"THE LINDENS"
Nowhere in American history is there a colonial home more closely linked
with England than is "The Lindens," for here it was that Governor Gage,
during his sojourn in the colonies, made his official home. This house,
situated at Danvers, Massachusetts, was erected in or about 1770. The
exact year is not definitely known, as at that early period the records
were scanty, but about this time the mansion, which is now standing, was
built by one Robert Hooper, a rich Marblehead merchant, who was thought
to be a Tory at heart.
[Illustration: PLATE XVI.--"The Lindens," Danvers, Mass.]
When Governor Gage, sent over by order of the king from England to
convene the General Court, came to this country as a stranger, he
naturally demanded a residence suited for his station. This was in 1774,
probably four years after the completion of the building.
Robert Hooper offered this house to the governor as a summer home. Being
retired, as it was several miles from Salem where the court convened,
and also surrounded by extensive grounds, it proved most suitable for
the general's residence, a magnificent home in keeping with what he
demanded.
Those were troublous times. The edict had gone forth forbidding the
passage of many measures that would have given to the colonies more
freedom than the mother country thought best. It was even feared that if
these measures were adopted, the colonies would eventually be allowed to
do practically as they chose.
In considering this subject, it must be remembered that the colonies
were supposed by England to have very rich possessions, and it behooved
her to keep a strict hand on her unruly subjects who were planning for
separation from the mother land.
General Gage was sent over to look into the condition of affairs and to
see what could be done to bring about harmony. It was the middle of July
when the troop ships sailed into the harbor of Boston, and landed
General Gage, who later made his way through Salem streets to his
headquarters in the Hooper house. During his residence, this mansion was
the scene of many a merrymaking, and within its walls was often heard
the clanking of his officers' swords as the brilliantly uniformed men,
members of His Majesty's army, visited the house and were entertained by
their commander.
While "The Lindens" was the headquarters of General Gage, or Governor
Gage, as he was generally known, he had his office at the Page house in
Danvers, where the tea drinking episode took place on the roof. He
formed a brilliant spectacle, with his officers accompanying him, as he
rode over the highway every day in the fulfilment of his official
duties.
At that time the country was not thickly settled, and the houses were so
few that from his windows he could obtain an uninterrupted view of Salem
harbor. One reason for his taking the Page house was because he could
watch the vessels sailing in and out and thus guard himself against
capture by surprise.
Not long afterwards British troops were brought into Salem harbor,
disembarking at the point where Derby Wharf now is. There were two
companies of the Sixty-fourth Royal Infantry who, with their brilliant
red uniforms, made a striking spectacle as they marched through the
streets to the governor's house, where they encamped on the plain
opposite the headquarters. Later on these troops were followed by the
Fifty-ninth Regiment, who were quartered at Fort Pickering on Winter
Island. Messengers were constantly passing from one body of troops to
the other, carrying messages from the commander.
But little imagination was required to realize that the defender was not
popular, and that the people had very little respect for him. They had
never forgotten the Boston Massacre, neither did they fail to remember
that they had come to this country for freedom of thought. There was a
growing hostility among them, though they were under discipline and
generally kept within bounds. Still, enough restlessness was manifested
for the camp to be watchful against surprise. They knew only too well
that the independent citizens would let no occasion pass for a taunt or
a scornful word. During their encampment many practical jokes were
played on the troops, one of which was particularly amusing. At the drum
call to arms one morning, a thoroughly disguised man dashed in among
them on horseback and in a very loud voice cried: "Hurry to Boston, the
devil is to pay!" The troops were on the alert, however, and paid no
attention to his cry.
Standing near "The Lindens" in those days was a large oak tree, to which
culprits were tied and flogged. This was known as the whipping-post.
Singularly enough a part of it was used for the sternpost of the frigate
_Essex_.
In late September the British soldiers were withdrawn, and Hooper was
given back his summer home. Still visible on the door is a large hole
made by a musket ball which is said to have been fired to warn the Tory
owner. A more probable legend, however, is that the gate-posts were
ornamented with large balls showing lead ornaments attached, and that
one day a party of patriots who were going by to join the army spied the
precious metal and helped themselves to it to melt for bullets. This
aroused the wrath of the owner, who came to the door and remonstrated in
such a violent way that one of the men lifted his rifle and fired close
by his head, the bullet entering the door.
The estate on which this house stands was originally a part of the
Governor Endicott grant. It must be remembered that this grant covered
one thousand acres.
At the death of the governor in 1665, this land which was owned by him
came into controversy, and the courts were called upon to settle
definitely the boundary line. A part of this grant fell into the hands
of one Doctor Amos Putnam, familiarly known the country around as the
good old Doctor Amos on account of his gentle manner and his extreme
kindness to the poor. When he came into possession and how long he held
it can never be definitely known, as there is no record of any deed
passing until 1753, when we learn that the doctor and his good wife
Hannah transferred the property to Doctor Robert Hooper of Marblehead,
or as much of it as that on which the house stands, the exact number of
feet not being recorded. This was in consideration of L186 13_s._ 4_d._
It is definitely known that the Marblehead merchant added to his
original purchase from the fact that in 1755, two years later, more land
was bought.
Robert Hooper, who erected this colonial mansion, though a man of lowly
birth, was a wealthy merchant who lived in Marblehead. He possessed
great prudence and sagacity, so that he rose to be a man of power and
for a period of years practically monopolized the fishing industry of
Marblehead. During his life there, he entertained in a most lavish way,
rivalling Colonel Jeremiah Lee, not only in grandeur of equipage but in
liberality as well. His name of "King" was given to him by the
fishermen on account of his integrity and his personal honesty in
dealing with them. His ships sailed to almost every part of the
civilized world, and his name became well known in every country.
King Hooper erected a beautiful residence in Marblehead, one of the few
elaborate mansions that still remain. It was a common sight in those
days to see his magnificent equipages, drawn often by four prancing
steeds, come dashing through Salem on his way to Danvers.
The first record of the Danvers house we find is in 1774. Who the
builders were will always remain a mystery, but one fact can never be
challenged: that the work was done honestly and well, and that McIntire
must have been connected with its wood-carving as is shown from the fine
examples which are to be found in the interior.
The house, as it now stands, is recognized as one of the best examples
of provincial architecture in Massachusetts, ranking in the same class
with the famous John Hancock house in Boston, which was later torn down.
The mansion, surrounded at the front by a stone wall, stands far back
from the street. The entrance is by a wide, circular driveway enclosing
a central grass plot of carefully shaven lawn, the decorative feature
then as to-day being the magnificent elms that shaded the home. It
received its name from the fact that lindens lined either side of the
entrance drive. The grounds are extensive, mowing fields and grass land
interspersed with fine old trees showing at the rear of the house. At
the rear, also, is a fine old-fashioned garden carefully preserved,
where appear the same kinds of flowers that blossomed in our
grandmothers' day.
The building itself is a stern, dignified, two-story house with a
gambrel roof. This is surrounded with a curved balustrade similar to
that found in the Page house, as well as in many others of that period.
At the front are four dormer windows, but the central feature is the
high porch extending to the dentation in the roof and showing a pointed
cap above. The Corinthian column supporting it on either side is an
example of fine hand-carving, while the white trim corresponds
picturesquely with the gray of the exterior. The house is panelled on
the outside and painted to represent a stone house, although in reality
it is wood. The entrance door is unique, lacking the distinguishing
porch that is found on so many colonial homes. It is framed with white
instead.
Just how long the estate was owned by Robert Hooper will never be
definitely known. We find that later Judge Benager Collins lived there,
thus giving the name of "Collins House" to the mansion. Subsequently
Francis Peabody, one of Salem's most noted citizens, occupied this
residence as his summer home until his death, when it passed into the
hands of his son. During the elder Mr. Peabody's residence, the place
was restored to its former dignity. The grounds were materially
improved, and the garden was changed back to its original design.
Within the walls of this house have been entertained some of the most
notable men in the country. Mr. Peabody was a lavish entertainer, and
many important events occurred during the time of his residence. One of
the most frequent visitors at the house was the late J. Pierpont Morgan.
[Illustration: PLATE XVII.--Hallway, "The Lindens."]
Dignified and imposing as is the outside of the house, the interior is
even more impressive. Entering the sturdy door that swings back on its
long strap hinges, one finds himself in a wide hall extending entirely
through the house and opening on to the old-fashioned garden in the
rear. This remarkable hall shows some of the most wonderful
wood-carvings found in any colonial home. This is particularly
noticeable in the balustrades, probably McIntire's work. The newel post
and the balustrade are of mahogany, the former most elaborately carved.
The walls are hung above the panelling with a rich old-time paper,
depicting different scenes in the story of the adventures of Telemachus.
The furniture throughout the house is of either the colonial type or
massive old carved English pieces brought over centuries ago, most of
them heirlooms that have descended in the family for many generations.
On the extreme right are the stairs, rising by low treads; on the wide
landing is a window flanked by pilasters on either side. On this same
landing stands a rare colonial chair associated with the witchcraft
times. The upper hall, practically a replica of the lower one, is wide
and ample in its dimensions.
Opening from the hallway at the right is the library, finished in
mahogany and showing an Oriental paper of the seventeenth century
design. The mantel is one of McIntire's best, the central feature being
a basket of flowers with festooned ornamentations on either side. Here,
as in every room of the house, we find massive pieces of English oak,
richly carved cabinets and chairs.
[Illustration: PLATE XVIII.--Dining Room, "The Lindens"; Chamber, "The
Lindens."]
[Illustration: PLATE XIX.--Drawing Room, "The Lindens"; Library, "The
Lindens."]
The drawing-room, also finished in mahogany, is perhaps the most elegant
room in the house, with its fireplace of supporting pilasters rich in
elaborate hand-carving. There is a dignity and charm that surrounds
every room in this house, telling of the days when honest labor gave
thorough workmanship. All through this mansion the woodwork is
particularly impressive in its richness and careful finish of
hand-carving.
The dining-room, a large room in the rear of the house, is in close
harmony with the other apartments, the most notable feature here being
the strap hinges of wrought brass. These show most unusual
ornamentations, which differ from those on the entrance floor. Here the
trim is painted white and gives a most effective background to the brass
hinge. On every door is a ponderous brass lock of elaborate design. Few
houses, even among the most famous found in this vicinity, can boast of
more wonderful furniture and such a wealth of old-time wall-paper.
[Illustration: PLATE XX.--Chambers in "The Lindens."]
No two chambers are alike. Many of the fireplaces are particularly fine,
as McIntire has taken special pains to give good samples of his work.
The fireplace motive all through the house seemingly runs to baskets of
flowers.
In the days of commercial prosperity, the Peabody family was among the
most prominent of the Salem merchants. On the walls of "The Lindens" are
many paintings of ships that were at one time in the service of the
Peabodys.
The house to-day is owned by the son of the late Francis Peabody, who
has kept it in perfect preservation and intact as in his father's day.
Little wonder that romance clings about the place, leading one to tread
reverently through the different rooms, where, during the colonial
period, both American and English history were made.