Thomas Sully, Washington Allston and other American painters. The social atmosphere of these great houses possessed a warmth and refinement that were favorable to artistic appreciation. Painters were welcome guests within their walls. Peale made excursions into this region, and Sully visited the home of Governor Daniel D. Tompkins to obtain sittings for the admirable portrait which he produced of the statesman.

The wealthy people kept large amounts of money in their houses. In 1774 a lady, who died in New York, owned estates in Westchester County, and the

in 1776 from a house in the Neutral Ground of Westchester County:

5 blue and white window curtains.

5 window curtains.

9 blankets.

1 rug.

£.

8.

d.

1 pewter coffee kettle.

lated at the old rate.

3988 1 4

1 Bunch gold. Amount

1 Bunch gold. . .

1012 4 191

7

4 Bags qt. 500 dollars each or 2000

1 Do. 288. 1 Do. 280 1 Do. 113, 2681 dollars

1072

8

10

3 pewter mugs.

1 Bag small silver £72 48. Od.

2 pewter salons.

2 stew pans.

2 coffee pots.

9 wooden plates.

6 bowls.

1 hang iron.

2 toasters.
2 jiggin irons.
1 baking pot.

2 brass mortars.

1 lime squeezer.

2 dripping pans.

1 ladle.

2 flesh forks.

1 cake pan.

2

1 gridiron.

2 waffle irons.

1 cullander.

6 brass candlesticks.

1 snuffers and stand.

2 pairs kitchen hand-irons.

7 iron pots.

1 hand skillet.

1 sheep shears.

3 tubs.

4 pails.

3 pairs branches.

3 chains.

12 candle moulds.

8 smoothing irons.

47 pattee pans.

3 tea boards.

4

1 lace table cloth, cover and sheet. 7 feather beds.

1 sett green bed curtains with

ring.

1 sett red and white calico curtains.

blue bed curtains. 1 red silk bedquilt.

2 castors.

2 mugs.

3

4 candlesticks.

6 salt cellars.

1 sett

1 eased bowl.

1 tea pot.

6 spoons.

An old fashioned

2 milk pots.

1 chafing dish.

15 tea spoons.

2 tea tongs.

There was, however, one class of settlers as sharply distinguished in their social life as in their language and nativity from the Dutch and English. These were the worthy and admirable Huguenots, the French Protestant exiles, who came into the county so early in its history and gave to their settlement the name of New Rochelle, in memory of the ancient French city which had been the scene of their most lustrous glory and most poignant suffering. Mainly welleducated men and women, skilled artisans and good citizens, no acquisition to the colony was more valuable. Of the first house which they built, Rev. L. J. Coutant has given a graphic description. It was erected upon the point now known as Hudson's Park. Mr. Coutant writes,

1

"During the pleasant weather of the autumnal months (circa 1690), a house was built on Bonnefoy's Point,-not a very commodious one, nor yet very elegant in its architectural design. An excavation was made in the earth to the depth of five or six feet, and faced around with stones, after the manner of building cellar-walls at the present day, preparatory to the erection of the superstructure. On these stone walls were placed logs, in successive tiers, until a desirable height was reached sufficient to make one story above ground and a large garret for a sleeping apartment. The whole was roofed over with long grass, bound firmly on to the rafters with strong cords, interlaced with poles running lengthwise of the roof; so that this primitive dwelling, with the exception of its cellar-walls, or ground-work, was nothing more or less than a thatched log house. The work of building this edifice was accomplished by the voluntary and united labor of the whole colony-men and women both doing what they could to hasten its completion.

"Incidents peculiarly interesting cluster around this primitive cottage. It was a joint-stock possession-a common property, in which all had an interest-a sort of headquarters, a public house indeed, to which the settlers nightly resorted for social intercourse or recreation when the toils and adventures of the day were over. On the Sabbath it was the temple whither the settlers went up to worship and listen to the religious instructions of the pious Bonrepas, their beloved pastor, and to join in the raptures inspired by the singing of Marot's hymns. It is surprising to see what expedients necessity will adopt; into how narrow a compass it will compress the proprieties of life, both civil and religious; how few and simple are the requirements of society and genuine religion, when stripped of the conventional superfluities bestowed by pride and wealth. "In this same house the first child was born, to one Louis Guion, and there the first Huguenot marriage took place, the groom being Jean Coutant, and the bride the daughter of David Bonnefoy. The marriage ceremony was performed by the Right Rev. David de Bonrepas, who united, in his ministerial functions, the several offices of bishop, priest and presbyter to the French Protestant Church at New Rochelle.2

In addition to much other useful information, Mr. Coutant has communicated the following observations upon the social characteristics and domestic economy of the early Huguenots.

1 The details of the manners and customs of the Huguenots were prepared by Rev. Charles E. Lindsley, D.D., for his chapter upon New Rochelle, and are transferred to his chapter by reason of its being the most proper place for their insertion.

2 Coutant's "Reminiscences."

"Not in former times, as now, were the families in country villages or districts dependent on the butcher's stalls for the daily supply of their table, nor yet upon the baker's shops and the flour merchants for bread and pastry. These staples of life, as well as their wearing apparel, were furnished upon their own premises. Their cereals were gathered from their fields, threshed and winnowed upon their own barn-floors, and carried to the mill in bags to be converted in flour, which was kneaded and baked by the good matrons, in the old fashioned brick ovens, constructed in the immense kitchen chimney-backs. And as to pastry, all of it, not even excepting wedding-cake, was prepared in the same way. Their herds of kine and flocks of sheep, grazing upon their pasture fields, and the poultry in their barn-yards supplied them with fresh meat, butter and eggs the whole year round. The writer himself, although not as old as some men whom he knows, can well remember the time when a single small cow or a young steer, slaughtered once a week, sufficed to supply the families of New Rochelle and East Chester with all the frosh meat that was needed, over and above that raised on their own premises. Thus a thrifty farmer, in the early summer or spring, would slaughter a calf, sheep or lamb and, reserving what was required for his own use, send the rest to his neighbors, until they in turn did the same thing; and thus the supply was mutual and alternate. This policy was frequently adopted also upon the occurrence of a stone, or ploughing 'frolic,' as they were called, or upon the raising of a barn or some other heavy-tim

bered building, on which occasions a supply of good old Jamaica rum acted as a sort of steam power, and at night the affair was often concluded by a liberal supply of lamb or veal pot-pie and generous potations of old cider.

"The cellar of the well-to-do farmer was his larder, being fully stocked with barrels of salted meat and hogsheads of cider, as also with potatoes, turnips, butter, lard and such other provisions as were needful for family use. Even mechanics, carpenters, shoemakers, weavers, tailors, coopers, and blacksmiths had each his acre of land, cow and fatted pig, and whatever they lacked of other provisions they had no difficulty in obtaining by an exchange of labor for farmers' products, at the rate of four dollars per hundred weight of beef, eighteen cents per bushel for potatoes, fifty cents a barrel for apples, seventy-five cents a bushel for wheat, fifty cents for rye and not more than thirty-six cents a bushel for Indian corn, and other produce in proportion; while the wages of the laboring man ranged from fifty to eighty dollars a year, with board, and from fifty to seventy-five cents a day. The wages of mechanics were from seventyfive cents to one dollar a day, if boarded, and from one dollar to a dollar and twenty-five cents where they boarded themselves. Carpenters, wheelwrights and blacksmiths were employed upon many of the utensils of husbandry in those days to which they are strangers at the present time. The former made the farmer's ox-sleds, plows, harrows, cidermills, crackles and other implements for working in flax; the latter forged his plow-shares, colters, chains and crowbars. The manufacture of flax and wool spinning-wheels was usually done by cabinet-makers and turners, which class of mechanics was far from numerous. The turning was performed on the old-fashioned pole lathe.

"The dress worn by men consisted of pantaloons, vest and coat; the latter trimmed with large brass buttons, and an overcoat, or, as it was then called, a match-coat, a wool hat made very much in the form of the felt hats worn at the present day; laced or low-quartered shoes, and woolen, home-knit stockings. Those garments as a general thing constituted a gentleman's wardrobe or outfit for the winter. In summer,

linen was usually worn. The ordinary dress worn by elderly women was the old style short-gown and petticoats, of homespun or linseyWoolsey. When they went abroad, however, this was generally exchanged for a short-waisted gown of the same material in winter; but in summer of some lighter fabric. Those who could afford it occasionally wore silk. The head-dress consisted of a cap with a wide border and high crown, over which, when abroad, they wore a plain silk bonnet. The young women wore frocks of a similar style and material, but no caps. Their long tresses were parted in front, combed back and braided into a cue; rolled up spirally upon the back of the head, and secured by a huge turtle-shell or horn-comb. Small side combs were also used to keep the hair evenly parted in front. The shape of their hats varied constantly, as now, in accordance with the fickle dictates of fashion. At one time it would be a fur cap, somewhat like that worn

3 Archer Craft was among the first whom the writer recollects that wrought at cabinet-making and turning in New Rochelle, and also made and repaired spinning-wheels. His shop was at Upper New Rochelle. He was succeeded by Peter Bonnett, Jr., who continued the business until spinning wheels fell into disuse.

At

by men at the present time, but trimmed with ribbons and ornamented with feathers, white or black according to the fancy of the wearer. another, the hat would flatten down and spread out into an immense disk of braided leghorn or straw, held in place by a broad ribbon tied under the chin. Presently, almost while we were yet gazing in admiration, they assumed the form of a huge tin scoop in front, projecting beyond the face some ten or twelve inches, with high crowns to make room for the large comb.

66

Strange as it may seem, all of these, to us, outlandish costumes and fashions looked well in their time! Boys, until grown-up, mostly went barefooted; nor was it at all uncommon to see grown-up men pursuing their occupations without shoes upon their feet. All, of course, wore shoes and yarn stockings in winter. Moreover, the young man who could afford a pair of calf-skin boots with white or red sheep-skin tops was regarded with admiration by the belles of the town. He was a rare bird, indeed, and likely to become the target for the arrows of the mischievous blind deity. All the more so, if these ornamental appendages supported a trim, symmetrical form, attired in buff colored corduroy pantaloons, white vest, a blue broadcloth swallow-tailed coat, trimmed with glistening brass buttons, the collar extending high in back of the neck, and the tail reaching to within a foot of the floor; the whole surmounted with a high, bell-crowned beaver hat!

"Attired in this most marvellous array,

Thus walked and talked the dandy of his day.'

"In these early times, the children in farming districts were early taught habits of industry, the boys going to school in winter, and assisting in the work of the farm in summer and autumn. At the age of sixteen one or more of them would be put out to learn a trade, and bound by indentures to serve five years as apprentices. The girls meantime, while attending the district school, assisted their mother in household duties, and indeed some of them did not hesitate to help at an emergency in the out-door work upon the farm-in such light occupations as stirring and raking hay and pulling flax. Nor by so doing did they at at all lose caste or compromise their claims to gentility. Almost every young man at the age of twenty-one was familiar with the processes of farming, supplemented frequently by the knowledge of some mechanical employment. At the age of sixteen the girls had a practical acquaintance with the business of housekeeping in all its branches. Although not put to a trade, yet, before they arrived at eighteen years of age, they may be said to have learned at least one trade, at home. They were thoroughly proficient in the art of spinning and making up homespun fabrics. But although thus early trained to habits of industry, and to contribute their share of labor towards the support of the family, the young people of both sexes were by no means deprived of amusements. They had their holiday seasons and afternoon and evening sports. They enjoyed, in winter, skating and riding down hill, and spinning tops, flying kites and playing ball in the spring; and a great many other athletic games and innocent amusements which are now obsolete and forgotten. "There is yet one more phase of domestic and social life among the early settlers of this part of the country and their immediate descendants which ought not to be passed over entirely without notice, as it is one most intimately connected with human welfare and happiness in this our earthly lot. I refer to the subject of courtship and marriage. In those times the marriage of young people was the rule and not the exception. At all events the practice was, as it seems to me, much more general than at the present time; and there was a good reason for it. Marriage

did not then demand, on the part of one or both of the parties to it, the

possession of an independent fortune! Love and marriage, on the contrary, came first, and a reasonable amount of worldly success afterwards. To this mutual industry and economy contributed. The endless cere

mony, parade and lavish expenditure of time and money upon bridal costumes, trousseaus and wedding tours were unknown to the simplicity of those times. If it had not been so, the costly paraphernalia of a wedding would have driven the young lovers of that day into the despair of a hopeless celibacy! Mutual happiness and success in life, and not idle vanity or foolish display, were then supposed to be the true and proper inducements to matrimony. Such alliances were more easily and natur

ally formed, too, from the fact that population was less transient than

now. That is to say, families more frequently lived during their entire lives upon estates which had descended from father to son through several generations. Weddings, too, even among families of some wealth, were very simple affairs. They took place at the residence of the bride's parents-usually in the evening. The ceremony was invariably performed by a minister, in the presence of a few of the relatives and friends, and was followed by a season of festivity and merriment. For

the newly-married couple to set up housekeeping cost but a trifle. For twenty-five dollars a year two rooms could be procured sufficiently ample for a modest beginning. For as much more, they could be furnished with all that was needful for housekeeping in the way of furniture, etc.; the wife, as a general thing, providing beds, bedding and such carpets as she had been able to manufacture as the fruit of her own handiwork and industry; so that the entire outlay, in cash, for the first year, over and above what was provided by the parents, would not, perhaps, exceed one hundred dollars, rent included. These facts refer, of course, to successful marriages-that is, to the great majority. For the few failures, want of sufficient previous acquaintance of the parties (a thing by no means so common then as now) or improvident habits were chiefly accountable. The state of society I have been attempting to describe was that which existed in New Rochelle and Pelham from seventy-five to one hundred years ago; and, indeed, much earlier, for the habits and customs of the generation which preceded the War of the Revolution were substantially the same with those of their immediate descendants."

Settling in a country where water-courses were so numerous, the early Dutch did most of their traveling on the North River or the Sound and its tributary streams. The periauger was in constant use for water transportation. Charlevoix calls it pirogue, a canoe formed of the trunk of a tree, while Cooper, in the "Water Witch," says: "It partook of a European and an American character; it possessed the length, narrowness and clean bow of the canoe,

A DOCTOR OF THE OLDEN TIME.

from which its name was derived, and the flat bottom and lee boards of a boat constructed for the shallow waters of the low countries." Mrs. Van Cortlandt says: Sloops did a great business in carrying passengers, their leisurely movements quite suiting the quiet tourists of those days." "The very rich had for state occasions their coach drawn by four stout horses of Flemish blood, with coachman and outriders in appropriate liveries. Such equipages, however, were few in number and attracted great attention when upon the road. Box wagons, guiltless of springs, were owned by some farmers, but for easy travel a good horse was preferred, the man riding in front and the wife or daughter behind upon a pillion. Physicians needed and bestrode stout nags, always carrying saddle-bags and the few simple surgical instruments then known. The infallible lancet was stored in the big pocket-book, as at least once a year, usually in the spring, 'a good bleeding' was deemed a necessity. Blooded horses were not scarce, for many of the gentry kept racing stables.

"In winter the people rode about in huge sleighs, some of which were of great length and had covers,