COLONIAL AND LATER PERIODS--_Continued_.
We have seen by the middle of the century, 1750, how many comforts were
obtainable at the large centres, and how many cabinet-makers were at
work in the Colonies. About 1756 the ways and people are described thus:
"New York is one of the most social places on the continent. The
men collect themselves into weekly evening clubs. The ladies in
winter are frequently entertained either at concerts of musick
or assemblies, and make a very good appearance. They are comely
and dress well, and scarce any of them have distorted shapes.
Tinctured with a Dutch education they manage their families with
becoming parsimony, good providence, and singular neatness."
Twenty-five years later the British officers quartered in New York
made life there very gay. Fox-hunting was practiced till 1781, and was
advertised in the "Royal Gazette" as taking place on Ascot Heath, in
Brooklyn. Horse-racing took place on Hempstead Plains, Long Island, for
life in general was a full copy of what was going on in England. The
"New York Gazette" of June 4, 1770, tells us that--
--"a Great Horse-Race was run off on Hempstead Plains for a
considerable wager, which engaged the attention of so many in the
city that upward of seventy chairs and chaises were carried over
the ferry from hence, and a far greater number of horses, so that
it was thought that the number of Horses on the Plains at the
Races far exceeded a thousand."
[Illustration: Figure 57. ROOM IN WHIPPLE HOUSE, IPSWICH, MASS.]
[Illustration: Figure 58. CARVED AND GILDED MIRROR FRAME.]
[Illustration: MAHOGANY MIRROR FRAME WITH BRASS ORNAMENTS.]
The comparatively peaceful sport of horse-racing was not the only one
indulged in. Bull-baiting was not at all unusual. The posters for this
amusement were headed "Pro Bono Publico," and in the "New York Mercury"
for August, 1774, John Cornell announces that there will be "a Bull
Baited on Town Hill at 3 o'clock every Thursday during the season."
Town Hill was Columbia Street, near Cranberry Street, Brooklyn Heights.
On March 24, 1777, in the "New York Mercury" was the following
advertisement:
"On Thursday At the Theatre in John St. On next Thursday evening
will be performed a Tragedy called Venice Preserved. With an
Occasional Prologue. To which will be added a Farce called 'The
Lying Valet.' The Characters by the Gentlemen of the Army and
Navy."
As for clothes, of course the people followed the English styles,
and copies of such magazines as "The Maccaroni Magazine or Monthly
Intelligence of the Fashions & Diversions," found their way to America.
Here is an extract from the issue October, 1772:
"Hats are rising behind and falling before. The blazing gold loop
and full-moon button is now totally exploded, and succeeded by a
single narrow looping, broad hatband, and pin's-head button. In
full dress the three buttons zigzag with the foretop à la Grecque.
Roses are entirely confined to Cheapside, and bags are increasing
daily. The late stunting of coats having promoted the growth
of skirts, the pockets are capable of holding conveniently a
tolerable-sized muslin handkerchief and smelling bottle. Shoes are
decreased in heels two inches, and cut like a butter-boat to show
the clocks of the stockings."
"The Magazine a la Mode, or Fashionable Miscellany," particularly
adapted to the People of both Sexes, and calculated to convey early and
useful information to those who are in any way concerned in furnishing
articles of Dress, either in "Town or Country," appeared in 1777. From
one of these useful repositories we learn under date of 1786 that
grass-green was the fashionable colour for gentlemen's suits, that the
hair was dressed à la Taureau, and that watch-keys were remarkable for
size and weight.
In 1760, pattern-books published in London were to be found in
America for the benefit of native cabinet-makers, as the following
advertisement duly sets forth:
"John Rivington of Hanover Square has for sale many books for
cabinet makers, joiners, etc., and calls particular attention
to a new work called Household Furniture for the year 1760, by
a society of Upholsterers, Cabinet-makers, etc., containing
upwards of 180 Designs consisting of Tea-Tables, Dressing, Card,
Writing, Library and Slab tables, Chairs, Stools, Couches,
Trays, Chests, Tea-Kettles, Bureaus, Beds, Ornamental Bed Posts,
Cornishes, Brackets, Fire-Screens, Desk and Book Cases, Sconces,
Chimney-Pieces, Girandoles, Lanthorns, etc., with scales."
Not a paper but had advertisements of furniture offered for sale. Thus
in 1774 we find:
"To be sold at private sale a large black walnut cupboard with a
set of Delft, a large pier looking-glass, one pair of sconces, 3
large gilt frame pictures, and sundry other articles."
In the same number of the "Weekly Mercury," and in many succeeding
issues appears the following notice:
"A scheme for the disposal of a large quantity of silver-plated
furniture by lottery. The owner is a Philadelphian."
[Illustration: Figure 59. MAHOGANY DESK AND CHEST OF DRAWERS.]
In Figure 58 are shown two looking-glasses of styles that were
fashionable about the middle of the eighteenth century. One of them
is dated 1749, of mahogany handsomely carved, and further embellished
with ornaments of chiselled brass, a beading of it being next to
the glass. It rests upon two mirror-knobs, which were screwed into the
walls to support looking-glasses, and the collection of which is such
a pleasing hobby to-day. The central ornament on the top is missing.
The other glass is of carved wood gilded, and is now in Memorial Hall,
Philadelphia. It hung for many years in the fine old house "Belmont,"
and is of the very finest style. The broken-arch cornice is finished
with rosettes, and the central ornament is not the usual urn, but
something more ornate.
There are constant notices of mahogany for sale, such as:
"A cargo of fine mahogany for sale by Anthony Van Dam, Jan'y 17,
1774."
In May of the same year John Morton advertises--
--"the largest and most elegant assortment of mahogany or gilt
oval looking-glass frames ever imported in this city."
William Melbourn advertises also, in 1774, over a hundred items, among
them are the following, showing that "small wares" were easily to be
obtained:
"White and green ivory table and desert knives and forks.
Ditto with silver caps and ferrils. Ditto black ebony with caps
and ferrils. Also Black horn, camwood, centre-bone split buck,
sham stag table knives and forks. Carving and oyster knives. Neat
mahogany and fish skin knife boxes. Mahogany and fish skin razor
cases. Plated coffee pots and spoons. Mahogany tea chests. Merry
Andrew, Harry, and Mogul's playing cards, Pearl and ivory fish and
counters, Mustard and Marrow spoons."
In Memorial Hall, Philadelphia, is a set of table knives with green
ivory handles, like those advertised in the first item, and looking
at the end of the blades we can no longer doubt that the use of
two-pronged forks was supplemented by a dexterous manipulation of the
knife-blades. Writing-desks or scrutoirs, or desks and bookcases, or
even desks fitted into the drawers of a bureau, had become pieces of
furniture that were found in every well-to-do home.
In Figure 59 is shown one of the early styles of make, about the
middle of the eighteenth century. This particular desk was brought
from England, is of mahogany, and is in good condition except that the
front feet have been restored. It still has the original brasses and
the overlapping drawers. It has several secret drawers where during the
Revolution the private documents of the owner were concealed. During
the Civil War its secret drawers were again in use, and effectually
concealed papers of value. It has never passed out of the possession
of the family whose ancestors brought it over, and it belongs to Miss
Hite, of Waynesboro, Va. The two-drawer chest beside it is of a much
earlier period. The mouldings make the chest part resemble two drawers,
but the top opens as is usual. The handles on the desk are of the shape
used so much by Hepplewhite on his bureaus and sideboards, while those
on the chest are an earlier form of the well-known willow pattern of
brasses and are fastened in by wires. The earliest patterns of handles
were the knob and drop, which were used on furniture before 1700.
These were succeeded by others which were fastened in by wire, and
these again were replaced by handles which were affixed with nut and
screw. On page 224 are shown the different styles of handles, and their
approximate dates. The chest is of mahogany, with bracket foot. This is
a most unusual and interesting piece.
[Illustration: Figure 60. COMBINED BOOK CASE AND DESK.]
At the time of the Revolution there was comfort generally in most of
the large cities at least. In 1776 there were sent to Cold Spring, for
the use of the army, the following:
"2 Mah'y tables, 6 Rush Bottom chairs, 4 Mah'y Rush Bottoms, and 2
small bedsteads, a kitchen table, a new case of bottles, a Coffee
Mill, Brass Scales and Waights, 2 Kitchen Tramels, 2 pickel Tubs
and 2 Wash Tubs, an Iron hooped Pail and a soap barrel mostly full
of soap and the Ticke of a Stra bed. Value £20."
The works at Cold Spring were destroyed, and the goods were never used,
but the Government's strong-box paid for them.
Cornelis Van Santvoordt, who lived at Esopus, near Kingston, N. Y.,
when it was burned by the British October 16, 1777, put in a claim for
damages for £54 17_s._ 3_d_. a large variety of goods, as may be seen
from the following list:
"1 Fether bed Holl'd Tick, 1 Boulster, 1 Pillow,
1 Coverlin to bed 14 0 0
1 Bedsted 20_s._--1 Green Rug 55_s._ 3 15 0
2 large Rose Blanckets 1 8 0
1 large lookinglass 6 0 0
2 chaina Teapots 16 0
8 Burnt China Chocolate Cups 10 0
½ Doz Teacups and Saucers 14 0
4 tea plates 4 0
2 large Cream Couler sauce cups 4 0
½ doz blew chaina plates 6 0
½ " cream couler " 2 6
1 dining-table black cherry wood 1 4 0
1 Teble larg 1 0 0
1 large Copper Kittle 3 13 9
1 Brass Kittle 1 12 0
6 Flat back chairs 1 16 0
1 Holland cubberd neatly adorned with Waxwork 10 0 0
1 Barrel soap 1 12 0
3 Wine Canters 6 0
4 " glasses 6 0
1 chest wt. Clothing and linen 1 10 0
1 " " Sundry books & 1 large Dutch Bible 3 0 0
1 large Kibbe, 1 Sermon book some of the
others Divinity & some History 1 12 0
1 New Spinning Weale 1 12 0
12 pictures w't Glass over 18 0
1 larg Knot Bowl Cost 1 4
2 " " " " 2 0
2 beds with Straw 2 10
2 fine worked Baskets 16 0
1 Tapend Water Crane 6 0
--------
54 17 3
This inventory is somewhat unusual from the number of "Chaina" articles
enumerated, and among all the items there are but six chairs and not
a stool. This claim, with many others, is recorded in the "New York
Records of the Revolution," and it was paid out of the "strong-box."
This box was not a mythical object at all, but a veritable chest.
Gerard Bancker was State Treasurer for twenty years. During the
Revolution the iron chest moved about from one place to another like
the Continental Congress, and the Treasurer went with it. According
to a custom of the times Mr. Bancker took the chest with him when he
retired from office. His family kept it for a hundred years, but with
many other relics it was sold in Philadelphia, in 1898, by one of his
descendants.
[Illustration: Figure 61. FIELD BED.]
[Illustration: Figure 62. LOW FOUR-POST BED.]
There were various patterns of combinations of desks and
bookcases, and of desks and bureaus. There were the high, wide ones
of Chippendale or Sheraton, that would almost fill one side of a
room. There were small ones with desk below and shelves above, and
occasionally there were such great ones as that shown in Figure 60.
This piece of furniture is so tall and massive that it could not have
been accommodated in any save a large house. It is over eight feet
tall and five feet three inches wide. It is of a light mahogany, with
pillars of Empire style and very handsome brasses. The lid of the
desk folds back on itself and below it is a drawer and cupboard. The
handsomest things about the bookcase are the glass doors with Gothic
tracery. The date of this piece is about the first decade of the
nineteenth century. The four legs on the front are of unusual elegance.
It belongs to the Historical Society at Albany.
Quite as interesting as the inventories of property left by will are
some old records in the State Library, New Jersey, called a "Record of
the Damages done by the British and their adherents to the Inhabitants
of Middlesex Co., New Jersey." This contains the inventories made by
six hundred and fifty persons who suffered from the depredations of the
plundering Hessians and the English soldiery. The lists extend over
the years from 1776 to 1782 inclusive, but the worst mischief was done
in the time from December, 1776, to June, 1777. There were eighteen
hundred horses taken, and these form a single item. That the settlers
were good livers the following inventory of one patriot shows. He lost--
--"4 hogsheads of cider, ½ pipe of madeira, 10 gallons brandy, 7
gallons Jamaica brandy, ½ barrel cherry Rum, barrel Porter."
The inventory does not state his business, but we trust from
appearances that he kept a "public."
Another list reads:
"Three cupboards of Dutch make as good as new, also three large
Bibles 1 Dutch and 2 English."
David Harriott, of Middlesex County, was completely stripped by the
enemy. Among many items were--
"a set of Homespun curtains wove with damask flowers, one ditto of
white in large damask flowers, and one ditto of double dimons."
Napkins, quilts, bedspreads, and sheets, as well as large-flowered
damask table-cloths and linen covers testify to the industry of the
women of the family. The good wife lost her long gowns and short
gowns, her "shifts of 500 linen," handkerchiefs of gauze, lawn, and
linen, aprons of new flowered lawn, fine linen and homespun, 3 caps of
cambric and lawn, all new, and even two bibs for a child. They took all
of David's clothes and his silver teaspoons and buckles, smashed his
windows and doors, broke down his partitions, drove off his cattle,
and did not leave him so much as "a bed, a piggin, a trammel, or a
gridiron."
Jacob Hyer was another sufferer. His house must have been one of
considerable size and well furnished. There are many items, among them--
--"5 fluted brass candlesticks, 2 pr. common ditto, 1 doz. iron
ditto, 10 pr. snuffers; 11 feather beds with bolsters and pillows,
etc."
[Illustration: Figure 63. FRENCH BED.]
The enemy left him nothing, even taking his "Iron chain for Smoke
Jack." Much of the furniture listed in these inventories was evidently
of American make, for the woods mentioned are bilstead, gum pine,
walnut, cherry, or red cedar. The last was the favorite. "Bilstead" was
maple.
The beds were chiefly of three styles, field beds, high four-posters
with testers and valance, and low four-posters, with an occasional
"English" or "French" bed. There were beds much plainer than the
carved ones we so much admire, but in any case the bed was the most
valuable household possession, as it had always been. In 1640 William
Southmead's house in Gloucester, Mass., is valued at £8, and his
feather-bed, bedstead, and appurtenances at the same sum. In 1628
a pair of sheets was furnished to each Massachusetts Bay Colonist.
Linen and flannel sheets were the ones in use. After spinning became
universal and flax abundant, homespun sheets abounded,--"20 and 1 pr."
is not an unusual number; and where there were several daughters whose
chests had to be filled, the number was many times greater. Table linen
also was of domestic manufacture.
One of the fashionable patterns of beds shown in the English books
imported into the Colonies, and made by American cabinet-makers, was
known as the "field bed." The one shown in Figure 61 is in the Whipple
House, Ipswich, and is draped with the netting curtains, heavily dotted
and fringed, which were customary in its day. Early in 1700 there was
an auction sale of Governor Cornbury's effects in New York, and the
following advertisement concerning them:
"A fine yellow Camblet bed lined with silk and trimmed with
fine lace, which came from London. One fine field bedstead and
curtains. Some blue cloth lately come from London for liveries and
some broad gold lace. A very fine medecine chest with a great
variety of valuable medecines. A parcel of sweetmeats and jelly
glasses. A case of 12 knives and 12 forks with silver handles. A
large iron fireplace and iron bars all to be seen at the Fort.
It seemed as if the field bed had been made here, as it is specified
that several of the other articles came from London. "The Journeyman's
Cabinet & Chair-makers Philadelphia Book of Prices" gives in 1795 the
price of a mahogany field bed, with sloped roof, at £1 7_s._, while
one of poplar, with the roof sloped each way, cost but one pound.
The carving of the posts was of course extra and was to be paid for
according to time. Each inch that the bed was longer than six feet and
wider than four feet was to be charged for at the rate of two pence per
inch. This may be the reason why many of the beds were so narrow. It is
often stated that the field bed was in use for a few years only, about
the middle of the 18th Century, while in fact it was here, imported and
of domestic make for fully one hundred years, and I am by no means sure
that Governor Cornbury's was among the earliest.
[Illustration: Figure 64. HIGHBOY.]
Great attention was paid to the draping and arranging of the curtains,
valances, and testers of the high four-posters. Heavy materials of
silk and woollen were used, as well as cotton stuffs. Men paid great
attention to the colourings of their bed furniture, as we have seen
in several inventories, and Horace Walpole chose for his own bed at
Strawberry Hill purple cloth lined with white satin, and bunches of
feathers on the tester. Hepplewhite spent much pains on the details of
his beds, and recommended that the valance be made very full, in which
case it was called the "petticoat valance." There were also elaborate
details for tying back the curtains and trimming them with gimp and
fringe. The bed-drapings, even in early days, were often very valuable.
Col. Francis Epes, of Henrico Co., Va., has in his inventory dated
October 1, 1678:
"One large new feather bed with camlett curtains and double
vallins lind with yellow silke, bolster, pillow, counterpane,
Rodds and hooks tops and stands, 1 curtaine and some Fringe
damnified £24 5_s._ 0_d_."
The low-post bed was also a very handsome piece of furniture, and in
many cases the post was surmounted by a pineapple, like the example
shown in Figure 62. This bed has passed through a career of violent
contrasts, and it is only within a year that the four posts were
rescued from a barn, where they afforded convenient roosts for poultry.
The side and head and foot boards had passed entirely out of sight, no
doubt in some moment of stress they had fed the family cooking-stove.
The missing parts have been restored in solid mahogany, and it makes a
very handsome piece of furniture. It belongs to Mr. William M. Hoyt, of
Rochester, N. Y. The acanthus leaves on the lower parts of the legs are
unusually handsome. The posts are 63 inches high, and the brass drops
which conceal the screw-holes have been restored from a bed of the same
period.
An unusually elegant example of the French bed is the one given in
Figure 63. This bed is of rosewood, with legs of splendidly carved
dolphins, and on the side rails and rolling ends are very rich ormolu
decorations cut from solid brass. The medallions directly over the
legs show Fame blowing her trumpet, and the rams' heads terminating
the head and foot boards where they rest upon the wood above the stars
are solid brass also. This bed has been many years in this country,
and stood in the bridal chamber or guest-room of the old Van Rensselaer
Manor House at Albany, N. Y. This room was situated on the ground floor
to the right of the front door.
A most necessary piece of furniture which every housekeeper endeavoured
to own was some form of "highboy," as it has come to be called, or a
chest-on chest of drawers. Figure 64 depicts a fair example of the
highest style of perfection to which these articles reached. Few are
found more ornate than this. The wood is mahogany, and is richly
carved on the knees, with the upper and lower drawers ornamented with
shell and scrolls. The escutcheons and handles are original, and the
only defect is the loss of the two ornaments which decorated either
side of the top. The date of this chest of drawers is anywhere from
1750 to about 1780, the overlapping drawers making it more likely to
approximate the earlier date. Belonging to about the same period is the
corner cupboard shown in Figure 65. This is of cherry, with the broken
arch-cornice and Gothic door. It has turned posts with rosettes which
Sheraton often used, and the cupboard doors overlap and are panelled.
The back of the cupboard is of pine, as are the shelves. The wood is a
rich dark colour and unpolished. Similar pieces, though not exactly in
this form, are to be met with in Virginia and are doubtless of native
manufacture.
[Illustration: Figure 65. CORNER CUPBOARD.]
[Illustration: Figure 66. INLAID AND LACQUERED TABLE AND CHAIR.]
American makers used not only mahogany, cedar, ash, elm, pine, maple,
cherry, poplar, and walnut, but could inlay with "King, tulip, rose,
purple, snake, zebra, Alexandria, panella, yew, and maple." There were
cabinet-makers in every town, and many of them put out as handsome
work as their contemporaries in London. In Chapter V mention has been
made of the cabinet-makers of the eighteenth century, but furniture
was made in the Colonies even before that. The native joiners began
to work as early as 1622, for Phineas Pratt, of Weymouth, Mass.,
was what we now call a cabinet-maker, and before 1700 Boston had
at least 25 cabinet-makers whose names appear in various records.
We have also spoken of Connecticut chests, and their manufacture
somewhere in that State. There is also another style known as the
Hadley chest. Mr. Lockwood, in his fine work on furniture, places
the date of these chests as ranging from 1690 to 1720. They come in
one-, two-, and three-drawer patterns, varying in height from 32½
inches in one-drawer size to 46 inches for the three-drawer style. The
peculiarity of these chests is their decoration, their shape being
similar to other chests of the same period. In addition to being carved
they are stained as well,--red, mulberry, and black being the colours
chosen. On the central panel of the front the initials of the owner
were usually roughly carved; the decoration of the chest, confined
to the front, being a rude vine, while the sides are panelled. The
top, body of drawers, and back of chest are always pine, the thrifty
New England craftsman saving his hardwood for places where it would
show. There is a very fine specimen of these Hadley chests in the
Museum at Deerfield, Mass. Several more are in collections gathered in
Massachusetts or adjoining States. The black-stained pine ornaments do
not always mark a piece as of domestic manufacture, for pear-wood was
used by the Dutch, and even occasionally by the English, stained black
to imitate ebony, which was always more or less costly.
After 1725 there was considerable travel by merchants, and to a small
extent by others bent on pleasure. Inns became of importance, and
brought in good incomes to their owners. Abel Chapin kept a tavern
at Chicopee, Mass., in 1730, and some few leaves of his account-book
still remain. The records of the bar are the most numerous entries,
and he sold there "Rhum & Cyder", bowls of punch and mugs of flip,
and sometimes "Shugar, seed-corne, salt, and molasses." When this
prosperous innkeeper died he left personal property valued at £400,
and his real estate was worth £1,300. There were six hundred items
mentioned in his inventory among the household furnishings, including
iron, pewter, and brass ware with some china and glass. There is also
special mention of "36 linen sheets, sixteen blankets, eleven woolen
sheets, 6 table cloths and 21 towels." The inventory of his wardrobe
shows richness for those days, and justifies his mother's statement
that she had one son who was too rich. The inventory begins with:
"2 Great Cotes, 1 srait Body Cote, 1 pare lether Britches, 1 pare
shues, 4 pare pumps, 1 hat, a black Velvet Vest, 1 pare Velvet
Britches, 9 pare hose, 4 fine shirts, 6 common shirts, shoe
Buckles."
His brother, a bachelor, died in 1747, and also had much worldly geer.
He had "cotes and jackets of Camlet, serge and Broadcloth", and "some
shirts, some more shirts, and some fine shirts."
[Illustration: Figure 67. LACQUERED TABLE.]
[Illustration: Figure 68. MAHOGANY BUREAU.]
There was no longer such great stress for the necessaries of life,
in the Connecticut Valley at least, though there was still hardship
and danger a plenty. Game and wild fowl abounded in the woods,
and the rivers were full of fish. There is on record a single catch
in one night of 6,000 shad and 90 salmon, six men being at work. Each
householder was required to keep at least three sheep, and these, with
the fields of flax, supplied bedding and clothing.
The Wayside Inn, South Sudbury, Mass., is still standing to show what a
handsome and hospitable dwelling one of these old-fashioned inns was.
In Figure 18, is shown the old dining-room, looking to-day pretty much
as it did a century ago. On the left is a handsome lowboy with carving,
and from the little alcove on the right many a steaming glass of flip
or negus was served to cold and weary travellers. The dining-room
was the centre of hospitality in the later Colonial days, as the
kitchen had been in the earlier period. There was no handsomer or more
hospitable entertainer than John Hancock, of Boston. In September,
1778, he gave a dinner to Count D'Estaing, the French Admiral, and his
officers and other dignitaries. There was such a large company that
the spacious ball-room at the Hancock House was not large enough, so
Faneuil Hall was engaged for the occasion. All contemporary accounts
agree that it was a very splendid affair and went off with great
_éclat_. The following amusing glimpse behind the scenes shows Mr.
Hancock's anxiety about the provisions for this same dinner.
"MONDAY NOON, 30 Aug. 1778.
DEAR SIR--The Phillistines are coming upon me on
Wednesday next at Dinner. To be Serious, the Ambassador,
etc., etc., are to dine with me on Wednesday, and I have nothing
to give them, nor from the present prospect of our Market do I
see that I shall be able to get anything in Town. I must beg the
fav^r of you to Recommend to my man Harry where he can get
some chickens, Ducks, Geese, Hams, Partridges, Mutton or anything
that will save my reputation in a dinner, and by all means
some Butter. Be so good as to help me and you will much oblige
me. Is there any good Mellons or Peaches or any good fruit
near you? Your advice to Harry will much oblige me. Excuse
me, I am very troublesome. Can I get a good Turkey? I
walked in Town to-day. I dine on board the French Frigate
to-morrow, so you see how I have Recovered. God bless you.
If you see anything good at Providence, do Buy it for me.
"I am Your Real Friend
"JOHN HANCOCK."
Apparently the friend came to his assistance. The appearance of the
company must have been very gay, for bright apparel was not confined to
ladies alone.
Seven years later James Bowdoin, the Governor of Massachusetts (1785)
on a review day at Cambridge, wore a grey wig, cocked hat, white
broadcloth coat and vest, red small-clothes, and black-silk stockings.
Thomas Jefferson wore a white coat and red breeches. The ladies were
looked out for also, and--
"a neat assortment of women's and children's stays, also hoops and
quilted coats, also men's and women's shoes from England"
were advertised in the "New York Mercury." As early as 1761 Mr. H. Levy
offered for sale Hyson tea, coffee and chocolate, and English-made
shoes.
The "New York Gazette" of May 15, 1789, describes a gown of the
prevailing mode as follows:
"A plain but celestial blue satin gown over a white satin
petticoat. Over the neck was worn a large Italian gauze
handkerchief. Head-dress a pouf of gauze in form of a globe, the
head-piece of which was made of white satin having a double wing
which was trimmed with a wreath of roses. The hair was dressed in
detached curls and a floating chignon."
At this same period in winter weather the gentlemen wore muffs of
bearskin with knots of scarlet ribbon, while the hats of the ladies
were so immense that it was suggested that a larger style of umbrella
be invented so as to protect them.
[Illustration: Figure 69. AMERICAN-MADE CHAIRS.]
From 1750 the decoration of the fireplace became of importance, and
marble chimney-fronts, blue and white tiles, and beautifully variegated
marble hearths in different colours are freely advertised. Carved and
open-work mahogany mantelpieces could be had by 1765, and elegant
grates and Bath Stoves are imported from England. Fire-dogs or andirons
of many patterns are advertised for sale. In Figure 57, there will be
seen in the fireplace a pair representing marching soldiers.
We have seen in many inventories how the elegances of the East crept in
among stouter and more practical goods. In Figure 66 are shown two fine
examples of Oriental lacquer-work ornamented with gold and inlaid with
mother-of-pearl flowers. The chair is lacquered on some exceedingly
light and porous wood, and has a cane seat. The table, which is of
a very ornate design, has a heavy base to prevent its tipping over.
Both belong to the Erastus Corning Estate, and are now at the Albany
Historical Society Rooms. Music-stands were also made of lacquered wood
and decorated with gilt patterns and mother-of-pearl.
Another very beautiful example of lacquer-work is shown in Figure 67.
This is gold lacquer on black and special attention should be given to
the Oriental rendering of the pillar and claw feet of the table. The
carving is very fine, the dragon's head in which each foot terminates
being quite a work of art. The vase which stands on the table is
Sèvres, made under Napoleon's direction as a gift to the Emperor of
Russia. It never reached its destination; for Napoleon himself went
to Russia, and his mission was not to give, but to take. The vase was
secured in Paris by Mr. William Bayard, and presented by him to his
brother-in-law, General Stephen Van Rensselaer, the eighth patroon of
Rensselaerwick.
Bureaus with flat tops, upon which stood either lacquered or wooden
dressing-glasses, were in use during the latter part of the eighteenth
and in the early part of the nineteenth centuries. Sometimes the
glasses were attached to the bureau itself, which then had an extra set
of small drawers above the larger ones, set back so as to leave a shelf
in front of them. Such a piece of a very ornate character is shown in
Figure 68. It is of mahogany with gilt mountings of very beautiful
design on the pillars of the front. The drawer which swells out has
on it a splendid Empire gilt ornament. Above this the rail across the
front is painted black and has a pattern in gold upon it. The curved
supports to the mirror are carved and then painted with gold, as is
the mirror-frame itself. The handles are glass, with bosses of gilt,
completing an unusually handsome piece of furniture. The glass handles
place the date of this bureau as not earlier than 1820.
[Illustration: Figure 70. AMERICAN-MADE ROSEWOOD CARD-TABLE.]
The work of domestic furniture-makers has often been referred to in
this work, and in Figure 69 are given examples of three chairs, all of
them mahogany, the two on the left being in Sheraton style, and the
one on the right rather later, and coming under the head of Empire.
The latter has the curved back and legs which were very popular, and
a very distinctively American touch in the finely carved eagle
which ornaments the cross-bar of the back. All three chairs are well
carved, and the panelled back of the middle one has a thread of brass
moulding. The carved design is adapted from some well-known patterns by
Sheraton. The one on the extreme left has some very delicate carving
above the three arrows. In the little open panel are a bow and quiver
quite out of proportion, in their size, to the large, heavy arrows
below it. All three chairs had the covering nailed down with brass
nails in the popular style, and the middle one still has the original
stuff. American cabinet-makers also excelled in making and carving very
beautiful rosewood furniture which was held in high estimation down
to the middle of the century. A piece of such work is shown in the
handsomely carved card-table represented in Figure 70. The legs are
gracefully curved and embellished with fine carving. The top turns, and
then opens, a circular portion of the center being covered with cloth.
Within the frame the table is finished with handsome curled maple, and
has numerous little compartments for holding cards and counters. This
specimen belongs to Miss Sarah Frost, of Rochester, N. Y.