THE KITTREDGE HOUSE
Among the most prominent delegates to the convention that was summoned
by the Legislature to meet in Boston, in 1787, to take under
consideration the perfecting of the National Constitution, we find
heading the list one Doctor Thomas Kittredge of North Andover, a
prominent gentleman and one whose loyalty has never been questioned.
North Andover lies to the north of the town of that name and was
originally known as the North Parish. It was divided from the original
town in 1709. Previous to that it had been reserved for inland
plantations, all persons who settled there having three years' immunity
from taxation. During that period farms were cultivated, dwellings
erected, and the church built, where doctrines most severe were meted
out, those neglecting to attend meeting for three months being publicly
whipped. The houses erected in this village, with the exception of a
very few, were not distinguished for architectural beauty or for fine
or costly furniture. Of the better class only a few remain. Prominent
among these is the Kittredge mansion, which is typical of the highest
development of colonial architecture in the early part of the eighteenth
century. The owner was not only one of the ablest surgeons of the
Revolutionary army, but a public-spirited citizen, a capable officer,
and the ancestor of a line of surgeons and physicians who have done most
important things in the community.
[Illustration: PLATE LXXIV.--The Kittredge House, Andover, Mass.]
The fine old house at Andover is closely associated with the history of
the family in this country. It is a large, square mansion, three stories
in height, crowning the crest of a hill. It is situated far back from
the main road, a terraced lawn reaching down to a colonial fence that
surrounds the entire estate. Entrance is through a picket gate that
swings between dignified colonial posts and which gives into a path
leading by terraces straight to the house, at the rear of which the
grounds extend for many acres. On them are large barns, which provide
ample space for cattle.
The house has sheltered many generations of the same family. It was
built in 1784 by the doctor, who was one of the third generation in
America, a son of Doctor John Kittredge, who came to North Andover from
Tewksbury about 1741. At the time of his settlement, this Doctor John
Kittredge purchased large tracts of land, covering the entire site of
the present village, and lived in an old farmhouse which has only
recently been torn down.
Doctor Thomas Kittredge was one of three sons. He secured a portion of
the holding from his father about 1745, and on it he erected what was
considered to be the second finest house that had been built in that
section of the country. It was so dignified and impressive that it was
surpassed only by the residence of Joshua Phillips, whose mansion was
situated in the so-called South Parish of the town. In its construction
skilled labor was employed, as was shown by the fine hand-carving around
the fireplaces in many of the important rooms of the house. The site
occupied originally many acres, including what was once known as the old
training field. It was here, in the early period of our history and
before the estate was used for private grounds, that the early militia
were wont to gather on Muster Day, dressed in the picturesque old-time
uniform. Here they performed wonderful feats of skill that were viewed
by the country folk for many miles around.
On these same grounds was the first Kittredge mansion, and not far away
were the slave quarters, significant of the fact that the owner of the
old homestead was a man of means and also that he owned many slaves, as
was customary in those days among the wealthier class in Massachusetts.
To-day the old quarters have disappeared, and only tradition hands down
the many stories connected with their past.
The immediate surroundings of the present mansion are very much the same
as when it was erected so many years ago. There have been some
improvements, however, since the time when the great housewarming took
place, an important event in those days and attended by friends and
neighbors for miles around.
The dignified house is well proportioned, fitting picturesquely into its
surroundings. The main portion is square of build; in each corner a
massive yet graceful pilaster shows hand-carving wonderfully fine in
design. The windows have retained their small panes and show carved
cornices. These, by their formal appearance, lend an additional dignity
and carry out the scheme of simplicity evident in the handsome,
well-proportioned porch, which is a feature of the home.
The main approach is through the quaint gateway in the center of the
colonial fence. This gives upon a narrow path leading between
tree-dotted grass plots to the main entrance. This entrance is
characterized by finely carved columns that prove an admirable foil to
the door of dark, panelled wood, flanked on either side by narrow lights
of glass and ornamented with a colonial knocker of the hammer type. From
this porch one obtains a most extensive view of the surrounding country,
for picturesque vistas are found on every side.
The heavy door swings back on its strap hinges and the visitor finds
himself in a wide, large hallway extending entirely through the house,
dividing it in two. The interior remains unchanged, and the lofty
ceilings, the great hallway, and broad staircases are in contrast to the
small entry and narrow, winding stairs found in many colonial dwellings.
[Illustration: PLATE LXXV.--Hallway, Kittredge House.]
As one steps into the great hall, with its handsome, panelled woodwork
and old-fashioned furniture, he feels no jarring note. The deep cornice
showing dentation affords a correct finish to the soft-toned hangings
which divide it from the wainscot. To the left and right lead fine,
large, square rooms filled with the rarest models of Chippendale,
Hepplewhite, and Sheraton.
The colonial staircase with its fine, hand-carved newel-post and
balusters is at the left of the hallway. The stairs are boxed, the
risers low, and the treads wide. Half-way up is a wide landing, lighted
by a fine example of a colonial window, showing an arched top. Through
this the sunlight streams upon an old grandfather's clock, which has
steadily ticked off the hours since placed there in the early days when
the house was first furnished.
A short flight of steps that turn at the right leads to the second-story
hall, which corresponds in size and finish to the one below. It is
finished with wonderful examples of the old masters' pieces shown in
Sheraton and Chippendale design. No modern touch has been introduced to
rob this home of its colonial atmosphere, and everywhere are found rich
relics of a distinguished past.
The house is divided into four large rooms on the entrance floor. Here
one discovers a perfect treasure trove of antiques, for in addition to
wonderful furniture, there is some of the finest china to be found in
the country.
[Illustration: PLATE LXXVI.--Living Room, Kittredge House; Parlor,
Kittredge House.]
[Illustration: PLATE LXXVII.--Soapstone Fire Frame, Kittredge House
Fireplace, Kittredge House.]
At the right is the living-room, where the woodwork shows wide panels,
the fireplace having an old-time, soapstone fire-frame. Every piece of
furniture is of the colonial type, the sofas being of the Empire period,
and the chairs of Sheraton, showing rush bottom and often known as fancy
chairs. A wonderful old cabinet is filled with relics such as are rarely
found, even in a colonial home.
The parlor is on the opposite side of the hallway; the woodwork around
the fireplace in this room is hand-carved, with baskets of flowers for
the center ornamentation, and festoon effects on either side. It has a
facing of tiles, on which are depicted Biblical scenes. The woodwork
shows well planned panelling, with a deep cornice above the quaint wall
hangings. The recessed windows are fitted with built-in seats and the
old-time shutters which were originally used as safeguard against the
Indians.
Every piece of furniture is a genuine antique, the Hepplewhite with the
favorite shield or heart-shaped back and straight legs, and the cozy
arm-chair of Sheraton design known in this country as "Martha
Washington," owing to the fact that one of this design was included in
the furnishings at Mt. Vernon, all being choice examples. Equally as
interesting as these fine bits is a quaint, old bronze lamp, 1820, with
lusters and glass shades. The Roundabout Chippendale chair, and the
center table, with its thin top, plain tripod, and ball feet, are
typical of those designed about the first of the nineteenth century.
In the dining-room, which opens from the rear of the hallway, the same
dignified simplicity is a dominant feature. The furnishing of mahogany,
the china cupboards, and the rare pieces of Chippendale and Sheraton are
worthy of their attractive setting. The fireplace, with its exquisite
carving, brings into relief the fine lines of the mantel above. Rare old
pewter, silver, and exquisite bits of Sheffield plate are found in the
deep closets in this room.
The second story is in keeping with the good taste displayed on the
lower floor. The furnishings here are antique also, including some of
the best examples of four-posters to be found in New England. The
fireplaces vary from the Franklin stove, to the large, open fireplaces
of our grand-dames' time, with broad spaces of panelled woodwork; the
white finish, mellowed to ivory tones, affords a suitable background for
the wonderful old pictures.
The house as a whole typifies the highest ideals of a bygone period. No
modern touch is allowed to mar the beauty of its simple dignity. Never
since its erection has it been out of the family. As before stated, the
builder was one of three sons, all physicians. There was also a sister
Elizabeth, who inherited medical ability to such a marked degree that
she took charge of her father's patients, and after her marriage and
removal to Londonderry, New Hampshire, was frequently called upon to
assist at surgical operations. There is a story extant relating to her
visit to a patient during a dark night. While on her way she slipped and
fell, breaking her leg. Nothing daunted, she set the bone herself, and
so well did she do it that she suffered no serious inconvenience from
her mishap.
Doctor Thomas Kittredge commenced his practice in Andover about 1775. At
the commencement of the Revolution, he enlisted in the Continental army,
rendering very valuable services as surgeon in Colonel James Fry's
regiment. Of him it has been well said that he had more natural skill
than any man in the country. A dignified and commanding gentleman, he
enjoyed unusual facilities for aiding the sick and the wounded, not
only through his wealth, which allowed him to procure for them many
delicacies, but through the services of his brother-in-law, Major Samuel
Osgood, who was in charge of the department of supplies.
His father, while not taking an active part in the work, did much for
the welfare of the soldiers who were sent home to recuperate. He
frequently kept them in the old house for many months, or until they had
fully recovered their health.
At the close of the Revolution, Doctor Thomas served a long term in the
Legislature, and his sterling character and fine intellect combined to
make him one of the most valued members of this learned body of men. The
last act of his life was in keeping with the kindly traits that had
always distinguished him and had made him generally beloved. He
encountered at the roadway a man coming from afar, with yet many miles
to go before his destination was reached. Noticing the worn-out
condition of the horse he rode, the doctor commanded the animal to be
installed in his own barn and offered the stranger the use of one of his
horses that he might continue on his way. The next morning the borrowed
animal was sent home, but the kindly master who had so graciously
loaned him was not present to note his return, having passed quietly
away in his sleep during the night.
In his day slavery was countenanced in Massachusetts, and the affairs of
the colored servants, however trivial, were attended to by the good
doctor and his wife, who were ever thoughtful of the interests of their
slaves. The raising of the great house, known as the Kittredge mansion,
was a source of great rejoicing among those servitors, and one of the
slaves, Caesar by name, held in his arms the baby of the family, Doctor
Joseph Kittredge, first, then nine months old, that he might be able to
say, when he was a man grown, that he was at the raising.
There were many incidents in which the slaves afforded the doctor great
amusement, particularly one which occurred when Cato was about to be
married. The family and guests were gathered in the parlor, and Doctor
Sims, the pastor of the church, was asked to officiate. Cato had been
presented for the occasion with a suit of small-clothes, and half a
crown for a wedding fee. He was very much impressed with the
responsibility of the money, but he could not determine when or where
the fee was to come in. This led him to keep his ears and eyes wide
open, watching the minister's every word and action. The ceremony
concluded, Doctor Sims said in a solemn voice: "Let us pray," stretching
out his hand as he spoke. The nervous bridegroom understood it as "Let
us pay," and he thrust his hand hastily into his pocket and brought out
the half-crown, placing it in the minister's hand before the voice of
supplication showed him that the summons was to "pray" and not to "pay."
Doctor Joseph Kittredge succeeded to his father's practice in 1818. He
married Miss Hannah Hodges of Salem, and two of their sons were educated
for the medical profession,--Doctor Joseph Kittredge, second, and Doctor
John Kittredge. The first named succeeded his father in practice and was
a highly respected and beloved physician of North Andover until his
death in 1878. Two of his sons are doctors, Doctor Thomas Kittredge of
Salem, and Doctor Joseph Kittredge, third.
The standard of hospitality established by the builder has been rigidly
adhered to through all the passing years, and more especially during the
summer season the old rooms re-echo with the merry chatter of gay young
voices, much as they did in the olden days.