THE MACPHAEDRIS-WARNER HOUSE
One of the noted houses in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is the Warner
house. This is a large brick mansion of ample dimensions, which stands
at the corner of Daniel and Chapel Streets, and has the distinction of
being the oldest brick residence in town. It must be remembered that the
use of brick in house-building was not extensively carried out in the
colonies, even as late as the early nineteenth century. Occasionally we
find houses where brick was used to cover the frame, outside of which
was an exterior of wood. This was for the sake of warmth, for, as we
know, in the early days not only was the climate more severe, but there
were not the scientific methods of heating known to-day.
[Illustration: PLATE XLVI.--The Warner House, Portsmouth, N. H.]
While the frame of these houses was generally of oak, yet the shingles
or clapboards were of white pine. White pine was very generally used
then, chiefly on account of its lasting quality. This is evidenced very
plainly in many old houses of that period which are found to-day in a
remarkable state of preservation. This same wood was used not only for
clapboards but for the principal interior finish, and we often find it
in large panels as perfect as when put in place two hundred years or
more ago.
Wood was generally used during the eighteenth century, but we
occasionally find a brick house such as the Macphaedris-Warner house.
The brick used was generally imported in those days, for the American
brick was of rather an inferior quality to that obtained on the other
side of the water. The bricks and tiles used in this house were imported
as ballast from Holland in some of the vessels owned by Captain
Macphaedris.
It is two centuries ago that this mansion was erected and it is still as
perfect in construction as it was the day of its finish. There has been
no change in either exterior or interior, so that it can well be
considered a fine example of a house that represents true honest labor
and the skill of the master mechanic. Another thing in its favor is that
it has always remained in the family. Much of the furniture shown there
to-day was formerly imported by Captain Macphaedris, who felt the
need of furnishing it for his bride in accordance with his station.
At the time of its erection, Captain Archibald Macphaedris was a wealthy
merchant and Tory at heart, being a member of the King's Council. He
came over from Scotland, attracted by stories of the new country's
wealth, in the early part of the eighteenth century, and taking kindly
to life here, he entered into trade and was so prudent that later on he
was able to build this splendid house. The building was designed as a
town residence, and although twelve miles distant from his industry, was
considered a suitable situation for this very reason. He preferred to
leave business cares at the close of the day and spend the intervening
time as far removed from them as possible.
Early in the eighteenth century iron works were founded at Dover, New
Hampshire. They were the first of the kind ever established in this
country, and Captain Macphaedris was the chief promoter of the new
industry. In addition to this, he carried on an extensive fur trade with
the Indians, with whom he was very friendly; by combining the profits
from his two ventures he was able to amass a considerable fortune.
A distinct feature of this house is the design of the roof and the high
brick chimneys, which convey a hint of Dutch sturdiness and which
resemble many of the houses in the Netherlands. This goes to show that
the valiant captain imported Dutch ideas along with his bricks and
tiles.
[Illustration: PLATE XLVII.--Doorway, Warner House; Porch, Warner
House.]
When finished, this mansion was three stories in height, being perfectly
plain with the exception of two fine doorways, the one on the front
being much the more elaborate. These have never been changed since the
days they were placed there. Whether the walls were built to resist
attacks of the Indians or not will never be known, but they are eighteen
inches thick, making the house one of the warmest of that period.
The plans of the house were designed in accordance with the wishes of
the bride, who was no less a personage than Sarah Wentworth, the
daughter of Governor John Wentworth, and one of the reigning belles of
Portsmouth. That it was an expensive house is shown from the fact that
it cost six thousand pounds or thirty thousand dollars, a considerable
sum to be spent in those early days, when money was not plentiful. The
furniture was all imported, brought over in Captain Macphaedris' ships
and especially designed for the house. It was in many respects quite
different from much of the furniture that had been brought into the
colony, and as much of the original is still shown, we realize how
carefully the captain must have sought to combine beauty and comfort.
The house was most carefully built, for it was first commenced in 1718
and not completed until five years later, in 1723. In all probability
the opening of the house was attended by a large housewarming, to which
the dignitaries of Portsmouth, including Governor John Wentworth, were
invited, but the event was considered of too little importance to be
mentioned in the annals that are left concerning the mansion.
By a strange irony of fate, the name of the man whose money and brains
built the house is rarely associated with it; the fine old pile is known
far and near by the name of the man who married the captain's daughter
Mary, a comely lass who was a great belle in the town. He was the Hon.
Jonathan Warner, a member of the King's Council until the Revolution
made his commission ineffective. Mr. Warner was a familiar figure about
Portsmouth in the latter days of the eighteenth century and is spoken
of, in an old review, as "one of the last of the cocked hats." He
invariably wore a long-skirted brown coat, small clothes, silk
stockings, and buckles on his shoes. He always carried a cane, and his
dignified bearing never failed to impress the youngsters of the place
with proper respect, and they always courteously saluted him as he
passed. And to-day the visitor at Portsmouth has the Macphaedris-Warner
house pointed out to him as the Warner house.
There can be no better proof that this house was well built than the
fact that it has withstood the ravages of New England weather for nearly
two hundred years and is still in good condition, the eighteen-inch
walls of honest Dutch brick as staunch as the day they were laid. The
gambrel roof, the Lutheran windows, and the quaint cupola all mark this
three-storied house as a genuine old-timer, and the broad, simply
ornamented doorways are suggestive of good old colonial hospitality, for
this house was the scene of many a merrymaking. Over the brick pavement,
laid herring-bone pattern, and up the stone steps came many a dignitary
of the land, who lifted the ponderous brass knocker, and as the panelled
door swung back on its long, strapped hinges, entered the spacious hall,
which extends the entire length of the house.
There are a few pieces of the old mahogany furniture left, showing to
best advantage against the white panelling of the wall. The staircase at
the extreme left is hand-carved, the newel post being exceedingly plain.
The heavy iron bar that still securely fastens the entrance door
bespeaks a time when the red men lurked in Portsmouth and made this
protection a necessity. If reliance is to be placed on old traditions,
the captain was a great friend of the Indians. The fact that two
portraits of Indian chiefs are still hanging upon the wall seems to
corroborate this story.
But the most distinctive and remarkable feature of this hall is the wall
fresco, reaching from the foot of the stairs to the second-story
landing, on the rough plaster of which are depicted various scenes, all
the work of a master hand. These wonderful frescoes, covering an area of
from four to five hundred feet, were hidden many years ago, and have
only been exposed within the last sixty years. As proof of the fact that
the frescoes must have been covered up for many years, the story is told
of an old lady eighty years of age who was a constant visitor at the
Warner house during her girlhood days. When shown these paintings she
looked at them wonderingly and asserted that their existence was
unknown at the time when she was an intimate of the family.
[Illustration: PLATE XLVIII.--Living Room, Warner House.]
[Illustration: PLATE XLIX.--Parlor, Warner House.]
Opening from the hallway on the right is the parlor, a spacious
apartment, panelled from floor to ceiling. A great fireplace, faced with
quaint Dutch tiles, occupies one corner; and on the narrow mantel above,
resting against a beautiful old mirror, is the Warner coat of arms.
Beside this is the coat of arms of the Sherburne family, into whose
possession the old house passed in the early part of the nineteenth
century. At one side of the room is a broad, arched doorway, where once
stood a large pipe organ which was removed some years ago.
Several fine pieces of Chippendale and Sheraton furniture are placed
about the room, and from the panelled walls stately dames and old-time
gallants deign to give the intruder a haughty glance. These fine old
portraits, all painted by the famous Copley, were originally encased in
Paul Revere frames. During the great fire which swept through the town a
number of years ago, the pictures were removed to insure their safety,
and before their return all the frames, with the exception of the one
encasing the portrait of Mary Macphaedris Warner, had mysteriously
disappeared, and no trace of them has ever been found. Included in
the collection are portraits of Captain Macphaedris, Hon. Jonathan
Warner, and his daughter Mary. The latter is pictured as an old-time
belle, in a gown of stiff brocade and rich red lace.
Opposite the parlor is the living-room, panelled like the hall, and
possessing the same charm as the rest of the house. The walls are
adorned by queer, old-fashioned pictures and heavy, gilt-framed mirrors,
the latter reflecting in their depths the beauty of the rare old
mahogany with which the room is furnished.
Beside the broad fireplace, tiled in brown, is a spacious cupboard,
deftly concealed in the panelling, where are stored quantities of fine
old silver and china, the treasured possessions of many generations of
Warners and Sherburnes. This fireplace is framed in quaint Dutch tiles,
but instead of grate and andirons it contains a Franklin stove,
surmounted by a queer coffee-urn once owned by Governor Langdon.
Although quaintly attractive, this stove is not nearly so interesting
from an historic point of view as is a stove still used in one of the
chambers. The latter, although not nearly so pretentious, has the
distinction of having been set up by Franklin himself, one of three in
Portsmouth whose installment he personally supervised.
A fine example of mahogany is shown in a beautiful secretary standing at
one side of the room, and through its traceried-glass doors are caught
glimpses of curious shells and bits of pink and red coral--brought home
by some seafaring Sherburne--as well as numerous Indian relics. It has
also a few old books left from a rare collection. Near by is a
diminutive desk, interesting from the fact that it is said to be an
exact reproduction in every detail of one brought to this country by
John Alden.
Each chamber shows wonderful four-posters, hand-knotted spreads, odd
candlesticks, foot-stoves, and powder-horns, each piece enhancing the
flavor and romance that clings to every nook and corner of the old
house. All these relics, as well as the fire-buckets hanging in the rear
hall, have been in the family for generations.
Carefully treasured in an old chest up-stairs are many things connected
with Colonel Jonathan Warner. There is the embroidered military suit
which he wore when serving in the Continental army, together with his
sword and cocked hat. These, with a bill of lading presented with much
of the family plate and imported furniture, have been preserved in the
family ever since 1713. Indeed, every piece of furniture and every
treasure is historic and has its own distinctive story.
The fine simplicity of colonial designs is well illustrated by the
outside of this house. Its simplicity verges almost upon the forbidding,
as there is nothing but flat walls of brick, windows of severe design,
and a simple cornice that sets off fine old doorways enriched with
delicate dentations and supported by hand-carved Corinthian columns.
To-day, after nearly two centuries of existence, the house is as solid
as it was on the day it was erected, and with its quiet atmosphere of
age, its old-time flavor obtained through steady and long continued use,
and the treasury of relics shown here, is conceded to be the most
picturesque house in Portsmouth.