles, gold-headed canes, locket buttons set in gold, shoe, knee and girdle buckles." In the same year, he had a few additional articles, including silver chased coffee-pots, tea-pots and sugar- dishes, punch-strainers and ladles, and a " great vari- ety of open-worked stone, knee and girdle buckles, gold and silver brooches set with garnets, plain gold do., crystal buttons set in gold and a variety of other things." Another silversmith who was anxious to serve the public was Benjamin Halsted. On one occasion at least, he does not seem to have given en- tire satisfaction, judging from the following announce- ment in i 764 : "A premonition to those gentlemen that may hereafter have an occasion to employ a silversmith to beware of that villain Benjamin Halsted; lest they be bit by him as I have been. Andrew Bowne." 146 Table Furnishing A few representative lists of plate actually owned by families about the middle of the century will show that the New York merchant's table was as well sup- plied as his brother's in England. Rip Van Dam, (see page 86) possessed a good deal of valuable silver Urn, coffee-pot, spoons, etui case and snuff-box owned by the Lynson, Rutgers and Ludlow families. See page 152. among which may be mentioned three tankards rela- tively worth $50.00, $35.00 and $60.00 ; a chafing-dish, $35.00 ; two candlesticks, snuffers and stand, $80.00 ; three castors, $30.00 ; two salvers worth $40.00 and $18.00; mug, salt-cellar and pepper-box, $20.00; two dozen spoons, $18.00 ; a pot, $14.00 ; and tea-spoons and table spoons, $25.00. The de Peyster plate, in i 760, consisted of four tankards, two decanters, two 147 Social New York Under the Georges dishes, three plates, seven salvers, two large salvers, two small salvers, two cups and covers,. two chafing- dishes, six porringers, four sauce-boats, two punch- bowls, three mugs, four sugar-dishes, a coffee-pot and tea-pot, seven salts and shovels, one saucepan, four pairs of snuffers and stand, a mustard-pot, a bread- basket, a dram-bottle, a tobacco-dish, nine castors, six candlesticks, one waiter, twenty-three forks, three soup-spoons, two punch-ladles, ten tablespoons, ten tea-spoons, two sugar-tongs -- all weighing 1272 ounces, -valued at from $1,500 to $2,000. Some specimens of silver that were long in the de Peyster family appear on pages 140 and 394. Oth- ers, including an urn, coffee-pot, salvers, a tea-caddy, a mug, a strainer, ladles, candlesticks and grape-vine spoons appear on page 153. These are owned by the family of the late James de Peyster of New York. The silver in the Walton house (described on page 69), might have indeed been described as " massy plate," amounting as it did to 340! ounces. It con- sisted of two pairs of silver candlesticks, 8i| ounces ; one silver snuffers stand, n|- ; one large silver waiter, 32 ; two small silver waiters, 15^ ; two pint mugs, 2 if ; two pint bowls, \2\ ; two sauce-boats, 29 ; four salts and four shovels, 12^; twenty tea-spoons; one sugar-tongs, i ; one small chafing-dish, i ; one punch- ladle, \ ; one wine-cock, 5 ; two table-spoons, 4^ ; one tankard, 31! ; one punch-strainer, i^ ; one coffee- pot, 28 ; one large soup-spoon, 8 ; one large tankard, 44 ; and two large cases of knives, forks, and spoons. Two of the above candlesticks appear on page 150. We have seen that during the Eighteenth Cen- 148 Table Furnishing s tiny, it was not an exceptional case for a wealthy home to contain plate weighing 1000 oz. and some- times considerably more. It will be interesting to see of what a typical collection of this kind, though only of about half the above amount, consisted. oz. dwts. I silver tea-kettle, lamp and stand 107 14 i waiter 82 10 1 saucepan 23 15 chafing-dish 23 14 set castors and stand 31 12 tankard 35 10 flat waiter 35 9 salver 13 2 small waiter 6 3 2 small waiters 15 9 i punch-strainer 3 2 i caudle-cup 33 15 i pair salvers 15 4 1 pair sauce-boats 27 9 2 small saucepans 7 1 punch ladle 3 1 2 table spoons 23 15 2 large soup-spoons 1 1 18 1 2 table-spoons 24 15 10 table-spoons 18 10 12 custard-spoons 12 5 2 marrow-spoons 3 14 i pepper-box 2 9 1 2 tea-spoons 6 1 1 1 2 tea-spoons 2 1 8 The date of the above inventory is 1751. In ad- dition to these articles, it enumerated: 12 silver- handled knives and forks ; 12 dessert ditto ; 23 knives and forks with ivory handles, and 1 2 dessert ditto. An early example of the tea-pot is globular. This form was frequently ornamented with a crest, or coat- of-arms. Specimens appear on pages 275 and 138. 149 Social New York Under the Georges The former was owned by the Rev. Samuel Johnson, first President of King's College ; and now belongs to his descendants, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Ver Planck. The second, belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ray, is now owned by their descend- ant, Mrs. Natalie E. Baylies, of New York. It is notice- able that many tea-pots and tea-kettles of the reigns of George II. and George III. are very sim- ple in design. In these reigns, Louis Quinze de- signs were also very popular. An ex- ample of such a tea-pot, bearing the hall-mark of 1 749-50, appears on page 156. An- other tea-pot ap- pears on page 273. The latter belonged to Dr. Matthias Bur- net Miller (1749- 1792), and was given to his son Judge Mor- ris Smith Miller. This is now owned by his great- granddaughter, Mrs. Wilmot Townsend Cox, of New York. A handsome tea-set, said to date from the middle of the century, belongs to Frederic J. de Peyster, Esq., and appears on page 284. 150 Silver candlesticks owned by William Walton (1766). See pages 143 and 148. Table Furnishing^ As a rule, the coffee-pot \vas slender and taller in form than the tea-pot. Coffee-pots appear on pages 153 and 156. Two coffee-pots of the Louis Ouinze period are shown on the latter page. The one on the right with the hall-mark i;5S-'9, belonged to James Alexander, father of the Earl of Stirling (see page 76). It has a beautiful pattern of flowers and scroll- work and a border of little bells reminiscent of Chi- nese ornamentation. The top is shaped like a pine- apple. This piece of silver was buried during the Revolution. It is now owned by Mr. Alexander's descendant, Mrs. Edward Parke Custis Lewis, of Hoboken, N. J. The other coffee-pot, in the same picture, bearing the hall-mark of i ^62-3, is similar in its general design and ornamentation. Another old coffee-pot appears on page 147, and is owned by Mrs. W. W. Shippen of New York. The cream-jug and sugar-bowl usually matched the tea-pot. Part of a set that originally belonged to Henry Bowers (1747-1800), is shown on page 371. These are now owned by his descendant, Mrs. Wil- mot Townsend Cox of New York. Their general shape, with lobes, as well as their square handles and ball feet show that these are early pieces. It may be remarked here that the ball foot upon silver vessels appeared very early in the Seventeenth Century. Upon the same illustration (page 371), is a gravy boat that belonged to Maria Crooke (1721-1794), who was married to Petrus Elmendorph of Kingston. It is owned now by their great-grand-daughter Mrs. Wilmot Townsend Cox. The salt-cellars with their original spoons were owned by John Rutger Bleecker Social New York Under the Georges and are now in the possession of Mrs. French Ensor Chadwick. The tankard was owned by Maria Crooke, and the candlestick is one of a pair owned by James Chatham Duane. Chocolate-pots were much used and sometimes stood on feet. One of quite late date bearing the hall-mark of 1784, and owned by Mrs. Douglas Rob- inson, of New York, appears on page 352. The urn is of later date than the tea-kettle. It was generally of a pointed or oval shape. Specimens appear on pages 153 and 147. The former belongs to the de Peyster family ; the second, to Catharine Lyn- son and is owned by her descendant, Mrs. \V. W. Shippen, of New York. In the same illustration is shown a coffee-pot that belonged to Gabriel Lucllow, and coffee-spoons decorated with the heads of jesters. There is also a snuff-box on this plate and an ttui case once owned by Catharine Rutgers. A group of silver appears on page 273, together with several small articles. On the left is a sugar- bowl that belonged to a set owned by Maria Living- ston and James Duane who were married in 1759. It is now owned by their great-great-grand-daughter, Mrs. French Ensor Chadwick. On the left is a bowl owned by Mrs. Wilmot Townsend Cox. The small salt-cellars that belonged to the Hon. Samuel Jones of New York (1734-1819), are also owned by Mrs. Cox. Between them stands a small filigree bowl, or cup, lined with blue glass, and a spoon. These be- longed to Cornelia Harring Jones, wife of the Hon. Samuel Jones and are now owned by her great-great- grand-daughter, Mrs. French Ensor Chadwick. 152 1-1 u i u c Social New York Under the Georges A few examples of plated ware appear on pages 321 and 368. The tea-caddy, snuff-box, dish, and open-work basket on page 368, are owned by Mrs. Alan Hartwell Strong of New Brunswick. On the same illustration are some very interesting card-count- ers, each stamped with the head of Queen Anne. The little cylindrical box in which these are kept also bears Queen Anne's head. Silver spoons were to be found in this country from its earliest settlement. The forms of the old spoons were very numerous. The bowls were deep and shallow, egg-shaped, kite-shaped and circular. The stems were round, flat, fluted, spiral, square and worked in many patterns. Sometimes the handle ended in a baluster and square, or hexagonal, engraved button (known as the seal-headed spoon) ; sometimes in a head or figure. The most famous of those with figures were the Apostles' Spoons, which were always highly prized. They occur frequently in the inven- tories. The end of the handle of the Jacobean spoon was broadened, flattened and notched, terminating in three points slightly turned up, and the bowl was a regular oval in shape. This was called the hind's foot spoon and lasted till the end of the reign of Queen Anne. The new fashion then introduced shows a bowl of a more elongated ellipse ; the end of the handle rounded and turned up, and the middle of the stem gradually rising in a high ridge running down to the extremity of the handle. Although other styles were successively introduced, this pattern persisted almost till 1/70. About 1750, the shape with which we are 154 Table Furnishing^ familiar to-day, came into fashion. The bowl became * * more pointed, the deepest part being towards the stem, and the end of the handle was turned down instead of up, as heretofore, while the tongue at the back of the bowl, known as " the rat's tail," \vas short- ened into a drop. This is popularly termed " Old English" pattern. It lasted till the beginning of the Nineteenth Century, when it was supplanted by the pattern known as the " Fiddle Head." Another spoon that was very popular in Georgian days was used principally for liquor. The figure of a monkey was carried on the handle, and from this it took its name. The monkey-spoon was sometimes found in company with the mourning ring and gloves that were given to the bearers at a funeral. \Ve are told that each of the eight bearers received one at the funeral of Philip Livingston, in 1/49. The marrow-spoon was also of importance. On page 164 several spoons of the period appear with other articles. The small spoons there shown were made by Isaac Button, a noted silversmith of Albany, and are now owned by Mrs. F. H. Bosworth of New York. The ladle belonged to Helena Morris and John Rutherford (1782), and are now in the Van Cortlandt Museum. The little spoon in one of the salt-cellars was made by one Forbes, also an American silversmith. On the same plate there is a funeral spoon, now owned by Mrs. Howard Townsend. It was one of the spoons given to the pall-bearers at the funeral of Stephen Van Rensselaer in i 787. The family silver, especially such as Monteiths tankards, caudle-cups, etc., was sometimes highlv 155 Social New York Under the Georges prized. We should be astonished that so little old plate has survived if we did not know that our fore- fathers as a rule had very little veneration for any- thing- that commemorated the fashions of a former O day. Gifts from royal personages, such as the pieces of plate given to Governor Burnet by the Electress Sophia for his services to the House of Hanover, or the plate presented to Lord Baltimore by Frederick, Silver owned by the Cox and Alexander families ; now by Mrs. Edward Parke Custis Lewis. See page 142. Prince of Wales, were naturally cherished, as were pieces that had sentimental and family associations, but, as a rule, when new fashions came in, much of the old went to the melting-pot. Before i 700, we find English settlers sending their plate to London to be refashioned according to new styles. Artistic perception had little to do with this 156 Table Furnishings custom. Sometimes the new fashions were infcrior in beauty to those they supplanted. The mere fact that an article was old-fashioned lowered its value. In the inventories, old and new-fashioned plate are sometimes set down in separate items, the former being valued so much less per ounce. It was a verv common custom for a man to send his old cups and salvers to the silversmith when he wanted new tea- pots. A bill rendered by Paul Revere is extant, in which a tea-pot, stand and some spoons came to ,15-10-0: against this ,8-15-0 was credited for a salver containing 25 oz. of silver. The materials and workmanship were charged separately. When the stormy days of the Revolution arrived, people who had wealth in the form of plate had reason to congratulate themselves, for in comparison with other goods it was readily removable, and when necessity arose it could be easily hidden. Much \vas buried, and considerable ingenuity was exercised to keep it out of the clutches of rapacious soldiers. One such case is related in the following letter written by Mrs. Alexander Wallace to Gouverneur Morris, Dec. 28, 1776 : " Mrs. Hugh Wallace is pretty well in health, but very un- happy about her husband being kept so long from her, and what adds to her distress is the very heavy loss she has met with about ten days ago in losing all her plate. She sent it to Mr. Richard Yates last summer at Aquacknock, to be kept there as a place of safety ; but upon his leaving that place he had the box which contained the plate put on board a brig, commanded by Capt. Roche, bound to this place. About four miles below Hackinsack the brig was seized by a party of your army, and all the goods taken out. The plate cost up\vard> of 157 Social New York Under the Georges ^1500, this currency. She thinks the gentlemen belonging to the Convention, when they know it belongs to her, will order it to be sent to her immediately, as it would be very hard in- deed to send her husband away to Connecticut and allow her property to be plundered. I must request the favour of you to get this affair settled as soon as possible. Enclosed is an inventory of the plate; it was all in one box." " i tea urn, i epergne, i very large bowl, 4 candlesticks, i large pudding dish, 2 large salvers, 3 small salvers, i large tankard, i coffee pot, i pitcher, i cruet stand, 4 long handled spoons, 4 scalloped spoons, 6 dozen table spoons, i dozen dessert spoons, i sugar dish, i funnel, i fish trowel, 6 salts, 2 mustard pots with spoons, 6 skewers, 2 milk pots, i tea chest with can- nisters, i sugar tongs, 4 labels for bottles, 4 tumblers, 4 rum- mers, 2 black jacks, i large soup ladle, i marrow spoon." *' Smith Richards, Grocer and Confectioner, at the Sign of the Tea- Canister and Two Sugar Loaves." (1773.) 158 IV PEWTER, GLASSWARE, CUTLERY AND BRASS ALTHOUGH silver was universally employed and highly prized, as we have seen, pewter was a necessity even in the kitchens of the wealthy. Of course, among the lower classes it took the place of silver in all parts of the house. The number of pewterers in New York show how much in demand this ware was. Early in our period, people could buy pewter articles from James Leddel at the Sign of the Platter in Dock Street, but in 1 744 he removed to the lower end of Wall Street. Another pewterer was Robert Boyle, who in 1/55 lived at the Sign of the Gilt Dish in Dock Street. William Bradford, in Hanover Square, made and sold " all kinds of pewter dishes, tankards, tea-pots, and coffee pots." In the homes of the rich and middle-class New Yorkers, the place of pewter was in the kitchen, where it was arranged on the dresser as shown in the illustra- tion on page 160. This interesting piece of furni- ture came from the Skinner house in Perth Amboy. It is now in the kitchen at the Museum of the Colo- nial Dames at Van Cortlandt. Upon it stand some good pieces of blue and white china. A great deal of pewter was in use in the early part of the century. Some of the wealthy citizens who owned plate, china, earthenware, copper and brass pos- Social New York Under the Georges sessed also many pounds of pewter. In 1/05, Cap- tain William Smith's pewter was valued at no less than 20; and, as Cornells Jacobs in 1700 had fifty- Dresser and three-back and four-back chairs ; in the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames, Van Cortlandt. See page 159. six pounds of pewter worth 2, we can form some idea as to the quantity owned by Captain Smith. Governor Burnet's pewter was worth as much as ; 1 00-2 -6 ! Pewter dishes, plates, spoons, tankards and basins, were constantly imported all through our period. 1 60 Table Furnishings The kitchen of a New York home frequently con- tained a mixture of English and Dutch utensils. A portion of the kitchen in the Van Cortlandt house appears on page 49. Although this is now a museum kitchen, a colonial cook would feel perfectly at home here, and would not be embarrassed in preparing a dinner with the utensils provided. Among the mis- cellaneous kitchen articles imported from time to time, we find " wafel irons," 1/50; coffee mills, 1751 ; sugar-cleavers, 1752 ; corkscrews, 1752 ; bread baskets, i 760 ; polished copper chafing-dishes, i 760 ; copper tin kitchens with stands, i 763 ; baskets for plates and baskets for knives, 1 765 ; and after 1 760, japanned plate-warmers, "very necessary in this frigid climate." Then, too, we occasionally find some novelties. For example in 1779 : "Joseph Rose at No. 104 Water Street, a few doors east of Peck's Slip has just purchased a quantity of tinware amongst which are a large parcel of Despatches, very suitable for gen- tlemen of the army or navy and private families : they are worthy of the name of Despatches, as they will cook a beef- steak in about four minutes sufficiently to put on the table, having made the trial myself." Braziers were numerous, as was natural enough when one remembers the great use of brass hearth- furniture and the various utensils of copper and brass that were used in the kitchen, to say nothing of warming-pans, candlesticks, bird-cages, etc. Most of the artisans came from London, and notwithstanding the fact that articles of brass, iron and copper were constantly being imported, a great deal of work was done in New York. For instance, in 1743 : 12 161 Social New York Under the Georges "John Halden, brasier from London, near the Old Slip Market in New York, makes and sells all sorts of copper and brass kettles, tea kettles, coffee potts, pye pans, warming pans, and all other sorts of copper and brass ware; also sells all sorts of hard metal and pewter wares." Notwithstanding the increasing demand for grates and stoves as the century advanced, the open wood fire never lost its popularity. We find another brazier as late as 1/70, Jacob Wilkins at the Sign of the Brass Andiron and Candlestick, in the Main Street, offering " a few brass fenders plain and open work of different patterns." An excellent specimen of the brass hearth furni- ture of the period appears on page 266. Nothing of its history is known except that it belonged to Betty \Yushington Lewis, the sister of Gen. Washington, and was in her home at Kenmore, Fredericksburg, Ya. The shovel and tongs are placed on a stand with a marble block grooved for their accommodation. They are owned by Mrs. Edward Parke Custis Lewis of Hoboken, N. J. Boxes of glass, containing wine-glasses, salt-cellars, sugar-dishes, cream-pots and tumblers were sold by Edward Nicoll, on the New Dock in 1/57. An ad- vertisement of i 762 gives a good idea of the variety of articles of this nature that were to be seen on the tables of well-to-do citizens. This new importation consisted of " neat flowered wine and water-glasses, glass salvers, silver top cruet stands, a few neat and small enamelled shank wine glasses, flowered, scal- loped and plain decanters, jugs and mugs, salver and pyramids, jelly and silly bub glasses, flowered, plain 162 Table Furnishing* and enamelled wine glasses, glasses for silver, salts and sweetmeat, poles with spires and glasses, smelling bottles, sconces, tulip and ilower glasses of the new- est patterns, finger bowls and tumblers of all sorts." Drinking -glasses of the period are shown on page 348. The larger one, a goblet, standing on a square base, and cut with a festoon for ornament, belonged to Brigadier - General William Livingston (1723- i 790), Governor of New Jersey. This is owned by his descendant, Mrs. VV. A. Walker of Nyack, New York. The other, a wine -glass, which also has a square base, is owned by Miss Anne Van Cortlandt, of Croton-on-the-Hudson, New York. The two glass o salt-cellars in the illustration on page 164, are in the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames at Yan Cortlandt. A group of glass articles of this date on page 232 are owned by Mrs. Edward Parke Cus- tis Lewis of " Castle Point," Hoboken, N. J., and consists of decanters, s\veetmeat glasses, so frequently mentioned among the importations of the day, four wine-glasses and a tumbler. The five last articles belonged to Gen. Washington and descended to Col. Edward Parke Custis Lewis. The tumbler in the centre is delicately engraved with deer sporting in a forest glade. Glassware was used in New York very earlv. It frequently appears in the inventories, but is seldom described. Col. William Smith in 1709, had a CMM- of Yenice glasses worth ^3 ; a large case and bot- tles, worth ^3, and 3 large cases and bottles, ^'3. Joseph Bueno (1709), owned ^ glass cups. On Oct. 163 Social New York Under the Georgef 7, 1 754, the following notice appeared in one of the newspapers : "Thomas Lepper, storekeeper to the Glass House Com- pany, sells all sorts of bottles from i quart to 3 gallons and upwards, as also a variety of other glassware. ... All gentle- men that wants bottles of any size with their names on them . . . may have them made with all expedition." This advertisement is interesting in connection with the illustration on page 348, upon which are Table furniture of the period. See pages 155 and 163. represented three bottles of the kind that Mr. Lepper was able to furnish. These, however, were made ten years later. The large bottle on the left bears the name and date " Sidney Breese, 1765." This is owned 164 Table Furnishing* by the Museum of the Colonial Dames at Van Cort- landt, New York. The madeira bottle, on the right, has the inscription " F. Y. C. 1 765 " enclosed in a heart raised on the glass, and standing for Frederic Yan Cortlandt. The constant importations of decanters, castors with silver tops, " cruet " or " cruit ' stands and "frames," tumblers and glasses for water, wine and beer, cream-jugs, syllabub and sweetmeat glasses, prove how abundantly glass was used on tables. A set of cruets in a plated stand now owned by Mrs. F. H. Bosworth appear on page 321. On the same page is a perforated cake-basket and an old soup-tureen. The table furniture not only consisted of rich silver, china, and glass, but we note many small arti- cles of luxury, such as nutcrackers in 1 750 ; ivory nutmeg graters, 1753; tea-tongs and punch-strainers in 1759; finger-bowls in 1762; table-bells, 1767; and "steak-tongs and sugar-hatchets" in 1779. The fash- ionable New Yorkers thought it necessary to keep up with London styles in everything, even in such a small matter as cutlery. Cutlers' advertisements in the papers are many. They always make a point of assuring customers that they have, or will make, arti- cles according to the latest London fashion. We O find one Thomas Brown removing in 1743 from Hanover Square to Broad Street, corner of Stone Street, near the Long Bridge; and in 1752 "Edward Andrews, cutler, who served an apprenticeship to the famous Mr. Henry Jones of Sweethings Alley, by tin- Royal Exchange, London, arrived in this place last week in the //VAT." He offered to serve people at his 165 _c o O PQ ffi -0 QJ C g o ^ I u C <" o to -o X o _i<: >^ G Table Furnishings shop near the Merchant's Coffee House, and "sells and makes all kinds of Cutlery work in the newest fashions now in vogue in London." Among' his choice goods, he calls attention to "the noted Con- stantinople Razor Cases and Strops." Specimens of the black-handled knives and forks ordinarily in use are shown on page 164. Knives, forks and spoons were kept in shagreen cases, generally green, but sometimes blue ; some of the handsomest of these were lined with red velvet from which the ornamental handles of silver, silver gilt, white or green ivory, or decorated china were shown off to advantage. The shagreen case came in very early in the century and continued in use until it was supplanted by the mahogany boxes of the same general shape. If we may judge from the following advertisement the latter began to appear about i 767 : "John Clark, shagreen case maker from London, next door to Mr. Seckell's, Cooper, in Ferry Street, near Peck's Slip Mar- ket, makes and sells all sorts of shagreen cases for knives and forks, both in shagreen and mahogany, and cases for Plate, Lady's Dressing-Boxes, Necklaces and Jewel Cases, Buckle cases and Razor Cases of all Sorts." These cases, of course, contained a series of com- partments, as shown in the example to the left on page 1 66, which also shows one closed and an urn-shaped spoon-case. The knives were placed with their handle's upward. Cutlery was constantly changing in fashion ; ivory-handled knives and forks, white split bone, buck and black handles were imported in i 750 ; china-han- dled knives and forks mounted in silver, in shagreen 167 Social New York Under the Georges cases, were sold by Reuben W. Thompson, in Smith's Fly, in 1752; "newest fashioned silver and ebony- handled table knives and forks in shagreen cases," in 1 760 ; camwood-handled knives and three-pronged forks, in 1 768 ; sets of knives, forks, and spoons com- plete in cases, in 1771 ; knife, fork, and spoon in a shagreen case for the pocket, in 1771 ; knife-trays in 1772 ; knife-cases of fish-skin, in 17/4. James Youle, Cutler, at the Sign of the Golden Knife." (1774.) 168 PART IV COSTUMES OF MEN PART IV COSTUMES OF MEN THE MAN OF FASHION: HIS WIGS AND HATS THERE is a general impression that people on this side of the water scorned dress and fashion in Colonial times, and that the beau was a type entirely unknown. It is erroneous. The people who frequented the balls and assemblies, routs, tea-gardens and coffee-houses of New York closely followed London fashions. We shall presently see that men had every oppor- tunity to procure fashionable clothes and to have them cut in the latest European styles. Even more con- vincing it is to find contemporary evidence of the existence of gallant and smart dress. Although the author of the following contribution to the A r c^' York Mercury, under date of Jan. 31, 1757, complains of the tyranny of fashion, his protests merely prove how universal was the fop and how unattractive the man who was "out of the mode." Incidentally, he gives us quite a correct idea of the fashions of the time and of what the woman of fashion demanded in the opposite sex. The writer did all he could to please her, even to the adoption of the "fierce- Cave Xullo cock," which, of course, is the Kevenhuller hat de- 171 Social New York Under the Georges scribed on page 178, and resigned himself to the care of a fashionable hairdresser. He writes as follows : "I am a bachelor turned of thirty, in easy circumstances, and want nothing but a wife to make me as happy as my neigh- bours. " 1 have long admired a young lady who, I can with great propriety, call Miss Modish; though for her unreasonable con- duct to me she deserves to have her real name exposed in capitals. She has a mind capable of every improvement and graces of her sex ; and were it not for an excessive fondness for gaiety and the reigning amusements of the town, would be unexceptionably lovely. " To this fair one I have most obsequiously paid my ad- dresses for these last four years; and had I been a Beau, or she less a JJelte, I should undoubtedly long since have suc- ceeded; for fashions, cards and assemblies were the only things in which we did not perfectly agree. But whenever these were the subject of conversation, we were as certainly ruffled and out of temper. On these occasions she would tell me, 'She was astonished I would dispute with her, when every genteel person was of her opinion. That one might be as well out of the world as out of the mode. For her part, she could never think of managing a man who was so obstinately awkward and impolite, let his other accomplishments be ever so refined. I dressed like a clown, and hardly ever waited on her to a public diversion ; and indeed when I did, she was in pain for me, I behaved so queer. She had no notion at her age, of sacrificing all the dear pleas- ures of routs, hops and quadrille for a philosophical husband. No, if I expected to make myself agreeable to her I must learn to dress gallant and be smart: Now, truth is, I can't dance, and have an unconquerable aversion to foppery. In order to form me to her taste, Miss Modish has always most obstinately in- sisted on my complying with every idle fashion that has been introduced since my acquaintance with her, under the severe penalty of never hoping for her love, if I did not implicitly obey. This, with infinite reluctance and mortification, I have been 172 Costumes of Men under the hard necessity of doing. I remember, when high brimmed hats Avere in the mode, she insisted on an elevation of my beaver of near half an inch with a fierce Cave Nullo cock. The taste changed, and she would hardly allow me enough to protect my phiz from the in- clemency of the weather. My coat, when coatees flourished, was reduced to the size of a dwarf's, and then again in- creased to the longitude of a surtout. The cuffs in the win- ter were made open, for the benefit of taking in the cool north weather; in the summer again they were close, to pre- vent the advantage of the re- freshing breeze. In the sum- mer, I was smothered with a double cravat : in the winter, relieved again with a single cambric neckcloth. It would be tedious to repeat the many surprising and ridiculous changes I underwent in the outward man ; let it suffice to observe that my wigs, ruffles, shoes, and every little par- Miniature of Lewis Morris (1641- 1746), owned by Mrs. Ostran- der. See page 176. ticular, not excepting my breeches, have shared the same unaccountable metamor- phosis, all which grievous fop- pery, my excessive fondness for her made me suffer with Christian resignation ; but at last she has fairly exhausted my patience, and we are now come to an open rupture, the occasion of which was this : We unhappily fell into the old topic of my want of taste and breeding. will always,' says she, ' be an old-fashioned creature' (I had un- luckily called her J/r Capt. T. Parker of the Fourth Battalion, who died in Martinique in 1762. He was the brother of Elisha Parker, mentioned on pages 302 and 303. This list includes : " i red surtout coat ; 4 cloath waistcoats ; 6 pair breeches ; 2 pair gloves ; i pair leggins ; i pair mackisins ; 2 plain hats ; i blue surtout ; i muff ; i pair silver shoe buckles ; 29 shirts ; 2 pairs linen 189 White silk waistcoat embroidered in colours. Seepage 193. Social New York Under the Georges drawers; 18 nightcaps; 4 handkerchiefs; 6 white linen \vaistcoats ; 2 flannel waistcoats ; 5 pairs silk stockings; 13 cotton stockings; 13 worsted stock- ings ; -J- doz. waistcoat buttons ; 3 doz. white buttons ; i sword belt ; i pair leather gloves ; i sash ; i gorget ; i silver mounted sword ; i clothes brush ; 2 shaving- boxes, and i shaving-brush." And now let us pause to examine some of the more expensive materials that were imported by and for the tailors, omitting all such goods as fustians, camlets, friezes, sateens, serges, etc. It will be no- ticed that the button was of great importance, as it formed a trimming for coat and waistcoat, especially during the reign of George III., who was himself so fond of making buttons that he was laughed at in a satire called The Button Maker s Jest-Book. " Vel- lum-holes " were also used for decoration. We find among the lists : New fashion buttons and mohair, 1/32; silk camlets with silk and hair buttons to suit, striped linsey coats, Scotch plaid, snake-skin coatings, light and cloth-coloured sarsenet, silk and hair buttons, gilt buttons, 1 743 ; worsted plad water'd grograms, scarf buttons, i 745 ; fine em- broidered waistcoats, metal and gilt buttons, new fashioned coat and waistcoat buttons, fine silk and worsted patterns for waistcoats and breeches, silk and worsted waistcoats and breeches pieces, mens knit waistcoats, black and white stript lutestrings, and Turky Tabby buckrams, and breast and shirt metal buttons, 1 750 ; black silk knit waistcoats and breeches, scarlet and black knit worsted waistcoats and breeches, Saxon green knit waistcoats, 1 75 1 ; an assortment of 190 Costumes of Men yellow and white metal buttons, 1752 ; gold and silver wire and mohair buttons, and death's head black vest buttons, 1754; coloured thread, metal, worsted, and death's head buttons, nankeens and breeches patterns, Eighteenth century shoe, stock, and knee buckles, of gold and silver set with paste ; watches, chatelaines, buttons and fobs ; originals in the Museum for the Art of Decoration, Cooper Union. See page 254. Social New York Under the Georges damask of sundry sorts for vests, black, blue, white, scarlet and crimson silk and worsted breeches pat- terns, black, blue and cloth coloured best Manchester velvet, Manchester velvet shapes for vests, gilt and plated buttons, silk t\vist buttons, gold and silver lace, silk and hair grogram and corded tabby, blue and crimson Genoa velvet, and remnants of velvet of all colours for caps and collars of coats, 1 760 ; gold and silver buttons, best London gilt and plate but- tons ; three cord silk twist buttons, Prussian mold and basket buttons, 1 760 ; crimson, scarlet and black silk breeches patterns, 1761; basket and plain gilt buttons, silk breeches patterns, i 762 ; plaited basket coat and vest buttons, 1 764 ; blue and scarlet ne\v- fashioned Bath coating, newest fashion gold, silver and metal, scarf, basket, death's head, mohair and other buttons fit for slop shops, horsehair buttons and other trimming for hatters, gold and silver shoulder knots, gold and silver shoulder straps, knee garters, blue, black, buff, crimson, scarlet and cloth coloured worsted breeches patterns, blue, black, buff, crimson, scarlet and cloth coloured silk breeches patterns, corded tabbies for men's vests, 1767; silk clouded vest patterns richly embroidered and spangled, gold spangled frogs for clothes, 1771 ; and royal ribbed and Macaroni velvet, feather velvet, figured Manches- ter velvet, 1775. In 1773, John Laboyteaux, tailor, promised " Any gentleman that chooses to have but- tons made of the same cloth can have them worked \vith purl and spangles with any sprig or flower that thev choose, as neat as those made in London." ' A j handsome \vhite silk waistcoat embroidered in colours 192 Costumes of Men appears on page 189. It belonged to a Col. John Brown who died in 1781. Steel buttons are shown on page 1 79. These be- longed to William Beekman and were the same that trim the waistcoat he wears in his portrait on page 183. It will be noticed that he carries his cocked hat under his arm in the fashionable style. The shoes of the men, generally speaking, were like the women's, with high heels, high vamp and buckles on the in- step. In 1/53, the beau wore : " A pair of smart pumps made up of grained leather, So thin he can't venture to tread on a feather ; His buckles like diamonds must glitter and shine- Should they cost fifty pounds they would not be too fine." All through our period, there were importations of fine stitched pumps, neat channelled boots and pumps, turned pumps ; and double and single channelled pumps, and in i 763, Alexander Montgomery, at the Fly Market, next door to Mr. Brovort's, opposite to Mrs. Rutgers, offered " a parcel of greased leather double and single channelled pumps, stitched high heeled shoes and pumps of the very best sort, from fourteen shillings to sixteen shillings per pair." The buckle was the important ornament of the shoe : these were of diamonds, paste, gold, silver, open-worked polished steel, pinchbeck, or black. The high top-boot with its upper part of light leather, was worn by huntsmen, and the dashing bucks and dandies of the day often appeared in them. Of course, spurs were fixed to them. These boots were worn by the officers, for, like the Kevenhuller cocked hat, they were distinctly military. There were nu- 14 193 Social New York Under the Georges merous shoemakers in New York, but probably not very many who had the courage to expose their pa- trons, as one of them does in i 749 : " This is to give notice to the person who calls himself a gentleman of the city of New York, and who was pleased to send me so many messages concerning the making of his ex- traordinary shoes, that they are now done and finished, there- fore pray him to come (tho' not without money) and fetch them, for as I have known him a bad paymaster some years, do not care now leather is dear, to let them go without, and as they are made the one larger than the other, on account of his sore foot, beg that he would not let them lie on my hands, lest I expose him more publicly." Stockings were invariably of silk with clocks, and until the last years of George II. were rolled beneath the knee and kept in place by the garter and knee- buckles, which were similar to the shoe-buckles, but larger. Knee-garters were of silk. Cloth-coloured knee-garters appeared in 1 760," and we even find among the goods that Mr. Stuyvesant advertised for sale in 1764 "ladies' and gentlemen's silk garters with mottoes." Large bunches of ribbons, or strings, dec- orated the knees of the Macaroni. The shirt was always of fine linen, or cambric, and was frequently trimmed with a frill when a small cra- vat was worn. During some seasons the black soli- taire that was fastened to the bag-wig was preferred ; at others, a stock and stock-buckle ; and, finally, in the Macaroni period, the style was to wrap oneself in a large neckerchief, which was tied in a bow under the chin. Specimen stock, knee and shoe-buckles appear on page 191 ; and a pair of paste knee buckles on page 1 79. 194 Costumes of Men Ruffles always framed the wrists and these were often of rich lace. " Gentlemen's ruffles of blond lace " were sold by Nicholas Stuyvesant in 1 764. There were many varieties of handkerchiefs, such as plain and flowered, and those made of various kinds of silk. We meet with both Barcelona handker- chiefs and cravats. Among the varieties of gloves we may note : " Men's and boys glazed kid and lamb, unbound and ribbon bound gloves " and " men's coloured welt- ed mittens," 1751 ; "men's black and white silk gloves, black and white buck, shammy, and wash leather, shammy and best buckskin gloves," 1769. The jewelry consisted of knee, shoe, and stock buckles, watches with a bunch of seals (the Macaroni wore two watches) and rings. The men, of course, wore swords, and carried canes and walking-sticks and often umbrellas. The canes and walking-sticks were gold, silver, or ivory- headed, and in 1745 sometimes had small compasses fixed upon them. An ivory headed walking-stick that belonged to William Beekman appears on page 179, and other examples, with a sword, on page 263. t> with pink -coloured silk," among the contents. The hive was a straw-bonnet shaped something like a bee-hive. The advertisement on page 237 is further interest- ing on account of an item that must not be missed. The Fergusons say that they have arranged to get from Ireland and London "the earliest fashions in minia- ture." At this period and for many years before, it 238 Gown sprigged with silver, orig- inally owned by Mrs. William Smith. See page 235. The Dress of Women had been the custom to dress dolls in Paris in the latest style and to send them abroad. In 1727, Lady Lansdowne sent to one of Oueen Caroline's Ladies <> the Players, it will be thankfully acknowledged." Some of these plays were of a nature to scandalize minds not necessarily puritanical. To-day, some of them would be quite unplayable. Even persons who were not at all squeamish generally preferred the 273 Social New York Under the Georges purer atmosphere of tragedies. The following para- graph was printed in September, 1 750 : "Thursday evening last, the tragedy of Cato was played at the theatre in this city, before a very numerous audience, the greater part of whom were of opinion that it was pretty well performed. As it was the fullest assembly that has appeared in that house, it may serve to prove that the taste of this place is not so much vitiated, or lost to a sense of liberty, but that they can prefer a representation of virtue to those of a loose character." In England at this date, players were generally regarded as vagabonds. This company now visiting New York had practically been treated as such in Philadelphia. Two actors who were also the mana- gers w r ere Messrs. Murray and Kean. The names of the other members were : Tremain, Woodham, Jago, Scott, Leigh, Smith, Moore, Marks, Master Murray, Miss Osborn, Miss Nancy George, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Osborn, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Leigh. The following notes show that the social standing of these players was not very high : [April 22nd, 1751], "Mr. Kean, by the advice of several gentlemen in town who are his friends, having resolved to quit the stage and follow his employment of writing (wherein he hopes for encouragement) will take a benefit, playing RicluuJ III." [June loth], Mr. Jago "humbly hopes that all ladies and gentlemen will be so kind as to favour him with their company as he never had a benefit before, and is just out of prison." [June 13], " Mrs. Davis hopes as the play is granted her to enable her to buy off her time, that the ladies and gentlemen who are charitably inclined will favour her benefit, and their humble petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray." [June 1 7th], " 'Ti's the first time this poor widow (Osborn} has had a benefit." [Aug. 26th], "John Tremain having declined the stage,. 2/4 Amusements proposes to follow his business of cabinet-maker." (He re- turned to the boards a few months later.) The venture of these players was not a success pecuniarily. The players had to resort to benefits in consequence. Poor Mr. Jago's offence was probably nothing more serious than debt. It was perhaps a similar danger of jail that drove Mr. Kean and Mr. Tremain back to their ordinary vocations. Mrs. Davis evi- dently belonged to that class of Redemptionists who were practically slaves for a certain number of years. Perhaps her master had hired out her tal- Silver tea-pot originally owned ents to the company, Justus by Dr Samue] Johnsoii) it was customary to do with s servants and craftsmen. Mr. Kean's benefit was given on Jan. 14, 1/31. The play was The Beggars Opera, "with entertainments between the acts, viz., a Harlequin dance, a Pierot dance and the Drunken Peasant, all by a gentleman lately from London. Miss in her Teens and an Oratorio to be sung by Mr. Kean." At first, it was customary not to sell tickets at the door. Actors went round to houses and solicited attendance. Some disagreeable criticisms were made at the time of the above benefit. The manager and Mr. Kean both offered explanations as follows : [Jan. 2ist, 1751.] "Whereas several reports have been unkindly spread that Mr. Kean, for his benefit night on Mon- 275 now by Mr. and Mrs. William E. Ver Planck. See page l 50. Social New York Under the Georges day last, had caused a greater number of tickets to be printed than the house would hold, this is to certify that (according to the best of my knowledge) there were but 161 pit tickets, 10 boxes, and 121 gallery tickets printed in all; and it is well known that as large a number have been in the house at one time. JAMES PARKER. " N. B. Tho' it was then determined not to receive any money at the door, it was afterwards found to be a measure impracticable to be followed without great offence ; and such whose business could not afford to come in time have since had their money return'd. " Whereas it has been reported that Mrs. Taylor, in playing her part in my benefit, endeavoured to perform it in a worse manner than she was capable, and that it was done on account of a falling out between us : This is therefore to certify that there was no such difference between her and me ; and that I believe her being out so much in the part was owing to her not getting the part in time." THOMAS KEAN. We thus see that the large room in Mr. Van Dam's house could accommodate about two hundred people. In November, 1751, it was announced "The house being new floored is made warm and comfort- able, besides which gentlemen and ladies may cause their stoves to be brought.' o These stoves were foot-warmers, small square boxes with perforated lids and metal receptacles inside for hot embers. They were commonly in use in the pews of churches. The hour for beginning the per- formance was 6.30 P. M. and the prices of the seats were : a box, five shillings, the pit, four shillings, and gallery seats two shillings. The original prices were for the pit five shillings, the gallery three shillings, the boxes being simply portions of the pit partitioned off. The performances were held twice a week, but 276 Amusements were frequently postponed on account of hot or in- clement weather. In January, 1752, we read: " Mr. Upton (to his great Disappointment) not meeting with encouragement enough to support the Company for the Season intends to shorten it by performing 5 or 6 plays only for Benefits & begins with his own on Monday the 2oth Inst. His play is a celebrated comedy called Tiinbridge Walks, or the Yeoman of Kctit; his Entertainment, the Lying Valet. And as hitherto, encouragement has been little, hopes the Gentlemen and Ladies will favour him that Night." Mr. Upton then sailed for Europe. Before he went away, he played 77ic Fair Penitent (March 4,) and the Honest Yorkshireman, the part of Lavinia being attempted by Mrs. Tremain, and a farewell epi- logue by Mr. Upton. Experiences with this company of players had evidently not prepossessed the City Fathers in favour of the profession, for when a Lon- don company arrived fifteen months later, it experi- enced great opposition and the Assembly refused to licence it. The tribulations which the company suf- fered are fully set forth in a newspaper article : On July 2nd, 1753, "the London company of comedians, lately arrived from Virginia, humbly submit their case to the consideration of the public, whose servants they are." They sadly anticipate failure for their enterprise and censure for the undertaking. They had expected a different reception, " little imagining, that in a city to all appearance so polite as this, the Muses would be banished, . . . and the elegant entertainment of the Stage utterly protested against." The statement goes on to inform the public that it was originally proposed to Mr. Wil- liam Hallam, now of London, to collect a company of comedians and send them to New Vork and other American colonies. He consented and collected people, scenes and costumes at great expense, and in Oct., 1750, sent Mr. Robert Upton to New York to obtain the necessary permission to perform, to build a 277 Social New York Under the Georges theatre, and to make all preparations. For this, Mr. Hallam advanced a good sum. Mr. Upton, however, on his arrival probably squandered the money with the town blades, "for we never heard from him after. Being thus deceived by him, the Company was at a stand till April, 175 2, when by the persuasion of several gentle- Spinet made by Johannes Hitchcock ( London, 1750). From Mr. Morris Steinert's collection of old instruments. (^See page 293.) men in London, and Virginia captains, we set sail on board of Mr. William Lee and arrived after a very expensive and tire- some voyage at York River on the 28th of June following." There they obtained the Governor's permission, and performed with the greatest applause, staying eleven months. Then they were again persuaded to come here by several gentlemen whose names they will refrain from mentioning. These gentlemen 278 Amusements gave a very rosy account of the prospects here. " They told us that \ve should not fail of a genteel and favourable recep- tion ; that the inhabitants were generous and polite, naturally fond of diversions rational, especially those of the theatre; nay, they even told us that there was a very fine play-house build- ing, and that we were really expected. So they came, and now are grieved that they are not wanted. Being people of no estates, they have no fund to bear such repulses ; a journey by sea and land of 500 miles costs money ! " Therefore if the worthy magistrates would consider this in our favour that it must rather turn out a public ad- vantage and pleasure than a private injury, they would, we make no doubt, grant permission and give us an opportunity to convince them that we are not cast in the same mould with our theatrical predecessors, or that in private life or public occupation, we have the least affinity to them." There was evidently a sufficient number of friends of the drama to overcome the opposition, for eleven weeks later it was announced : " The company of comedians who arrived here the past summer, having obtained permission from the proper authority to act, have built a very fine, large and commodious new theatre in the place where the old one stood ; and having got it into good order, design to begin this evening. As they propose to tarry here but a short time, we hear they design to perform three times a week." The house occupied the old site, and the company began with the comedy, TJic Conscious Lorcrs on Sept. 17. The play began at 6 P.M. and the prices were Box 8/-, Pit 6/-, Gallery 3 -. We soon find evi- dence of the fashionable habit of arriving late : " Ladies and gentlemen who intend to favour with their company are desired to come by six o'clock, being determined to keep to our hour as it would be a great inconvenience for them to be kept out late, and a means to prevent disappointment." 279 Social New York Under the Georges Some of the advertisements requested ladies and gentlemen to send their servants early to keep their places for them, which shows that numbered seats were not sold. The members of this company, the Douglasses, Hallams, etc. were prominent in the the- atrical life in the city for many years. There were twelve adults and three children, Lewis Hallam, a low comedian, his daughter aged fifteen and two sons aged twelve and ten ; Messrs. Rigby, Malone, Clark- son, Adcock, Bell, Miller, Hulett, Singleton, Mrs. Becceley, Mrs. Love, Mrs. Adcock, Mrs. Clarkson, and Mrs. Lewis Hallam, who was a relative of Rich of Covent Garden. Upon the death of her husband, she married David Douglass, who then managed this company. Hostility to the stage among a certain class showed itself on several occasions, but it was not until the troublous days of the Stamp Act that the mob resorted to violence. An incident that doubt- less hugely delighted the gallery was reported on May 3, i 762, as follows : "A Pistole reward will be given to whoever can discover the person who was so very rude to throw eggs from the gal- lery upon the stage last Monday by which the clothes of some ladies and gentlemen in the boxes were spoiled and the per- formance in some measure interrupted. "DAVID DOUGLASS." The performance was interrupted in a far more serious manner early in May, 1766. The theatre that suffered stood in Chapel Street, and on the night of the riot the plays were The Twin Rivals and The King and the Miller of Mansfield. The manager had 280 Amusements advertised: "As the packet is arrived and has been the messenger of good news relative to the Repeal, it is hoped the public has no objection to the above performance." On May 8th, 1766, the paper gave the following account of the affair : o "The play advertised to be acted on last Monday evening having given offence to many of the inhabitants of this city who thought it highly improper that such entertainments should be exhibited at this time of public distress, when great numbers of poor people can scarce find means of subsistance, whereby many persons might be tempted to neglect their business and squander that money which is necessary to the payment of this debt and support of their families, a rumor was spread about town on Monday that if the play went on, the audience would meet with some disturbance from the multitude. This pre- vented the greatest part of those who intended to have been there from going : however many people came, and the play was begun, but soon interrupted by the multitude who burst open the doors and entered with noise and tumult. The audi- ence escaped in the best manner they could : many lost their hats and other parts of dress. A boy had his skull fractured several others were dangerously hurt. The multitude im- mediately demolished the house, and carried away the pieces to the Common, where they consumed them in a bonfire." At the opening of this theatre in January, 1/59, David Douglass, the manager, had written : " Be pleased to give the inclosed occasional Prologue and Epilogue spoken at the opening of the new theatre in this city, a place in your paper. As we cannot imagine the difficulty we met with in obtaining liberty to act here proceeded from any ill opinion those in authority had of a well-regulated stage, but rather from a tender regard to the mistaken notions of others, we humbly beg leave to embrace this opportunity of recom- mending this performance to the candid perusal of such preju- diced, though we doubt not, well meaning minds." 28l Social New York Under the Georges The Prologue and Epilogue were apologies and defences of theatrical performances. The riot of i 766 had no permanent effect in hindering theatrical performances, for in the following year a playhouse was opened in John Street. The company that opened it included among its members several persons who, being very good singers as well as actors and actresses, could sustain their parts in the light operas and musical Chairs of the Heppelwhite period. Originals in the Museum for the Art of Decoration, Cooper Union, New York. See page 285. farces of the day as well as in the plays. Often dur- ing the performance of a tragedy or comedy, they were called upon to sing some popular song between the acts ; this, indeed, was so important a feature of the evening's entertainment, that their names and the titles of the songs were specially advertised. For example, Miss Maria Storer delighted the audience 282 Amusements on May 2, 1768, with the celebrated song " Sweet Echo," when Richard III. was played for the benefit of the three Misses Storer. She sang it between the third and fourth acts. Miss Hallam saiw " Twas o when the Seas were Roaring" on May 23, at Mrs. Douglass's benefit, when Jane Shore was played ; and on May 25, when Richard III. was performed again, Miss Wainwright sang, "Thro' the Wood, Laddie," and Miss Hallam, " Vain is Beauty's gaudy Flower." The members of this company who thus acquired a double reputation as singers and actors were : Mr. Stephen Woolls, Miss Wainwright, Mrs. Harm an (a granddaughter of Colley Gibber), Miss Hallam, Mr. Wall and the Storer sisters. Mr. Woolls was the principal singer in the company. He was born in Bath in 1729, and made his first appearance in Ne\v York at the opening of the John Street Theatre in 1767, playing Gibbet in The Beaux Stratagem and Mercury in Lcthc. He became a great favourite, and sang nearly till the time of his death, which occurred in New York in 1799. Miss Wainwright appeared in Xew York with Mr. Woolls as Cherry in The Beau.v Stratagem and as Mrs. Riot in Lethe. She was also a native of England and was much admired for her sprightly performance of chambermaids and rustic characters. Gay comedy was her specialty. She was the principal female vocalist in the Douglass Com- pany. Her name disappears in 1769. It is very interesting to note that to the public some of the plays had special attractions that would not be considered so important to-day. For example, Social New York Under the Georges in a performance of Romeo and Juliet, the funeral was specially mentioned in the advertisement. Very often the music and dancing between the acts was a greater attraction than the play itself. There was considerable histrionic ability among the gentlemen of the city, who on occasion were will- ing to help the actors out of difficulties. In April, Silver tea-set owned by Frederic J de Peyster, Esq. See page 150. 1/70, Othello was acted by an amateur, assisted by other gentlemen as the Doge and Senate. Box prices were charged for the pit on this occasion. The theatre had the influential support of the Freemasons. There was a special performance in i 769, when the Tender Husband was first given here. The brethren met at Mr. Burns's and walked to the theatre in procession. On another occasion, all the beauty and fashion crowded to the theatre to see Indian chiefs give a war-dance. Before the Revolution, several plays were mounted with a good deal of splendour and magnificence. Two instances occur in May, 1773, which are described by the critic as follows : 284 Amusements " Last Wednesday the play of The Tempest or the I nc hunted IslunJ, written by Shakespeare and altered by Dryden, was per- formed at the theatre in this city to a numerous and brilliant audience with universal applause; the machinery is elegant and the whole is allowed to be one of the most pleasing pieces that has made its appearance on the American stage." " The scenery, decorations, dresses and machinery of the opera of Cymon to be performed this evening are allowed by the most critical judges of theatrical splendour to be more magnifi- cent than could be expected at so early a period on the Amer- ican stage. During its run at Philadelphia, several gentlemen from London attended the representation and made compari- sons much to the honour of our infant western theatre. We are informed that as it is so very late in the season it can only be performed one night." [The silver bowl on page 260 is a very early model of native manufacture. It belonged to the first Presi- dent of Columbia College. The chairs on page 282 are patterns that were just coming into fashion at the close of our period.] The brig Thomas. (1767.) 285 Ill MUSIC AMONG the accomplishments and entertainments, music held no small place ; yet the music of colonial days differed very greatly from the art in favour at the present time. The world's popular composers then were Handel, Bach, Corelli, the two Scarlattis, Hasse, Jo- melli, Haydn, Rameau, Purcell, Lulli, Gluck, Bocche- rini, Arne, Piccini, Geminiani and Tartini. We shall presently find that the music of these men was well- known in New York. Vocal music was extremely florid. The air, inva- riably suave and sentimental, was overladen with ornamental turns, trills and flute-like runs and scale passages, demanding much execution, as well as grace and style, from the performers of both sexes. The symphony had not yet been developed, for Haydn was now writing his chamber-music nnd had not produced those works that set the stamp upon this form. The sonata was barely throwing off the shackles of the suite, and in it the dance-forms still lingered, as they did in the quartets and quintets. Therefore, the most familiar forms of instrumental music were min- uets, gigues, gavottes, rigadoons, sarabandes, alle- mandes, courantes, passepieds, bourrees, and cha- connes. The violin was extremely popular, largely because 286 Amusements of the good music that had lately been written for it. The great Corelli, called by the Italians " il divino," Harpsichord made by jacobus Kirkman (London, 1769). From Mr. Morris Steinert's collection of old instruments. (See page 293.) had, of course, published his sonatas, which are models of the classical style. Tartini, who founded a 287 Social New York Under the Georges very important violin-school at Padua in 1728, was con- stantly composing concertos and sonatas, among them the famous Sonate du Diable, or Tartinis Dream ; and Geminiani, a pupil of Corelli's, who had settled in London in 1714, enjoyed the greatest vogue. He wrote many sonatas (a few of which he arranged for the 'cello), concertos and other solo pieces. Geminiani was the first in any country to bring out a book on the Art of Playing the Violin. This was published in London in 1740, six years before Leopold Mozart issued his Violin School. He also wrote the Art of Playing tJie Guitar, the Art of Accompaniment, a Treatise on Memory and a Treatise on Good Taste. All of these books could be bought in New York at Rivinjrton's. That Geminiani and Corelli were known o to the music-lovers of New York is evident from the advertisement of Mrs. Tanner, a milliner in Smith Street, who offered for sale, in 1761, "A choice col- lection of Music by the most eminent composers, such as Handel, Arne, Corelli, Geminiani, etc., etc." This alone is sufficient to prove that in music New York kept up with Europe. It may be instructive to give here a list of the music that was actually on sale at Rivington's in i 773. Taking the harpsichord, spinet, Piano Forte and Organ first, we find : Bach's Sonatas ; Handel's Voluntaries ; Lord Kelly's Overtures ; Garth's Sonatas ; Parry's airs (and also for the harp) ; Alcock's Lessons; Pasquali's Thorough Bass; Pas- quali's Art of Fingering ; Boccherini's Six Sonatas; Giordani's Six Sonatas ; Graaf's Symphonies ; and Fisher's and Esher's Symphonies. For the Violin, Mr. Rivington is selling : Bocche- 288 Amusements rini's Duets ; Van Maldere's Overture ; Tartini's Two Solos ; Bach's Six Symphonies ; Giordani's Ouar- tettos ; Schwmdl's Choice Airs ; Fischer's Duet ; Cam- pioni's Trios ; Geminiani's Art of Playing on the Vio- lin ; Just's Divertiments ; Giardani's Solos; Marti- ni's Sonatas; Geminiani On Good Taste ; Geminiani On True Taste; Just's Sonatinas; Essex Orpheus; 24 Italian and Spanish Minuets ; and 24 Italian and Spanish Country Dances. For the German Flute, he had : Blanck's solos ; Magherini's trios ; Tacet's duets and preludes ; Miller's solos ; Giordani's six chamber concertos ; Bach's six quartettos ; Bern's six quartettes ; Misliweckek's Trios ; Patoni's sonatas ; Holyoke's Duettos ; Airs and Songs in the Golden Pippin; Florio's Duetts; Stamitz's Duetts ; Campioni's Duetts ; Capelliti's Twelve So- natas ; Bates's Duetts ; Kernlt's Duetts ; Col. Reid's Solos ; and Dutch minuets. For the guitar, there are : Citralini's Six Divertiments ; Thackeray's Forty- four Airs and Divertiments ; and Airs from Love in a } T illagc, The Padlock, the Ladies Frolic k, Cynwn, and the new Golden Pippin ; Arnold's Twenty-four Lessons, Twelve new Songs and a Cantata ; Melgrove's Forty Lessons for One or Two Guitars ; Hymns and Songs sung at the Magdalen ; Alcock's Divertiments and Songs ; Bach's Sonatas ; Noferi's Six Lessons ; Haxby's Easy Airs ; Twelve Lessons by a Lady ; and Dibdin's Institution of the Garter. Rivington was also supplying at this date tutors, or instructors, for playing on the harpsichord and piano- forte, violin, German flute, fife, bassoon, hautboy, French horn, clarinet, and for learning to sing. He 20 289 Social New York Under the Georges also imported what was, no doubt, exceedingly popu- lar : " English operas with all the songs, arranged for the harpsichord, Pianoforte, etc., etc." These includ- ed : Lionel and Clarissa, Cymon, Golden Pippin, J\Iaid of the Mill, Love in a J 'illage, Institution of the Garter, Ladies Froliek, The Portrait, La buona Jiglioula, Hob in the Well, Dibdiiis King Arthur and Jlfidas. It is very doubtful if women played the violin in colonial days ; but there must have been a great num- ber of violin students in Ne\v York, for teachers of the violin seem to have succeeded. Some one was greatly distressed in 1/57 by the loss of some violin music. On Feb. 2ist of that year, we read : "Lost ; a musick-book, the principal fiddle of twelve con- certos, entitled Dominico Scarlatti's Lessons, etc., made into Concertos by Charles Avison." At this period, Ouantz was composing for Fred- erick the Great, who had brought the flute into spe- cial prominence. We constantly find the "German flute" on the concert programmes and several mu- sicians were able to teach it in New York. The spinet, clavichord, and harpsichord were found in every home of affluence. Bach's Well- Tempered Clavichord and Handel's English and French Suites were probably thrummed or played by every young lady. The Harmonious Blacksmith was doubtless a favourite show-piece. Music was a social accomplishment, and formed part of the equipment of the fashionable, wealthy and well-educated man. Although music-lovers of the o present day may despise the old-fashioned music of the days before Mozart, there was very real love of 290 Amusements what music existed, and glees and madrigals and catches \vere to be heard on everv public occasion. Moreover, every man of edu- cation was expected to be a competent musical critic. Glee-clubs a n d musical associations like those that ex- isted in such num- bers in England were also found in New York. The officers of the garrison were in many cases able musi- cians, and the opulent class here joined them in frequent musical evenings both private a n d public. When the professional musicians were scant v in numbers, private gentlemen and officers alwavs came forward to reinforce the orches- tra. As a rule, how- ever, we do not find that the ladies took any part in public concert >. When a musical entertainment was given by the offi- cers of the Fort and the gentrv of the city, the even- ball for the ladies." Profes- 291 Secretary originally owned by Ryck Suydam of Flatbush, L. I.; now by Mrs. Henry Draper. Seepage i i i. ing usually ended in a Social New York Under the Georges sional concerts were advertised with the same attrac- tion. The arrival of an officer, or merchant, who was an amateur musician of ability, was eagerly welcomed. Local music-lovers lost no time in introducing him to the town. An instance of this occurs on Oct. 1 7, 1/65:. . "This evening will be a concert of vocal and instrumental music at Mr. Burns's Assembly Room the first violin to be performed by a gentleman lately arrived. A solo on the violin by the same hand. The other instrumental parts by gentlemen of the town." The devotees of music were so numerous here that a Harmonic Society existed and gave concerts, and sometimes assisted at special dramatic and mu- sical entertainments. This organization had the most distinguished support that the society of the day could afford, as it was recruited from the best circles. At a concert in 1773, a Mr. Zedwitz conducted and played first violin ; and the other instrumental parts were performed by the "gentlemen of the Har- monic Society." On April 24, i 774, there was a subscription con- cert for Signora Mazzanti, Mr. Zedwitz, and Mr. Hulett. We learn from the advertisements that " the gentlemen of the Harmonic Society have prom- ised their assistance, and that Signora Mazzanti will sing several English and Italian songs." The tickets were $1.00. After the concert, a dance was promised. Music was more a part of the social life than it is to-day. It was not uncommon to have several in- struments in one house. For example, Governor 292 Amusements Burnet possessed a number of instruments, including a large bass violin, two treble violins, a harpsichord, a clapsichord, a double courtel, and a large violin, or tenor fiddle (a viola). This would show that quartets and quintets were not uncommon enjoyments within his walls. It was perfectly possible to buy very good in- struments in New York. Many persons, of course, brought their own with them from England and car- ried them home when they returned. Occasionally, too, through a death or a sale of household goods, a fine instrument could be obtained. For example, in 1752, there was for sale "a good English spinet (Hitchcock's). Enquire of the Printer." Hitchcock was one of the best London makers. Undoubtedly the one just mentioned was similar to the spinet shown on page 278, belonging to the collection of Mr. M. Steinert of New Haven, Conn. One of the characteristics of New York always was that of purchasing the best that could be ob- tained, and therefore it is not surprising to find that the most fashionable London instruments were in demand. Hitchcock's was not a new firm, as their instruments had been in favour even during the reign of Charles II. The spinet mentioned above was made by Hitchcock about 1750. Another instru- ment of that period, also belonging to the Steinert Collection, appears on page 287. This is a harpsi- chord with two keyboards of five octaves and stops. It was made in London in 1 769 by Jacobus Kirk- man. Manuel Josephson sold at his store in Smith 293 Social New York Under the Georges Street, in 1761, "brass trumpets and French horns." Those who wanted to buy violins, flutes, fifes, and other instruments could get them at John Anderson's, on Peck's Slip. Organs could be procured, in 1/56, from Mr. Wil- let, who made them. Another organ-builder was Frederick Heyer, who, in 1/73, living in Broadway near St. Paul's Church, " makes and repairs harpsi- chords and spinets in the neatest manner and with despatch. Has some new and very neat Harpsi- chords for sale ; also a Chamber Organ which may in a short time be com- pletely finished and en- larged (if that be neces- sary) to suit a place of public worship." In 1773, Rivington had " Forte Pianos of excel- lent tones from ^"27 to ^30 ; violins from ^3-4-0 to ^14; Violins of lower prices ; French horns, E with crooks ; German flutes of all kinds ; voice flutes, hautboys, English or common flutes, fifes, tabors and pipes; pitch-pipes, tuning-forks, harpsichord and spinet hammers, crow quills, harpsichord and Forte Piano wire ; rosin boxes ; mutes for violins ; mouth pieces for German flutes ; mouth pieces for French horns ; pens to rule musick ; ruled books of all sizes ; violin bows, the Giardini sort ; bridges and pegs for 294 Portrait of William Walton, owned by the New York Historical Society. See page 385. Amusements fiddles with and without screws ; bassoon, hautboy and bagpipe reeds, with and without cases ; desks for harpsichords ; violin cases ; the best Italian strings for violins ; violoncellos ; genuine German wire for harpsichords, spinets, piano fortes ; guitars ; also silk strings for guitars." New York was well supplied with music teachers. The one who seems to have had the greatest influence was William Charles Hulett, who came in 1753 with the Hallam company. He taught the violin, and in 1 764 opened a music-school where the violin, German flute and the guitar were taught. Another was Mr. Charles Love, also of London, who announced in 1753 that he "teaches gentlemen the violin, haut- boy, German and common flutes, bassoon, French horn, tenor and bass viol." Mr. Proctor, a teacher of the harpsichord, Mr. Alexander V. Dienval, who " teaches the violin, German flute, tenor and bass viol," and Peter Pelham, who teaches the harpsichord, spinet and " Rules of thorough bass" were the other important names down to the middle of the century. Without doubt, the best musician with whom New York was acquainted was Mr. William Tuckey from Bristol, who noticed the general neglect of singing, and in his bid for favour gave a very comprehensive account of the condition of music. He was an organ- ist, a choir-master and a composer, and could play and teach the harpsichord. Mr. Tuckey evidently desired to provide the city with plenty of good music and to elevate its taste. Mr. Tuckey may speak for him- self, even if he is somewhat egotistical. In i 754, he published the following : 295 Social New York Under the Georges "William Tuckey, singing-master, desires to inform all lovers of psalmody that in order to encourage and amend the singing in public congregations in this city, all persons may be taught by him on very reasonable terms. As a great expecta- tion of encouragement in this way was the only motive which induced him to leave the cathedral of Bristol, whereof he was for several years vicar choral, and clerk of a parish also in said city, places of considerable profit and on an establishment of both for life ; and not meeting the encouragement he expected, is resolved to teach here no longer than one year more, which may be depended on. And as there is no person in this coun- try duly qualified in the musical way, who has made a practice of teaching but himself, not only in church music in all its branches, according to the English, Dutch, French, or Italian method, but also in the knowledge of a thorough bass and com- posing music in parts both vocal and instrumental, manage- ment of music for concerts, etc. He humbly hopes, through this information to meet with better encouragement, or at least to establish the singing of parochial psalms on a better and perfecter foundation than it hath been for some time past. He will undertake to compose, or set to music, any piece on any subject, divine or moral, either in prose or verse, and adapt the music according to the sense of the subject for the organ, harp- sichord or spinnet, on application to him and a moderate satis- faction. Specimens of his composing may be seen at any time,, by any gentlemen or ladies who desire it and understand music." Teachers at the close of our period included James Leadbeater, organ, harpsichord and spinet ; D. Pro- pert, organ, harpsichord, guitar and German flute ; Herman Zedwitz, " pupil of several of the most emi- nent masters now in London and Germany," violin ; and Nicholas Biferi from Naples, " singing after the Italian way," the harpsichord, and composition. In 1774, the latter establishes an " Academy " for music, dancing and languages, his associates being Pietro- 296 Amusements Sodi, dancing-master, and Joseph Cozani, who teaches French and Italian. Concerts were a favourite form of entertainment. An advertisement as early as 1735, shows how fond amateurs were of playing : " To-morrow, the gth of March Instant, there will be a Consort of Music, Vocal and In- strumental, for the Benefit of Mr. Pachelbel. The Harpsicord Part performed by himself. The Songs, Violins and German Flute by private Hands. The Consort will begin precisely at 6 o'clock at the House of Robert Todd, Vintner." After this the concerts took place in the New Ex- Portrait rMrs - William Walton > A i i T-> owned by the New York His- change, or Assembly Room. . . - . . toncal Society. See page 385. 1 he price . of admission averaged six shillings, the hour for beginning being six o'clock, and the concert usually ending with a ball. The teachers already mentioned frequently gave concerts for their own benefits, and were active in organizing subscription concerts. The latter was sometimes difficult, but Mr. Hulett, who for years took charge of these regular concerts, was evidently persistent. In 1767 we read : " The Subscription Concert to be given this and every evening during the season exactly at Half Past Six o'clock. As many gentlemen were not to be found at Home when they were waited on with the Subscription Book, Mr. Hulett acquaints them that he will wait on them on the next Notice." 297 Social New York Under the Georges Again there were special concerts of special instru- ments recitals we should call them to-day like the following for March 18, i 756 : " On Tuesday, the i8th instant, will be opened at the City Hall a New Organ, made by Gilbert Ash, where will be performed a con- cert of Vocal and Instrumental Music. (Two songs by Mr. Handel.) An organ concerto composed by Sigr. Giovanni Adolffo Hasse. For the benefit of a poor woman." Benefit concerts were frequent, and, as a rule, the programme was both vocal and instrumental. At a benefit for Mr. Dienval in 1764, " at the conclusion of the performance will be sung a grand chorus song, accompanied with kettledrums and trumpets or clari- nets." A concert for the benefit of William Cobham and William Tuckey, took place Dec. 29, 1/55, at the New Exchange Room. The programme was com- posed of both vocal and instrumental music, and the numbers included : Damon and Chloe, composed by Dr. Arne ; a two-part song in praise of a soldier, com- posed by the late famous Mr. Henry Purcell ; and an ode on masonry accompanied with instruments and never performed in England but once in pub- lic ; and a solo on the German flute by Mr. Cob- ham. "After the concert there will be a ball for the ladies." Sometimes also there were benefits for the military band stationed at Fort George. For example, we read : " For the benefit of the Royal American Band of Musick on Monday, 2d April, 1767, will be held a concert of vocal and instrumental music at Mr. Burns's New Assembly Rooms." In 1775, also, a 298 Amusements public concert for the benefit of a band of music is to be held at Mr. Hull's Assembly Rooms." The concert was a great feature at both Vauxhall and Ranelagh, and here Mr. Stephen Woolls, Miss Wainwright, Mrs. Harmon, Mrs. Hallam and the Storer sisters, frequently appeared. These singers often gave benefit concerts at Burns's Assembly Room. A concert took place at Mr. Hull's Assembly Room on May 26, 17/4, for the benefit of Mr. Biferi and Mr. Sodi : "The said concert will be divided into two Acts, each Act composed of four pieces. Mr. Biferi, master of music from Naples, will perform on the harpsichord a piece of music of his own composi- tion with the orchestra ; in the second act, he will perform a solo accompanied with the violin. There will follow a ball in which Mr. Sodi will dance the louvre and the minuet with Miss Sodi, a young lady nine years of age ; and Miss Sodi will dance a riga- doon with young Mr. Hulett." With regard to church music, we may be perfectly sure that after Mr. Tuckey came to New York in 1 754, there was great improvement. A good organ made by John Clemm had been erected in Trinity Church in 1741, and in 1764, another, built by Snetz- ler, was brought from England and put in its place. It is natural to suppose that the music composed by the leading choir-masters and organists of England was known here. The following, printed on Oct. 16, i 766, gives us some hint of what was popular : " By particular desire of a good number of ladies and gen- tlemen of credit and character in this city, there will be a con- 299 Social New York Under the Georges cert of vocal and instrumental music at Mr. Burns's new room on Thursday the 3oth Inst. ; to begin at six o'clock in the Evening. " This concert will consist of nothing but Church Music in which will be introduced a new Te Deum, Jubilate Deo, Cantate Domino and Deus Magnificatur with an Anthem (in which there is an obbligato part for a harp, as there also is in the Cantate Domino) with several other pieces of church music intermixed with other instrumental performances in order to ease the voices. The whole to conclude with a Martial Psalm (46th) accompanied with all the instruments and a pair of drums." Stage- Waggons kept by John Barnhill, Elm Street, Philadelphia, and John Mercereau at the New Blazing Star, near New York." (1768.) 300 IV BALLS, ASSEMBLIES AND PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENTS ONE of Society's chief diversions was dancing ; but the dances of the Georgian age were far more graceful than those of to-day. We cannot doubt that there were many entertainments in private homes for which Mr. Lenzi and other caterers supplied the supper and made the table attractive with sweets, jel- lies, custards, cakes, syllabubs, wines and fruits. The slightest as well as the more important gathering, of persons furnished the excuse for a ball. We have seen that nearly every concert ended with a ball, or that " the proper music would wait on the ladies and gentlemen " after the programme had been played and sung. Balls, as well as concerts, were given for the bene- fit of musicians, dancing-masters and others, and tick- ets were sold for these at four or five shillings. The Assembly seems to have been a kind of danc- ing club or class that met regularly during the winter. It was composed of the most fashionable people of the city. In 1759, we reac ^ : "The Dancing Assembly will be opened at Mr. Edward Willet's on the evening of Dec. 8th, and will continue every other Thursday evening from that time during the season. Directors : Duane, Walton, M'Evers, Banyer." Two of these directors seem to have liked their social duties in 301 Social New York Under the Georges connection with this organization, for in 1 763 we read : "Several gentlemen have declined taking charge of the Dancing Assembly again as being a disagreeable and unthank- ful office. Therefore Charles M'Evers and C. Duane, being sensible of the advantage of so useful and polite an entertain- ment have taken charge till managers agreeable to the public shall be elected." Philip Livingston and Thomas Hicks seem to have been elected, for their names are signed as man- agers. On Oct. 24, 1 763, they announced that " The New York Subscription Assembly will begin at six of the clock this evening at Mr. Burns's Assembly Room in the Broad-Way." On Oct. 23, i 766, we read : " Dancing Assembly will be opened at Burns's long room on Thurs- day, the 3oth Inst. at 6 P. M., and continued once every fortnight during the season." The managers w r ere Gerard Walton, John Marston and William Seton. These Dancing Assem- blies were long in vogue ; and appear to have been among the most important en- tertainments that New York afforded. In an unpub- lished diary of the period written in i74i-'7 by Elisha Parker, a young lawyer w r ho was born in New Jersey 302 Angelica Schuyler's gown, worn by her descendant, Miss Angelica Schuyler Church. See page 315. 4musements in 1724, and came to New York in 1740 to study law with James Alexander, there is mention of these dances. Young Parker was studious and diligent, but found time to enjoy himself. He was well-con- nected and through the Alexanders had many oppor- tunities for forming new acquaintances. His diary, unfortunately, is short and fragmentary. He lived at Mrs. Ver Planck's in the Broad-Way. He gives us a very clear idea of his daily life when he notes : " Used to get up early and breakfast and go to Mr. Alex- ander's ; write from eight till dinner-time; come to my lodgings and eat dinner; go back and write (I think) till six o'clock; then read with him in his room till supper-time." "Came to New York where I spent the winter; lodged at Mrs. Vangelder's ; spent chief of my time at Mr. Alexander's in the day ; law and business at night ; continued as we had done the winter before at mathematics with his son. At Morrisania with J. Depeyster ; in December my grandmother dyed ; in ye holidays the cocks fought. . . . Young a-ssembly in Broadway ; many entertainments by the parents of the young ladies, I think same the winter before. Mrs. Baker Mclntosh, C. Breton officers, Harrison ; Twelfth Cakes sometime the be- ginning of the winter." (1745.) " Much frolicking this winter; at first not acquainted with any of the officers; David Johnston intimate; introduced to 'em; got intimate with Rob and Tyr. . . . Cards; diversions; more time spent with Ladies; few frolicks at their homes; Mrs. A's family in mourning; Dr. dead; J. V Home hurt him- self; big foolish affair about big mistake; frolick at Mrs. John- ston's; Sam Bayard. . . . J. Stevens lodg'd sometimes with me at Mrs. Vangelder's; our jaunt to Morrisania in a slay; dined at J. Bass's with Ladies; young Assembly; asked also to the Old." (1747.) Such were the pleasures of the day. One of the ladies with whom Mr. Parker used to frolic and 303 Social New York Under the Georges dance at these assemblies was Miss Catherine Alex- ander whom he subsequently married (see page 73). The dancing-academy seems to have been somewhat similar to the Assembly, if we may judge from the following announcement of Oct. 19, 1772: "The dancing academy begins Thursday the 22nd inst. John Reade, John Jay, Robert S. Livingston, Junr. Managers." The entertainments given at the Fort were espe- cially brilliant. The Governor frequently issued invi- tations which, naturally enough, were much sought after. His Majesty's birthday was always given up to demonstrations of every kind that could fill the hours of a holiday. In the evening there were several balls, the most distinguished being that given at His Excellency's home in the Fort. We cite a few con- temporary descriptions of these demonstrations : " His Majesty's Birthday, was observed here with the usual solemnity. Between the hours of eleven and twelve in the forenoon, his Excellency, our Governour was attended at his House in Fort George by the Council, Assembly, Merchants, and other Principal Gentlemen and Inhabitants of this and the adjacent Places. The Independent Companies posted here be- ing under Arms and the Cannon round the Ramparts firing while His Majesty, the Queen's, the Prince's, the Royal Fam- ilies, and their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Orange's Healths were drunk ; and then followed the Healths of his Grace, the Duke of New-Castle, of the Duke of Grafton, of the Right Honourable Sir Robert Walpole, and many other Royal Healths. In the Evening the whole City was illumi- nated, his Excellency and Lady gave a splendid Ball and Supper at the Fort, where was the most Numerous and fine Appear- ance of Ladies and Gentlemen that had ever been known upon the like occasion." (1734.) 304 Amusements The anniversary of the King's accession and of the Queen's birthday were similarly observed. Of the King's birthday in 1735 we read : "The Evening was concluded with all demonstrations of Loyalty and Joy. There was a Ball and Entertainment at the Fort at which the Ap- pearance of Gentlemen and Ladies was very splendid, many of them in New Cloaths and very Rich in Honour of the Day." "The Prince of Wales's Birthday was celebrated at the Black Horse in a most elegant and genteel Manner. There was a most mag- nificent Appearance of Gentlemen and Ladies. The Ball began with French Dances, and then the Company proceeded to Country Dances, upon which Mrs. Norris led up two new Country Dances made upon the Occasion ; Dress owned originally by Susannah de the first of which was Lancey, daughter of James de Lancey, called The Prince of Lieutenant-Governor of New York, Wales, and the second, 1747-1760, and acting Governor, 17571760. Worn by Miss Susan de Lancey Fenimore Cooper, who in- herited it from her grandmother, Susan de Lancey. The Princess of Saxe- Gotha, in Honour of the Day. There was a most sumptuous Entertain- ment afterward. At the conclusion of which the Honourable Rip Van Dam, Esq., presi- dent of His Majesty's Council began the Royal Healths, which 21 305 Social New York Under ihe Georges were all drank in Bumpers. The whole was conducted with the utmost Decency, Mirth and Chearfulness." (1736.) " A Jack was displayed all the day from a flagstaff on the south west bastion of Fort George, the City Regiment of Mi- litia and troops were under arms, and reviewed by His Excel- lency George Clinton, Esq., our Governor, from the piazza of the City Hall, as they passed by from the Broad Way, where they had been drawn up, and they made a very handsome figure, his Excellency being attended by some of the Gentle- men of the Council, the Mayor, Corporation and Officers of the militia, entertained them in honour of the day with a most extraordinary glass of wine (such as is rare to be met with in any private house) from Hugh Crawford's near at hand, and there were drunk His Majesty's and other Royal Healths, under the discharge of twenty-one of the artillery of the Fort, His Majesty having now entered into the 65th year of his age. " In the evening there was a private entertainment and ball at His Excellency's, consisting of a snug select company of the choicest fruits of the town, that were particularly invited for the purpose, the only entertainment of the kind that His Excellency's leisure has admitted of upon such public occasions during his administration ; the company was very sociable, and the night concluded there as usual. " The gentlemen that had not the honour to be invited to His Excellency's ball resolved not to be behindhand in their demonstrations of loyalty on this occasion, and therefore ordered a public entertainment to be provided against the even- ing at Mr. Ramsey's tavern, where there was a very splendid and beautiful appearance of ladies, such as would have graced an Assembly in England. There were several gentlemen of the Council and Corporation, and most of the principal mer- chants and other gentlemen in the city, that made up a gay and numerous assembly. "The ball was opened about six o'clock, the city being illuminated from one end to the other, the supper was served up about ten, and notwithstanding the short warning given, there was the greatest variety this town or country could pro- duce, and the tables were decorated in so neat and elegant a 306 Amusements manner as raised a general admiration and 'twas declared by good judges that never was a more magnificent entertainment in this country. The whole tables were taken up with ladies the length of two rooms laid into one, that the gentlemen's time was generally employed in waiting on them, and when they were done the gentlemen supplied their places. After supper, His Majesty's, the Prince and Prin- cess of Wales, and the other Royal Healths were drunk, and then prosperity to the prov- ince, a speedy exporta- tion of its enemies, etc. "The whole affair was conducted with the utmost decency and decorum ; there was the greatest gai- ety, cheerfulness and complacency in every Dress belonging to Judith Crommelin Ver Planck in 1760, worn by a member of" the family. countenance. T h e ball was concluded about 5 A. M. and the night was passed in the general satisfac- tion, without the least incivility offered or offence taken by any one, which is scarce to be said on the like occasions. "\Ye are told this was distinguished by the title of the Country Ball." (1748.) Birthdays of other important men afforded the opportunity for festivities. For example, on Jan. 17, 1765, the papers report: "Monday last, being the 307 Social New York Under the Georges birthday of the Marquis of Granby, Master of the Ordnance, in the evening an elegant entertainment was provided by the officers of the artillery, and sev- eral curious fireworks were exhibited in the fields." There were a number of patriotic, benevolent, and political societies and social clubs in the city. Un- fortunately the records of these organizations are scanty. One of the most important was that of St. George, the patron saint of England. This continued in existence until 1781. It seems to have been a very important social organization. St. George's Day (April 23) was always marked by some entertainment. For example : " Friday last being the anniversary of St. George, his Ex- cellency Sir Jeffrey Amherst gave a ball to the gentlemen and ladies of this city at Cranley's New Assembly Room. The company consisted of 69 ladies and as many gentlemen, all very richly dressed; and 'tis said the entertainment was the most elegant ever seen in America." (1762). In 1771 "a num- ber of Englishmen descendants of Englishmen amounting on the whole to upward of 120, had an elegant entertainment at Bolton's in honour of the day . . . Twenty-three toasts were drunk and the company parted at early dawn in high good humour." Among those present were the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Dunmore, his Excellency Gen. Gage His Majesty's Attorney- General, the gentlemen of His Majesty's Council, and Presi- dent John Tabor Kemp, Esq. The Irishmen had their St. Patrick Society and the Scotchmen their St. Andrew Society. " The anniversary feast of St. Patrick is to be celebrated on Wednesday, the i7th Inst. at the house of Mr. John Mar- shall, at Mount Pleasant, near the College. Gentlemen that please to attend will meet with the best usage." (1762.) 308 Amusements " Monday last being the anniversary of St. Patrick, tutelar saint of Ireland, was ushered in at the dawn with fifes and drums which produced a very agreeable harmony before the doors of many gentlemen of that nation, and others. Many of them assembled and spent a joyous though orderly evening at the house of Mr. Bardin in this city." (1766.) Twenty-three toasts were drunk. " Last Monday the anniversary of St. Nicholas, otherwise called Santa Glaus, was celebrated at Protestant Hall, at Mr. Waldron's, where a great number of the Sons of that ancient saint celebrated the day with great joy and festivity." (1773.) "March 7, 1774. Last Tuesday, being St. David's Day, a very elegant entertain- ment was given at Hull's in honour of their tutelar Saint, by the officers of H. M. Welsh Fusilears to their Excel- lencies the Governor and General and the gentlemen of the military estab- lishment. Wednesday, another very ele- gant entertainment was given at Hull's His Excellency the Governor to the Hon- Locket painted in the curable the Gentlemen of His Majesty's miniature style and Council and to the gentlemen of the Gen- set with diamonds; eral Assembly." owned by Mrs. "March 21, 1774. Tuesday morning Martha Colgate last, the gentlemen who compose the most Singleton. See benevolent Society of the Friendly Broth- page 315. ers of St. Patrick gave a very elegant breakfast at Hull's to the principal ladies and gentlemen of this city in commemoration of the tutelar saint of Ireland." " Friday last, being the anniversary of St. Andrew, the same was observed by the gentlemen of the Scots Society of this city, and others. A splendid and elegant dinner was pro- vided at the house of Mr. John Thompson ; the colours being displayed on board the ships in the harbour, particularly the ship Prince \Villiain, Capt. Bishop, was beautifully decorated. His Majesty, the Royal Family and the other loyal toasts were 309 Social New York Under the Georges drunk, while the cannon on board the Prince \\~illiam were discharging. In the evening the)' went in procession to the theatre in Nassau Street attended by a vast concourse of peo- Pie." (i753.) " On Wednesday being St. Andrew's Day, the Resident and Honorary Members of the New York St. Andrew's Society held their Anniversary meeting at Scotch Johnny's where, agreeable to the intention of the charitable institution, a con- siderable sum of money, it is said, was collected for the use of the poor. After which as there happened to be a great many Scotch gentlemen belonging to the army in town, upwards of sixty members in all dined together in a most elegant manner. Many loyal and patriot toasts were drunk on the occasion, heartily yet soberly. In the evening, the same company gave a ball and entertainment at the Exchange Room and King's Arms Tavern to the town, at which a large and polite company of both sexes assembled. The ladies in particular made a most brilliant appearance, and it is thought there scarcely ever was before so great a number of elegantly dressed fine women seen together at one place in North America. As there was a great many of His Majesty's officers present, several too of the first rank, who had never before seen a public company of ladies in this part of the world, they were most agreeably surprised and struck with the charming sight ! The whole was conducted with the utmost regularity, decency and elegance; and nothing but gaiety, good humour and universal satisfaction appeared from beginning to end." (1757.) New York was never niggardly in greeting a distinguished individual. Slight as the following ac- count of Jan. 5, 1/56, may be, it furnishes us with an idea of the city's enthusiastic welcome to Sir William Johnson, the hero of the battle of Lake George : " Last Tuesday, Major General Johnson arrived here from Albany ; about 6 miles out of town he was met by a considerable number of gentlemen on horseback who conducted him to the King's Arms tavern, where most of the principal inhabitants 310 Amusements were assembled to congratulate him on his safe arrival. The ships in the. habour saluted him as he passed the street, amidst the acclamations of the people. At night the city was beauti- fully illuminated and the general joy displayed on this occa- sion evidenced the high gratitude of the people for the singu- lar services this gentleman has done his country in the late expedition." Society was always glad to seize any opportunity for a social evening, a dance, or a feast. The officers of the garrison were foremost in promoting brilliant entertainments, and there was also much quiet convivi- ality among citizens. The following paragraphs may be quoted as instances : " Monday last in the evening a grand entertainment was given by the gentlemen officers of the army to the ladies and gentlemen of this city; at which we hear there was the most numerous and brilliant appearance of both sexes that ever was known in this place." (Jan. 26, 1767.) " The friends of Messrs. John Cruger, James De Lancey, Jacob Walton, and James Jauncey, who are inclined to spend a day together in a social manner, are requested to meet at Burns's Long Room to-morrow evening at six o'clock in order to fix the time." (Jan. 30, 1769.) " On Monday evening there was a very numerous and most brilliant appearance of ladies at a ball in Hull's Assembly Room on occasion of Mrs. Tryons' and His Excellency our gracious Governor's departure for England." (April n, 1774.) There was a Flying Club advertised to meet on Nov. 21, 1773 ; and a Society of the Friendly Brothers in 1774, when we learn that the "concert which was to have been given at the Assembly Room is deferred on account of the public Breakfast of the Gentlemen who compose the Society of the Friendly Brothers. There was also a Social Club, which met in the winter Social New York Under the Georges at Fraunces's Tavern. A function of much social brilliance, attended by the Governor and all the nota- bilities, was the annual Commencement of King's Col- lege. That of i 767 is typical of many. " Last Tuesday a Publick Commencement was held at St. George's Chapel in this City. His Excellency the Gov- ernor, Sir Jeffrey Am- herst, several of the Members of His Maj- esty's Council and a polite, crowded, and splendid audience of Gentlemen and Ladies, were pleased to honour the day with their Com- pany. " The Ceremony be- gan with suitable prayer and an elegant Latin Oration by the Rev. Myles Cooper, A. M. t President of the Col- lege : To 'these suc- ceeded a very spirited Salutatory Oration by Mr. De Peyster, deliv- ered with a very decent Action and proper Em- phasis. Then followed Syllogistic Disputations in Latin upon the following Questions. The Bachelors Thesis, An, M ateriahabeatin.se vim activam? The Negativealso was main- tained in a Latin Philosophical Dissertation by Mr. B. Cuyler. 312 Tea-table and silver mugs (17631764), owned by Thomas Barrow. See pages I I 2 and 138. Amusements 'The Thesis for the Masters, was An, sublato statu futuro, ulla nieneat ad -virtutem obligatio ? "The negative of which was strongly supported in another Latin composition by Mr. S. Bayard. "A concise and full Refutation of Mr. Hobbes's Principles was offered in a masterly Manner, in an English essay on the much contested Position Ultnun Status Naturce fit status Belli. "The Exercises being finished, the President conferred on the following young Gentlemen the Degree of Batchelor of Arts : Messrs. De Peyster and Cuyler. And the Degree of Master of Arts on Messrs. Verplanck, Livingston, Watts, Bayard, Wil- kins, Hoffman and Marston. " The Ceremony was succeeded by a polite English Valedic- tory oration, genteely addressed to the most respectable parts of the Audience, and gracefully delivered by Mr. Philip Liv- ingston. " Then followed a very proper and serious English Address from the President to the young Gentlemen; which with a suitable Prayer concluded the Business of the Day. " The Whole was conducted with great Propriety, Decency and Order, and to the Satisfaction of the Numerous and Polite Audience. " His Excellency the Governour, Sir Jeffrey Amherst, the Members of his Majesty's Council, and many Gentlemen of Distinction, honoured the Governors of the College with their Company in the College Hall at Dinner." In 1771, a reporter became enthusiastic over the performances of the day : " It is with sincere satisfaction we observe that the young gentlemen performed their several exercises with such propriety of pronunciation and gracefulness of gesture as obtained the highest applauses from the most numerous and respectable audience that ever assembled in this city on such an occasion. Every lover of his country and admirer of the sciences must have seen with joy so fair a train of youth, promising by their present improvements future excellence in their respective pro- fessions and consequential advantages to their country. A Social New York Under the Georges correspondent observes that of the many excellent speeches delivered at our last Commencement, the following is perhaps not the least true, tho' it be not the most polite : " That is a very learned young gentleman a very young learned gentleman indeed. And after he has seen a little more of the world, and been kicked down stairs two or three times for his impertinence he will be much the better for it." Duriner the first half of the century, the average o j ' o New Yorker was too busy to care much about higher Chairs owned by Cornelia Haring in 1765 ; now by her descendants, Mrs. Wilmot T. Cox and Mrs. French Ensor Chadwick. See page 315. education. King's College was not founded till 1754. In 1748, Cadwallader Golden complained : " Tho' the Province of New York abounds certainly more in riches than any other of the Northern Colonies, yet there has been less care to propagate Knowledge or Amusements Learning in it than anywhere else. The only prin- ciple of Life propagated among the young People is to get Money, and Men are only esteemed according to what they are worth, that is, the Money they are possessed of." Three dresses of the period are shown on pages 302, 305 and 307 ; the first belonged to Angelica Schuyler ; the second to Susannah de Lancey, and the third to Judith Crommelin Ver Planck. They are worn by lineal descendants of the original owners. A locket of the period appears on page 309, painted with a figure of Ceres. This was a gift in England from John Austen to Martha Colgate and is now owned by their granddaughter, Mrs. Martha Colgate Singleton. The chairs on page 314 show the Chinese taste of the day as applied by Chippendale. " House and Lot. " (1767.) 315 Y SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS MARIONETTES, puppet-shows and waxworks were extremely popular. New exhibitions of this character were constantly being imported. Posture-makers, tumblers, acrobats, conjurers and rope-walkers not unfrequently appeared with these shows. Occasion- ally, the "artists" of the latter class, as they called themselves, considered themselves of sufficient impor- tance to perform alone. In 1734, for instance, "is to be seen the famous German artist who is to per- form the wonders of the world by dexterity of hand. The things he performs are too numerous to be enumerated here." We gain a good idea of these curious shows from the managers' own accounts, in 1747 and 1749: " To be seen at the house of Mr. Hamilton Hewetson at the Sign of the Spread Eagle, near White-Hall Slip, Punch's Opera, Bateman or the Unhappy Marriage, with a fine Dialogue between Punch and his wife Joan. Acted by a set of lively figures from Philadelphia. Also a most curious Posture-Maker Boy, late from Dublin, who performs with the utmost Dex- terity, most surprising Postures, transforming himself into a great number of various Shapes, together with a great Variety of Tumbling, exceeding pleasant and diverting ; and many other curiosities too tedious to mention." "To be seen at a large theatrical room next to the Sign of the Dolphin (built on purpose) near the workhouse, for the entertainment of gentlemen, ladies and others to-morrow even- 316 Amusements ing and to continue with different plays every week, Punch's company of comedians." " This is to acquaint the curious that the effigies of the Royal Family and that of the Queen of Hungary and other curiosities in wax are to be seen (from 7 A. M. to 6 p. M.) and as the stay of the said curiosities will be but a few days in town the price is reduced to 1/6 for each person. N. B. None to be admitted without present pay." In 1753, a woman was attracting attention. In- teresting as Mr. Dugee's feats were, the " Female Samson " must have created the most enthusiasm. The Dugees explained their performance as follows : " (By Permission) Will be exhibited by Anthony Jacob Dugee, the young Indian, and little negro boy the accustomed surprising and entertaining performances on the stiff rope and slack wire (scarcely perceptible) together with the usual equili- bries on the chairs and pins, as well by the black as the In- dian boy. After which the company will be agreeably enter- tained with the wonderful feats of strength and activity of Mrs. Dugee which has given so much satisfaction to H. R. H. the Princess Dowager of Wales and the Royal Family of Great Britain that they were pleased to call her The Female Samson. I. She lies with her body extended between two chairs and bears an anvil of 300 Ib. on her breast, and will suffer two men to strike it with sledge hammers. II. She will bear six men to stand on her breast lying in the same position. III. She will lift the above anvil by the hair of her head. IV. She will suffer a stone of 700 Ib. to lye on her breast and throw it off six feet from her. In particular, Mr. Dugee will dance the stiff-rope with iron fetters on his feet. The whole to conclude with a dance called the Drunken Peasant." No show, however, in the middle of the century could compare with the Tragedy of Young Bateman. It was thrilling. In 1756, we read : " Now to be seen by the curious, at the house of Mr. Adam A T andenbergh in the Broadway, a curious musical machine 317 Social New York Under the Georges which represents the tragedy of Bateman, viz. First, two fold- ing doors fly open, a curtain draws itself up, and exhibits a company of gentlemen and ladies, with knives and forks in motion, sat down to a wedding dinner. The bride having promised marriage to young Bateman, proving false and marrying old Jermain. Bateman hangs himself on her wedding-day. Four cupids fly down and carry Bateman away. The bride still enjoying her- self at dinner, she at last falls from the table dead ; and her rosy colour changes to a deadly paleness. After Mahogany table, originally which> the Devil CQmes up> and carries owned by Captain Dan- her away> Here thg curtain fal i s> and iel Cox ; now by Wil- endg the firgt Act The curtain draw . mot Townsend Cox, j n g up a seconc l time, instead of the Esq- wedding exhibits young Bateman laid in state, with the mourners about him, dressed in black coats and white hatbands; the room hung with escutcheons, and six ringers, in their shirts, ringing the bells. The representation of a carpenter's yard, with people at work, with several other moving figures." About the middle of the century, there was ex- hibited a splendid collection of waxworks which met with an unfortunate accident. The sad calamity is j thus described : " On Monday evening about six o'clock a fire was discov- ered in the house of Mrs. Wright, the ingenious artist in wax- works, and proprietor of the figures so nearly resembling the life which have for some time past been exhibited in this city to general satisfaction. The accident happened when Mrs. Wright was abroad, and only children at home ; and was occa- sioned by one of them accidentally setting fire to a curtain inclosing some of the figures. The child for some time in vain endeavoured to extinguish the fire, which was soon committed 318 Amusements to the clothes of the figures and the wax of which they were composed. The neighbours immediately assembled and with the greatest care and expedition gave all possible assistance and preserving the household goods; the fire-engines played into the house, but tho' most of the waxwork was destroyed (together with some new pieces which Mrs. Wells, sister to Mrs. Wright, had lately brought from Charlestown, the whole amounting it is said to the value of several hundred pounds) yet she was so fortunate as to save the curious pieces of the Rev. Mr. Whitefield, the Pennsylvania Farmer, and some others, which she still continues to exhibit; and we hear she proposes to repair the loss sustained by this fire as soon as possible, by making some new and curious pieces." T\vo months later, the damage was repaired, the new pieces being the murder of Abel by Cain, and the treachery of Delilah to Samson. In 1/67, an ex- hibition for the Benefit of the Poor was held. " In a commodious room, which is now fitted up in theatri- cal manner, for the accommodation of ladies and gen- tlemen, at the Sign of the Orange Tree on Golden Hill, will be presented the noted Bayly's performances by Dexterity of Hand, with a variety of curious Bal- ances by the noted Hymes, lately arrived from Sad- dlers Wells ; with the facetious humours of Mr. Punch, his family, and company of artificial comedians three feet high ; a view of the sea with ships, mermaids, fish, sea-monsters, etc., which is allowed the most natural curiosity of the kind ever seen ; and a court of twenty-five figures, or an assembly of maids and bachelors." In addition to waxworks and other artificial fig- ures, there was great interest in living monsters and curiosities. Animals familiar enough to us seem Social New York Under the Georges to have excited the public considerably. These were shown in private houses and taverns. In 1749, "We hear that Mr. Bonnin has got one of the greatest curiosities in nature. This wonderful phenomenon is beyond our power to describe as fully as to communicate an adequate idea of it. It is a crab fish, with most of its shell on both sides, preserved in its natural colour, and the spawn is petrified into a hard stone." This, however, paled before the next exhibit which was offered in i 75 i : "To be seen at the House of John Bonnin next door to Mr. Peter Brewer's near the new Dutch Church a curious live Porcupine of various colours; a creature arm'd with Darts, which resemble Writing Pens, tho' of different Colours, and which he shoots at any Adversary with ease when angry or attack'd tho' otherwise of great good Humour and Gentleness. He will eat in the Presence of any Person, and is justly Es- teemed a great Rarity in these Parts." The obliging and altogether admirable porcupine had a rival for popular favour in the same year : "Be seen at the House of Mr. Edward Willet at White Hall a Creature called a Japanese of about 2 Feet high, his Body resembling a human Body in all parts except the feet and tail : He walks upright and performs various Actions to Ad- miration such as walking upon a Line, hanging and swinging under it, exercising the Firelock, dances to any Tune and Sun- dry other Things too tedious to mention. The Sense and Agility of this Creature renders him worthy the Observation of the Curious." In 1754, there was "To be seen at the house of Roger Magrah, a Living Allegator, full four feet long." In 1755, " Capt. Seymour in the ship, Fame, has brought in with him a young lioness of about two 320 Amusements foot high. He likewise had on hoard two ostriches which we are told he brought from the African coast, being fowls of that country, but they both died on the passage." In 1759, a buffalo and "a wild animal Painted and japanned tray and plated soup-tureen, castors and cake-basket. See pages 1 13 and 165. lately from the Mississippi" and in 1769, we read "a Tyger to be seen at the King's Arm's Tavern on the Green. Price 6rf. Tis a very beautiful animal." Again it was announced : In 1773, "The wonderful electrical fish is exhibited at the house of John Rawdon, hairdresser, in Broad St. ; also at Mr. 22 521 Social New York Under the Georges Allen's stables, near the Fly Market, a remarkable fine young- elk. The fish has never (that we know of) been seen in the northern parts of America or Europe. Those who choose to gratify their curiosity by viewing this very extraordinary pro- duction of nature, at the small expense of two shillings each, are desired to attend speedily." The elk would receive visitors at 6d. for a grown person, and 3d. for a child. For several years, Mr. Bonnin gave English pros- pects or views. On Dec. i2th he advertised "the first eight English prospects and next week the other eight, which are all that he has as yet shown." On Jan. 7, 1/49, he promised that he would show seven English cathedrals ; and on the same day, he an- nounced : " The great wager depending between some English and French gentlemen of this city, viz., whether the English palaces, gardens, etc., or the French ones, are the finest and most mag- nificent, is to be decided at Mr. Bonnin's room to-morrow if it proves good weather by a jury of twelve men who were never in Europe. This week twelve views of Venice not on the canals; next week twelve on the canals." The following week he gives twelve ships of all sizes in all stations of weather "and also prospects of Rome and Naples." He understood the art of advertising. In 1748, the following was printed : " We hear that Mr. Bonnin is so crowded with company to view his perspectives that he can scarce get even so much time as to eat, drink, or say his prayers, from the time he gets out of bed till he repairs to it again ; and it is the opinion of some able physician that if he makes rich, it must be at the expense of the health of his body ; and of some learned divines, that it must be at the expense of the welfare of his poor soul ' Nay, his own old shipmates, who went a privateering with him, swear he would have stood a better chance for a fair wind to the haven of rest, and would have come to port with more 322 Amusements safety had he continued still aboard! They are a sett of sad dogs to talk so profanely of such a subject." A few weeks later, the papers announced : " Mr. Bonnin intended to go to-day to Long Island, but the people of all ranks and ages crowded to see him in such numbers all the week, which encouragement, together with the cries, tears and prayers of the populace, as he passes along the streets, to continue another week longer in town, have at last prevailed upon him to defer his removal till next week." " It has now become the daily custom of our ladies of dis- tinction to ask their husbands and sweethearts to treat them to a walk to Kensington, Hampton Court, A'aux Hall, Rane- lagh House and other grand palaces and gardens in and about London, as naturally as if they lived by the Royal Exchange or St. Paul's; and, as in good weather they used to do, to treat them with a jaunt to Long Island or King's Bridge. To en- force their arguments, they insist upon it that there is less danger and expence in visiting the former than the latter place, and abundance more pleasure and instruction. In short, there's nobody can set up the least face for politeness and conversa- tion without having been with Mr. Bonnin ; and embellishing their discourses with making judicious and elaborate observa- tions and criticisms on this, that, and the other building, im- provement, or dress. So that instead of our travellers enter- taining the ladies with their feigned and confused accounts of the fine palaces they have seen in England, the case is quite altered; for the ladies correct and often detect their false pre- tended description, and entertain them with a just, beautiful and regular one." Anything of the description of a panorama, dis- solving views (particularly those that showed foreign buildings and scenery), musical clocks, or microscopes always attracted an audience. Frequently, too, the men who owned such devices were hidden to exhibit their pictures in private houses, and if the apparatus 323 Social New York Under the Georges could not be removed, for a consideration the views were shown to a private audience at any hour that such exclusive ladies and gentlemen desired. What was evidently a diorama was shown in 1747 : " At the house of Mr. John Hays at the sign of St. An- drew's Cross, near the Fly Market, is to be seen a large moving machine or land and water skip, representing many things moving nearly imitating nature. N. B. If any gentlemen or ladies hath a mind to have private view of the same, they may, by giving two hours' warning before- hand." An exhibit that created some- thing- more than a ripple of excitement in the town in 1756 was heralded in the fol- lowing notice : " That cele- brated piece of mechanism, called the Microcosm or World in Miniature, is ex- pected in town this day from Philadelphia. " Everybody went to see it. A poetical Mahogany and gilded mir- description of it by an enthusi- ror originally owned asdc admirer a]one fiUed twQ col . by Rutger Bleecker, of , A 1k , ,, umns of a newspaper. Albany ; now by Mrs. Wilmot T. Cox'. See In ! 7 6 3< the 'Miniature city page 98. of Malaga" was shown at the house of Mr. Provoost, gunsmith, at the price of one shilling ; and in i 764, the town had the advantage of seeing "Jerusalem, a view of that famous city, after a work of seven years." This " rep- 324 Amusements resents Jerusalem, the Temple of Solomon, his Royal Throne, the noted Houses, Towers and Hills ; likewise the Sufferings of our Saviour from the Garden of Gethserriane to the Cross on the Hill of Golgotha ; an artful piece of statuary, in which everything is exhib- ited in the most natural manner and worthy to he seen by the curious." In 1/74 mechanical shows are offered. The first is : " The unparallel'd Musical Clock, made by the great master of Machinery David Lockwood. This great curiosity performs by Springs only; it is a machine incomparable in its kind; it excells all others in the Beauty of its Structure ; it is most entertaining in its Music, and plays the choicest Airs from the celebrated Operas with the greatest Nicety and Exactness. It performs with beautiful Graces, ingeniously and variously in- termix'd, the French Horn Pieces, perform'd upon the Organ, German and Common Flute, Flageolet, etc., as Sonatas, Con- certas, Marches, Minuets, Jiggs, and Scotch Airs, composed by Corelli, Alberoni, Mr. Handel, and other great and eminent Masters of Music." The second is thus described : " By desire of several Gentlemen and Ladies, The Solar or Camera Obscura Microscope which has given such general sat- isfaction, and so great a Concourse of Gentlemen and Ladies continually attend to see it, is now removed to the House of Mr. John Kip in Broad Street, where the Sun will serve all the Day long. " It is the most entertaining of any Microscope whatsoever, and magnifies objects to a most surprising Degree. The Ani- malculae in several Sorts of Fluids, with many other living and dead Objects too tedious to mention, will be shown incredu- lously magnified, and at the same Time distinct, to the entire Satisfaction of the Spectators: As the circulation of the Blood in a Frog's Foot, a Flea, a Fish's Tail, and in many small In- sects, that an Hundred of them will not exceed the Bigness 325 Social New Yorh Under the Georges of a grain of Sand, with their young in them. This Curiosity was never shewn before by any Person that Travels." Humorous illustrated lectures were also in vogue. " By permission of His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Wall the comedian will exhibit at Mr. Hull's great Room on Wed- nesday Evening July 21, 1773, a new lecture writ- ten by the author of the much admired Lecture on Heads. The Paintings, etc., are entirely new and never before exhibited in America." It seems that this was a sort of stereopticon, or magic lantern ex- hibition accompa- nied with the usual entertaining and explanatory com- ments. It was in three parts and the excessive head dresses Mahogany card table, owned by Mrs. of the day were held up Edward Parke Custis Lewis. See to ridicule. In the first page ill. part one of the topics was "the sheep's tail maca- roni," and this was followed by the " thick stock ditto " and the " turn down collar." Among the subjects of the second part were : "Ladies Heads in HighTaste,Men's Hats,Maccaroni Thanet,and Corded Thanet." Part III. included " Ladies High Head Dresses ; Artificial Candle Light Face and the appearance of the same Face the next morning ; the Grand Secret of Attraction, Two Portraits of the Same Lady in a good and ill Humour; Courtship and Matri- mony ; Matrimonial Vis-a-vis; and Complete Macaroni." The price of each ticket was five shillings. The managers assured the public that " Care will be taken to keep the Room cool." 326 PART VII MANNERS, FOOD AND CULTURE, PART VII MANNERS, FOOD AND CULTURE ACCOMPLISHMENTS BOTH men and women of the upper classes were not only well educated, but were expected to have accomplishments. New York was rich in private schools and competent teachers. In the schools, mathematics, Greek, Latin, and modern languages received much attention, and it was usually the cus- tom for the wives of school-masters to hold classes for young ladies, especially to instruct them in plain Embroidery of the period in the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames. See page 334. and fancy needlework and embroidery. A very good idea of the ordinary school course is found as early as J J 1731, when "at the House of George Brownell near the Custom-House, are taught Reading, Writing, Cyphering, Merchants Accompts, Latin, Greek, etc., 329 Social New York Under the Georges also Dancing, Plain-Work, Flourishing, Imbroidery and various sorts of works. Any persons may be taught as private as they please." Languages were of the utmost importance, as will be proved by the following advertisements : "This is to give notice that over against the Sign of the Black Horse, in Smith Street, near the Old Dutch Church, is carefully taught the French and Spanish Languages after the best method that is now practized in Great Britain." (1735.) The terms were twenty shillings the quarter. " John William Delisle wants to teach French to Ladies and Gentlemen at one pistole per month and six shillings en- trance." He naively adds : " I hope I shall repair the character of those that are gone away with the public's money." (1749). " Anthony Fiva has taught English, French, Spanish and Italian for these two years past." (1744.) New Yorkers were always abreast of the latest European steps and dances. W. C. Hulett was as accomplished a dancer and dancing-master as he was a violinist, and taught both music and dancing. (See page 295). In 1753, he taught dancing and adver- tised himself as "late apprentice to Mr. Grenier of London, dancing-master." His success justified him in opening a Dancing-School in 1 764. This was situated in French Church Street, near the Assembly Room. In 1775, he was still a fashionable master, keeping up with the newest dances, teaching " accord- ing to the present taste both in London and Paris," the following : " The Louvre ; the Minuet ; Dauphine ; Rigadoon ; Bretagne ; Allemando ; Double Minuet ; Minuet by eight; Hornpipes; and the Cotillons and English Country-Dances." His chief rival at this time was Pietro Sodi, who had established with Biferi 330 Manners, Food and Culture and Cozani an academy for music, dancing- and lan- guages. There were a number of other dancing-masters and schools ; in many of the latter fencing was taught. Mr. Ilulett began this fashion. Among the other dancing-masters were : John Rivers, who opened a dancing and fencing school in Stone Street in 1757, and kept "a public dance Monday evenings" ; ^Vil- liam Turner, who had a dancing and fencing school over the Royal Exchange in i 764 ; Du Poke and De St. Pry, who opened a French, Fencing and Dancing Academy in Little Dock Street in 1775, where they taught " French jigs, hornpipes, cotillons, German dances and French country dances of all kinds in the most approved and modern taste"; and William Tetley, whom \ve find in 1775, announcing that "he served an apprenticeship under Mons. Gherarde, of London." He also " paints oil and miniature por- traits, and teaches drawing." To be a graceful and skillful fencer was the ambi- tion of every gentleman. Swords were worn and whipped from their scabbards at the slightest provo- cation. It was therefore necessary to understand the art of defence. Fencing was and properly consid- ered one of the best aids to a graceful carriage, ease of movement, and courtly manners. Gentlemen could take their lessons in the academies, or the teachers would wait upon them at their houses. One of the best fencing-masters thus drew attention to himself : " These are to give notice to all gentlemen who desire to learn the right Method and true Art of Defence and pursuit of the small sword in its greatest Perfection, and extraordinary Social New York Under the Georges quick and speedy with all the guard, Parades, Mounts and les- sons thereto belonging, fully described, and the best Rule for Playing against Artists or Others with Blunts or Sharps; that they may be taught the same by me Richard Lyneall, Professor and Master of the said Art, who is to be spoke with at the House of Mrs. Elizabeth Parmyster in Beaver St. Note, he teaches gentlemen either in Private or Publick by the month or by the whole." (1756). A very accomplished fencer was Peter Yiany who attained fashionable patronage. He lived near the Exchange and also taught dancing. He informed the public that " he has no dancing-room, but will teach privately at their homes the Minuet to ladies and gentlemen in two months' time." In 1 769, he was still a fashionable teacher of both accomplish- ments, which is not astonishing, as he assured his patrons that " he teaches in the style of the best masters in Europe and their manner is discoverable in his scholars." A sword of the period is shown on page 263. Painting was also an accomplishment. There was a Society for Promoting Arts, and every encourage- ment was given to artists of the brush and pencil. Drawing and painting were taught in the schools and teachers gave private lessons. A portrait-painter came to New York in i 754, and thus announced himself : "Lawrence Kilburn, Limner, just arrived from London ac- quaints all gentlemen and ladies inclined to favour him in having their pictures drawn, that he dont doubt of pleasing them in taking a true likeness and finishing the drapery in a proper manner, as also in the choice of attitudes suitable to each person's age and sex and giving agreeable satis- faction, as he has heretofore done to gentlemen and ladies in London." 332 Manners, Food and Culture He succeeded by means of his portraits and les- sons, for in 1 765 he says : " At present there is no other portrait-painter in this city but himself." A rival portrait-painter was Abraham Delanoy who lived in New Dutch Church Street. In 1768, we read that Sampler owned by Mrs. Charles S. Fairchild. See page 334. John Durand has "from his infancy endeavoured to qualify himself in the art of historical painting" and " humbly hopes for that encouragement from the gentlemen and ladies of this city and province that so elegant and entertaining an art has always ob- tained from people of the most improved minds." Painting on glass was a favourite art dating from the early part of the century. In 1745, Gcrardus Duvckinck taught " anv vounjj Gentlemen the Art of * O J J O Drawing with Painting on Glass"; and, in 1/53, we learn that " By a person lately arrived in this Town, Social New York Under the Georges Painting upon Glass (commonly called burning upon glass) is performed in a neat and curious manner so as never to change its colour. Perspective views neatly coloured for the Camera Obscura." The ladies of our period were as accomplished in needlework as in cookery. Plain and fancy sewing was always a part of a gentlewoman's education. An idea of what was taught in a school especially for young ladies was shown in 1/47, when "in the back part of Mr. Benson's Brew-House a school is opened to teach young Ladies Reading and Writing, all sorts of Needlework and the making of Artificial Flowers." Every girl was required to work a sampler. Speci- mens, owned by Mrs. Charles S. Fairchild, appear on pages 333 and 340. Ladies made many articles for their homes and many of the pretty things they wore. There were a great number of teachers. In 1731, " Martha Gazley late from Great Britain, now in the City of New York, Makes and Teacheth the following Curious Works, viz, Artificial Fruit and Flowers, and other Wax-Work, Nuns-Work, Philligree and Pencil Work upon Muslin, all sorts of Needle-Work, and Raising of Paste, as also to Paint upon Glass and Transparant for Sconces, with other works. If any young Gentlewomen, or others are inclined to learn any or all of the above-mentioned curious Works, they may be carefully taught and instructed in the same." In 1765, Mrs. Thomas Carroll, whose husband had a "mathematical school" in Broad Street, taught " Young Ladies plain work, samplars, French quilt- ing, knoting for Bed Quilts or Toilets, Dresden flow- ering on Catgut, shading with silk on worsted or Cambrick, Lawn or Holland." A specimen of what she was able to teach appears on page 329. 334 Manners, Food and Culture In 1/69, Clementina and Jane Fergusson taught " plain needlework, sampler, crowning, Dresden catgut, shading in silk on Holland or cambrick and in silk or worsted on canvas, as also all sorts of needlework in use for dress or furniture." In 1/73, Mrs. Cole and \Yilliam and Sarah Long, all from London, were teach- ing tambour work in gold and silver and embroider}' ; and in the next year Mrs. Belton was giving lessons in "tapestry, embroidery, catgut, sprigging of muslin, etc." On page 273 is shown a small letter-case embroid- ered in green and red silk by one of the ladies of the day, Mrs. Cornelia Haring Jones, who put the date 1768 upon it. It is owned by her great-great-grand- daughter, Mrs. French Ensor Chadwick. Another card- or letter-case is shown on page 263. Sewing was made attractive. The work-boxes of the period were very beautifully made and fitted up with compartments and furnished with pretty ivorv, steel, silver and gold implements of every kind. On page 388 some sewing articles are shown, a set of five pieces made of steel, ornamented with gold and silver ; a stand with three reels for winding silk upon, and two " sewing-birds " with clamps to fasten them on the table. These stand upon a table after a design by J. C. Delafosse. Upon the table are also placed a Vernis Martin box with " Chinoiserie " decoration, a silver punch-ladle with ebony handle, and a pair of candlesticks. These are in the Museum, Cooper Union. The needlework of the New York ladies was thus very delicate and beautiful : they were not accus- tomed to do any coarse work that would roughen their hands and fatiirue their bodies. The higfh-heeled o o Social New York Under the Georges shoe of the aristocratic and wealthy woman was accus- tomed to the pedal of the harpsichord, but had slight acquaintance with the spinning-wheel, and her hands that could sprig muslin or embroider catgut gauze in gold and silver had little knowledge of how to use the distaff. It seems that the spinning-wheel was practi- cally unknown to the ladies of New York, who were quite satisfied to let it keep its proper place. The date of the following item is i 769 : "Three young Ladies at Huntington on Long Island, namely Ermina, Leticia and Sabina, having met together, agreed to try their Dexterity at the Spinning- Wheel ; accordingly the next morning they sit themselves down, and like the Virtuous Woman, put their Hands to the Spindle and held the Distaff; at Evening they had 26 Skeins of good Linen Yarn each Skin containing 4 ounces, all which were the effects of that Day's Work only. " N. B. It is hoped that the Ladies of Connecticut and Rhode Island, who have shown their skill and Industry at the spinning-wheel, will be sincerely pleased to find their laudable example Spinning-wheel owned by so well imitated in Huntington, and the Duane family ; now that it has kindled a spirit of generous Emulation in the Ladies of New York Government; we hope the same Spirit will spread thro' the Continent. That the Ladies while they vie with each other in Skill and Industry in this profitable Employment, may vie with the men, in con- tributing to the Preservation and Prosperity of their Country, and equally share the Honour of it." An old spinning-wheel is reproduced above. 336 by Mrs. Wilmot Town- send Cox. Manners, Food and Culture There were many opportunities for reading and buying books. In the early part of the century, \Yil- liam Bradford, and later, Hugh Gaine, Garrat Noel and James Rivington, imported nearly everything that was in vogue in London. It is remarkable to see ho\v quickly the new books arrived in Ne\v York. Chambers's Universal Dictionary of all Arts and Sci- ence \\?& sold by William Bradford in 1/33. Bibles, prayer-books, dictionaries, books on navigation, and calendars were always kept in stock ; and the latest sensations, with sermons, novels and songs that were attracting attention abroad were alwavs advertised. o s The kind of books that we find most frequently on sale from 1/44 to 1751 are : Bibles, Psalters, Testa- ments, Primers, Watts's Hymns, Seaman's Kalandars, School-books, ^-Esop's Fables, The Pilgrim's Progress, Mrs. Rowe's Devout Exercises, The Academy of Com- pliments, Laugh and be Fat, A History of Pirates, Reynard tJie Fo.\~, Pamela, La Belle Assembly, Claris- sa, Peregrine Pickle, Gay's Fables, La Fontaine's Fa- bles, 7\-> m Jon es, Hey wood's novel, Abercromby's His- tory of Scotland, The Spectator, The Ladies Library (3 vols.), A History of Birds ( 2 vols.), Voltaire's Letters, Robinson Crusoe, A History of Buccaneers, The Ara- bian Nights Entertainments (6 vols.), Milton's Para- dise Lost, Thompson's Seasons, I ^ leu tine and Orson, The U7io/c Duty of ^[an, etc., etc. It would be futile to continue the lists of books that were imported or republished by the printers and booksellers of New York, for they include all the new English publications. The London magazines came in with every ship, and the Gentleman s Maga- 23 337 Social New York Under ibe Georges zinc, the Ladys Magazine, the London Magazine^ La Belle Assemble, etc., etc., could be purchased by those who were not special subscribers. Children were not forgotten, for we find books imported for them, espe- cially at the Christmas season : " Pretty Books for Children;" "Pretty Books for Little Masters and Mistresses," constantly appear. In 1767, Garrat Noel was good enough to give a list of juvenile literature. He informed readers that he had "a very large parcel of Mr. Newberrys beaut if 21! Gilt Picture books, for the Entertainment of Jiis old friends, tJie pretty Mas- ters and Misses of A r ew } ~ork. Among them they will find : The History of Giles Gingerbread, Esq. ; The History of Goody Two Shoes ; Niirsc Triicloves CJiristmas Box and New Years Gift ; The Easter, Whitsuntide and Valentine's Gift ; The Fairing, or Golden Toy ; The Little Lottery Book ; Be Merry and Wise; blaster Tommy Trapwits ; Jests and Poems for Children, Six Feet High ; and Royal Primmer" It was evidently the custom for many persons to buy their books in cheap covers and to have them bound to suit their own taste. As early as 1/32, we learn that "Joseph Johnson, of the City of New York, Book-binder, is now set up Book-binding for himself as formerly and lives in Duke Street (com- monly called Bayard's Street) near the Old Slip Mar- ket ; where all Persons in Town or Country, may have their books carefully and neatly new bound, either Plain or Gilt Reasonable." Persons who borrowed books were not always careful to return them. We read in i 748 and i 749 : Manners, Food and Culture " The she-person that has borrowed Air. Tho. Brown's works from a gentleman she is well acquainted with, is desired to return them speedily." " The person that so ingeniously borrowed Sir Isaac New- ton's works out of my printing office is earnestly desired to return them speedily, they being none of my property." Again, in i 763, some one sends the following to the papers : " Lent to some persons who have too much modesty to return them unasked The first volume of Swift's works of a small edition. The ninth volume of the Critical Review. One volume of Tristram Shandy, and the first part of Candid. The owner's arms and name in each, who will be much obliged to the borrowers for the perusal of the above books when they have no further use for them." There were two good libraries in the city. The oldest was the Society Library. On Oct. 21, 1754, the following notice was printed : " Notice is hereby given to the proprietors of the New York Society Library that the books belonging to that library, lately imported, are placed for the present, by leave of the Corporation, in their library room in the City Hall; and that the same will be open twice in every week i. e. on Tuesdays and Fridays from the hours of ten to twelve, when constant attendance will be given. The terms established by the trust- ees for the loan of books to non-subscribers are : to deposite in the hands of the librarian one third more than the value of the book borrowed, till it shall be returned, and to pay for the use of same when returned, as follows, viz : For a folio size, one month, 4^., for a quarto size, one month, 2^., octavo or lesser vol., one month, \s. (one shilling per diem exceeding one month)." Another circulating library owed its existence to the enterprise of Garrat Noel, the bookseller, who opened a library " consisting of several thousand vol- 339 Social New York Under the Georges umes " in i 763, next door to the Merchant's Coffee House. In 1765, he advertised: "All persons that choose to spend their leisure hours in reading may be supplied from this source of laudable amusement a whole year at the easy rate of four dollars." It may be interest- ing now to read a contemporary criti- cism of one of the popular novels of the day, written without any idea that it would be read save Sampler owned by Mrs. Charles S. Fair- by the person to child. See page 3 34. whom it was ad- dressed. This is con- tained in a letter dated June 29, 1743, and was written to his sister, Mary Parker, by Elisha Parker (see pages 3O2-'3), who sent the last two volumes of Pamela : " They are books that have been generally well esteemed of and read by your part of the world especially. I think 'em by far the most proper book of any I ever saw for the youth of both, but especially of your sex. Virtue is there painted in such lively and amiable colours with such great rewards attending it and the bad and its consequences of a vicious course of life so well described that it can't but deeply fix in the mind of an unprejudiced reader a lasting love of the one and utter abhorance of the other. I have too good an opinion 340 Manners, Food and Culture of you to think the assistance of books is wanted. However, the more virtuously inclined the mind of any person is, the more will it delight in hearing of virtue praised and this with the advantage that it will be got by reading a stile so beautiful and natural as the stile of Pamela." Effigy of Mr. Rivington, the Tory printer, hung in New Brunswick. (1774. j 341 II FOOD FROM THE FIELDS AND THE SEA Ix former pages, the importance of kitchen gar- dens and orchards has been fully disclosed in the ac- counts of houses and estates for sale or lease. Fruits and vegetables were raised in large quantities from the earliest times. When the Dutch settled here, they brought with them their favourite salads, roots, greens, and fruits. They also found indigenous vege- tables and fruits which they gladly cultivated and cooked. As good beer could be made here as at home, for wheat, rye, barley, oats, and corn were raised in profusion, while good hops grew wild in the woods. Wild fruits that the land produced in great abun- dance included grapes of many varieties, mulberries, cherries, currants, plums, gooseberries, medlars, bil- berries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries and straw- berries in such profusion that people lay down in the fields and ^oro-ed themselves with them. Edible nuts o o that enriched the sylvan ways were sweet acorns, chestnuts, beechnuts, walnuts, butternuts, and hazel- nuts. Other wild products of which the settlers availed themselves were pignuts, artichokes, leeks, onions, peas, cucumbers, pumpkins, melons, water- melons, squash and other gourds. The Dutch and English brought native seeds for Manner^ Food and Culture herbs and salads. We therefore find their gardens O well supplied with beans, peas, turnips, cabbages, parsnips, carrots, beets, endive, succory, sorrel, dill, spinach, radishes, parsley, chevril (or sweet cicely), cress, onions, leeks, laurel, artichokes, asparagus, rose- mary, lavender, hyssop, thyme, sage, marjoram, balm ; holy onions, wormwood, belury, chives, clary, pimper- nel, dragon's blood, five-finger, and tarragon. The pumpkin, despised at home, was held in high esteem in New York in very early days, where the English used it for pies. They also made a beverage from it. Gardeners were in demand for useful even more than ornamental service. Advertisements of seeds by the Fort gardener and others were common, and seeds imported by merchants were also often an- nounced. From these we see what a great variety of the different herbs, roots, and esculents were culti- vated. In March, 1775, we find a long list of seeds advertised. These consisted of many varieties of cab- bage, salad, carrot, spinach, turnip, endive and parsley ; besides Italian broccoli, best Dutch cauliflower and cucumber ; Zealand, blood -red, French white, and great Spanish onions ; long, white and red radishes ; "ramanarse," suckerye, rosemary, artichokes, parsnips, peppergrass, caraway, Winter leeks, Summer do., red beet, Dutch celery, great Flemish do., ketchup, thyme, fattacouse and several other sorts of seed. The varie- ties of cabbage seed were early great Battersea, flat white Brunswick, low brown head, Utrecht head, high brown curled, high green curled, fine blood-red, red head, early white, yellow Bloomingdale, low green curled, great Amsterdam savoy, and green savoy. The 343 Part of pictorial almanac (1732); originally owned by Governor William Livingston. Now in the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames. See pages 346-7. Manners, Food and Culture " salad " seeds were Swedish, great yellow, large brown, great Berlin, small red, great Mogul, Spanish, speckled, yellow stone, small yellow, princes, cut head, large Amsterdam, sour, curled cut and early cut. The varieties of carrot were parsley, long yellow, long red, earlv, creat yellow, schonanul and susjar carrot. The y * o y *-* kinds of spinach were broad-leaved, round, small, and sour ; then there were broad-leaved, curled and broad curled endive ; and yellow Dutch, green, curled and French parsley. The varieties of turnip included yellow, white, early, cabbage, above -ground, under- ground, long French and white. Fruits were cultivated with equal assiduity. The best English and Dutch stocks were imported, and when possible grafted on the native trees to produce new and hardy varieties. The consequence was that in many cases New York orchards lost nothing by comparison with the best in Europe. The natural ad- vantages of soil and climate enabled the local nursery- man to raise pomology to a rare degree of excellence. In 1769, for example, ]] r illiam Prince, of Flushing, had the following varieties of fruit trees : English cherries : May Dukes, Black, White, Bleeding, Am- ber hearts and Red hearts, Coronations, Honey, Kentish, Muz- erine, Morello cherry. Nectarines : The Fair Child Early, Large Green Clingstone, Yellow, Yellow Roman, Red Roman, Elruge, Temples, Brugnon or Italian. Plums : Green Gage, Yellow Egg (as big as a hen's egg), White Sweet do. (bigger), Orleans do. (very large and fine), Imperatrice, Red Imperial, White Imperial, Drap d'Or, Royal, Apricot, White Bona Magnum, Yilet Pardegel, Red Diepper, Whiteten, Jean Hative, Precose Deture, Fotherings, Perdigron, 345 Social New York Under the Georges White Perdigron, Damis Vilet, La Prune Valure, Brig Nole, Carline, White Damson, Large Red Sweet, Large Holland, Early Sweet Damson, Late Sweet Damson. Apricots: Large Early, Large French Brussels, Breda, Orange, Masculine, Bloucht, Algier, Roman, Turkey, Small Sweet. Peaches : Rare Ripe, Early Nutmeg (ripe in July), Old New- ington, New Newington, Large Early, Large Early Clingstone, Large Red Clingstone (weighs from n to 15 oz.), Yellow Cling- stone called the Carolina Canada (weighs i lb.), Barcelona Yel- low Clingstone, Murketong, Large Red Stone (10 to 15 oz.), Large Yellow Clingstone (ripe Oct. isth, 10 to 12 oz.), Large White, do. (14 oz.), Large Lemon, do., English Double Rose, Large Yellow Malagatune, Large Yellow Winter Clingstone, Large White Stone, White Winter Clingstone, Blood Peach, Carolina Red Cheek Malagatune, Western Newington, Eliz- abeth, Yellow Catharine. Pears: Burgamot, Catharine, Vergalue, July, Monsieur Jean, Tromp Valet, French Primitive, Winter Bon Chretien, Easter Burgamot, Amber, Chaumontel, Russelet, Early Sugar, Burie Yert, Winter Burie, Burie de Roy, Green Chizell, Swan's Egg, Colmar, Crassan, Spanish Bon Chretien, Large Bell, Citron de Camis, Summer Burgamot, Autumn Burgamot, Brocause Bur- gamot, Winter Burgamot, Hampden's Burgamot, Ammerzell, Lent Sangermain, Gergenell, Rouselon, Cuffe Madam, Green Catharine, La Chasserie, Yourdal's Sangermain, Orange, Large Winter (near 21 Ibs.), Pear Wardens, Empress, Large Summer Baking. Apples : Newtown Pippins, White Pippins, Large Pippins, Golden Pippins, /Esopus Spitzenburgh, Newtown Spitzenburgh, Pearmains, Vandevels, Large Red and Green (ripe at Midsum- mer, weighs over i lb.), Genneting, Bow, English Codlin, Red Streaks, Jersey Greens, Golden Rennets, Russitons, Lady, Non Parrel, Lidington, Rhode Island Greening, Swar, Large White Sweeting, Bell Flower." Some of the names of these varieties appear be- neath an almanac shown on page 344. Upon this 346 Manners, Food and Culture is written, " From the collection of Robert Fur- ber, Gardener at South Kensington, 1/32, and sold by Thomas Bakewell, Birchin Lane, Cornhill, London. This hung in the state dining-room in Elizabeth, N. J." Not content with what their own orchards could supply, rich New Yorkers imported the fruits of the West Indies. Pineapples were regularly on the market. Watermelons were early taken into favour. Kalm says: "The watermelons which are cultivated near the town grow very large ; they are extremely delicious and are better than in other parts of North America, though they are planted in the open fields and never in a hot-bed. I saw a water-melon at Gov- ernor Clinton's in September, 1/50, which weighed forty-seven English pounds, and at a merchant's in town another of forty-two pounds weight ; however, they were reckoned the biggest ever seen in this country." In August, 17/4, an item read: "A water- melon was last week cut at a gentleman's table in this city that grew in his own garden on this island, that weighed no less than 50 Ibs." The fish caught in the fresh waters of New York province from the earliest days were salmon, sturgeon, striped bass, drums, shad, carp, perch, pike, trout, thick-heads, suckers, sunfish, catfish, eels, lampreys, divers, mullets, or frost-fish. The sea-food comprised cod, weakfish, halibut, herring, mackerel, thornback, flounders, plaice, bream, blackfish, lobsters, oysters, crabs, mussels, periwinkles, shrimps, lobsters, clams, turtles, and porpoises. Sturgeon were plentiful in the Hudson, but only the small size was eaten. The roe 347 Social New York Under the Georges was highly prized for caviare by the English. Stur- geon was also pickled for market. In 1/65, John Alexander & Co. advertised New York pickled sturgeon and vaunted its superiority "both as to the quality of the fish and the richness of the pickle." Coenties Slip Market (established 1691) was the Billingsgate of New York, and was known as the Great Fish Market. In 1721, Josiah Quincy peti- tioned the Corporation " for land at or near Kings- Wine bottles and glasses and copper tea-kettle ; now in the Museum of the New York Colonial Dames. See pages 163 and 164. bridge to erect a fishery, with liberty to fish in the river at that place ; and proposes to supply the mar- kets at New York with fish very fresh and at very easy rates, and in payment, rendering therefore yearly on every fourteenth day of October to this Corpora- tion a good dish of fresh fish." Five years later, the General Assembly granted to Lewis De Langloiserie the sole right to the porpoise fishery within this province for ten years. Shell-fish were particularly esteemed. This sea- 348 ' Manners, food and Culture food was always plentiful. During the Dutch rule, writers had remarked the abundance and excellence of lobsters, crabs, periwinkles, oysters, clams, mussels, shrimps and turtles. Some of the lobsters were enor- mous " being from five to six feet in length ; others again are from a foot to a foot and a half long, which are the best for the table." Most important of all shell-fish was the oyster, very extensive beds of which existed in the adjacent waters. The oysters, lobsters and other fish were to be found at the verv doors of j manv of the countrv-seats on this island and the j j islands in the bay. The provisions afforded by Na- ture have appeared in some advertisements already quoted. The following appears in 17/2 : " Little Bern Island at public auction, belonging to the estate of Mr. St. George Talbot, deceased, situate opposite New Har- lem Church, in the out-ward of this City, containing upwards of one hundred acres of land and meadows. It abounds with wild fowl, as ducks, geese, pidgeons, quails, etc., and has the advantage of a fine seine fishery, and black-fish, oysters, lob- sters, etc. Being in the vicinity of New York, the produce may be brought to the Fly Market with the tide of ebb, and the flood will waft the craft home." New York oysters were alwavs very fine. They J j J J were eaten raw, and cooked in almost as many ways as they are to-day. Moreover, every good hotel had pickled oysters on its bill of fare ; and they were ex- ported in large quantities. In 1774, Abraham Dela- noy announced that he " pickles oysters and lobsters ; and puts up fried oysters so as to keep a considerable time even in a hot climate." In i 753, a writer tes- tified : 349 Social New York Under the Georges "Though we abound in no one kind of fish sufficient for a staple, yet such is our happiness in this article that not one of the colonies affords a fish market of such a plentiful variety as ours. Boston has none but sea-fish, and of these Philadelphia is entirely destitute, being only furnished with the fish of a fresh water river New York is sufficiently supplied with both sorts. Nor ought our vast plenty of oysters to pass without particular observation ; in their quality they are exceeded by those of no country whatever. People of all ranks amongst us in general prefer them to any other kind of food. Nor is anything wanting, save a little of the filings of copper, to ren- der them equally relishing, even to an English palate, with the best from Colchester. They continue good eight months in the year, and are for two months longer the daily food of our poor. Their beds are within view of the town, and I am in- formed that an oysterman, industriously employed, may clear eight or ten shillings a day." In 17/1, attention was called to the law to prevent the giving or selling of unripe fruit and oysters within the city of New York. There was a $ penalty for bringing in oysters during May, June, July and Au- gust. Terrapin was eaten here two centuries and a half ago. New Yorkers of the Eighteenth Century were as fond as a London alderman of turtle. The Rev. Mr. Burnaby notes : "There are several houses pleas- antly situated upon the East River where it is com- mon to have turtle feasts ; these happen once or twice a week. Thirty or forty gentlemen and ladies meet to dine together, drink tea in the afternoon, fish, and amuse themselves till evening, and then return home in Italian chaises a gentleman and lady in each chaise. In the way there is a bridge, about three miles distant from New York which you always pass over as you 350 Manners, Food and Culture return, called the Kissing Bridge, where it is a part of the etiquette to salute the lady who has put herself under your protection." This bridge was over De Y< tor's mill-stream, about Fifty-third Street between Second and Third Avenues. The arrival of shad in April was always welcomed. Several large catches of this fish are recorded. Thus on April 19, 1/56, we read : " On last Thursday, 5,751 shad were caught at one draught on the west side of Long Island." A w r eek later, the editor notes : " The end of last week on the departure of most of His Majesty's forces, fresh beef was sold in our markets at 6 13 I Manners, Food and Culture ample of virtue, and may perhaps (as by experience is often found) be the ruin of her relations, the disgrace of her country, and the destruction of her own soul." The editor adds that he is very apt to think that this is nothing but truth "since I myself have ob- served that the young maidens of York and Flushing have not half the good qualities that they were blessed with in the years 1710 and 1711." Affairs of the heart and the business of getting a husband formed quite as important parts of fashion- able life as they do to-day. In a town where every energy was devoted to money-making, a portionless maiden had small chance of making a desirable match. The gay young English officers and merchants were fortune-hunters in many instances, and the native New Yorker was accustomed to go where money is. A prize in one of the many lotteries sometimes gave a poor maiden an advantage over her sisters, and therefore tickets could always be sold to the ladies. In 1747, a lady "whose hopes of getting a husband by a fortune in a lottery had been disappointed, draws up a Charitable Lottery a bill for the relief of the distressed widows and maidens of the City and Prov- ince of New York." " Whereas, by the great and melancholy disuse of holy matrimony in this city & province, an infinite number of His Majesty's good & loving female subjects remain widows, and others are left upon the hands of their parents in the unnatural state of virginity, to the grievous prejudice of the Common- wealth, the insupportable burden of private families, & the un- speakable concern, affliction & grief of the said females. And " IVhereas all ordinary methods to prevent or remedy so great & growing an evil, have hitherto proved ineffectual: 339 Social New York Under the Georges " Wherefore, for the better hindrance thereof for the future & for the necessary & due encouragement of propagation, which we ought more particularly now in time of war to pro- mote & attend to, It is prayed that it may be enacted; and " Be it enacted &c. That all the widows & virgins of the City & Province aforesaid, from the age of 15 to 50 may & shall be disposed of by lottery, in the following manner, that is to say, " Every unmarried male person of the age aforesaid, in this city (Sc province, that shall be allowed & approved of as proper adventurers in this lottery shall give in their names & take out each one ticket for which he shall pay the sum of ^5 : And that every widow & virgin shall & may each put in their names gratis. " The great prizes are to be two fortunes of ,5000 each ; 10 of ,1500 ; 4 of ^2000 ; 20 of ,1000 ; 40 of ^500 ; 50 of ^200 ; and 100 of ^100 each. The second prizes are Beauties in Number 200; Pretty girls, 100; Widows, 500; Agreeables, 200; Good conditioned, 400; Wits, 10; and Housewives, 5. The lowest prizes are, Women of Fashion & Good-breeding, 100 ; Good card-players, 200; Misses of General Accomplish- ments, 50; Friskies, 50; Special Breeders, 500; and Saints of the First Magnitude, 150. And in the list of blanks are com- prehended all the females of this city : province unmarried within the age aforesaid. ''And Whereas the principal objections against lotteries are the draining the poor of their money, and discouraging trade and industry ; " Be it provided, That in this present lottery no man shall be permitted to take a ticket who is not worth ^500, unless it be such useless and idle persons, who do little or nothing else all day but stroll up & down the streets with a pipe in their mouths smoking; & with respect to all such, it is hereby declared that they shall serve their country this way, seeing that they are or will be of no other use to the community. 'And be it further enacted that whatsoever any man shall draw, whether blank or prize, good or bad, he shall be obliged to husband & keep the same; whereby this City & Province will be relieved & discharged of all the present widows and vir- 39 Manners, Food and Culture gins, & of their doleful complaints, the births, in all proba- bility, increased to near one half the number this ensuing year. "And be it further enacted That in order to prevent any dis- putes & quarrels that may arise about fixing the value of the inestimable prizes, it is hereby declared that the Beauties shall be settled by the members of the Chit Chat Club, and the Pretties & Agreeablcs shall be rated by the number of their lovers, the Wits by the number of their enemies, and the Widows by their admirers "And Whereas some ill-affected & seditious persons, gen- erally known by the name of Old Bachelors, who omit no oppor- tunity of aspersing the administration, may go about to repre- sent this act as an attempt to introduce arbitrary power here in the plantations, by putting a grevious yoke on the necks of His Majesty's subjects residing in this province; it is hereby de- clared that there is nothing in this present act contrary to Magna Charta, or the Petition of Rights. And it is hereby further declared, That no persons, except old debauchees & bachelors above thirty shall be compelled to take a ticket, but only advised & exhorted thereto, (if they can show any good cause or lawful impediment against it.) And no person shall take more than one ticket, except C-n-c-11-rs, M-m-b-rs of the G-n-r-1 Ass-m-bly, J-dg-es, J-st-c-s of the P c, M-y-rs, R-c-rd-rs & Ald-r-m-n, Sailors & Soldiers, who are hereby al- lowed two, in case they do prove to the satisfaction of the Man- agers that one will not serve their turn. " And forasmuch as Betty Tiptoe, Spinster, trusting too- much to her beauty, wit & good fortune, & not having the fear of Virginity before her eyes, has refused diverse good offers, & merely out of wantonness & disdain, has showed a cruel de- light in the pains and sufferings of her admirers; it is there- fore thought proper to make an example of her, by not admit- ting her into the number of prizes in this present lottery. "And Whereas difficulties & disputes may possibly arise about determining in what rank of the prizes Kitty Woundall, Miss Blowsabout, Sally Prim, the Widow Cantwell & Miss Hyd- den should be placed, whether among the Beauties, the Pretties, or the Agreeablcs, they each claiming all three, to prevent con- 391 Social New York Under the Georges fusion save the public needless trouble, they are hereby de- sired to choose for themselves, as they shall like best, any one of the said three ranks, but no more." In i 735, another distressed lady, who signed herself Mrs. Nameless, wrote to the editor asking for advice since she was over head and ears in love. "But Custom and the Modesty of my own Sex forbids me to reveal it to the Dear Man I adore. I have often thought of discovering it by Letter, but I know the Vanity of the Sex so well, that I may depend upon being dispised the Moment I do it. With my Eyes I have often spoke, and my Tongue has very near betrayed me; but the Dear Charming Man seems not to mind what I say or do, tho' I fancy if he could Imagine how dearly I loved him, he would love me to the greatest Excess. How to discover my Passion is the greatest Difficulty I now labour under. I have at Church look'd him full in the Face; and when I had drawn his Eyes blusht as red as fire, whene'er he sees that sign he may be sure, that is the Lady that has fixt her Affec- tions. I could describe my seat in the Church, but I dread to make it too plain ; my Habits I sometimes, nay often, Change, and could I Change my Sex till I made my Passion known, I would not be a Moment from the Person I doat on ; But that is as impossible as a contented Mind at this Juncture." It was customary in fashionable circles to be mar- ried by license in the evening at the home of the bride's father. When retrenchment and simplicity of all kinds were cultivated after the Stamp Act, wed- ding and funeral expenses and parade were greatly cut down. In December, 1765, therefore, a wedding among people of wealth by publication of bans was worth a special notice : " We are credibly informed that there were married last Sunday evening by the Rev. Mr. Auchmuty, a very respectable couple that had been published at three different times in Trinity Church. A laudable example and worthy to be fol- 392 Manners, Food and Culture lowed. If this decent, and for many reasons proper, method of publication were once generally to take place, we should hear no more of clandestine marriages, and save the expence of licences, no inconsiderable sum these hard and distressing times." In announcing the wedding, the papers always had something complimentary to say of the bride, as in the following instances in 1759 : "Saturday night, Mr. John Lawrence of this city, merchant, was married to Miss Catherine Livingston, daughter of the Hon. Philip Livingston, Esq. ; late of this city, deceased, a very agreeable young lady with a handsome fortune." "Wednesday night last, Mr. Thomas Marston, son of Mr. Nathaniel Marston, merchant, of this city, was married to Miss Kitty Lispenard, daughter of Leonard Lispenard, Esq. ; of this place, merchant also; a most agreeable young lady possessed of all those good accomplishments that render the married state completely happy." In 1774, Thomas Moncrieff married the very amiable Miss Helena Barclay at her father's house in Wall Street. " Immediately after the ceremony, they set out for their country retirement on Long Island." This wedding took place in the morning, doubtless on account of the journey. New Yorkers were extremely fond of pets. A great number of advertisements of lost dogs appeared. Various breeds are described. In i 730, the Governor's dog, a large young mastiff, was lost ; in i 734, a slave ran away with a " black shock dog, cropt ears, his Tail docked very short"; in 1 763, someone lost a small bitch puppy, named " Sylvia." This was a spaniel with a dark brown body and short tail. In 1769, Lord Rosehill lost his "small black and white 2 7 393 Social New York Under the Georges Dog of King Charles's breed, for which he offered twenty shillings; and in 17/3, another dog-lover lost "his liver and white pointer' that "answers to the Silver salver owned by Frederic J. de Peyster, Esq. See page 141. name of Ponto." In 1/69, Mr. Deas, the peruke- maker wants " a dog of the true Newfoundland breed, young and of the largest size." Birds were also kept as pets. Parrots were fa- vourites, for the constant importations of parrot cages and the advertisements of the same by the local bra- 394 Manners, Food and Culture ziers indicate a demand for them. In 1759, we that James Bernard, inn-keeper at King's Bridge, had " to dispose of a large collection of Canary Birds in full plumage and song. Those Gentlemen and Ladies that spoke some time ago to him for Canary Birds by favouring him with a Line where they may l>e sent, can now be supplied." The aforesaid Mr. Deas ad- vertised for some " Virginia Nightingales and other curious Birds " in i 769. CONCLUSION IN the foregoing pages, an endeavour has been made to let old citizens of Georgian New York speak for themselves in showing us the houses they lived in, the gardens they laid out, the fruits and Mowers they enjoyed, the clothes they wore and the food they ate, as well as their sports and pastimes, their accomplish- ments, amusements, gaieties, and entertainments. Before the Colonies threw off the British yoke, we have seen that visitors, as well as natives of New York, were struck by one characteristic of the citizens that was particularly noticeable in those days as now. This was the race for wealth. New York before the Revolution was always a rnomev^inakins; and pleasure- <~ loving town. L'uv.urk-N wen 1>;T,u<_;ht from the ends of the earth to satiny thc:tas,tes of prosperous New ' ' i \ York people. Th'ejjV, homes were appointed with every conveniencej^nil thrv dwelt in a delightful set- ting of meadows and woods, with a water frontage unsurpassed anywhere else in the world. There was 395 Social New York Under the Georges breathing space then, and the view from one man's windows was not interrupted by the house of his neighbour. We can imagine the amazement with which one of the old citizens would regard modern conditions. The buildings that now cover the lower end of the island like monster packing-cases piled into the sky would stupefy him. The old idea of the possibilities of the future is well exemplified by an advertisement of 1775, in which a Mrs. Shuckber wants to sell two houses and grounds on Broadway, near Trinity Church. She says " the main lot extends two hun- dred feet into the river. There is a full view from the lot (that can never be obstructed) of the bay down to the Narrows and of the passage across the river to and from Powles Hook." If the lady could revisit the scene, her comments would be decidedly interesting. The glitter and parade of fashionable life faded out for a time with the Revolution. Before the actual fighting began, we find associations formed for a simpler and more economical mode of life ; and what still remained of extravagance and wild gaiety finally took its departure with the Loyalists. The Continental Congress had made a voluntary self-denial of all the vanities of sport at the beginning of the struggle. On looking Inick 'over the' social history of the town, we see that the general" character of its inhabit- ants has changed very little,, ^nd that the New York of to-day is very similar: , in sJjijritftP that of the period here reviewed. 396 INDEX Accidents, shooting, 261-2. Act of Continental Congress, 271. Acts, laws and ordinances, 7-14, 17-18. Act to preserve game, 261. Adams, William, 366. Afternoon tea, 378. Agar, Edward, 206. Agate-ware, 130-131. Alamode, 230. Ale, 353. Alexander, Catherine, 304. , James, 73, 303. , Mrs. James, house of, 73-76. , , shop goods of, 76. , , will of. 73-75. Alligator, exhibition of, 320. Alms house, 37. American Society for Promoting Religious Knowledge among the Poor. 376-377. Amherst, Sir Jeffrey, ball of, 308. Anburey, quoted, 7. Anchovies, 363. Animals, exhibitions of, 319-322. Annerly, Edward, 25. Anstey, quoted, i82-'3, 204, 240- 241. Aprons, 221. Arne, 288, 298. Artists, 33^-334- Ash, Gilbert, 80, 298. Assembly, Dancing, 301. Auction sales, 84-87. Bachelor, Protest of a, 172-174. Backgammon, 265. Bag-wigs, 176. Bakers, 365-366. Balconies, 6, 29-30. Balls, 301, 304-308, 311. Barclay, Helena, 393. Bardin, Edward, 367. Barge, Gov. Montgomerie's, 86. Basins, 141. Bass, 351. Bateman, tragedy of Young, 316, 3I/-3I8, Battledores and Shuttlecocks, 265. Bayard, Nicholas, 95, 363. , country seat of, 42-43. Bayard's Woods, 262. Beau. The, 171. Beau Nash. 221. Beaux, behaviour of, 373-374. Beaux Stratagem, The, 283. Beck, Joseph, 226. Bed, The, 103-107. - curtains. 104-106. - rooms, 105-108. - side carpet. 106. - steps. 106. Bedloe's Island, 45. Beekman house. Rural Core, 122. Beekman jar and beakers, 121- 122. Beekman's Swamp. 15. Beer, 353. Beggars' Opera, The, 275. Bell, George, 122. Bcllomont, Lord, 55. Belton. Mrs.. 335. Biferi. Nicholas, 296-297, 299. 330. 397 Social New York Under the Georges Birthdays. Kings', 304-307. Blankets, 103. Boats, Pleasure, 265. Bonnets, 212, 215, 216. Bonnin, Mr., shows of, 322-323. Book-binder, 338. Books, 337-339- Bowling-Green, 18. Bowls, 265. Boyd, Elizabeth, 248. Bradford, William, 337. Brass-ware, 161-162. Braziers, 161-162. Breeches-patterns, 190-193. Breeze, Sidney, 164, 236. Bricks. 33, 34- Bridges, 46. Bridge Street, 15. Brinner, John. 79, 96-97. Broad Street, 15. Broadway, 18. Brock. Mrs.. 365. Bruff, Charles O., 252, 253-4. Buckles, 146. 193. 254-255. Buffalo. 321. Buildings, 37. Bull-baiting, 267. Burgher's Path, 46, 357. Burnaby. quotation from. 350-351- Burnet, Governor, 55. , , china of, 121. , , musical instruments of, 293- . . possessions of, 61-63. -, . wines of. 353. Burras, Benjamin, 223. Butchers, 358-360. Butter, 357, 360. Button-makers Jest-Book. The, 190. Buttons, 190-193. 254-255. Cabinet-makers, 79-83. Cabinets, 122. Cabriole, The, 216. Calash, The, 218. Callimanco, 230. Callow, Stephen, 80. Canaries, 395. Candelabra, 142. Candlesticks, 142-143. Capers, 363. Caps, 212, 213, 215, 217, 218. Capuchine, 214. 223. Cardinal. 223-224. Cards, 265. Carpets, 95-96. Carroll. Mrs. Thomas, 334. Carvers, 79-81. Carving. 96. Case-of-drawers, 107-109. Caterers, 301, 365-7. Catchup. 363. Catiemut's Hill, 9. Caudle-cups. 139. Cauliflower-ware, 131. Chairs, 109-110. Chest-upon-Chest, 108. Children's books, 338. - clothes. 227. China, 119-132. , Capt. G. Shelly's. 60, 121. , ornamental. 107, 126-127. 131. Chocolate Pots, 152. Churches. 37. Church-music, 299-300. Circulating Library. 339. Citron. 363. City Hall. 37. Cleaners and dyers, 248-249. Clinton, Governor, 19, 69, 306, 347- Cloaks, 223-224. Clocks, 113, 115. Clothes, lost and stolen, 187-188. 224. Clubs, 308-311. , women's, 383-384. Coals, 95. 398 Index Coats, 181. , fur-lined, 239. Cocked hat, 178. Cockfighting, 266-267. Cod. 352. Coenties Market. 348, 356-357. - Slip. 47, 356-357. Coffee Pots, 151. Colden, Alexander, house of, 55. , Cadwallader, on desire for money in New York, 314- 315. Cole, Mrs.. 335. Collect, The, 24. Colville, Elizabeth, 217. Commode, The, 209, 212. Common. The, 9, 16. Company, Theatrical, 272, 274. Concert. Ranelagh, 369. Concerts, 292, 297-300. Confectioners, 365-366. Conscious Lovers, TJic, 279. Continental Congress, against sport, 271. Cook-books, 361-362. Cooking, 361-362. Cooks, 360-361. Cordial waters, 353-354- Corelli, 287, 288. Cornbury, Lord, 55, 59. 367. Cornell, John, 267. Cosby, Governor. 45. Cosmetics. 201-208. Counterpanes, 103. Country-seats, 40-45. 55- 349- Coventry. Lady. 202. Cowper, quotation from, 202. Cox, Joseph. 79-80. 82. 83. Cozani, Joseph. 297. Crab-fish, exhibited. 320. Cravats. 179. Cream-coloured ware, 125, 132. Cricket-balls. 265. Cripple Bush, 15. 16. Culinary art, 360. Cupboards, 143-144. Currants, 363-364. Custis, Eleanor, 142. Cutlery, 165-168. Cymon, 285. Da Costa, J., 132. Damask, 230. Damon and Chloc, 298. Dances, 305, 330. Dancing Academy, 304. . Assembly, 301, 304. . masters, 331. Davies, Capt. B.. 87. Deane, Richard, 353. Deer, 261. Deer-parks, 264. Delany, Mrs., quoted. 229, 233. De Lancey, Governor, 55. De Lancey, Oliver, 270. De Lange, Jacob, 120. Delanoy, Abraham, 333. Delicacies, Table, 363-364. De Meyer, Nicholas, 53. De Peyster, Abraham, 18. . house of, 19, 69-73. , Johannes, 53. Derham, M., 215. Diamonds. 250, 251, 252, 253, 254- Dienval, Alexander V., musician, 295- Distillery, 353. Dogs. 12, 393-394- Douglass, David, 280. 281. Dress, lines about, 245, 246. , simplicity in, 196-197. Dressing-table, gentlemen's. 174- 175- , ladies', 201. Drinking. 260, 306, 308, 35 2 ~4- Ducape. 230. Duchess of Gordon, 39. 382-383. 399 Social New York Under the Georges Duncan, Thomas, burning of house of, 28. Durand, John, 333. Dutens, Charles, 252. Duyckinck, G.. 90, 333. Duyckinck's map, 16. Ebbing, Jeroninus, 53. Economy of ladies. 248. Education of a young lady. 386, 389. Electrical fish. 321-322. Elers, The, 123. Elmendorph, Catharine. 137, 227. Emeralds, 252, Engravings, 89-92. Entertainments, 311. Ewers, 141. Exchange Place. 15. Fair Penitent, The, 277. Fans, 224-225. Farms and plantations, 40-44. Feathers, 218, 219. Female Club, The, 384. Fencing, 331-332. - masters, 331-332. Fergusson, C. and J., 238, 335. Ferries, 46-47, 48. Figs, 363. Fire-arms, 17-18. Fire-engines, 27-28. Fire-place, 92-95. Fires, 27-33. Fireworks, 370. Fish, 347-349- Fish-market. 348. Fishing, 265, 266. Flowers, artificial. 218. 334. Fly cap, 216. 217. Flying Club, 311. Foddy, James, 97. Fontange, The, 209. Food sold in the streets, 358. Fort George, 4, 18. , entertainments at. 304, 305, 306-307. Francis, Samuel, 366. Fraunces's Tavern, 19, 312. Free Bridge, Dyckman's, 46. French Dances, 305. Fresh Water, 5, 16. Fruits, 342, 345-347- Furniture. Governor Burnet's, 61-63. Furniture. Cornelis Jacobs's, 56- -, Col. W. Smith's, 58. , Capt. G. Shelly's. 59-60. . Abraham Lodge's, 66-69. . William Walton's. 69. , Abraham de Peyster, 70-73. Furs, 239. Gaine, Hugh, 204, 207, 248, 337, 36i. Gallows. 9. 16. Gambling, 260. Game-preserves, 262. . season for, 262, 264. Games, 265. Gardens, 25, 26, 41, 44. , ornaments for. 25. Gardeners, 343. Garden Street, 15. Gates, city, 5. Gauze, 220-221. Gazley, Martha. 334. Geminiani, 288. Gentlemen's furnishings, 180. German Flute. 290. , music for the, 289. Gilliland, James. 122. Girandoles. 98. Glass, 162-165. Glee clubs, 291. Gloves. 195, 220. Golf. 265. 400 Index Governor's Island, 45. Governor's residence. 4, 37. Granby, Marquis of, 308. Grates, 162. Green Lane, 15. Grocer. 365. Groceries. 363-364. Grottos, 25. Gueubel, Stephen, 113. Gunnings, The, 202, 215. Haircloth, 95. Hair-dressing, gentlemen's, 175- 178. . ladies, 209-212. , verse on, 385. Halden, John, 162. Hallam, Miss, 283. , Mrs. Lewis, 280, 283, 299. Handel, 288, 298. Handkerchiefs, 195. Hanover Square, 19. Hardenbrook, Theo., designer, 25-26. Harman, Mrs., 283, 299. Harmonic Society, 292. Harpsichord, music for the, 288. Hat, cocked, 171. Hats, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218. Haydn, 286. Hayes, Barak, 205. Head, ornaments for the, 210-212. Hendrickson, D., 34. Herrings, 352. Hive, The, 216, 238. Hizen-ware, 122. Honest Yorkshireman, The, 277. Hoods, 212-214. Hoop, The, 229. Horses. Breeders of. 270. , English and American, 268. Houses, 6-7. , advertisements of, 20-21. Houses, interiors of, 6-7, 33. , rents of, 34~37- Hulett, William C. 280. 292, 295, 297. 330, 33i. Hunc Over De Club. 383-384. Hungary-water, 203, 205. Hunter, Governor, 55. Hunting, 267. Husband-hunting, 392. Imari, 122. Immorality, 376. Importations of dress-goods, 230-233. Intriguing Chambermaid, The. 273. Jacobs, Cornells, china of, 120. James, Major, house of, attacked by mob, 371-372. Jane Shore, 283. Japanese, The, 320. Japanned-ware. 113-114. Jay, Peter. 235. Jewellers, 252. Jewelry, 195. 250-256. , Capt. Shelly's, 250. , Importations of, 254-255. Johnson. Joseph, 338. Johnson, Sir William, welcome to, 310-311- John Street Theatre, 282. Kalm. quoted, 5-7. 22-24, 88. 347. 355- Kas. 115. Keen, William, 365. Kennedy. Captain, house of, 18. Kevenhuller cock. 171, 178. Kilburn. Lawrence. 332. King's Arms Tavern, 367-368. King's Bridge, 46. King's College. 37. 31 4. . COmilHMH-lMllLMlt of, 3IJ-3I4. King's Farm. The, 16. 401 Social New York Under the Georges King's Honey-water, 203, 205. King and the Miller of Mansfield, The, 280. Kissing-Bridge, The, 351. Kitchen utensils, 161. Knee-garters, 194. Knife-cases, 167-168. Knight, Madam, 33, 92, 259. Kursoi.ius, 384. Laces, 220. Lady, education of a, 386-389. Lamps, 102. Languages, teaching of. 330. Lanterns, 102. Lasker, John, 222. Lawrence, John, 53, 393. Laws, 27, 33. Leadbeater, James, 296. Lectures, humourous, 326-327. Leisler, Jacob, 53. Lemons, 363. Lenzi, M., 301, 366. Lepper, Thomas, 164. Lethe, 283. Libraries, 85-86, 339-340. Lioness, 320. Liqueurs, 353. Lispenard. Kitty, 393. Meadows, 269. Livingston, Catherine, 393. , Mary, 73. -, Philip, 47. , Gov. William, 163. Lobsters, 349. Lodge, Abraham, home of, 66- 69- London company of comedians, 277. Long, W. and S., 335. Looking-glasses, 97-102. Lorin, Peter, 252. Lotteries, 260-261. Lottery, marriage, 389-392. Loudoun, Earl of. sale of goods of, 86. Love, Charles, 295. Lowestoft-ware, 125. Lutestring, 230. Luxury, 374-375- Macaroni, The, 183-185. -, . Club, 184. . , Purse. 185. Madeira wine, 353. Maiden Lane, 15. Mail Service. 37-38. Mall. The, 19. Mangoes, 364. Manners, 373. 380-382. Mantel-pieces, 94. Mantua-makers. 237. Marionettes, 316. Markets, 37, 356-357- Marlborough, Duchess of, 203. Marriages, 392-393- Marshall. John, 366. Marston. Thomas, 393. Mary, Queen, 54. Masks, 224. Mazzanti, Signora, 292. McDougal, Captain, 354. McEvers, James, 123. McQueen, John, 226. Meat, 358-360. Meissonier, 143. Merchants, wealth of, 53. Merveilleuse, 243. Mezzotints, 89, 90. Microscope, Solar. 325-326. Military Band, 298-299. Milk, 16, 358. Milligan, John, 223. Milliners, 215, 217. 239. Miniature fashions, 238-239. Miss in her Teens, 275. Mitchell, John, 123. Mits, 220. 402 Index Mohocks, 11-12. Moncrieff, Thomas, 393. Money, desire for, 314-315. Montagu, Lady Mary Wortley, 207. Monteith, The, 141. Montgomerie. Governor. 84-86. , barge of, 86. , china of, 121. , clothes of, 181. , horses of, 86. , household possessions of, 63-64, 84-86. -. library of, 85-86. Morals, public, 373-3/8. More, Hannah, 211. Morris, Lewis. 19, 53. 173. . , silver of, 133. . Staats Long, 39, 382-383. Muckelrain, William, 366. Muffs. 239. Mugs. 138. Mushrooms, 363. Music. 282-300. , amateur, 290-292. , character of, 286. , teachers, 295-297. Musical clock, exhibition of, 325. , instruments, 293-295. Myers. Hyam, 356. , Naphtaly Hart. 251, 254. Nagasaki. 122. Nankee Doodle, 185. Needlework, 334-5. Negligee, 238. .Ynv Bath Guide, quoted, 182-3, 204, 240-241. Newmarket Races, 267, 268. New Year's Eve, noises on, 14. New York, beauty and size of, 3-4- , gates of, 5. New York travellers, descriptions of. 5. 6-7. . wealth in, 53-54, 56. New Yorkers, gaiety of, 259-260. Nicholl, Edward. 123, 162. Nicholls, Col., 267. Nightgowns, 238. Night-hawks, n. Nithsdale, Lady, 213. Nivernois cock, 178. Noel, Garrat, 90, 91, 339. Nutten Island, 45. Nuts, 342. Oil, 363. Olives, 363. Operas, favourite, 290. Oranges, 364. Organ, 87. - music, 288. , Trinity Church, 299. Organs, 294. Oriental ware, 127-128. Osborne, Sir Danvers, sale of, possessions. 86. Ostriches. 321. Oysters. 349-35O. Packet-boats, 38-39. Paduasoy. 230. Painting. 33-2-333- Painting on glass, 333~334- Paintings, sale of, 87. Paints, 203, 206-207. Palisades, 5. Panoramas. 323-325. Parade, The. 18. Parker, Catherine. 73. , Elisha. diary of. 303. 340- 34L , . on fiuiicln. 340-341. . Capt. T.. wardrobe. 189-190. Parrots, 394. Paste buckles, 254. 403 Social New York Under the Georges Patch-boxes. 224. Pearl Street. 19. Pelerine. See Pullareen. Pelham. Peter, 295. Perfumes, 203-204. Persian, 230. Perukes, 1/5-1/8. Pets, 393-395- Pewter, 159-160. Pewterers. 159. Pheasants. English, 45-46. Philipsen, Hendrick. 53. Phillipse, Frederick, 46. Piano music. 288. Pickles, 363, 364. Picture-dealers, 90. Pictures, 89-92. Pigeons, 355. Pineapple ware. 131. Pineapples. 347. Play-houses. 272, 282. Plays and players, 272-285. Pocket-books, 196. Pomatum, 212. Poplin, 230. Porcupine, 320. Porringers, 139. Portobello ware, 131. Posset-cups, 139. Post office, 38. Posture-makers, 316. Potteries, English. 123. Poulterer, 356. Poultry. 355. Powder-house. 16. Prince, Samuel. 82. Prizes of lottery. 261. Prizes of shooting - matches, 264-5. Proctor. Air.. 295. Propert, D., 296. Pullareen, 214. Punch bowls. 141. ladles. 141. Punch's opera. 316. Punishments, 8-9, 139-141. Quantz. 290. Queen's Head Tavern. 367. Queen's ware, 125. Quilts, 103. Races, 267-271. Raisins. 364. Ramilies cock, 178. Ramilies wig, 176. Ranelagh, 369-370. Ray. 352. Ray. Richard, 137. . Sarah, 137, 202. Receipt for a Modern Dress, 245. - sack posset, 362-3. Remsen, Henry, 47. Revere, Paul, 157. Ribbons, 215. Richard ///.. 272, 283. Richey, George, 82. Rings. 251-254. Rivers, John, 331. Rivington. James. 90, 92. 208, 265, 288. 289, 337- Roaring-Boys, n. Rombouts. Francis, china of, 120. Roinco and Juliet, 284. Roofs. 6. 32. Roosevelt, John J.. 91, 122. , Nicholas, 266. Rose. Joseph. 161. Rubies, 252. Ruffles, 195, 220. Russell, 230. Sabbath, observation of, 13-14, 377-378. Sack, 237-238. t Salisbury Plain, 267. Salmon, 352. Salt, The, 135. 404 Index Salvers, 141-142. Samson, The Female, 317. Sapphires, 252. Sarcenet, 230. School, Dancing, 296, 330. Schools, 329-330. Schuyler, John, 264. Scrutore, iio-m. Sea-Bathing, 266. Seasons, close for game, 262- 264. Seeds, 342-343. Sewing. 335. Sexes, grievances of both, ^80- 382. Shad, 351. Shades, 216. Sharks, 352. Sheepshead, 352. Sheeting, 103. Shell fish, 348-350. Shelly, Giles, Capt., 59-61, 121. Shirts, 194. Shoe-makers, 222-223. Shoes, 193-194, 221-222. Shooting, 261. Shooting-matches, 264. Shows, 316-323. Siemon, John, 239. Signs, 21-22. Silver, 133-158. , Asser Levy's, 134. , engravers of, 144. , James Alexander's, 137. , Lewis Morris's. 133. . M. Van Varick's, 133-134. . Mrs. Wallace's. 157-158. . new styles of, 156-157. . Richard Ray's, 137. , Rip Van Dam's, 147-148. , the De Peyster, 137, 148. . William Cox's, 134. . William Walton's, 148. Silversmiths, 145-146. Skate. 352. Sleighing, 259. Slips, 47-48. Smith, Col. William, possessions of, 58-59- , glassware of, 163. , Mrs. William, dress of, 234- -235- Snuff, 379-380. Snuff-boxes, 196, 380. Soaps, 203, 206, 248. Social Club. 311-312. Societies, 308-311. Society for Promoting Arts, 33-2- Religious Knowledge among the Poor, 376-377. Society of the Friendly Brothers, Society Library, 339. , St. Andrew's, 308, 309-310. , St. David's, 309. , St. George's. 308. . St. Nicholas's. 309. , St. Patrick's, 308-309. Sodi, Pietro, 296-297, 299, 330. Solitaire. The, 179. Spectator, The, quoted, 212. Spinets, 87, 293. Spinning, 336. Spoon-cases, 167-168. Spoons, 155. Spratt, John. 53. Stage, Hostility to the. 280, 281. Stage setting, elaborate, 284-285. Stamp Act. 280. 371. 392. Stay-hook. 228. Stay makers, 226. Stays, 225-227. Steenwyck. Cornelis. 53. Stevens, Elizabeth. 73. Stirling, Earl of, 76, 270. St. Maurice, Margaret, 213-214. Stockades, 4. 405 Social New York Under the Georges Stockings, 182, 194. Stomachers, 224. 228. Storer, Maria, 282, 299. Stoves, 95. Street lamps, u, 12. - signs, 21-22. Stuyvesant, Judith. 121. , Nicholas William, 217. Sugar, 363. Sugar-candy, 363. Sunday, observation of, 13-14, 377-378. Suydam, Ryck, in. Swamps and marshes, 15-16. Swift, quoted, 201. Tables. 111-113. Taffety, 230. Tailors, 185-186, 237. Tankards, 135-137. Tartini, 287. Tartini's Somite du Diablc, 288. Taverns, 365-369. Taxes, 32. Tea. 383. Tea-Drinking. 378-379- Tea-Pots, 149-150. Tea-Tables, 381. Tea Water Pump, 24. Temperance, appeal for, 354. Tempest, The, 285. Tender Husband, The, 284. Tennis racquets, 265. Terrapin, 350. Tetley, William, 331. Theatres, 272-285. Theatrical Companies, 272-285. Tiles, 6, 31-34- 92, 94- Tippet, Sally, Letter of, 241-244. Tippets, 239. Toasts, 354. Tortoiseshell ware, 130. Tower, The, 209, 210. Trade, 56. Travelling and Travellers, 38-39. Trees, 6, 15. Trespassing, 17. Trim, Thomas, quoted, 196-197. Tryon, Governor, 369. Twin Rivals, The, 280. Tuckey, William, 295-296, 298, 299. Tumblers, 138-139. Turtle, 350-351. Turtle-feasts, 350-351. Tyger, 321. Umbrellas, 64, 195. Universal Alagazine, quoted, 244. Upholsterers, 80. 82-83. Upton, Mr., 277-279. Urn, The, 152. Van Burgh, Johannes, 53. Van Cortlandt house, 45. . Mary, dress of, 235. -. Olaf. 53. Van Dam. Rip. 64-65, 86, 272. Van Ruyven, Cornells, 53. Van Varick, Margarita, 119. Vauxhall, 369-372. Vavasor, Josiah, 236. Vegetables, 342-345. Ver Planck, Judith C, 143. , Samuel, 143. Viany, Peter, 332. Victuals, assize of, 358. Vintner's company, 141. Violin music. 288-289. . popularity of the. 286-289. Voider, 135. Wainwright. Miss, 283. 299. Waistcoats, 190-193. Walking-sticks, 195. Wall, Mr., 283. Wall-paper. 88-89. Walls, 88-89. 406 Index Walnuts, 364. Walpole, Horace, quoted, 184, 202. Walton, William. 19, 69. Wards, 4. Ware, Isaac, quoted, 88. Washington, Gen., 19, 69, 142, 163. Watchmen, 9-10. Watermelons, 347. Water-pot, 135. Wax works, 318-319. Wealth in New York, 374-375. Wedgwood, 123, 125, 131-132. Wells, 24. Wells. James, 222. Whales, 352. Whieldon, Thomas, 123. Whipper, Public, 8. Wigs, 175-178. Willet, Edward, 301. Willett and Pearsey, 81. Wilmot, Henry, 122, 247. Wilson, Jane, 114. Windsor chair, no. Wines, 35^-353- , Gov. Burnet's, 353. , Capt. Shelly's, 60-6 1. Woman, The masculine, 382. , shopper, tricky. 237. Women in Politics, 383. , proposals of, 392. Wood, Aaron, 123. Woolls, Stephen, 283. 299. World in miniature, exhibition of, 324-325. Zedwitz, Herman, 292, 296. THE END 407 ^"Siis^yjisyffifo^ffi 3* ! *SS3? : 3S&i3 ; TfflCT^fr j ^~>--T- 5 r g n t y~y*"^!>'w~~-~~~^rr*'~'*'