Historic Homes Part 7

Richard Dummer removed to Newbury in the spring or summer of 1635, and other grants of land were subsequently made to him. It is a little difficult to determine the precise boundaries, on account of the scanty records. A short time before his death he executed deeds for his sons that showed him to be the owner of most of the uplands and marshes bordering on the south side of the river Parker, a tract more than three miles in length and including most of the extensive marshes, a.s.sembling a farm of three hundred and thirty acres. Whether he had more land or not is uncertain, but it is known that it never exceeded five hundred acres.

Since the early grant this farm has been in the family, Richard Dummer making his first home on Newbury Neck on the place that was known as Mr.

Dummer's farm. A very rich and benevolent man, he contributed much toward the growth of Newbury, being elected one of the a.s.sistants of the colony in 1635 and re-elected in 1636, taking the highest office with the exception of governor and deputy-governor. He was an ardent supporter of Governor Sir Harry Vane, taking active part in the election of 1637 which resulted in Vane's defeat. Although he was disarmed, with seventy-two others, he was not removed from the colony.

Richard Dummer was an unusual man. Manifesting no resentment at his treatment, two years afterwards, when Winthrop, owing to his impoverishment, called for contributions, Dummer gave one hundred pounds,--more than one-fifth of that contributed in the colony. Two of his sons, Richard and Jeremiah, became very prominent, the former living on the farm by the falls and the latter becoming a judge. It was this Jeremiah who was the father of the governor, William Dummer, and also of Jeremiah, Jr., who was graduated from Harvard in 1699.

At this period the names of the students were arranged in the catalogue in rank of family, and Jeremiah's headed the list. He was also the first scholar in his cla.s.s and was spoken of by President Mather as the best scholar ever at the college. He was very prominent all his life.

Bancroft, speaking of him, said: "His writings were the fruit of loyal colonial liberties and contained the seed of American independence."

In 1687 his brother William was born in Boston. William was not a student, being educated simply at the Boston Grammar School. Enlisting in the Artillery Company in 1702, he rose to its captaincy. England was his residence for several years prior to his marriage in 1714 to Katherine, daughter of Joseph Dudley, then governor of the province and son of Thomas Dudley, one of the early governors of the colony. In 1716 Governor Dudley refused re-appointment, and Colonel Samuel Shute was appointed in his place by the Crown, who under the Province Charter reserved the right to appoint governor, lieutenant-governor, and secretary. This was a time of continual conflicts in the colony through disagreements in appointments, so that the province governors enjoyed little ease.

After an uneasy administration of six years, Governor Shute left in 1723 in disgust, remaining in England until the arrival of his successor, William Burnett, in 1728. This left Dummer in the gubernatorial chair for nearly six years.

Governor Dummer was placed in a very trying position. The Administration made it practically impossible for him to render strict and impartial judgment and give satisfaction to the people. His alliance with Dudley and Shute, however, proved no obstacle to his influence with them, for Governor Dummer was born in the province, and his education, his experience, and his family traditions were with the people. It is said of him, too, that during the critical period of his administration, his wisdom and impartiality, as well as his kind, conciliatory spirit brought about the confidence and respect of all who were thrown in contact with him.

The office of lieutenant-governor was his until 1730, when he was succeeded by Lieutenant-governor Tailer. The house in Newbury was only a summer estate, for he occupied in winter a brick house on School Street in Boston, bounded northerly on Province Street, and being separated from the Province House estate by a six-foot pa.s.sageway.

Governor Dummer was a very religious man, attending the Hollis Street Church and presenting it with an imperial folio Bible in two volumes, richly bound in rich crimson Levant morocco, splendidly gilt on the edges and elaborately tooled by the bookbinders. It was presented on condition that it should be read as a part of the Divine service, and at the present day retains its former richness of color and gilding. The paper is rich and smooth and creamy as though just made, while the size and clearness of type are a comfort to any minister's eyes. After Dummer's death he was buried in the Granary Burying Ground on Tremont Street, Boston.

Governor Dummer was a man of great firmness, strict integrity, and warm benevolence. In civil and administrative affairs he showed a rare combination of qualities, leading his administration to be spoken of by Dudley as the "wise administration of Dummer."

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XLII.--Dummer Mansion, Byfield, Ma.s.s.]

The Dummer Mansion, which is situated in Byfield, then Newbury, Ma.s.sachusetts is prominently connected with the town's history, being one of the most notable colonial homes in New England. It was built by Governor Dummer about 1715 on a farm which was given him by his father on October 15, 1713, a few months before his marriage. It is a fine specimen of the houses of that day, showing brick sides and resembling in architecture the Royall House at Medford, Ma.s.sachusetts.

Just after he and his bride took up their abode in the newly completed mansion, a housewarming was held. Governor Dummer, so the legend runs, was a famous horseman, and on this occasion he is said to have dashed up the broad front staircase to the second floor, mounted on a magnificent white charger, much to the consternation of the guests. This event took place in the month of August in the time of the full moon, and tradition relates that he repeats this performance even unto the present day whenever in August there are two full moons, riding forth on the occasion of the first full moon and charging up the stairs and down again.

In the kitchen of the mansion house on several occasions a little child appeared. Whenever the apartment was left vacant, the next person to come in would find a little golden-haired, blue-eyed girl about five years of age, balancing herself upon the door-sill and peeping in and out just as a real child naturally would do at play. She was never seen in any other part of the house. Where she came from no one ever knew.

She always appeared in the same doorway and after standing awhile would vanish. She became so familiar to the people of the house that they called her Elizabeth. She had such a pleasant, smiling face that even the most timid person felt no fear of her.

During the oiling of the kitchen floor a child's ring was discovered in a crack where it had lain for years. In trying to get it out, a secret spring was seen and a trap-door was disclosed. On opening it, an old ladder was revealed, leading to the s.p.a.ce below, but it fell to fragments at a touch. The cellar underneath was explored. In a secret recess was a small chamber not larger than a grave. Inside was a large, round, cheese box, which contained the bones of a child. These were properly buried, and the apparition ceased to appear.

In the slave quarters, which were in the ell of the mansion house, the slaves were chained each night to prevent their escaping. The rings to which the chains were attached were to be seen until quite recently, and when the wind was right, the clanking of the chains could plainly be heard.

Outside the house on the green, so the story runs, a duel was fought by an English officer and a gentleman over an affront concerning Madam Dummer. The English officer was killed, and tradition relates that he appeared subsequently. He was clad in epaulets and gold lace, wandering about as if in search of his adversary. He always wore an amazingly large, powdered white wig and carried a dress sword in its sheath, as on the occasion of the fateful encounter.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XLIII.--Doorway, Dummer Mansion; Hallway, Dummer Mansion.]

The present mansion, remodelled, is to-day a famous landmark. It is considered an excellent example of a colonial home, with its pitched roof, its huge stone chimneys covered with mortar, its dormer windows, and its Georgian porch. One enters through the wide doors into a n.o.ble hallway extending entirely through the house, the woodwork showing fine panelling of white pine. The box stairs rise by easy treads to the wide landing, where a colonial window gives light to the apartment. At the foot of the staircase is an arch, a great ornament to the hallway. The bal.u.s.ters are hand-carved, the newel post being plain. The bal.u.s.ters and stairs are of mahogany and the furniture is Windsor.

Opening from the hall at the right are double parlors. On the wall hangs a fine portrait of Governor Dummer and his wife, Katherine Dudley. The portrait of the governor is in oil by Smibert, while a copy of it by the late Frederick Vinton is in the Senate Chamber of the State House in Boston. The parlor shows woodwork in place of plastering or paper. The old shutters have been carefully preserved as have the window-seats. The furniture is of the colonial type, including Chippendale and Windsor pieces.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XLIV.--Dining Room, Dummer Mansion; Den, Dummer Mansion.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XLV.--Two Views of the Living Room, Dummer Mansion.]

Opposite the parlor is the living-room, with its fine carvings shown in the mantel. This carving is done in wood and not in French putty glued on, as is the case with many ornamentations. Although there is fine panelling and woodwork in this room, it shows plaster and paper as well.

Double doors open into the rear parlor, now used as a dining-room. These doors show strap hinges and are considered fine specimens of the colonial period. Wonderful woodwork is seen in this room, as in other rooms in the house.

When the parish was renamed, the name of Dummer was proposed. Finally, however, it was called after Judge Byfield on account of a handsome gift proposed by him. In acknowledgment of this compliment a bell was presented to the church by Judge Byfield.

CHAPTER XI

THE MACPHAEDRIS-WARNER HOUSE

One of the noted houses in Portsmouth, New Hamps.h.i.+re, 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XLVI.--The Warner House, Portsmouth, N. H.]

While the frame of these houses was generally of oak, yet the s.h.i.+ngles 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 princ.i.p.al 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 furnis.h.i.+ng 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 Hamps.h.i.+re. 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 ama.s.s 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 st.u.r.diness 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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' s.h.i.+ps 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 a.s.sociated 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 la.s.s 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 c.o.c.ked 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 pa.s.sed. 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 bra.s.s knocker, and as the panelled door swung back on its long, strapped hinges, entered the s.p.a.cious 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 a.s.serted that their existence was unknown at the time when she was an intimate of the family.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XLVIII.--Living Room, Warner House.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XLIX.--Parlor, Warner House.]