THE LONGFELLOW HOUSE
With the exception of Mount Vernon, there is perhaps no house better
known in America than the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow house at Cambridge,
Massachusetts, its reputation having been gained from the fact that it
was the home of the late distinguished and beloved poet. Here have come
most illustrious guests from all over the world, and under the roof-tree
was given to Longfellow the theme for his famous poem of Evangeline,
during a visit of Horace Conelly and of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
There are few mansions of more stately dignity than this large, colonial
house, standing back from the main road, surrounded by smooth, velvety
lawns dotted here and there with mighty elms. It was built in 1760 by
John Vassall, of a family prominent in the history of our country, whose
name had been traced back to the year 1500, and many members of which
have married into distinguished families.
John Vassall was the son of "Colonel" John Vassall, who married
Elizabeth Phipps, daughter of Lieutenant-governor Phipps. His uncle,
Henry Vassall, married Penelope Royall of Medford. These two brothers
were sons of "Major" Leonard Vassall, who was twice married and had
eighteen children.
John Vassall, like his father, was graduated from Harvard. On January
12, 1761, he married Elizabeth Oliver, daughter of Lieutenant-governor
Oliver. His sister Elizabeth had previously been married to
Lieutenant-governor Oliver, who lived near by at Elmwood.
When John Vassall built the Longfellow house, the estate was not so
contracted as it is to-day, but embraced large grounds of more than a
hundred acres. Concerning his life here, there is little known, save
that the family were very hospitable and were numbered among the
Royalists, who in those days formed a small colony of their own, later
known as "Old Tory Row." This included many wealthy people of Boston who
had not as yet embraced the cause of the colonists.
In 1775, at the commencement of the Revolutionary troubles, this group
of men were naturally out of favor and eventually it ceased to exist.
About this time Vassall left to take up his residence in Boston, and
soon afterward, failing to agree with the colonists' ideas, he removed
with his family to England. In accordance with the custom of that
period, the estate was confiscated in 1778, shortly after its desertion
by its original owner. This was some years after the encampment of
continental troops in Cambridge, when this mansion, like many others,
was used for officers' headquarters.
On the grounds were encamped the regiment from Marblehead under the
command of Colonel Glover. This seems to have been a favorite rendezvous
for the colonial troops, for later on General Washington made this his
headquarters, remaining for a long period. While he was here, Madam
Washington joined him, and tradition tells of much gaiety and many
banquets given at the residence by the general and his wife. There are
still in existence notes from his account book which deal with this
house, as for instance:
"July 15, 1775, Paid for cleaning the House which was
provided for my Quarters, and which had been occupied by the
Marblehead regiment, L2 10_s._ 9_d._"
It is probable that this house was used for a longer period than any
other during the war for headquarters of Washington, as it was not until
March of the following year after the evacuation of Boston by the
British that it was again left empty. In this dwelling the generals met
often to hold secret discussions. Representatives from the Legislature,
then convened at Watertown, held here many long conferences concerning
the advisability of different schemes to defeat the British, and many
people of note from all over the world came here to meet Washington on
both social and political affairs.
We are told that a "Twelfth Night" party was given in the drawing-room
opposite the Longfellow study, where many entertainments took place, and
that the oldest inhabitants were invited to this party. Down the stairs,
where now stands the old grandfather's clock made famous by Longfellow's
poems, the stately colonial dames of Revolutionary times came slowly,
dressed in their silks and satins, with powdered hair and patches, to
take part in the festivities within.
Longfellow's study, which is at the right of the house, and which to-day
fronts the long conservatory occupying the entire side of the house, was
used by Washington as his dining-room. Above it was his private office,
where councils of war were held. It was a very convenient room for this
purpose, being off from the main house, quiet and retired. When
Longfellow first purchased the house, he also used this room for a
study, afterwards converting it into a chamber.
It is said that Washington never permitted his affairs to destroy his
sense of humor. During the time of his occupancy here, an elderly woman
was brought before General Putnam. She was believed to be a spy,
although she stoutly denied it. It is said that the general, familiarly
known as "Put," regarded the case of sufficient importance to be brought
to the attention of his commander and insisted that she come with him to
headquarters. She was an obstinate woman, and having no fear of capture,
resented his treatment, absolutely refusing to enter the gate to the
grounds. In vain was she reasoned with until at last, in desperation,
the valiant general slung her on his back and brought her up to the
house. As Washington witnessed his most courageous officer entering his
house in this manner, he could not refrain from laughter, which only
incensed the woman all the more.
During conferences at headquarters, great care had to be taken lest
they be surprised by the British. While one of these conferences was
being held, word was sent out that the British were on their way.
Without a moment's delay each officer hurried for his necessary adjuncts
to meet the emergency. In the midst of the confusion, however, General
Greene lost his head and could be heard above the din, calling loudly:
"My wig, my wig; where is my wig?" His demand was so emphatic that the
attention of the little group was instantly seized. General Lee was the
first to regain his composure and with ready wit called out in an
equally loud voice: "Behind the looking-glass, General." Greene, passing
the mirror, found to his consternation that the wig was on his head.
Overjoyed that he was not to go into battle wigless, he joined in the
general laugh that followed. The report of the British approach proved
false, however, and the officers returned to their consultation.
After the estate had been confiscated, it was purchased by one Nathaniel
Tracy, an intimate of Washington, whose principal home was in
Newburyport, Massachusetts. Tracy was a very wealthy merchant, indeed
one of the most brilliant financiers in the country, and his
spectacular ventures had given him a prominent name in local history.
Tracy was a large landowner, having estates practically all over the
country, and while he owned the Vassall house, he rarely lived there,
using it simply as a place where he could spend week-ends if he so
desired.
Andrew Craigie was the next prominent owner of the house, purchasing it
on January 1, 1793. At that time the grounds had been enlarged until
they comprised one hundred and fifty acres, a part of which is now used
for the Harvard Observatory. This Craigie was an "apothecary-general"
or, as he would be known now, a commissary, for the Continental army. He
was a most eccentric man but clever enough to acquire a large estate.
This house appealed to him, both from the fact that it had been
Washington's headquarters and from its own beauty both of exterior and
interior. He married a Miss Shaw of Nantucket, who had been in love with
a young sailor of limited means. The wealth of Craigie dazzled her, and
while she never forgot her early lover, treasuring his love letters
until just before her death, she made a charming mistress for the
mansion.
Craigie, like other wealthy men of his time, was pretentious and
spent money lavishly. While it is believed that he built the service
department on the western wing of the house, yet this is not definitely
known. During his occupancy, the large, square, eastern room was
enlarged and adorned with many columns to afford more space for his
frequent entertainments. Prominent merchants of Boston and many noted
people accepted his hospitality. An amusing instance is told of a visit
of Talleyrand, who conversed entirely in French with Mrs. Craigie, the
host not understanding a word that was spoken. It is currently reported
that the Duke of Kent, Queen Victoria's father, who for a long time was
stationed at Halifax, paid a visit here; impressed with the honor,
Craigie afterwards purchased the coach and horses the duke had used in
Boston.
Craigie built the bridge from Boston to East Cambridge which bears his
name and engaged in many investments. He speculated once too often,
however, and lost nearly all of his money. He died soon after, but his
widow remained in the same house, yet under such reduced circumstances
that she was obliged to let rooms to college students. Two of these were
Edward Everett and Jared Sparks, who afterwards brought their brides
here.
Later on, when Henry Wadsworth Longfellow left Bowdoin College to take a
position as professor in Harvard University, and desired extensive
apartments, he appealed to her. She at first refused him, having tired
of the care of students and not wishing to let rooms any longer. He was
an attractive and agreeable young man, and when Mrs. Craigie learned
that he was a professor, she invited him to visit the different rooms,
telling him of Washington's connection with the house, but informing him
that he could not have the use of any of the apartments. At length,
however, after a long controversy, she agreed to let him take the
southeast chamber, to which was afterwards added the west front chamber
for his dining-room.
At that time the back part of the house was given over to a farmer and
his wife, the latter caring for Longfellow's rooms and supplying his
meals. During a part of the time that Longfellow had rooms here,
Worcester, who wrote the dictionary, was another occupant. To this house
came Cornelius G. Felton, Charles Sumner, and many others to visit
Longfellow, who in 1842 entertained Charles Dickens here.
In 1843 Longfellow bought the house of Mrs. Craigie. He was the last
occupant, and every room in the house is connected with him. In one of
the upper chambers _Hyperion_ was written, as were many other poems,
including _The Courtship of Miles Standish_ and _Hiawatha_.
To this mansion one pleasant day in June came Hawthorne to dine with
Longfellow, bringing with him his friend, Horace Conelly. On reaching
the house, to Hawthorne's surprise and chagrin, he found two other
visitors, George S. Hillard and Professor Felton of Harvard College.
Hawthorne had hoped in this visit to review with Longfellow old times in
Brunswick and the history of some of his class of whom he had lost sight
since leaving college. After the departure of the other guests,
Longfellow, Hawthorne, and Conelly held an animated conversation on
their literary work. At this time the story of the French Acadian girl,
just married, exiled and separated from her husband, was told. Hawthorne
had never been interested, but Longfellow saw in it a popular theme and
with permission wrote the poem that has been considered one of his best
works.
[Illustration: PLATE LXXXIV.--The Longfellow House, Cambridge, Mass.]
[Illustration: PLATE LXXXV.--Library, Longfellow House.]
The Longfellow house faces the main road, a large, square mansion with
entrance porch. The grounds are now reduced to a small area surrounding
the house and are pleasantly laid out in gardens and lawns. The main
door bears a ponderous knocker, and one enters a wide, dignified
hallway. On the first landing of the staircase stands the old
grandfather's clock so familiar to all readers of Longfellow's poems.
The principal room open to the public is the library, which leads from
the right of the hall, a square room finished in brown and containing
many mementoes that were there during Longfellow's lifetime. This room
has been left practically unchanged. Over the fireplace is a beautiful
girandole, with convex glass and gilt frame and ebony rim inside. This
is said to have been made in 1800--an heirloom. There are many fine old
pieces of furniture, each one of which bespeaks some event connected
with the poet's life. The furniture is not old-fashioned and no attempt
has been made to keep it up to any period. It is simply left as a
memorial in the room where Longfellow sat and wrote and received his
friends.
The grounds cover scarcely half an acre, but the mansion with a few
modern improvements remains as it was in the early days when it was
first built by John Vassall.