CHAPTER V._The Old Furniture Book, with a Sketch of Past Days and Ways

COLONIAL AND LATER PERIODS.

Under the broad head of Colonial Furniture may really be classed all

the "movables and chattels" which belonged to the early settlers, while

to be entirely correct, this characterization belongs only to such

furniture as was brought in or made before 1776. As the pioneers came

from many lands, so many different kinds of furniture will be included

in the list.

We must begin at the South, with the melancholy little plantation at

Jamestown. Through evil times the feeble colony struggled, harassed

by poverty, disease, savage foes, and internal dissensions. There in

1607 were planted the first beginnings of the settlements which were in

three hundred years to cover a continent. Traces of the little colony

have almost disappeared now by the action of the James River, high tide

covering the brick foundations of the ancient buildings. Walking along

the shore one may find little red and white clay pipes, in smoking

which, filled with the fragrant weed, the pioneers forgot their woes.

Glass beads striped like gooseberries, to take the eyes of the Indians

in barter, pieces of water-soaked brick from these toil-built houses,

and even traces of the days of Smith, sword-hilts, bits of armour,

balls, etc., and--more pathetic mementos of Jamestown's trials--human

bones and coffin-handles.

Yet in 1639, thirty-two years after the foundation of the colony,

there were in Maryland some planters called "rich," who measured their

worldly goods by their value in tobacco, the raising of which weed

had proved their only salvation. The laws regarding its cultivation,

particularly in Massachusetts, were very stringent. It was only to be

grown as medicine and used privately. It was considered a more harmful

indulgence than liquor, and the "Creature called Tobacko" was hemmed

and hedged about with rules and restrictions. It circumvented them all,

was planted and grown, and finally became a commodity of much value

and a medium of exchange. About ninety years later we find an item

which shows how universal had become its use. The will of May Bickley,

attorney general of the province of New York, filed April 27, 1724,

directs that he "wishes to be buried without pipes and tobacco as is

usual."

[Illustration: Figure 44. KITCHEN AT DEERFIELD, MASS.]

To Maryland and Virginia were transplanted almost bodily rich homes

from the mother country, filled with the luxuries to which their

occupants had been accustomed. It has been said that many of the grand

old homes in the South were built of "English brick." While this is

true in the letter, it is entirely misleading to the reader in general.

The bricks were not brought from England, because at that time there

were few ships afloat capable of bearing any such quantity as would

have been necessary for a house of any considerable size. Mr. McCrady,

in his "History of South Carolina," has taken considerable pains to

explain how this error arose. The historic Miles Brewton house, now

called the Pringle house built about 1770 in the city of Charleston, is

one of the best known houses in the State. It was used as military

headquarters during both the Revolutionary and the Civil wars. It has

been computed, by actual measurement, that the house contains 1,278,720

bricks. Each of these weighs eight pounds, the whole amounting to

4,566 tons. No vessels then afloat could carry more than 500 tons, so

it would have taken nine of such vessels to bring over the bricks for

this house alone. Josiah Quincy says in his Journal that this house

cost about $50,000, which sum would hardly have covered the expense of

so many vessels from London. Mr. McCrady's solution is that there were

two styles of brick made, one, large and heavy, known as "English" the

other called "Dutch" which were very small.

There were, however, bricks brought from England, for the prices of

brick, both of British and New England make, were fixed by statute. As

early as 1662 brickmakers and bricklayers were paid by each thousand

bricks made and laid by them. The first material brought into Virginia

for building purposes was in 1607, for the use of George Percy.

Brickmakers were twice advertised for in 1610, and joiners were at work

on the furniture needed for the new homes.

The houses late in the seventeenth century were by no means so large as

one would expect. Six or eight rooms was the usual size, and many had

even fewer. The house of Cornelius Lloyd, whose estate was valued at

131,044 pounds of tobacco, contained a chamber and hall and a kitchen

with loft and dairy. The windows were often but sliding panels, but

in houses of any pretensions glass was used. In 1684 Colonel Byrd

sent to London for 400 feet of glass, with drawn lead and solder

in proportion. Robert Beverly, Sr., one of the richest men in the

Virginia colony prior to the opening of the eighteenth century, had in

his dining-hall one oval and one folding table, a leather couch, two

chests, a chest of drawers and fifteen Russia-leather chairs, value

£9 9_s._ His supply of table linen was abundant, and the table-ware

was pewter, with wooden trenchers and some earthenware. Richard

Hobbs, of Rappahannock, who died in 1667, owned, among much household

stuff, but a single fork, John Frison, of Henrico County had one of

tortoise-shell. Robert Dudley, of Middlesex County who died in 1700,

had several forks made of horn.

To show some of the luxuries for sale in Virginia prior to 1670 the

inventory of the store of John Frison, mentioned above, is given.

"Holland night-caps; muslin neck-cloths; silk-fringed gloves;

silver shoe-buckles; embroidered Holland waistcoats; 2 doz.

pr. white gloves; 1 lace cap; 7 lace shirts; 9 lace ruffles;

holster-caps of scarlet embroidered with silver and gold; gold and

silver hat-bands; a parcel of silver lace; and a feathered velvet

cap."

There were also many valuable furs.

Mrs. Diggs, widow of the governor of Virginia, died in 1699. She was

a person of much consequence in the colony, and her inventory is

interesting on that account. In her hall parlour were--

--"5 Spanish tables; 2 green and two Turkey-worked carpets; 9

Turkey-worked chairs, and 11 with arrows woven on the seats; 1

embroidered and 1 Turkey-worked couch; 5 pictures (valued at five

shillings); 2 pairs of brass andirons; 3 pr. old tongs; and 1

clock."

[Illustration: Figure 45. WILLIAM PENN'S TABLE.]

Not only did English ships bring on every voyage the best that England

afforded, but Dutch traders, too, crowded in with their own goods, and

others besides from the East. The inventories mention "Dutch cases",

and "Dutch turned chairs", before 1680; and as these rich planters

had tobacco to trade, they obtained all the luxuries to be had. It is

seen that New England had her rich and prosperous men also, and some

fine homes were built as early as 1639. Figure 27, shows a room in

the famous old Whipple House, Ipswich, Mass., built about 1642. The

solidity of these houses is exemplified by the beams, with their finely

moulded edges. The furniture is both interesting and beautiful, one of

the most attractive pieces being the desk made on Sheraton lines which

stands on the right-hand side. A handsome bookcase and desk fill the

corner, and a little Pembroke table holds much glass.

The picture (Figure 44) shows a typical New England kitchen in Colonial

times. It has been arranged in the Deerfield Memorial Hall, and all the

furniture and utensils shown herein were gathered in the neighbourhood.

These primitive homes did not have mantelpieces as a rule, but the

heavy wooden beam fashioned with an axe was called the mantel-tree.

The one shown here did duty for a hundred and sixty-eight years. The

wide chimney-piece could easily accomodate the small children of the

family sitting on billets of wood, while the elders were comfortable on

the settle with its high backboard. It has a convenient candle-bracket

which could be adjusted to suit the reader, and if more light were

needed the candle-stand was convenient. The back of this settle is

sixty inches high, more than is usual. It was owned by Jacob Rich, who

settled in the neighbourhood of Deerfield, Mass., in 1777.

A famous house was known as the "Old Stone House" at Guilford, Conn.,

while at Boston, Salem, Danvers, Dedham, and Dorchester was built many

a sturdy dwelling still standing to show with what solidity these

pioneers did their work. In the earliest days of the Colony's struggles

too much luxury was not deemed good for those battling with the

wilderness. Governor Winthrop writes with some gratification in 1630 of

the burning up of some fine table linen, brought by a "godly woman of

the Church of Boston" from London, and of which she was very proud.

"But it pleased God that the loss of this linen did her much

good, both in taking off her heart from worldly comforts, and

in preparing her for a far greater affliction by the untimely

death of her husband, who was slain not long after at Isle of

Providence."

Yet in 1647, when he married the widow Coytemore, he seems to have had

no hesitation in accepting with her a rich dowry, her share of the

estate of her former husband, and valued at £640 1_s_ 8_d_. Among the

items were such frivolities as "a silver girdle and a silk iacket."

There must have been also other choice garments in the many chests and

trunks enumerated. One of these chests is specified as "spruce." The

widow had a brave stock of pewter, worth £135, and among other goods

unusual at this period were,

"1 chest of drawers £1

a copp. furnace £1 10_s._

A parcel of cheney platters and soucers £1

2 flaskets

A bedstead, trundle bed with ropes and mats."

[Illustration: Figure 46. RUSH-BOTTOMED CHAIRS.]

It is a matter of wonder how the governor reconciled his conscience

to the silver girdle and "iacket," for in 1634 the Massachusetts

General Court had particularly prohibited the wearing of either "gold

or silver girdles, hattbands, belts, ruffs, and beaver hatts." Also

they forbade the purchase of "any appell, either wollen, silke, or

lynnen with any lace on it, silver golde, silke or threed." They

were only allowed one "slash" on each sleeve and one on the back.

These rules were operative for many years, for in Salem, in 1653, a

man is haled before the court for excess "in bootes, rebonds, gould,

and silver lace." In Newbury, Mass., in 1653, two women were brought

before the court for wearing "a silk hood and scarfe," but both were

discharged for proving their husbands were worth over £100. John

Hutchin's wife was also discharged "upon testimony of her being brought

up above the ordinary ranke." These items show that both rank and

property were saving grace even among the Puritans, and no doubt Mrs.

Winthrop escaped censure under this rule.

Boston, about 1650, had houses partly of brick and partly of stone,

as well as plainer wooden ones. In 1640 John Davys built for William

Rix, a weaver, a house "16 feet long and 14 feet wide, with a chamber

floare finished with summer and ioysts." There was also a cellar, the

walls were covered with clapboards, and the chimney was made of hewn

timber, daubed. The whole house cost £21. This was a typical house of

a workingman, and must have required little furniture besides the loom

to fill it. The fine houses with ample halls and large rooms were but

the forerunners of that comfortable style we call by the name Colonial.

But they were precious things when once built, and it is by no means

uncommon to find them parcelled out to different relatives. In 1658

John Greene of Warwick, R. I., gives to his beloved wife--

--"a large hall and chimni with a little chamber adjoining to

the hall, as also a large chamber with a little chamber within

y^t, with a large garret and with a little dary room which buttes

against ye oule house during her life; also half ye orchard."

It seems as if this bequest might have been open to different

interpretations among the heirs. He does not specify if he left the

"goods" which were in the hall and rooms,--quite important items.

The widow Francis Killburn's house at Hartford, whose estate in 1650

was valued at £349, had in her hall "tables, formes, chaires, stools,

and benches," all valued at £1.

Mr. Palfrey says in his "History of New England" that Whitfield's

house at Guilford, Mass., built in 1639, is the oldest house standing

now in New England. There were three stone houses built at Guilford

this same year, and it is now asserted that there are quite a number

of houses still standing which were built before that of Whitfield.

The Barker house at Pembroke, Mass., built in 1628, is said to be the

most ancient. The walls of the Whitfield house are of stone; it is

two stories high with garret, and the timber is oak. There are two

secret closets which were found by removing a board in the attic. This

house was ample and commodious, and the household furnishings were of

corresponding value.

[Illustration: Figure 47. CONNECTICUT CHEST.]

In the colonies during the seventeenth century the doublet was worn

by women as well as by men. Men wore it over a sleeved waistcoat. The

sleeves were elaborately slashed and embroidered. There were falling

bands at the neck for those who wished, while the sedately inclined

wore white linen collars. Trunk hose were used, and shoes plainly tied

or with rosettes. A beaver or felt hat was a necessary adjunct, and all

those who could afford it wore gloves, embroidered if possible. These

gloves had gauntlets, worked or fringed, and such an important item of

dress were the gloves that in 1645 the glovers petitioned the Council

to prevent the export of undressed goat-skins.

In many inventories the item of leather breeches appears, and in

connection with them the comment "half wore out." Henry Webb, of

Boston, who died in 1660, left an estate much of which descended to

Harvard College. His wearing-apparel was unusually limited for a man of

means. In women's inventories the most important item is always linen

or plate, a "ring with a diamond" valued at eight shillings being an

unusual piece of luxury belonging to Mistress Anne Hibbins in 1656.

The best articles which New England exported, and for which England

was most greedy, were masts, thirty-three to thirty-five inches in

diameter, selling for from £95 to £115 each. These and salt fish proved

of more value to the colonies than any other commodity possessed at

that time.

Much of the furniture of the old homes has disappeared. Some is still

retained by the descendants of its original owners, and there are other

pieces now gathered in museums, nearly every city endeavouring to

retain the mementos of her early history.

By 1700 Philadelphia was quite a flourishing town. The life of the

country magnates was elegant and dignified. Many rich men had both town

and country houses complete in every detail. Before the Pennsylvania

Colony was five years old, (the grant was given March 24, 1681) William

Penn had set the example of having a town and country house, the latter

being completed in 1685. He owned a coach and a calash, and had,

besides, a fine barge with oars-men who rowed him between his house and

Philadelphia. Fairfield, the home of the Norris family, was finished in

1717, and was at that time the most beautiful home in Philadelphia. The

sashes for the windows and most of the interior woodwork was imported

from England, as was the furniture. The hall was considered wonderfully

elegant, being paved with marble. There were substantial houses of

brick, the latter of which were home-made, and many artizans of all

trades, Dutch as well as English, were coming over. William Penn wrote

to his agent of such a one, and said that he was to be set to work

making wainscot and tables and chairs, as Penn himself was to bring

much furniture with him. His house in Bucks County was of brick, two

stories and a half high, and was comfortably filled with furniture,

some, as we see, made before he arrived, but most of which he brought

with him. There was much silver plate, pewter dishes, cisterns, etc.,

beds, tables, stands and chairs. In the best parlour were two tables,

one great cane chair, four small cane chairs, one couch, and many

cushions of divers materials. The great hall where they dined had "one

long table, two forms, and six chairs." The dining-room was a later

development, and not until the eighteenth century was well advanced do

we find rooms so called in even the better class of houses.

Figure 45 shows an oak table, of what is called the thousand-legged

pattern. It belongs to Mrs. B. H. Oliver, of Chester, Pa., and has an

interesting history. It is circular in shape, five feet in diameter,

and is in good order. It is said to be part of the furniture brought

to America by William Penn, from whom it descended to the Bradfords, a

well-known Philadelphia family of printers. It was given by them to a

young clerk in their office, named McGowan. In 1849 it came into the

possession of Mrs. Oliver's father, and when he died he bequeathed

it to his son, Dr. John Hepburn, of Warren, Pa., who gave it to his

sister, Mrs. Oliver.

[Illustration: Figure 48. MAHOGANY DESK.]

This style of table dates to the first half of the seventeenth century,

as may be seen by the drawer which all these early tables had. The

brass handle is a late addition, and the drawer has about it the

overlapping edge, this style immediately succeeding the drawers with

mouldings like those shown in the chest on frame in Figure 5. The legs

fold together, fitting into the lower braces, and the leaves drop. This

make of table was always considered of value, so we find them selling

at Philadelphia in 1705 at £2; at Boston, 1699, at £2; in 1690 at

Salem, "a round, black walnut table, £2 5_s_." Such a table as this was

used by Sir William Johnson, so potent a factor in the settlement of

the Mohawk Valley. His table is of mahogany, the leaves drop on hinges,

and it has one more leg on each side than our example. It is oval in

shape instead of round, six feet six inches long, and five feet eleven

inches in its shortest diameter. In 1776 this table was confiscated,

and was bought by the Hon. John Taylor. His descendents have lent it to

the Albany Historical Society.

The social life in Philadelphia in Revolutionary times was easy and

agreeable, consisting of the original Quaker families and another class

connected with the government, and these two gave the tone to society.

The pleasures of the table were the only luxuries which the sedate

Quakers allowed themselves, and the city was famous for the quality of

its Madeira and French wines, and the wonderful cooking of West India

turtle. In 1778 differences in rank were strongly marked. The labourer

wore his leather breeches, checkered shirt, and neat's-hide shoes. The

queue or club was still worn by men of fashion; so were rich broadcloth

coats of every colour except scarlet, which was seen only on the "backs

of soldiers, Carolinians, and dancing-masters." Winthrop Sargent, a

Philadelphian himself, writing of this time, says:

"Silver tankards and china punch-bowls were evidences of

prosperity, as were the small mirrors in wooden frames, and the

mahogany tea-boards that are still sometimes met with in the

lumber-rooms of old-time houses. Glass tumblers were rarely seen,

a dipper for the punch-bowl, or gourd or cup for the water-pail

supplied those who did not have recourse to the vessel itself."

This latter statement seems hardly compatible with "elegance," but

there were certainly great extremes to be met with even in the Capitol

City, as Philadelphia was at that time.

[Illustration: Figure 49. CORNER CUPBOARD.]

When it became fashionable to have tables round or oval, it was no

longer possible to use forms or settles at them. So chairs took their

place, and we notice with greater frequency in the inventories "sets"

of chairs, six, twelve, and occasionally twenty-four. These early

chairs, straight-backed (Figure 46), with rush or bass bottoms, or of

carved wood or leather, were hard to sit upon, so cushions were

provided in large numbers and of varying degrees of elegance. These

rush-bottomed chairs with turned wood frames remained in use for many

years. They were made with different degrees of elaboration, one of

the two in Figure 46 showing a more ornamental banister back (_i. e._,

the vertical slats) than the other. These two chairs have seen much

service, but are uncommonly well preserved, and belong to Mr. William

M. Hoyt, of Rochester, N. Y. They were frequently painted dark green,

a fashion said to have come to us from Holland. As chairs grew more

comfortable the decrease in the number of cushions is very marked.

With the increase in comfort in household belongings a corresponding

increase in the elegance of dress was visible. There was a "court

circle" in America as well as in England. Broadway, as early as

1700, presented a brilliant sight at church time. Lord Bellomont was

governor, and Colonel Bayard and his wife were citizens of wealth and

importance. On such an occasion as church-going, on a fine spring

morning, Mrs. Bayard wore no bonnet, but a "frontage", a sort of

head-dress of rows of muslin stiffened with wire. She also wore a

"steenkirk", or voluminous necktie, which fell over her bodice. The

skirt of her purple and gold atlas gown was cut away to show her black

velvet petticoat edged with two silver orrices, and short enough to

show her green silk stockings and fine embroidered shoes. Her hair was

powdered and her kerchief scented with rosewater.

The furniture in use at this time has been already shown in Chapter I.

Oak chairs, leather chairs, and those of cane are all mentioned. We

find entries of "12 cane chairs with black frames" (1712); "6 Spanish

leather chairs" (1703); "one fine chest of drawers," of maple (1703);

"a fine chest of drawers of olive and walnut wood" (1705) and other

similar items.

Furniture was now being made in the Colonies in quite large quantities,

and New England was actively engaged in the furniture business, which

employed many cabinet-makers. Salem had James Symond as early as 1714,

and others, with each succeeding year. Lynn had John Davis by 1703, and

Marblehead, which was expected to become a great commercial centre, had

at least a dozen more or less celebrated between 1729 and 1780. Figure

47 is an example of home-made furniture. It is known to collectors

as the Connecticut chest, because this design is found only in that

vicinity. Quite a number of such chests are in existance, all bearing

the same pattern carved on the panels. They are of oak, often with pine

tops, backs, and bottoms. The one shown has the top of oak; the turned

drops and ornaments are of pine stained black; its height is 40 inches,

width 48 inches, and breadth 22 inches. It is at Deerfield, Mass.

In the eighteenth century ministers were often glad to turn their hands

to some work which would eke out their slender stipends. We have seen

how Mr. Ripley of Concord increased his. The Rev. Theophilus Pickering,

of Salem, in 1724, made furniture. Pieces are still in existance which

he made, sturdy and in good order, showing that he put his best work

and best wood into this business, as he put his best thought into his

pulpit labour.

[Illustration: Figure 50. BANQUET-ROOM, INDEPENDENCE HALL,

PHILADELPHIA.]

The woods used by these cabinet-makers embrace all kinds, walnut,

maple, cherry, nut-wood (hickory), poplar, ash, and pine. American

dealers imported mahogany also in quantities, and it was for sale in

planks as well as made up into furniture.

"New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury" for 1774 published the following

advertisements.

"To be sold by Leonard Kip, A quantity of New Beef by the barrel,

Honey by the barrel or half barrel, Albany boards and planks,

Highland butter in firkins and European Goods. Which he will sell

very low for cash or short credit, at his store in Dock Street

opposite Mr. Gerardus Duyckinck's."

The following also appeared in many issues of the paper.

"Mahogany Furniture, 3 elegant desks & book cases, 1 chest upon

chest of drawers, 1 lady's dressing-chest & bookcase, 3 desks & 1

pr. card tables, 2 setts of chairs, 3 dining-tables & 5 breakfast

tables, 1 clock-case furnished with a good plain 8 day clock,

Sundry stands, etc. The above articles are well made and most of

them are of wood of the first quality and will be sold as low as

any furniture of equal value in the city by Willett & Pearsey,

cabinet & chair-makers, at the sign of the clothes-press nearly

opposite the Oswego Market, at the end of Maiden Lane."

In Philadelphia, renowned for its manufacture of household goods,

the trade was so large and important that the "Journeyman's Cabinet

& Chair-maker's Philadelphia Book of Prices" was issued. In a second

edition (1795) are given the prices of many local furniture-makers,

such as:

"A plain mahogany high-post bedstead £1. 4_s._ 6_d_.

"A plain sofa 6 ft. long, with 6 legs, fast back & no low rails.

£1. 8_s._ 0_d_."

The desk shown in Figure 48 is a piece found at Bedford Springs, Pa.,

a place which was known as a "resort" as early as 1778, and had houses

with plastered walls, quite an unusual luxury in country regions,

though as these Springs were frequented by the fashionable society of

Philadelphia and New York, who went for the waters, special effort was

used to make the place attractive. The desk is mahogany and solid,

not veneered. It has a roll-top of the style made by Sheraton, which

falls back behind the drawers and cupboards. The brasses are new, and

the lid has been restored; otherwise the desk is as it was made. It

stood for many years in one of the little outside houses near the main

hotel, and when, a number of years ago, a visitor asked to buy it, the

proprietor told him the piece was known as "Jimmy Buchanan's desk." Mr.

Buchanan was in the habit of spending his summers at Bedford Springs

and always occupied the room where this desk was. In 1857, when as

President Buchanan he arrived at Bedford, the proprietors in his honour

had refurnished his room. They were congratulating themselves that the

President would be gratified at what they had done for him, when he

suddenly came into the room and demanded in a rage what had become of

the desk. If it was not forthcoming he would go elsewhere. He could

use it, he said, to write on, and then the drawers were roomy and just

suited him for his clean shirts. It is needless to say that the desk

was brought down from the garret, and was never removed from the room

when President Buchanan visited there.

[Illustration: Figure 51. WINDSOR CHAIRS.]

The desk is in company suited to its age, the larger powder-horn

hanging above it being a veteran also. It is seventeen inches long and

ten inches broad at the largest end. It bears the following inscription

cut in quaint old letters on lines drawn so that they should go

straight:

"This is William Norton's Horn made at Qubeck y^e 10 day of Aprill

1776. I powder with my Brother Ball we wound them all that in Our

way may chance to fall."

The smaller horn bears the date 1810, and the two swords were used

in the General Training days of the first quarter of the nineteenth

century. All these relics belong to Anthony Killgore, Esq., of

Flemington, N. J.

During the first quarter of the eighteenth century, and even a little

earlier, houses were built with wainscoting and panelling, and it was

the fashion to build into walls cupboards for the display of china and

plate. Frequently they were placed in the corner of the room, and were

either with or without doors. Such a cupboard was called a "beaufait,"

which was sometimes shortened to "bofet," or "buffet," according to the

taste of the owner. Figure 49 shows a specimen. The house from which

this beaufait came was built in 1696 in Vernon Place, Boston, Mass.,

by William Clough. Two years later he sold it, and it passed through

several hands by inheritance and sale till in 1758 it was bought by

Captain Vernon, who with various members of his family held it for

seventy-five years. The cherub's heads which ornament the cupboard are

somewhat unusual on a piece of furniture of this kind, and it has also

a very handsome shell at the top. It is now at the Old State House,

Boston.

Mention is also made in many inventories of "Court cupboards," and

"livery cupboards." The former were light movable shelves, making a

kind of sideboard, and used to display plate and porcelain. A livery

cupboard was somewhat similar. It had usually but three shelves and

stood upon four legs. It sometimes had a drawer for linen, but no

doors. Mugs and cups were hung from the bottom of the shelves, and a

ewer stood below. These were put in what was called the dining-parlour,

a stately room on the second floor never used to dine in. (See Figure

50 showing the banquet room at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, with

the beautiful moulding, wainscot, and over-mantel which were seen in

handsome houses in the middle of the eighteenth century.) It was many

years before the dining-room was set apart for meals. At first only

a screen gave privacy, but gradually the dining-room grew in favour.

The early dining-rooms held beds, as well as the parlours, they being

given to guests on account of the warmth. Joint stools were there, and

Flanders chests, in which the mistress often rummaged, so that the

guest should see the goodly store of clothes and linen owned by the

family.

As was the custom in England, many wealthy men had their furniture made

to order, often in their own houses, where the cabinet-makers came and

worked. Sometimes they imported their own woods, as in the case of Mr.

Champlin, a merchant of Newport, R. I., who brought home with him in

1762, from a voyage in the West Indies, some logs of mahogany, from

which he had several pieces of furniture made. Watson, in his "Annals

of New York," says that the use of what was foreign and modish was

noted earlier in New York before the Revolution than elsewhere.

"They earlier used carpets, wall-papers, foreign milliners,

dress-makers, Windsor chairs, glass utensils, jewelry, dentistry,

watches, umbrellas, stage-playbills, etc.

Windsor chairs were advertised in 1768 as made and sold by William

Gautier in New York. He also had high-backed, low-backed,

sack-backed chairs and settees, and dining and low chairs. A pair of

Windsor chairs are shown in Figure 51.

[Illustration: Figure 52. WALL-PAPER.]

Carriages were imported in 1766 from Dublin, as also men to keep them

in repair. They were landaus, curricles, sedans, and even sleighs with

gildings, carvings, and japan to suit. In 1774 there was advertised

for sale "A handsome Riding Chair with full set of harness," and an

announcement was made that there was "To be sold a Genteel Post-chaise."

The carpets referred to above were imported ones, Turkey and Scotch.

"Persian and plat carpeting" was offered for sale in 1761 by H. Van

Vleck. A later advertisement announced: "There will be sold at Public

Auction, April 7, 1777, Two very handsome Turkey carpets." Rag carpets

were used as early as 1660, and private families who could afford it

owned their own looms. Sometimes those who wished extra elegance bought

the yarn and paid for the weaving.

In 1761, "Pennsylvania Stoves newly invented, both round and square, to

be sold by Peter Clopper" were advertised in the "New York Gazette."

These were, no doubt, what became known as Franklin stoves. This same

year were also advertised wall-papers by quite a number of firms in

various cities: "A variety of paper-hangings imported from London."

"Flowered papers," "printed papers," and "printed papers for hanging

rooms," were imported as early as 1752. Figure 52 shows the fashionable

wall-paper of about this period. It is in the Cowles House, Deerfield,

Mass., and is in an excellent state of preservation. The sofa below

is of the late Sheraton or early Empire, similar to the one belonging

to Rev. Mr. Ripley and shown in Figure 36. Some wall-paper of equal

elaboration is shown in the Frontispiece, which gives the hallway of

the famous "King Hooper House," built at Danvers, Mass., now occupied

by Francis Peabody, Esq.

Wall-paper, however, was not very generally used,--just why one

cannot tell, but some of the gaily flowered papers were used for

window-shades. Curtains for windows and beds were at this time very

popular, and it was the fashion of the time to have the window- and

bed-curtains alike. The materials were very numerous and their names

have a most unfamiliar sound. There was perpetuana, Kitterminster,

serge, darnick (a coarse damask,) silke darnick, camlet, mohair,

fustian, seersucker, camac or camoca, bancour, red and green

paly-(vertical stripes of equal size,) printed calico, checked and

striped linen, India and Patma chintzes, corded dimities, harrateen,

lutestring, moreens of all colours, fine French chintzes, Pompadour

chintzes, "fine laylock and fancy callicoes," and "muzlins." There were

bed-cords, and fringes to edge and trim all these materials, and the

bed in full dress was a very ornamental affair.

Beds varied in size and height in quite a remarkable degree. The one

shown in Figure 53 has a very wide reputation, and is now to be seen

at the rooms of the Antiquarian Society, Concord, Mass. It is of

mahogany, with bandy legs and ball-and-claw feet. The curtains are the

original ones that came with the bed and are worn in many places. They

are very curious showing agricultural scenes and domestic animals in

large numbers. These curtains were not intended to be drawn, but to

hang permanently in place, and there were to be inner curtains of

"muzlin" or "callico" to draw and keep out drafts. One peculiarity of

this bed is its extreme narrowness; it is intended for a double bed and

yet its width is only four feet, it was included in the wedding outfit

of Miss Martha Tufts, who was married at Concord in 1774. The cabriole

leg and style of curtain lead to the supposition that the piece is

Dutch.

[Illustration: Figure 53. BED AT CONCORD, MASS.]

In February, 1768, Miss Harriott Pinckney was married to Daniel Horry

in "Charles Town," South Carolina. This was one of twelve weddings that

took place that year, all the bridegrooms being wealthy rice-planters.

The furniture to fill the houses of these rich couples was all brought

from England, and the beds were lofty mahogany ones, four-posters

with tester, canopy, curtains, and valances complete. The large heavy

posts for all twelve beds were said to be alike, and were carved with

rice-stalks, the heavy clustering heads forming the capitals. So tall

were these beds that steps were necessary to climb into them, and the

ones belonging to Mrs. Horry were in existence a few years ago.

In the "History and Present State of Virginia," 1705, is the following

paragraph relating to the homes:

--"The private buildings are of late very much improved; several

Gentlemen having built themselves large Brick Houses of many Rooms

on a floor and several stories high, as also some Stone-Houses;

but they don't covet to make them lofty having extent enough of

Ground to build upon. They always contrive to have large rooms

that they may be cool in Summer. Of late they have made their

Stories much higher than formerly, and their windows large and

sasht with Cristal Glass, and within they adorn their apartments

with rich furniture."

The eighteenth century was rightly called the Golden Age of Virginia.

The planter in his manor-house, surrounded by his family, served by a

vast army of retainers, was like a feudal patriarch, though his rule

was milder. On the plantation itself were produced all the necessaries

of life; it was a little community in itself. Wool was woven into

clothing, flax was spun, shoes were made, and blacksmithing done.

Luxuries such as books, wines, silks, laces, and the more elegant

household plenishings were brought to the very wharf from London in the

planters' own ships in return for tobacco. The writer previously quoted

goes on to say, about the people themselves:

--"They are such abominable ill husbands that, though their

country be overrun with wood, yet they have all their wooden ware

from England, their cabinets, chairs, tables, stools, chests,

boxes, cart-wheels, and all other things, even so much as their

bowls and birchen brooms, to the eternal reproach of their

laziness."

Although Beverly calls himself an "Inhabitant of Virginia", it

is curious that he was not aware that the southern colonies were

interdicted by special act of legislature from trading with the Dutch

or English colonies. "Wooden ware" is especially mentioned as being

subject to "imposicon."

[Illustration: Figure 54. BED AT MOUNT VERNON.]

A typical bed of the last quarter of the eighteenth century is shown

in Figure 54. This bed belonged to George Washington, and is in his

bedroom at Mount Vernon. It is said to be the one he used in his last

illness. Unlike the bed shown in Figure 53, this bed is of unusual

proportions, being nearly as wide as it is long. The small table

between the doors shows an excellent example of the Dutch foot. Upon

it stands a small dressing-glass, so much in use at this period, of

very handsome black and gold lacquer. Whenever General Washington had

the opportunity he added to the furniture and appointments of Mount

Vernon. Belvoir, the home of the Fairfax family, was one of the most

splendid of the mansions on the Potomac. In 1774 its contents were sold

at auction, and Colonel George Washington bought goods to the value of

£200 sterling. Among the most important lots were the following:

"1 mahogany shaving desk, 1 settee bed and furniture (£13), 4

mahogany chairs, 1 chamber carpet, 1 oval glass with gilt frame, 1

mahogany chest and drawers in Mrs. Fairfax's chamber, (£12. 10s)

1 mahogany sideboard, (£12. 5_s._) 1 mahogany cistern and stand,

1 mahogany voider, 1 desk and 1 knife tray, 12 chairs & 3 window

curtains from dining room (£31), 1 mahogany wash desk, (£1. 2_s._

6_d._)."

Among the smaller articles were several pairs of andirons, tongs

and shovels, bellows, brushes, toasting-forks, and "1 hot rache in

cellar," with many blankets, 19 coverlids, pillows, bolsters, bottles

and pickle-pots, wine-glasses and pewter water-plates. There were also

two tables, one "a mahogany spider-make tea-table, £1 11_s._" and "1

mahogany table £11," showing that articles of this wood obtained good

values even then. The list of the goods in all of the rooms of Belvoir

is far too long to be given here, but in the dressing-room connected

with Colonel Fairfax's bedroom were "1 oval glass in burnished gold,

(£5 10_s._), 1 mahogany shaving-table, 1 mahogany desk (£16 16_s._), 4

chairs and covers, 1 mahogany settee bedstead, Saxon green, covers for

same, 1 mahogany Pembroke table, dogs, shovel, tongs and fender."

It is also a matter of interest to see of what books a library

consisted among people who were considered to have a literary bent and

to be extensive readers. There is nothing "light" about it, and would

to-day be accounted very dull reading.

Batavia Illustrated

London Magazine, 7 vols.

Parkinson's Herbal

Knoll's History of the Turkish Empire

Coke's Institutes of the Laws of England, 3 vol.

England's Recovery

Laws of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay

Laws of Merchants

Laws of Virginia

Complete Clerk and Conveyancer

Hawkin's Pleas of the Crown

Gunnel's Offences of the Realm of England

Ainsworth's English and Latin Dictionary

Haine's Dictionary of Arts and Sciences

Blackmore's Prince Arthur

History of the Twelve Cæsars by Suetonius

John Calvin's Institution of Religion

Fuller's Church History from its Rise

Locke on the Human Understanding

Hughes's Natural History of Barbadoes

A New Body of Geography

Croope's Law Reports

Heylin's Cosmography, in 4 vols.

Collection of Voyages and Travels

Political Discourses by Henry, Earl of Monmouth

Wooten's State of Christendom

Hobart's Law Reports

Johnson's Excellency or Monarchical Government

Latin and French Dictionary

Langley's Pomona, or Gardening

A Political Piece

Strada's History of the Low Country Wars

Spanish and English Dictionary

Latin Bible

A Poem on Death

Judgement & Hell

Knox's Martyrology

Jacob's Law Dictionary

Chamberlayne's Great Britain

Laws of His Majesty's Plantations.

[Illustration: Figure 55. BED AT SOMERVILLE, N. J.]

A bed showing better the handsome solid posts is given in Figure 55.

This is also associated with the Father of his Country, for it is in

the house at Somerville, N. J., occupied by him as headquarters

during one of his campaigns in the Revolutionary War.

In Chapter I a "bedsteade of carven oak" was referred to as having

been sent for to England by Mrs. Lake, as a wedding-present for her

daughter. It could hardly have been such a very splendid piece of

furniture as that shown in Figure 56, with its coat of arms on the

headboard, and the two beautiful foot-posts. The draperies were

intended to cover the two head-posts, so that they were left plain.

The old easy-chair standing beside the bed has unfortunately lost its

feet, but they were the well-known ball-and-claw pattern generally

seen on this style of chair, which was well calculated to keep off

swirling draughts from the head and back of the occupant. These chairs

were popular for a century or more, and were made not only by English

cabinet-makers like Chippendale and Hepplewhite, but by the Dutch and

Flemish makers as well. They all have the bandy leg, but the Dutch foot

is sometimes used instead of the ball-and-claw.

But all the luxury and elegance were not absorbed by the South and New

York. Boston kept well to the front. In 1700 Andrew Faneuil, Huguenot,

came to Boston and engaged in business. His brother was in this

country, too, and, he dying not long after, Andrew assumed the care

of, and took into business with himself, first one and then a second

nephew. They were merchants and the following entries of consignments,

taken from their old ledgers, which are still in existence, show the

nature of their business. Besides crapes, poplins, lawns, and silks,

they had for sale durants and duroys, osnaburgs, camblets, narrow,

double and cherry, with ingrains, silk druggets and calamancoes. They

also imported dishes, pans, and kettles, "wooden lanthorns and tin

ditto" (1725). Nor did they neglect to provide amusement for their

fellow townsmen, for they imported "one-half gross man-in-the-moon

cards." Among other goods in this same invoice were "1 chest muskets

and one large pair looking-glasses."

Andrew Faneuil died in 1738, and his favourite nephew and chief

heir, Peter Faneuil, did not hesitate, on account of the cost, to

have an elaborate and seemly funeral. Three thousand pairs of gloves

were distributed, and later two hundred mourning-rings were given to

intimate friends. Peter Faneuil, now a wealthy young man by inheritance

as well as by his own exertions, lived in the old house with his maiden

sister. This same year, 1738, he sends to London for "a handsome

chariot with two setts of harness," and a coachman warranted to remain

sober. A few months later he writes for china and glass from England,

for table-cloths and napkins from France, and he sends for silver

spoons, "forks with three prongs," all to have upon them the Faneuil

crest. "Let them be very neat and handsome," says he.

The next order is for silver candlesticks and a punch-bowl of silver

holding two gallons, also to be decorated with the family crest. His

clothes were also a matter of concern, and he sends to London a pattern

of a piece of Duncy, orders buttons of the newest fashion to match it,

of mohair silk, and knee-straps. Nor is he less scrupulous about his

sister's affairs, and sent all the way back to London six pairs of

stockings which had been sent of worsted instead of "3 pairs thread

hose, and 1 pair Galous hose, and 2 pair of thread ditto."

[Illustration: Figure 56. CARVED OAK BEDSTEAD.]

Boston at this time (1738) seems to have had some luxuries demanded

by New York, for an order comes to Peter Faneuil to send there "a

dozen red Turkey or Morocker leather chairs." One of these easy-chairs

cost £14 14_s._ In 1742 Peter Faneuil gave to the city of Boston the

hall called by his name. It was built of home-made brick (Salem had a

brick-kiln as early as 1629), but the glass in the windows was brought

from England in Mr. Faneuil's own ships. The first furnishings bought

by the selectmen for Faneuil Hall were "two pairs of brass candlesticks

with steel snuffers, and a poker, for the town's use."

Peter Faneuil's inventory, filed in 1742, contains items under 158

heads, and makes quite a volume of manuscript. It includes not only

his and his uncle's gatherings in the way of household goods, but the

contents of warehouses, cellar, coach-house, and stables. The house was

handsomely furnished. In the best room were, "12 carved vineered chairs

& couch, £105; 1 pier glass, £100." Other costly articles were, "1

buffet with parcel of china delph & glass, £199." There were, besides,--

--"1 chimney glass and arms; 1 marble table; 1 large Turkey

carpet; 1 compleat brass sett, hearth-dogs, tongs, shovel, and

bellows; 1 copper tea-table; cups, saucers, tea-pot, stand,

bowl and sugar-dish; 3 alabaster bowls and stands; 1 large oval

mahogany table, 12 plain walnut-frame leather-bottom chairs; 1

prospect of Boston, 2 landskips on copper, and the Temple of

Solomon."

The "Great Centre Hall" must have made a quaint appearance, since here

hung the fire apparatus; "1 large entry lantern; 12 baggs and buckets,

and books £50."

The sleeping-rooms were handsomely equipped, and each was furnished

with its appropriate colour. The list includes:

"1 harrateen bed, bedstead and window curtains, matrass and two

green silk quilts and feather-bed, £65

3 scones with arms

1 bureau, 1 table, 1 pr. brass-faced dogs, 1 fire-shovel, tongs

bellows, and one Turkey carpet, £107"

Peter Faneuil's own room was not lacking in comforts, as is shown by

the enumeration of:

--"1 silver-hilted sword, 1 pair of pistols and 1 powder-flask,

£15; 1 case 6 razors, bone penknife, strap, 2 bottles,

looking-glass tipt with silver; yellow mohair bed-counterpane,

feather-bed, bolster, 2 false pillows, false curtains, 6 chairs, 1

great chair, 2 stools, window curtains," etc.

The furnishings of this room, exclusive of the small-arms, was valued

at £245. He had "6 lignum-vitæ chocolate-cups lined with silver",

which were probably Dutch, for among the goods of Sara Van der Vulgen,

of Schenectady, at about this same period, was a great "saler" or

salt-cellar, made of lignum-vitæ, bound with silver and standing on

three little silver feet.

In Mr. Faneuil's kitchen were many utensils of copper, pots, pans, and

kettles, together with an "engine and cistern." He had many jewels,

1,400 ounces of plate, including a shaving-basin worth £40. There were

silver snuff-boxes, seven gold rings, and "chrystall buttons set in

gold." Just before he died he sent to London for "six gross of the very

best London King Henry's cards", for his store no doubt, for cards were

becoming more popular among the descendants of the Puritans than they

had been.

In 1729 Governor Burnet, of New York and Massachusetts, died, leaving

behind him a long list of valuable personal goods. He owned as many

as seventy chairs and twelve tables. The chairs were of mahogany and

walnut, with leather or bass bottoms, and one easy-chair was covered

with silk. Twenty-four chairs had seats of red leather, a noble set,

and there are two chairs now in the Yale University Library which

belonged to Governor Burnet, and which are of the exact style of what

we call Chippendale. They were made more than twenty-five years before

the "Director" was published, but are made of mahogany with richly

carved knees, ball-and-claw feet, with carved and ornamentally pierced

splats, handsome upper rail curved and ending in the little ears before

mentioned.

In all the inventories of wealthy and poor alike there is mention of

candlesticks, sconces, girandoles, etc. The "entry lanthorns," as well

as the perforated tin ones, were made to hold bits of candles and lamps

are few and far between. It was not till 1783 that the flat-wick lamp

was invented, the lamps before that time being pewter and glass, with

small, round, string wicks, burning whale oil. When the question of

lighting was so difficult, it is no wonder that the pioneers were in

the habit of going to bed at dark and rising with the sun. The bayberry

or candleberry was of recognized value, and the laws of Brookhaven, as

early as 1687, forbade the gathering of the berries before September

15, under a penalty of a fine of fifteen shillings.

Candlewood, as pine knots were called, was burned in the fireplace on

long winter evenings. The manufacture of home-made candles was one of

the tests by which the careful housewife was distinguished, dozens of

candles being made and laid away in the candle-box. In 1753, in the

"New York Gazette," were advertised "Green mould candles for sale, at

the Old Slip Market." The old moulds, generally of tin, were passed

around among neighbours in country districts and villages. "Dipping"

candles was a trying business, and required skill and experience on the

part of the dipper. Lustres holding many candles were used on festive

occasions, and four or six lights were often set in branches on either

side of mirrors. Many candlesticks with cut-glass prisms are still to

be found, and betty-lamps, crude little metal lamps, were often used

for bedrooms or in sick-rooms. "Glass lamps and chamber lamps" were

advertised as early as 1759, and "fine large lamps at 20 shilling

each" in 1752. Candle-screens, "red, green, gilt and black japanned

candlesticks with snuffers and extinguishers", were on sale in 1773,

and no card-table was complete without at least a pair of tall massive

candlesticks of Sheffield plate.

By 1760 the newspapers contain advertisements of what are really

luxuries. James Gilliland, dealer in earthen, delf, and glass in Wall

street, New York, has the following named articles: "Enamelled and

cabbage teapots [Wedgwood, no doubt], cut and ground glass decanters,

tumblers, punch and wine glasses."

The fair sex is by no means forgotten, and even during the stress of

the great struggle for freedom her appearance is considered. Many times

the following announcement appears: "The Venetian Paste so well-known

to the ladies for enameling the Hands, neck and face of a lovely

white" is for sale by Hugh Gaine, printer. Nesbit Deane offers hats

"to exceed in fineness, cut, colour, and cock." He also has "Ladies'

white riding hats." "Goods for the approaching season" are duly set

forth in the spring advertisements, and "Sagothies, Hairbine, white

silk embroidered and tambour with gold shades" are recommended for

waistcoats. There was also to be bought "gold and silver vellum lace,

gold and silver bullion fringe, silk sashes and hat feathers for the

gentlemen of the militia and army." "Spittlefield corded tabbey,

peneaffcoes and peling sattens" were to be had in all colours for

ladies' use, while "Prunells and Oxford crape" were provided for the

"Rev'd clergy."

The servant question was a burning issue even at that time, and there

are quantities of rewards offered for runaway slaves and apprentices.

Some desperate householder advertised in March, 1777:

"WANTED. A cook, black or white, male or female. Such a person

will meet with good encouragement by applying to Hugh Gaine,

printer."

Those who did not wish to be annoyed by the labour of housekeeping

could be accommodated with "Diet and Lodging," also, by applying to

Hugh Gaine, printer.