CHAPTER XXVIII.

MANNERS AND CUSTOMS, 1700-1800.

PENN'S CITY-DURING THE REVOLUTION-THE AMERICAN

CITY.

WHAT would have been William Penn's amazement if, on his leaving Philadelphia, in 1701, he could have had a vision of the future; if he had been told that three-quarters of the new century would barely have elapsed when the bells of that city would ring their joyful peals in honor of the birth of a nation, and "proclaim liberty throughout the land to all the inhabitants thereof;" if, peering still farther into that mysterious future, he had seen that nation, standing a giant amidst its elders, a living example of the blessings of freedom? But Penn, however farsighted, had no such vision. Neither can we, even in this wonderful progressive age, pierce the veil of futurity and read what changes another century shall bring. The past alone is ours, and if, looking into that past, we see, with the mind's eye, the City of Brotherly Love as it was when its founder left it, never to return, and then turn to the Philadelphia of to-day, the contrast will be almost as great a matter of wonder to us as the vision would have been to Penn.

And yet the origin of Philadelphia is not hidden in the mist of ages, like that of the ancient cities of the Old World; it is not legendary, we need not accept uncertain facts from tradition, although more than two centuries have passed away since the first white man's cabin was built on the shore of the Delaware, and our fathers were participators in the struggle for liberty to which we owe our being as a nation. We should be too familiar with our history to wonder at it. But the rapidity of the changes that occurred in the last century has done the work of ages. Old landmarks have been swept off, records destroyed, the chain of events broken, so to speak. So busy, so hurried is life in our day, that we scarcely note the changes that take place around us. It must be the historian's task to collect the scattered material ere it is lost, to restore the missing links of facts ere they are disfigured by tradition, and by his pen-pictures of the past to attach a new interest to objects and sites amidst which we live unmindful of the memories they awake. Philadelphia, at the beginning of the eighteenth

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century, was an object of curious interest to the stranger. Its green meadows, blooming gardens, and noble forest-trees endowed it with a sylvan beauty which the lover of nature, the seeker of peaceful rest, must have found very attractive, while the practical observer could not but be struck with the bustling activity which already reigned about its wharves, its mills and shops, and the hopeful, contented air of its inhabitants.

The first few years of the eighteenth century did not bring much change in the mode of life or the costume of the Philadelphians, but they brought much improvement in the general appearance of the city. Many new houses were built, of brick, and generally two or three stories high. Some of these houses had a balcony, usually a front porch,-a feature of vast importance in house-building, for it became customary for the ladies of the family in pleasant weather to sit on the porch, after the labor of the day was over, and spend the evening in social converse. In those early days, and for a long time after, the young ladies of Philadelphia did not think it disgraceful to help in the housework; a few, having a large retinue of servants, and being gifted with artistic tastes, devoted themselves to painting, or did fancy needle-work; none were positively idle. But when the sun went down they were dressed and ready for the porchparade; there neighbors came for a chat about those engrossing subjects, dress and housekeeping; friends called, and beaux strutted by in powdered wigs, swords, square-cut coats, tights, and silk stockings, running the gauntlet of all those bright eyes in order to lift the three-cornered hat to some particular fair one, and to dream about the sweet smile received in return.

If we are to believe the old chroniclers, love-making was a very tame affair then. The "girl of the period" did not yet exist, though the "dude" might, under another name; young ladies received company with their mammas, and the bashful lover, in the presence of the old folks, had to resort to tender glances and softly-whispered vows. Marriages were ordered promulgated by affixing the intentions of the parties on the court-house and meeting-house doors, and when the act was solemnized, they were required [by law] to have at least twelve subscribing witnesses. But true love laughs at shackles and bolts, the poet says; and Watson's "Annals" tells us the history of the elope

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ment (in 1707) of Col. Coxe with Sarah Eckley, a Friend and wealthy heiress. The funny part of the story is that the runaway couple, hastening through the Jersey woods in the night-time, met the chaplain of Lord Cornbury, the then Governor of New Jersey, and prevailed upon him to marry them, then and there, by fire-light.

The wedding entertainments must have been more of a nuisance than a pleasure, either for the parents or the young couple. They were inspired by a conception of unbounded hospitality, very common at that time. Even the Quakers accepted them with good grace until the evil consequences of too free drinking on those occasions compelled them to counsel more moderation. There was feasting during a whole day, and for the two following days punch was dealt out ad libitum to all comers. The gentlemen invited to partake of these libations were received by the groom on the first floor; then they ascended to the second floor, where they found the bride surrounded by her bridesmaids, and every one of the said gentlemen, be they one hundred, kissed the bride, so says the chronicle. It is to be hoped that the gentle bridesmaids took pity on the poor bride, and out of sheer generosity offered themselves in sacrifice to share the attentions of those gallant gentlemen. On Second Street, corner of Norris Alley, was a commodious house, known as the Slate-roof House, and built before 1700 by James Porteus for Samuel Carpenter, who sold it to Penn. A very full description of this house, as well as of the house of Edward Shippen, first mayor of Philadelphia, of whom it was said that "he was distinguished for three great things,-the biggest person, the biggest house, and the biggest coach,"-has been given in the notes to pages 158, 159. The same notes contain biographical sketches of Shippen and Samuel Carpenter. We may add here that the lastnamed worthy citizen, who did so much toward building up the young city, left a numerous pos

Robert Turner, in his letter describing his buildings, goes on to speak of the brick houses of Arthur Cook, William Frampton, John Wheeler, Samuel Carpenter, John Test, and others, all which houses, he says, have balconies.

William Frampton, Samuel Carpenter, and Robert Turner had established wharves under Penn's patent. Turner's patent was for Mount wharf, below Arch Street; Carpenter's for Carpenter's wharf, between Walnut and Dock Streets; and Frampton's for the lower wharf, between Dock and Spruce Streets.

The conditions of these patents are interesting as showing how Penn endeavored to preserve the bank on the east side of Front Street from being built upon; and also as indicating how King Street, afterward Water Street, was established. After reciting that permission is granted to "erect a wharf or quay, and to build houses thereon, for ye better improvement of ye place, as well as for his own particular profit," the deed provides that the said grantee,

"his heirs and assigns, do and shall in convenient time leave and make a sufficient cartway under and along by ye front of ye said banke, thirty foot wide, for ye common use of all persons in ye daytime; and also to make and erect convenient stairs, or other access, from ye water to ye said wharf, and from ye said wharf to ye street, by ye name of lower wharf, and to keep them in repair-to be for ye common use of all persons forever. Provided, also, that ye said William Frampton, his heirs

terity. The Carpenter family of New Jersey are his descendants in the male line, while the female line is represented by the Whartons, Fishbournes, Merediths, Clymers, and Reads, all of Philadelphia.

A substantial brick building had been erected by Robert Turner so far back as 1685, at the northeast corner of Front and Arch Streets. A little later, he built, near the other, on Front Street, a large brick house, three stories high, "besides a good large brick cellar under it, of two bricks and a half thickness in the wall."

and assigns, do not erect or raise any buildings above four feet above ye top of ye said banke, unless hereafter any person shall have privilege to build higher," etc.

Joshua Carpenter, the brother of Samuel, built a fine mansion on Chestnut Street, between Sixth and Seventh Streets-at the time a rural spot, remote from what was known as "the city," and where a citizen might have his country-seat. The grounds were beautifully laid out, and the fruit-trees and garden shrubbery for a long time attracted visitors. Many associations are connected with this house. Governor

Thomas occupied those premises from 1738 to 1747. We are told by Watson that the Governor's amiable lady endeared herself to the young folks by indulging the pretty misses with bouquets and nosegays on May-day, and permitting the boys to help themselves from her fine cherry-trees.

There at one time lived with her father, Dr. Graeme, the celebrated Mrs. Ferguson, the poetess. Mrs. Ferguson was the granddaughter of Sir William Keith.

The Carpenter mansion changed hands several times; in 1761 it belonged to John Ross, attorney-atlaw, who sold it to John Smith. In 1774 it became the property of Col. John Dickinson, who made great alterations to it, causing a new front, in modern style, to be made, facing on Chestnut Street. It then passed into the hands of Gen. Philemon Dickinson. During the war of Independence it was used as a military hospital. It was subsequently fitted up in magnificent style, and became the residence of the Chevalier de Luzerne, who gave there a brilliant entertainment, with fire-works, in honor of the birth of the Dauphin of France. In 1779 it was occupied by Monsieur Gerard, the French ambassador. Finally, it became the property and residence of Judge Tilghman, who sold it to the Arcade Company in 1826.

At the southwest corner of Third and Chestnut Streets was the magnificent mansion known as Clarke Hall. It was the property of William Clarke, of Lewes, a wealthy lawyer, who had been one of the members of the original Council of the Governor in 1682-83, and collector of customs in 1692. Mr. Clarke bought the lot from Thomas Rouse, in 1694, and erected upon it a fine brick house, with a double front, two stories high, with a hipped roof. It was then considered the largest house in town, and its fine garden was much admired. In 1704, Mr. Clarke conveyed his property to his son, William Clarke, Jr., on the occasion of the latter's approaching marriage with Rebecca Curtis, of Barbadoes. Young Clarke does not seem to have inherited his father's prudence and good management of his affairs, for in 1718 the Assembly of Pennsylvania directed that the house and lot at the corner of Third and Chestnut Streets should be vested in Charles Read and other trustees, and sold for the benefit of the creditors of William Clarke, Sr., and William Clarke, Jr. The property was conveyed to Andrew Hamilton by Anthony Houston, who had purchased it from the trustees. But the Privy Council repealed the act of the Assembly providing for the sale of Clarke Hall. Suit was entered in the High Court of Chancery, in England, by the representatives of William Clarke, Jr. After long delays the case was decided against Andrew Hamilton. He had died pending the suit, and his son, James Hamilton, bought up the rights of the claimants, and sold Clarke Hall to Israel Pemberton in 1745.

In 1701, Charles Read, merchant, purchased from Letitia Penn part of the large lot granted to her by

William Penn four months previous. The piece sold was at the southwest corner of Front and Market Streets, measuring twenty-five feet front on the former by one hundred feet depth on the latter. It was considered the best piece in the Letitia lot. Mr. Read built a house on the corner, two stories high, with a high gable forming a third story, with a low garretroom above. A heavy eave from the second story and gables timbered and squared near the apex, gave this house a very quaint appearance. Mr. Read died in 1737, and two years later his widow sold the property to Israel Pemberton, who lived in it until he bought Clarke Hall. After his death it became the property of his son John. In 1754 a public coffeehouse was established on the premises, which thereafter was always known as the London Coffee-House. The want of a central coffee-house for the benefit of the merchants and traders had long been felt, and this one was established by subscription; the trustees, George O'Neill, William Grant, William Fisher, and Joseph Richardson, intrusted the management to William Bradford, who had been the first promoter of the enterprise.

The success of the enterprise very soon demonstrated how much the want of such a place had been felt by the better class of people, who objected to frequenting noisy taverns. Merchants met at the Coffee-House and transacted business over a cup of the fragrant beverage; the Governor and most of the high officials became regular habitués; ship captains hastened to bring there their budget of news, and strangers of distinction were brought to the Coffee-House to form the acquaintance of leading men. It became the great auction mart, public vendues of horses, carriages, and even of slaves, being held under the large shed which extended from the house to the gutter on both front sides.

Many exciting scenes took place in front of this popular resort during the troublous times which were the prelude to the Revolution. In 1765 bonfires were made of stamped parchment and of a Barbadoes paper bearing a stamp. In 1766, Capt. Wise, of the brig "Minerva," having brought from England the news of the repeal of the Stamp Act, was escorted to the Coffee-House amid the huzzas of an enthusiastic crowd and there treated to a huge bowl of punch, in which he drank "Prosperity to America." It was there, also, an indignant crowd burned in effigy Thomas Hutchinson, Governor of Massachusetts, and

1 Charles Read was a person of considerable importance in the young province. Logan writes of him to Penn in 1702, in relation to some transactions in which he had acted as appraiser, that he took him," with the most here, to be a truly honest man." He held several important offices. He was a Common Councilman in 1716; alderman, 1726; and mayor of the city, 1726-27. He was sheriff of the county, 1729-31; justice of the peace in 1718 until his death; clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions and Orphans' Court for some time before his death; member of the Governor's Council, 1733; and judge of admiralty under the king, appointed 1735. All these were highly important positions, showing that Mr. Read was a man of most excellent character, trustworthy in

all respects.-Westcott's "Historic Mansions.”