Historic Homes Part 2

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE X.--Pickering House, Side View.]

The twenty-acre lot known as the home lot, on which he built the historic mansion, was originally a part of the governor's field, once owned by Governor John Endicott. It was conveyed by him to Emmanuel Downing, who sold it, so tradition tells, to one John Pickering to pay for the commencement dinner of Sir George Downing, who was graduated in the first cla.s.s at Harvard. The original deed is still in the possession of the family.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XI.--Entrance Door, Pickering House; Entrance Door in the Pickering House.]

The house was built in the Elizabethan style of architecture and resembled the famous Peac.o.c.k Inn in Rouseley, England. It was constructed of white oak, which grew in a swamp on the estate. The exterior is practically unchanged; and the interior shows low, beamed ceilings and small windows. The entrance door opens into a low hall, from which the stairs ascend to the second story floor. This has been lengthened within the last few years by taking out one of the chimneys.

As in many old houses, large rooms open on either side. At the right is the library, which has been enlarged by opening up an alcoved recess.

This was formerly a chamber, and is used to-day to accommodate several bookcases filled with rare old books, many of which are in ma.n.u.script.

The colonial fireplace, with its scriptural tiles, is a feature of this room, where is shown a wonderful old English ball table that was brought over by the emigrant ancestor. The chairs, many of them, were made by Theophilus Pickering, whose old desk where he wrote many of his sermons stands at one side of the fireplace. Rare books and interesting mementoes are found on every side.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XII.--Hallway, Pickering House.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XIII.--Dining Room, Pickering House; Alcove, Pickering House.]

Opposite is a large drawing-room filled with Chippendale and colonial furniture, and showing Colonel Timothy Pickering's picture on the wall.

At the rear of this room is a dining-room which, as does the rest of the house, contains more fine furniture.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XIV.--Living Room, Pickering House; Drawing Room, Pickering House.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XV.--Fireplace with Scriptural Tiles, Pickering House; The Old Pickering Sideboard.]

Autograph letters fill many books, some of them received by Colonel Timothy Pickering from President Was.h.i.+ngton. Rare old gla.s.s, china, and silver speak of bygone days.

Up-stairs are interesting, rare old four-posters, still showing their quaint hangings; and one notes the old chimney that occupies such a large s.p.a.ce in the house. Inside one of the closets is the old army chest marked with Pickering's initials and showing his rank. It was used by him when quartermaster in the Revolutionary War.

The builder of the house married Elizabeth, whose surname is not known.

He resided upon the estate until his death, which occurred in 1657; the property descended to his son John, who increased his landownings by the purchase of the eastern or Anthrum lot from Edmund Batter.

The second John married Alice Flint, a most estimable lady, in 1657. He served as a lieutenant in the Indian War, in 1675, and particularly distinguished himself in the memorable fight of b.l.o.o.d.y Brook at Deerfield, Ma.s.sachusetts. He died in 1694 and was succeeded by another John, third in line, who was a farmer, frugal and industrious, and who held many positions of trust in the community. He married Sarah Burrill, of an influential Lynn family. There were two sons, Timothy and Theophilus. The latter was graduated from Harvard and was called to Chebacco parish, first as a.s.sistant to Reverend John Wise, and afterwards as minister. There is in the Pickering house a ma.n.u.script book on physics bound in leather and ill.u.s.trated by him. There is also a set of ten chairs made by his hand in 1724.

His brother Timothy, who inherited the estate, was deacon of the Tabernacle Church in Salem at his father's death. He was the father of nine children. During his lifetime he added three more rooms on the northern side, raising the roof, which sloped almost to the ground after the fas.h.i.+on of buildings of that period. At the time of these improvements, the eastern part of the house was one hundred years old and the western part eighty. When the weather boards were ripped off, the sills of white oak were so sound that it was decided they would last longer than new ones. One of the peaks was removed at this time because of leaks but was replaced in 1840 by John, the son of Colonel Pickering.

When Timothy inherited the estate, he was the first to break the line of Johns. He is described as a gentleman of great piety, firmness of character, and decided convictions. He died at the age of seventy-five and left the estate to his son John, the fifth of the line, who was a bachelor and lived in the old home with his sister, Mrs. Gool, as housekeeper. His occupation was agricultural, but he held several public positions. He represented the town in the General Court for many years, and was town treasurer in 1782. His brother Timothy, who was Clerk of Register of Deeds, entered the Continental Army, and at that time John took his place with the intention of returning the office to him on his return from the war, but he became so accustomed to the work that he kept the position until 1806, when he was compelled to resign through the infirmities of age. It is related of him that at one time he was supposedly fatally ill, and the question of his successor in office coming up, it was proposed to canva.s.s for a candidate. This so enraged John that he recovered from his illness. He was one of the original members of the Academy of Arts and Sciences and was noted for his honesty, industry, and the careful management of his affairs. At his death, the ancestral estate pa.s.sed to his nephew John (the fifth), the only break in the transmission of the property from father to son.

John's father, Colonel Timothy, the brother of John (fourth), although never owning the estate, spent his early boyhood upon it, and much of its fame comes from his connection with it. Colonel Timothy was born in the old house July 17, 1745. Upon his graduation from college, he entered the office of the Register of Deeds as clerk and was appointed head of this department a few years later. In 1768, he was admitted to the Bar, and became the leader and champion of the patriots of Ess.e.x County; he wrote the famous address from the citizens of Salem to General Gage, relative to the Boston Port Bill. He held the office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Ess.e.x County, being sole Judge of the Maritime Court of the Middle District. This was an office involving great responsibility and decisions concerning large amounts of property, as that was the day of privateers. His military service began in 1766, when he was commissioned lieutenant of the Fourth Military Company of Salem.

Three years later he was promoted to the rank of captain and by his interest and careful training raised appreciably the standard of discipline. He was commissioned by the Royal Government colonel of the First Regiment, Ess.e.x County Militia. He led the troops who marched out to oppose the entry of Leslie and his Redcoats into Salem on February 26, 1775, when the famous colloquy on North Bridge took place, and the munitions of war concealed in the town were saved to the colonists.

In the fall of 1776, he joined Was.h.i.+ngton in New Jersey with a regiment of seven hundred men, and the next year he was made Adjutant-general of the Continental Army, commencing his service July 17, 1777. When Congress decided to change the personnel of the Continental Board of War from members of Congress to three men not congressmen, Colonel Pickering was chosen to serve on the Board, whose powers and duties were many and important. He was made Quartermaster-general of the Army, also, holding this position until its abolishment, July 25, 1785. He was a member of the committee which wrote the farewell address delivered to Was.h.i.+ngton, November 15, 1783. With the close of the war, Colonel Pickering withdrew from public life to devote himself to agriculture. He settled in Philadelphia, but his private life was of short duration, as his services were needed for the adjustment of claims made by Wyoming settlers. He had a thrilling experience in the West, being captured by a band of masked men who carried him off and subjected him to horrible torture.

Colonel Pickering was a most charming host and though apparently stern and forbidding, delightful in the midst of his family. He retained his inherited fondness for agriculture, at seventy-five still filling the position of President of the Agricultural Societies of Ess.e.x County and bearing off the first prize for plowing, in compet.i.tion with the farmers of the vicinity. It was his habit to preserve letters and doc.u.ments of every description, the most important of which were published after his death in 1829, and which, owing to his prominence in national affairs, are very interesting reading.

Colonel Pickering is an example of one of the best types of a New Englander of his time: a brave, patriotic soldier, a talented writer, an impartial, able, and energetic public official, a leader of the Federal party, occupying four Cabinet positions, serving his country whenever he was needed, but content to return to his simple life when the need for him in public life was over.

At the death of Colonel Pickering's brother, John, the ancestral estate descended to the colonel's son, John (fifth). He inherited his father's public spirit and served in the General Court, three times as representative from Ess.e.x and twice from Norfolk and Suffolk counties.

He was Secretary of the Legation at Lisbon and later under Rufus King in London, and finally became United States Minister to England. He was a member of many learned societies in Europe, received several diplomas, and brought home a fine library collected on the continent. He was a profound scholar, a writer in law, and especially interested in philology, understanding twenty-two different languages.

The house is now in the possession of John Pickering, the eighth of the line, whose son John will succeed his father. The ancient house, in all the dignity of old age, is the central feature of the lot, a picturesque historic mansion, considered one of the most important landmarks of Salem, Ma.s.sachusetts.

CHAPTER IV

"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, Ma.s.sachusetts, 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE XVI.--"The Lindens," Danvers, Ma.s.s.]

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 pa.s.sage 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 s.h.i.+ps 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 pa.s.sing 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 Ma.s.sacre, 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 pa.s.s 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 _Ess.e.x_.

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 b.a.l.l.s 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 pa.s.sing 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 186 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 fis.h.i.+ng 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 s.h.i.+ps 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 das.h.i.+ng 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 Ma.s.sachusetts, ranking in the same cla.s.s with the famous John Hanc.o.c.k 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 gra.s.s 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 gra.s.s land interspersed with fine old trees showing at the rear of the house. At the rear, also, is a fine old-fas.h.i.+oned 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 bal.u.s.trade similar to that found in the Page house, as well as in many others of that period.