Newsletter May 2016

Scenes from our April th 10 First Ladies Tea with Pat Perry

Photographs by Katie Costa

Our next meeting will be on May 17th at 7 pm in the Sprague Mansion. Trish Harmon, president of the RI Genealogical Society will show us how to trace our ancestral roots.

BOARD Of DIRECTORS

Katy Cabral Stepney (Social Media) OFFICERS Martha Cornell (Gift Shop)

Frank DelSanto (Bylaws)

Sandra Moyer Steven Frias (Finance) President David Griswold (Publicity) James Hall (Curator) Tom Worthington Fred Joslyn (Ways and Means) Vice President John Lonardo (Hospitality)

Mary Mierka Gregg Mierka (Property Management) Secretary Mary Mierka (Events and Rentals) Sandra Moyer (Endowment) Tristan Poirier John O'Leary (Nominations) Treasurer Lydia Rapoza (Joy Homestead) Herbert Zakrison (Buildings and Grounds)

Directors at Large Ed Garcia Eleanor Sasso

The Cranston Historical Society's mission is to protect, document, interpret and expand understanding of Cranston history.

1351 Cranston Street Cranston, RI 02920

(401) 944-9226 www.cranstonhistoricalsociety.org email: [email protected] facebook: www.facebook.com/cranstonhistoricalsociety President's Note

By Sandra Moyer

As you can see, we have changed the format of our newsletter in order to bring you not only information about the upcoming general meetings and events, but also much more about our museum collections and the history of our city. In the last issue, we started a new segment called Curator’s Corner which described an artifact from our collection. With this issue we will be introducing two more new features. Lifestyles of Long Ago is designed to inform you about the way people lived in another era, including what they ate, wore and did for amusement. Sketches of the Spragues will be a short biography of one of the members of the Sprague family.

I would like to thank the committee that designed the new newsletter as well as wrote articles for it. The committee consists of Mary Elizabeth Corrigan, Kathy Sprague Cyr, Jim Hall, Mary and Gregg Mierka, Kaylie Sasso and myself. Our thanks also go to Mark Feimer and Katy Stepney who acted as our technical advisors in setting up the new format and All the Answers, Inc, at 60 Alhambra Road Warwick who printed and mailed the newsletters for us.

Seeing that Memorial Day originated as a way to honor the war dead in 1868, we thought we should make the theme for this newsletter be the Civil War. All of our articles will revolve around that time period. Yarns of Yesterday will recount the history of Memorial Day and how it became a national holiday. In Lifestyles of Long Ago, you will hear about clothes and food from that time period and Sketches of the Spragues will be about Kate (Chase) Sprague, who was married to William Sprague, the Civil War governor.

May is also the month of the National Genealogical’s Society Family History Conference so it is appropriate that our presenter at the general meeting will be the President of the RI Genealogical Society, Trish Harmon, who will provide you with the information and materials you need to begin or continue your search for your own roots. Trish, and her colleague Louise Duckworth, will give a Powerpoint presentation and provide handouts designed to help you participate in the increasingly popular pursuit of family genealogy.

Membership

By Mary Mierka

Welcome New Members Edward/Jennifer Colozzi, Cranston Ms. Tray Gearing/Mr. Chris Conte, Cranston; Mettie Mazzur, Cranston Rene Rico, Cranston Charlene Mastrostefano & Family, Rumford

In Memory of: Dorothy Saccoccia, Life Member, Cranston

Welcome New Business Supporters All The Answers, Inc.,-Warwick, Mailing & Printing Services alltheanswersinc.com CWS Gases Co. (Cranston Welding Supply)-Cranston Since 1946 cranstonwelding.com Dental Arts-Cranston, All dentals services ridentists.com

Please support our Other Business Members and Donors: EMC (Energy Management & Control Services )-Cranston, Building control/ energy & integrated facility management systems emccontrols.net Forest Hills Nurseries Inc.-Cranston, Retail/Wholesale plants/nursery foresthillsnurseries.com North Eastern Tree Services-Cranston northeasterntree.com Rhode Island Civil War Round Table-RI’s premier Civil War discussion group ricwrt.com Stiller Distributors-Cranston, Distributer of commercial/residential flooring stillerdistributors.com TreePro Services-Coventry treeprori.com Twisted Roots Lawn Care-W.Warwick, Landscaping/Lawn Care facebook.com/twistedrootsinc

A Cordial Thank You: Victorian Tea Assistants and Donors Mary-Elizabeth Corrigan; Kathy Sprague Cyr; Photographer Katie Costa; Tanya DeMello; Michelle Lineberger & Lineberger ladies; Gregg & Mary Mierka, Sandra Moyer, Katy Cabral-Stepney, Marilyn Walaska Enchanting Cakes by Melissa-Johnston; Stop&Shop-Cranston; 7 Star Bakery-Prov; Plants to Enjoy—Lowes-Cranston

CCRI Community Service Day on April 5 – Volunteers at the Mansion

Calendar

Meetings & Events

May 17 Tuesday 7:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion General Membership Meeting – The presentation by the president of the RI Genealogical Society will help both beginners and the more advanced research their family tree.

May 30 Sunday 6:00 pm in the Pocasset Cemetery Civil War Memorial Day Observance – Collation to follow at the Sprague Mansion

June 18 Saturday 6:00 pm in the Joy Homestead Annual Strawberry Biscuit Tea celebrating the march of the Allied French forces through Rhode Island

June 28 Tuesday 7:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion Board Meeting

July 19 Tuesday 7:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion General Membership Meeting – Topic TBA

August 23 Tuesday 7:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion Board of Directors’ Meeting

September 20 Tuesday 6:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion General Membership meeting and buffet to celebrate William Sprague’s birthday

October 21 Friday 7:00 – 9:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion Charlie the Butler’s Ghost party featuring Rory Raven

October 25 Tuesday 7:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion Board of Directors’ Meeting

November 15 Tuesday 7:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion General Membership Meeting – Volunteer of the Year Award and New Members’ Reception

November 25 Friday 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion Decorating the Christmas tree

December 4 Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 pm Sprague Mansion & Joy Homestead Christmas Open House

Lifestyles

A Vest from ’s Inaugural Ball By Mary Elizabeth Corrigan

The Cranston Historical Society's collections include many objects that relate to the , including this silk matlessé waistcoat, worn to Lincoln's second inaugural ball in 1865 by Joseph H. Barrett. This vest was given to the Cranston Historical Society by Miss Catherine Bryant, a descendant of Barrett, in 1977.

Barrett (1824-1910) was the Commissioner of Pensions and one of the earliest Lincoln biographers. In 1860 his “ of Illinois” was published. After Lincoln's assassination in April, 1865 Barrett published an updated edition of the biography that included Lincoln's presidency and death, retitling it “Life of Abraham Lincoln.”

This waistcoat is hand sewn with white silk and cotton thread. The waistcoat fronts are made from white and pale bluesilk matlessé, which is a fabric woven to resemble an intricately quilted and embroidered pattern. The waistcoat is single-breasted with a Shawl collar and closes with fabric-covered wooden buttons. Inside the bottom edge of the waistcoat is a strip of fine leather lining which would have helped to keep the waistcoat smooth and not bunch up over the trousers. The pointed waist was popular in the 1840s, so this was either a vest that Barrett had owned and worn to formal events before, or it was a new vest that he had made in the same style of those he had worn as a younger man.

The vest would always be worn underneath a coat, so the back of the vest is made of inexpensive white cotton. The coat would also conceal a small tab and buckle that would allow the wearer to adjust the waist. This design detail is another hint that the vest was intended for a lifetime of use, because the fit could be very easily adjusted. At a time where men’s fashions were unrelentingly conservative and uniform, the choice of black or white waistcoat and tie were the only areas where a man could express his individual taste in fashion.

To celebrate Lincoln's re-election, the Inaugural Ball was held on March 6th 1865 at the Post Office Building (today the National Portrait Gallery) in Washington D.C. Important guests received invitations and tickets were also available to the public. For $10, a gentleman and two ladies gained entrance to a lavish evening of dancing followed by a midnight buffet. The Washington Evening Star reported there were undignified scenes of guests taking entire platters of food when it was finally served. Barrett's vest shows two small stains that may have happened as the 4,000 guests enjoyed the buffet that March night in 1865.

Of Long Ago

Mary Todd Lincoln’s White Almond Cake Lincoln‘s favorite favorite cake his dear wife baked, “ the best I ever ate . . .” By Mary Mierka

This particular recipe was presented at our recent “Tea With the First Ladies” program. Mary Todd Lincoln was Abraham Lincoln’s beautiful love. She met Abraham around 1840 when he first practiced law. After secretly courting, they married in November 1842. Although she came from a wealthy Kentucky family, she was an extremely apt homemaker. Contrary to some stories written about Mrs. Lincoln, in the beginning of their marriage, she sewed and loved to bake. Before they married, her family obtained a cake recipe from a local French baker for a delicious White Almond Cake. She made this cake while they were courting. Mr. Lincoln always stated it was one of his favorite desserts. After Lincoln was elected President, the First Lady would present this masterpiece delight when they entertained guests at the White House. The cake would take two days, since the fresh almonds had to be shelled, then blanched overnight, and ground finely to be included in the recipe. There are several variations of her cake. It is a light sponge-like cake. To the ladies, we say Mrs. Lincoln’s cake recipe will turn your husband or intended into an Honest Abe! (Recipe adapted from Lincoln's Table by Donna D. McCreary / by Janice Cooke Newman)

1 cup blanched almonds & chop fine (or use a food processor) 1 cup butter 2 cups sugar 3 cups flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 cup milk 6 egg whites ½ each teaspoon vanilla & almond extract confectionary sugar

 Preheat oven 350 degrees. Grease/flour (or use wax paper) a 16x11 cookie pan w/sides  Cream butter/sugar. Sift flour & baking powder. Add to creamed butter/sugar, alternating with milk. Stir in almonds and mix well  Beat egg whites until stiff; fold into batter. Stir in vanilla & almond extract  Pour into prepared pan; arrange slivered almonds in a design across the top

In the Kitchen: A time saving invention patented around 1830 was the hand cranked egg beater. It amazed how easy it was to beat eggs. The turning of the beater equaled 288 stirs. Perhaps Mrs. Lincoln as well as her White House kitchen staff used this model circa 1857. This model was invented by James F. Monroe, Fitchburg, MA & Edward Monroe of NY, and resembles today’s beaters . “. . . continue until the surface is smooth as a mirror, and the beaten egg as thick as a rich boiled custard . . .” Eliza Leslie, The Lady’s Receipt- Book, 1847.

Curator’s Corner

By Jim Hall, Curator

Patriotism was to be found everywhere, on both sides, during the American Civil War. Everyone wanted to help the brave men fighting for the cause on the battlefield and first among those wishing to help were the women. They formed ladies’ aid societies and made bandages, food, clothing and factory goods. None were more fervent than our own ladies of Cranston. During the early years of the war ladies of Oak Lawn plied their needles and thread to make a grand flag. The flag boasted thirty-four stars, one for each State. The next star would come in 1863 when West Virginia entered the Union.

The Oak Lawn flag was raised with appropriate patriotic fanfare on a pole in front of the Oak Lawn schoolhouse which later became the Oak Lawn library and still serves the City of Cranston today.

During World War I, 1916-1918, the flag hung in the archway in back of the pulpit of the Oak Lawn Baptist Church along with the names of Oak Lawn boys who were in the service at that time.

Thirty-three stars are arranged around a single large star which presumably represents the State of Rhode Island. The stars are appliqued. The flag has been repaired over the years with patches and at some point preserved with a muslin backing. There are what appears to be burn marks on the bottom. The flag was a gift to the Cranston Historical Society by the Oak Lawn Library years ago and is now being carefully preserved by the Society as befitting such a sacred reminder of that turbulent time in history.

Yarns of Yesteryear

RI US Senator William Sprague; the GAR Insignia; John A. Logan; The GAR Grave Marker; & RI Governor A.E. Burnside MEMORIAL DAY: A GREAT & IMPORTANT TRADITION By Gregg Mierka Each year, at the end of May, our country experiences what is seen by many to be a day of vacation. A sizable portion of people do not fully understand why the day called Memorial Day exists. If asked, some see the extra day off of work as a celebration, thanks they assume to our veterans. In fact Memorial Day, or Decoration Day is not a day of celebration, it was intended to be a day of reverence; a day of observance honoring those who served our country and have passed away; a time of remembrance. When first created Memorial Day was designed to be a solemn occasion whereby the people of America, led by living veterans should decorate the graves of their comrades forever interred in cemeteries across the land with the flowers of spring. It is a time set aside to remember the service of veterans passed away and teach our citizens and our children all they did to protect our way of life. Memorial Day was never intended to be a holiday. The true Memorial Day was observed for almost 100 years on the 30th day of May, not the most convenient Monday at the end of the month of May. The time of the year was chosen because it was a spring time moment when the weather across the country afforded most areas a new birth of flowers and allow people to pause to decorate the graves of late veterans in the manner in which President Abraham Lincoln envisioned a “New Birth of ” made possible by citizens who dawned the uniforms of our military and risked or lost their lives to give each generation of Americans the life we enjoy. On 5 May 1868, former Major General of the Civil War and Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) John A. Logan issued General Order No. 11, officially creating Memorial Day to be observed each year on May 30th. The GAR and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) instantly embraced the effort of Logan and Decoration Day or Memorial Day was borne. US Senator, former RI Governor and veteran of the Civil War William Sprague, IV, as well as former Major General of the Army and RI Governor Ambrose Burnside led efforts in our State to make all Rhode Islanders take notice of the importance of Memorial Day. One of the songs the old veterans sang was, “Hard Times Come Again No More”. It was their wish as well as the wish of all veterans since, not to repeat the harsh past, but learn from it. Today members of Governor Elisha Dyer Camp No. 7 of the RI Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (descended from RI GAR Arnold Post No. 4), joined by members of RI MOLLUS annually gather at Pocassett Cemetery in Cranston to conduct a ceremony honoring veterans of RI GAR Arnold Post No. 4. Many of the Post 4 veterans are buried in Pocassett. Afterwards a short collation at the Governor Sprague Mansion is an important part of this tradition. At the end of the ceremony in the cemetery a poem written by an unknown Civil War veteran is read, and each time the poem asks, “Who will carry on after the last of the veterans, or the last of the Boys in Blue are gone”, participating members reply with great spirit, WE WILL! Therefore the final questions remains, if Memorial Day is to be carried on as it was intended, what will you do and will you teach your children to correctly do the same?

Sketches of

The Rise and Fall of Kate Chase Sprague By Kathy Sprague-Cyr

Catherine Jane Chase was born in , , on August 13, 1840. She was named after her father’s late wife, Catherine Jane Garniss. Kate formally changed her name to Katherine Chase later. When Kate was five years old her mother died. Her father married for the third time the next year. Kate was quite jealous of her stepmother, so in 1846, Salmon Chase sent her to The Haines School, a fashionable boarding school in . Kate learned languages, elocution and the social graces along with music and history. At age 16 she graduated and returned to Ohio.

When her father, a widower again, became governor of Ohio in 1856, Kate served as his official hostess, secretary and advisor at the governor’s mansion. Kate had high aspirations for herself and her father. She wanted her father to be President. Chase’s presidential attempt failed going up against Lincoln in 1860. Lincoln then appointed him Secretary of the Treasury. Kate moved to Washington with her father. She continued to serve as his hostess and advisor. Parties at the Chase mansion were quite opulent. Kate’s popularity in Washington’s social scene continued to fuel her rivalry with Mary Todd Lincoln.

She met the newly-elected Senator from Rhode Island, William Sprague in 1862. Soon after Kate and William became engaged. William broke off the engagement briefly when he learned Kate had had a romance with a married man. They later reconciled and were married November 12, 1863 in the Chase home in a lavish wedding. Over 500 guests attended the affair. William’s gift to Kate was a $50,000 diamond and pearl tiara. Their wedding, fit for a king and queen invited criticism due to the lean times of the Civil War. President Lincoln attended the wedding, minus Mary Todd Lincoln.

Kate Chase Sprague’s Wedding Photo Kate and William the Spragues

Kate continued to support her father’s political aspirations with the help of William Sprague’s money. Their first child, William was born in 1865. Kate continued to spend the Sprague money taking many trips to New York City and Europe to furnish the new Sprague Mansion, “Canonchet” in Narragansett, RI and expand her ever growing wardrobe. In 1869 Kate gave birth to their second child, Ethel. Soon after, Kate began an affair with . It is rumored that her last two daughters, born in 1872 and 1873 were not her husband’s.

The Sprague Family suffered huge losses to their fortune in the depression of 1873. In 1879 Kate’s philandering with Roscoe Conkling was discovered by William, when he returned unexpectedly home from a business trip. William chased Conkling with a shotgun, imprisoned Kate and threatened to toss her out a second story window. Needless to say Kate filed for a divorce in 1880. The case dragged on until 1882 when Kate won custody of her 3 daughters, but her son remained with William. Kate also legally changed her name to Mrs. Kate Chase. She moved her 3 daughters to Europe and lived there until her money ran out in 1886.

Returning to Washington and Edgewood, her family home, she began selling off the silver, paintings, furniture and mortgaging the mansion. She was reduced to peddling eggs and milk.

In 1899 Kate sought medical help for a serious kidney and liver disease. She died on July 31, 1899 at the age of 58. She was buried next to her father in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Though Kate was Washington’s belle of the ball for many years, her obituary from The Cincinnati Inquirer read: “Hardly more than two or three - and they the nearest relatives on earth - were gathered together yesterday morning around the new-made grave in Spring Grove Cemetery.”

During the Civil War, Kate Chase visited Union Army camps in the Washington area befriending Union generals, and often offering her opinion on how the war should be fought. Kate is pictured here with General J.J. Abercrombie and staff, about 1863.

LincolnInaugural Ball

Cranston Historical Society Cranston Society Historical 1351 Street Cranston Cranston,02920 RI

MembershipMeeting May 17 from Vest Originof Memorial Day MaryLincoln’s White Almond Cake War FlagCivil KateChase Sprague

      Inside: