on fellow ous L g ulletinH e Volume 7 No. 1 A Newsletter of the Friends of the Longfellow House and the National Park Service June 2003 New Research on the Earliest HouseholdsB at 105 Brattle Street ew research by Longfellow National American Revolution, Sam- NHistoric Site’s Museum Manager Jim uel Batchelder’s 1917 Shea and others has helped piece together writings on the Vassalls the story of the pre-Longfellow residents at the Cambridge His- and the composition and activities of the torical Society, and a earliest households at 105 Brattle Street. Vassall family genealog- It is well known that John Vassall built ical website. He also and occupied the Georgian mansion in culled information from 1759, but only fragments of information Washington’s papers and existed about his slaves Anthony and Cuba account books in the Vassall and their children who lived with Library of Congress. him. Henry Longfellow cherished his Susan Long, an anthro- house because George and Martha Wash- pology student at Har- ington had lived there, but little was known vard College, combined “Washington’s Headquarters at Cambridge/Present residence of Mrs. Craigie,” about the “servants” they arrived with. Robert Tracy Jackson’s c. 1830. One of the earliest known images of 105 Brattle Street, now the Longfellow To fill in the gaps in our knowledge of 1907 history of the Vas- National Historic Site. The elms became diseased and were removed in the 1840s. the early inhabitants, Shea compiled materi- sall and Royall family houses, explore the early history of the House and als from such sources as Harry Dana’s court records and deeds with archaeological all its residents, a project close to the hearts papers, African American historian William excavations on the grounds of the House. of Longfellow’s family and an unfolding Cooper Nell’s 1855 book Colored Patriots of the Many articles throughout this issue topic for our archivists and other researchers. Longfellow House to Participate in “Patriots of Color” Celebration

n June 16, 2003, the 228th anniversary of color experience in the Revolutionary Oof the Battle of Bunker Hill, the War. Performances will include period Longfellow NHS will join a wide range of music and a Revolutionary War re-enact- Massachusetts historical and cultural orga- ment by the Natick Indian Plantation nizations to honor African American and Group, simulating the multi-racial regi- Native American soldiers who fought in ment at Bunker Hill. Neil and John Brooks, this early battle of the American Revolu- descendants of Barzillai Lew—an African tion. Sponsored by the National American Cambridge resident who fought Historical Park, the Massachusetts Histori- at Bunker Hill—will be guests of honor. cal Society, the Old South Meeting House, The “Patriots of Color” celebration and the History Channel, the “Patriots of derives from the National Park Service Color” celebration will take place at report entitled “Patriots of Color, ‘A Pecu- Boston’s Old South Meeting House on liar Beauty and Merit’ African Americans Washington Street from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and Native Americans at Battle Road and The evening will be moderated by Bunker Hill” by George Quintal Jr. Quintal Massachusetts State Representative Byron examined militia rolls, pension rolls, town Rushing, former director of Boston’s histories, and other military records to iden- Museum of Afro-American History. Prof. tify American soldiers in the initial years of James Horton of Uni- the Revolution with African or Native versity and adviser to the NPS on this sub- American ancestry and created a kind of ject will be the keynote speaker, giving an Detail of Alonzo Chappel’s 1859 painting “The Battle biographical dictionary of approximately of Bunker Hill” showing African American soldiers. overview of the complexities of the patriot Courtesy of the Chicago Historical Society (continued on page 2) 1 - In the Churchyard at Cambridge VWX by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow In the village churchyard she lies, Who shall tell us? No one speaks: Friends of the Longfellow House Dust is in her beautiful eyes, No color shoots into those cheeks, Board of Directors No more she breathes, nor feels, nor stirs; Either of anger or of pride, Barclay Henderson, President At her feet and at her head At the rude question we have asked; Robert Mitchell, Clerk Gene A. Blumenreich, Treasurer Lies a slave to attend the dead, Nor will the mystery be unmasked Frances Ackerly But their dust is white as hers. By those who are sleeping at her side. Peter Ambler J.L. Bell Was she a lady of high degree, Hereafter?—And do you think to look Hans-Peter Biemann So much in love with the vanity On the terrible pages of that Book Polly Bryson And foolish pomp of this world of ours? To find her failings, faults, and errors? Charlotte Cleveland Or was it Christian charity, Ah, you will then have other cares, Dick Dober And lowliness and humility, In your own shortcomings and despairs, Diana der Hovanessian The richest and rarest of all dowers? In your own secret sins and terrors! Carol Johnson Layne Longfellow Laura Nash Marilyn Richardson Lynne Spencer Susan Wood Advisory Board Ruth Butler LeRoy Cragwell Diana Korzenik Richard Nylander Stephen D. Pratt Marc Shell Charles Sullivan Lowell A. Warren Jr. Eileen Woodford Newsletter Committee Marilyn Richardson, Editor Glenna Lang, Designer J.L. Bell James M. Shea “The most impressive of all [the tombstones] was the Vassall monument, raised on opq pillars above the rest, and bearing no words, only the carved goblet and sun (vas–sol), —the monument beneath which lies, according to tradition, the bodies of two slaves.” National Park Service [Nearby were some of the markers with] “eloquent fissures in the flat stones where the Myra Harrison, Superintendent leaden coats of arms had been pried out to be melted into bullets for the .” James M. Shea, Museum Manager —Thomas W. Higginson, Cheerful Yesterdays (1898) Nancy Jones, Education and Visitor Services Janice Hodson, Museum Curator Paul Blandford, Museum Educator “Patriots of Color” Celebration (continued from page 1) Anita Israel, Archives Specialist Peggy Clarke, Museum Technician 120 individual soldiers at the Lexington and diers at that Battle, this would mean that David Daly, Collections Manager Concord, and Bunker Hill battles. It in- men of color might have been five percent C. Sue Rigney, Planning & Communications cludes invaluable information about their of the total, which makes the percentage Liza Stearns, Education Specialist military careers and lives beyond the war. almost as high as at the Battle of Mon- Emo Dewitt, Horticulturalist “Every once in a while a piece of schol- mouth, , when an estimated 800 Ed Bacigalupo, Chief of Maintenance arship comes along that changes the way men of color were seven per cent of a likely Scott Fletcher, Facility Manager you look at a historical event,” writes Alfred army of 12,000 soldiers.” F. Young in his introduction to the report. Martin Blatt, historian for the Boston Printed by Newprint Offset, Waltham, Mass. “After almost three years of research National Historical Park, was the main George Quintal reports that there very organizer of this event. This celebration is likely were 103 ‘patriots of color’ at Bunker free and open to the public and will be web- 1234 Hill (and may have been as many as 150). If cast live by the History Channel at there were as many as 3000 American sol- WGBH.org. - 2 Interview with a Friend…Meet Jim Shea Jim Shea came to the Longfellow House lic programs that highlight the art in the house in 1791. This is a very important site as Site Manager and Museum Curator in house, or the rare books, or Longfellow and because it is such a wonderful capsule of 1992, continuing a distinguished career that his circle of friends, among other topics. American history in one place. included senior positions with the National LH: Tell us about some of your current LH: This research is real detective work: Park Service in Virginia, Cape Cod, and six research. JS: Uncovering information on these historic house museums in . JS:There are really compelling stories of many people does take a lot of detective Longfellow House: What were some of the many families that called this house work—following a lead from a footnote in your impressions of the House when you their home over the years. Only recently we a book, or digging for the original source first arrived? learned the names of the children of John of a particular quotation, or searching the Jim Shea: I really didn’t know as much and Elizabeth Vassall, most of whom were internet for relevant material.The internet about the Washington connection when I born in this house. Also, the names of the makes a huge difference. I can sit at home came here. Also, I was told that everything children of Tony and Cuba Vassall, all born and search archives around the country. But was finished here—that everything was cata- into and some born in this house. it is still a slow process. logued. That was not the case at all. In every The white Vassalls were loyalists who fled There is an enormous amount of infor- room, closet, and drawer throughout the to England at the start of the Revolution- mation on the Web pertaining to Washing- House, there was a vast array of paint- ton and his headquarters in Cambridge. ings—some by Corot and Allston—and One of the best sources is the Library of books, clothing, and thousands upon thou- Congress website with Washington’s letters, sands of family letters, journals, and artwork. general orders, and other primary source LH: The amazing variety of treasures in material searched by date. Also, over a hun- the House was not fully realized as recently dred Continental Army orderly books from as ten years ago? 1775—arranged by unit, date, location, and JS: Many people didn’t know we had source—can be found at www.revwar.com. archives here. And the Japanese collections One of the biggest surprises was read- too were really unknown. I started a cam- ing the expense account books kept by paign to invite neighbors, community Ebenezer Austin. They record vast quanti- groups, and scholars into the House, and ties of supplies, food and wine, small fur- developed a “Troubles and Treasures” tour. nishings, and payment for various services. It generated a lot of interest in the House He was responsible for the supervision of and made me realize that there is so much laundry and food services for Washington more here than just the story of Henry and his staff at the Cambridge Headquar- Longfellow and his family. ters here at the House from July 1775 LH: The Longfellow family considered through April 1776. In the account books, this a house of great historical importance. ary War. This history of the black and I uncovered many of the names and duties JS: For them, of course, it was the white Vassall families from Brattle Street of the servants and slaves who worked at Craigie House and before that Washing- deserves a greater amount of attention. I the headquarters. ton’s headquarters. They took that history hope to attract a scholar who will continue LH: Don’t such discoveries raise as many very seriously. Alice Longfellow began this research. questions as they answer? researching and writing what she called LH: And after the Vassalls, Washington JS: Absolutely. For example, Where did “The Chronicles of the Craigie House.” It took over the house? all these people sleep? Were there outbuild- begins in 1759 with the house being built JS: Well, a few months before that, in ings for domestic help? Were there slave and occupied by the Vassall family and con- June of 1775, the house became a barracks quarters? Future research will be quite valu- tinues through the eighteenth and nine- for John Glover and the 405 men of his Mar- able in understanding the management of teenth centuries. When she died in 1928, blehead Regiment. They were recruited for Washington’s personal household as well as her nephew Harry Dana continued and naval duty in the absence of an official navy. his headquarters. expanded upon her work. This book was One of the most colorful regiments in the LH: And after Washington left the never published, but their research material Continental Army, Glover’s men were mainly House? is still in the house archives. The Longfel- fishermen and sailors from Marblehead. JS: Nathaniel Tracy purchased it as one low NHS staff and I continue the efforts Later that year the House became of several “trophy” homes. He was famous of the Longfellow family with ongoing George Washington’s official headquarters. for lavish parties and general high research and documentation. I hope some- He and Martha, along with her son and living—until he went bankrupt. Frances day this book can be published. daughter-in-law, lived here with their many Ackerly is researching that period before LH: So you’re following their lead. servants and slaves. Members of Glover’s the Craigies owned the House. JS: They were very conscious of the Regiment became Washington’s personal LH: What are among the greatest satis- potential here for education and inspiration. Headquarters Guard. factions of working here? It became a passion on my part to get at the Tony Vassall and his family remained on JS: The people I work with. I never stories that weren’t being told. Now we have the premises at this time, and Tony later would have stayed this long if it weren’t for a growing number of theme tours and pub- worked for the Craigies who purchased the the wonderful staff here. 3 - A Brief History of the White and Black Vassalls he patriarch of the Vassall clan was [who] made a specialty of getting their Paine’s Influence TMajor Leonard Vassall who owned stock very young.” In January 1776, Thomas Paine vast property in Jamaica. His son Colonel Ten years later, following his master’s published Common Sense, hailed by John Vassall was born in the West Indies death in the Revolutionary War, Darby made many as the single most important but emigrated to Cambridge and bought his way back to his parents’ home in Cam- document to move the general pop- seven acres of land on the corner of what bridge, but found it had been comman- ulation toward independence. It is now Brattle and Ash Streets, where he deered by General George Washington. sold an estimated 100,000 copies built his house. His son John Vassall Jr., Samuel Batchelder describes the story: “For within a few months. Paine wrote an born in 1738, built the mansion at 105 Brat- when the General arrived at his house he earlier essay pleading the cause of tle Street as another summer country found the youngster disconsolately swinging the Negro slave. Washington first estate—complete with formal gardens, on the gate. The Virginia planter, who had read Common Sense at the Headquar- orchards, and farm buildings—in 1759 on handled slaves all his life, good-naturedly ters in Cambridge and wrote to property belonging to his father. Two years proposed to take the boy in his service.” Colonel on January 31, later he married Elizabeth Oliver, and Darby asked Washington the rate of com- 1776,“Common Sense will not leave together they pensation and according to Batchelder, numbers at a loss to decide upon the had eight chil- “Such a left handed manifestation of the propriety of separation [of the dren during the new and much vaunted ‘sprit of liberty’ was colonies from England].” following six- not at all to the taste of the commander-in- teen years. chief, and his emphatic remarks on the sub- In addition ject caused Darby Vassall to declare to the to three other day of his death that “General George Vassall rela- Washington was no gentlemen, to expect a tives who lived boy to work without wages.” within a half When the white Vassalls fled Cambridge mile, across the in 1775, they left their Brattle Street houses street was John in Tony’s care. Records during this period Jr.’s uncle Hen- refer to Tony not as a slave but as a wage ry Vassall. In 1742 Henry Vassall had mar- laborer working on the confiscated estate of ried Penelope Royall, daughter of Isaac Penelope’s brother in Medford. Tony had Royall Sr., and together they moved to 94 moved his family into a small house on the Brattle Street. Penelope had inherited from Vassall property. In late 1780 Tony Vassall 1778. Tony died in 1811 at the age of 98. her father’s estate “One Negro girl call Pre- petitioned the Commonwealth for the Tony and Cuba’s children became quite sent, One Negro Woman called Abba and house and one-and-a-half acres of aban- successful also. In c. 1814-1816, their daugh- her six children named Robin, Coba [also doned Vassall land he and his family occu- ter Catherine Vassall married Adam Lewis, called Coby or Cuba, who was maid to pied as renters who acquired the Tony Vassall house and a Penelope], Walker, Nuba, Trace, and Tobey.” and taxpayers. portion of his land. Their son Darby left Henry Vassall already had his own slave who This request Cambridge to settle in Boston. In 1802, he served as a coachman, named Anthony, said for land was married Lucy Holland and had many chil- to have been born in Spain in 1713, taken to denied, but he dren. He purchased his first property on Jamaica and then to Cambridge around was given a May Street with his brother Cyrus. After his 1741. When Anthony’s owner married Pene- modest pen- father’s death, he purchased all of the prop- lope, her young slave Cuba, of African sion which was erty in Cambridge from his father’s other descent, was married to Tony as he was conveyed to heirs, and in 1827 he built a house there. called, a number of years her senior. his wife upon Darby Vassall was employed and befriended As was common at the time, slaves were his death. by some of the city’s most important and given the surname of their owners; hence In the year wealthiest residents, including the Shaws, Tony, Cuba, and their six children—Eliza, 1787, Tony Vas- Curtises, and Browns. His close friend Abigail, Flora, Catherine, Darby, and sall purchased a quarter acre from Aaron Samuel Brown bequeathed clothing, provi- Dorinda—were also “the Vassalls.” Hill, a bricklayer, at what is now Massachu- sions, and fuel, but most significantly, he When Henry died in 1768, his widow setts Ave. and Shepard St. He purchased released Darby from the $2,000 mortgage on sold Cuba and her children to her late hus- five more acres either adjoining or across the May Street property that was used to band’s nephew John Vassall Jr. at number the street by 1793. In the deeds for these build a “new brick mansion house” thereon. 105 Brattle Street. She kept Tony who over- transactions, Tony was listed as a laborer, In his later years, Darby fell on hard saw the management of both households. yeoman, and farrier respectively.The value times and was forced to rely on charity. Tony and Cuba’s young son Darby was of his land purchases was quite significant, Throughout his life he had become such a given as a gift to the George Reed family of especially for an ex-slave. Some of his respected member of the community that South Woburn, described in contemporary money appears to have come to him he was granted a place in the Vassall family documents as “considerable slaveholders through the estate of John Vassall Jr. in tomb in Cambridge. (See poem on page 2.) - 4 The Vassalls and New England Slavery n June 28, 1854, Charles Sumner de- 1811. While such petitions brought by slaves waning of the slaveholders’ rights. Oclared in the Senate who had been abandoned by Loyalist own- , known as Mum Bett, that “…[S]lavery never flourished in ers were fairly common in that period, 1780 was a slave in Sheffield. Following an assault Massachusetts,” that “Her few slaves were was an eventful year in the history of the with a hot kitchen shovel by her mistress, she merely for a term of years or for life,” and demise of slavery in Massachusetts. The called upon attorney Theodore Sedgwick furthermore, “In all her annals, no person State Constitution was adopted that year; who won her case before the county court in was ever born a slave on the soil of Mass- the first article within its Declaration of Great Barrington. She was set free and achusetts.” Longfellow’s dear friend was Rights proclaimed that “all men are born awarded damages and costs. At the same adamant, but wrong. free and equal.” The War inclined public time, Quock Walker, a slave in Barre, sued It is generally agreed that the first slaves opinion toward abolition, and the courts for his freedom from a violent master. Suits in Massachusetts arrived in Boston harbor were willing to hear cases brought by slaves and counter-suits were filed until in 1783 the in 1638 aboard the trading vessel Desire. Cer- against their masters. In one of the first Supreme Judicial Court, meeting in Worces- tainly slavery in New England never such trials, ten years earlier, James, a slave ter, upheld Walker’s claim. Slavery continued reached the dimensions of plantation slav- of Richard Lechmere of Cambridge, sued after these decisions which freed only the lit- ery in the South. Nonetheless, slaves could for his freedom. Local blacks raised money igants, but the highest court in the Com- be sold away from their families, were sub- to carry the case forward, and the court monwealth, citing the Declaration of ject to physical abuse, and had limited found for James. Other cases followed, free- Rights, made it clear that it would no longer rights under the law. ing individual plaintiffs around the state. support the legality of slavery. The census Not all African Americans in early New In 1781, two important suits signaled the of 1800 recorded no slaves in Massachusetts. England were enslaved. Some were born into free black families, some escaped from their masters, some managed to save Glover’s Marblehead Regiment at the House enough money to buy their freedom, and ith the help of documents at the haste to headquarters to announce his men some were set free after a designated period WPeabody Essex Museum and some were in a state of mutiny. On the instant of bondage. Through resistance, petitions, excellent histories, Jim Shea has unearthed the General arose…galloped to mutineer’s and lawsuits, blacks fought to end slavery more on a large collective resident of 105 camp accompanied by Glover and Hon. in Massachusetts. The Revolutionary War, Brattle St.—John Glover’s Marblehead James Sullivan. Washington arrived on the in which thousands of African Americans Regiment, which fought in many important spot…riot between Marblehead Fishermen fought and proved their valor, was a crucial battles throughout the Revolution. and Morgan’s riflemen. The Yankees turning point. By 1800, slavery was reach- Comprised of ten companies, number- ridiculed the strange attire and appearance ing an end in the region. ing 405 men—some of whom were African of the Virginians…. He [Washington] Generations of the Vassall family had American—they have been described by ordered his servant, Pompey, to dis- depended upon enslaved blacks to keep their historian George Billias in his book General mount…this the negro was in the act of households running smoothly. Abruptly in John Glover and His Marblehead Mariners doing, when the General, spurring his 1774, the Cambridge branch of the family, (1960)as “rugged fishermen and sailors horse, leaped over Pompey’s head…dashed who were Loyalists, abandoned their Brattle from Marblehead, who could handle oars among the rioters….” Street mansions, their property including as well as muskets.” Glover’s Regiment was According to Billias “If such a scuffle their slaves, and fled before the tide of revo- authorized on April 23, 1775 as a militia, did take place between Virginians and Mar- lution. Those Vassalls remaining on the and transferred to Continental service bleheaders, it is more likely it was caused by estate were the family of Tony Vassall. about a month later. On June 14, 1775, the the presence of Negroes in Glover’s regi- In late 1780 Tony Vassall petitioned the regiment was adopted into the Continental ment. There was at least one colored soldier Commonwealth for the small house and Army and became the personal Headquar- officially on the regimental rolls at the time, one-and-a-half acres of abandoned Vassall ters Guard to General George Washington and probably a number of others were pre- land he and his family occupied as renters and on June 22 took over the Vassall house sent unofficially. When Congress declared and taxpayers. (See “Brief History...” on and grounds for housing. in 1776 that Negroes who had served faith- page 4.) The request for land was denied, In August 1775, Washington corre- fully at Cambridge could re-enlist, a num- but he was given a modest pension which sponded with the Provincial Congress of ber of them joined Glover. An officer who was conveyed to his wife upon his death in Massachusetts as to the advisability of fit- saw the regiment for the first time in 1776 ting out armed vessels, since there was no wrote, ‘…there were a number of negroes, . Glover’s Regiment was which, to persons unaccustomed to such recruited for this purpose, and the first ves- associations, had a disagreeable, degrading sel was the schooner Hannah. On January 1, effect.’ But Glover was accustomed to ‘such 1776 the regiment was reorganized and re- associations.’ Negroes served aboard vessels designated the 14th Continental Regiment. in Marblehead’s fishing fleet, lived in the According to Samuel Adams Drake’s same town that he did, and even attended 1899 Historic Mansions and Highways Around the same church. Having worked and prayed Boston; Headquarters of the Army, “It is related with Negroes, Glover apparently had no Vassall fireback in upstairs bedroom that one morning Colonel Glover came in qualms about fighting alongside them.” 5 - George Washington’s Letters Reveal His Views of Black Soldiers mong the many questions George On December 30, 1775, Washington apprehended that they may seek employ in AWashington faced during his first issued new orders: “As the General is in- the Ministerial Army, I presume to depart months as commander of the American formed that Numbers of free Negroes are from the Resolution respecting them and army was whether to accept African Amer- desirous of inlisting, he gives leave to the have given licence for their being inlisted. icans as soldiers. From the Library of Con- recruiting Officers to entertain them, and If this is disapproved by Congress I shall gress’s online collection of George Wash- promises to lay the matter before Congress, put a stop to it.” ington’s letters, Jim Shea collected all who he doubts not will approve of it.” Congress resolved: “That the free ne- references to black soldiers groes who have served faith- written while the general fully in the army at Cam- was headquartered at 105 bridge, may be re-inlisted Brattle Street. The sequence therein, but no others.” Hun- of some excerpts from dreds of blacks, including Washington’s correspon- twenty who recorded their dence tells the story in his home as Cambridge, joined own words. the Continental Army that On October 5, 1775 after same day. The resolution also convening eight top officers, led to the formation of the Washington wrote: “An all black First Rhode Island additional query was laid Regiment, composed of 33 before the meeting: “Whe- Freedmen and 92 slaves, who ther it will be advisable to were promised freedom if enlist any negroes in the new they served till the end of the army? Or whether there be a war. They distinguished distinction between such as themselves at the Battle of are slaves and those that are Edward Savage’s “The Washington Family, 1789-1796” with George and Martha Washington, Newport. free? Agreed unanimously, to her two youngest grandchildren, and slave Billy Lee[?]. Courtesy of National Gallery of Art, Washington On February 21, 1776, reject all slaves, and, by a great majority, to On January 16, 1776 the general wrote to Washington “expressly forbid enlisting any reject Negroes altogether.” the Continental Congress: “It has been rep- Boys—Old Men—or Slaves,” but put no Later in October, officers decided to bar resented to me, that the free Negroes who limits on free blacks. The attempt to limit slaves and free blacks from the Continental have served in this Army, are very much dis- black soldiers to those who already served Army, and the Continental Congress ap- satisfied at being discarded. As it is to be seems to have been ignored in the field. proved such a resolution. Washington issued General Orders: “Any person there- fore (Negroes excepted, which the Con- Recent Research at the House gress do not incline to inlist again) coming with a proper Order and will subscribe the The Longfellow House archives contain over 700,000 manuscripts, letters, and signed documents and Inlistment, shall be immediately supplied.” are used extensively by researchers from around the world. Here are a few recent researchers of the sev- For the next two months, the general’s eral hundred who use the archives annually. orders to recruiting officers reminded them: “Officers are to be careful not to inlist any As part of a cultural exchange, in September 2001 a group of Park Service cultural person, suspected of being unfriendly to the resources staff visited the Gulag Museum in Kutchino, Perm, Russia. In return, Liberties of America, or any abandon’d Longfellow NHS hosted Gulag Curator Igor Lateshev in November 2002. Lateshev vagabond to whom all Causes and Coun- was invited to the Northeast Region Training Center to learn collections care pro- tries are equal and alike indifferent…[Nei- cedures and discuss issues shared by these historic sites. Longfellow NHS staff ther] Negroes, Boys unable to bare Arms, demonstrated preservation techniques from unpacking and examining paintings to nor old men unfit to endure the fatigues of collection storage planning to rare book rehousing, museum security, archeology, the campaign, are to be inlisted.” and prioritizing workloads with limited staff. As 1775 drew to a close, however, two The Gulag Museum at Perm preserves, documents, and interprets the last surviving developments forced Washington to re- forced labor camp for high Soviet officials, dissidents, and human rights activists of think his policy. First, in early November, the Soviet era. Constructed in 1946 and in use until 1987, it stands as the best-pre- Lord Dunmore, Virginia’s royal governor, served reminder of Soviet oppression when an estimated 20 million people were promised freedom to male slaves who imprisoned and over one million people worked as camp personnel. joined the British army. Second, most mili- l tia enlistments would expire at the end of Michael Hill, researcher for historian David McCullough, was excited to find the the year. With thousands of the soldiers Revolutionary War soldier’s diary (transcribed by Frances Ackerly), a letter from around Boston planning to go home, the Joseph Reed, and minutes of a conference with Ben Franklin, all unpublished. army could no longer afford to discrimi- nate against men willing to fight. - 6 George and Martha Washington’s Household udging from household expense account name “Adam Foutz, French cook.” food and wine items: “Cabbage, veal, but- Jbooks kept by Ebenezer Austin, the On August 5 there were entries for “Ed- ter, eggs, wild duck, salmon, cod, pears and steward at Headquarters, and information ward Hunt, a cook; Mrs. Morrison, kitchen- apples, pigeon, tongue, calves head, oysters, from Mount Vernon collected by Jim Shea, woman; Mary Kettel, washerwoman; Eliza beef, mutton, lemons, fowl, sausage, the Washingtons’ Cambridge household Chapman; Timothy Austin; James Monroe; turkeys, goose, pig” and “One cask Me- appears to have been more crowded and Dinah, a negro woman; Peter, a negro man; deirra wine for Negroes.” Furnishings for diverse than previously thought. andWilliam Lee.”These descriptions do not headquarters included spoons and forks, Under the direction of Colonel Joseph tell us who were free citizens, indentured damask table cloths, linen, and candle- Reed and then Lieutenant Colonel Robert servants, or slaves, but we do get a picture of sticks.” Entries were made for clothing H. Harrison, who served as George Wash- a bustling multi-racial household living side items for servants. ington’s private aide and secretary, Ebenezer by side in tight quarters. After her husband’s departure in April Austin oversaw the food and laundry for In August, Giles Alexander was hired as 1776, Martha stayed on for a few weeks at Washington and his staff. Austin kept a tailor and remained to the end of the war. Headquarters with her pregnant daughter- detailed accounts of cash expenditures for Beginning in October, Josiah and Moses in-law and her husband’s nephew, George such things as food, drink, clothing, and Fessenden were frequently employed by Lewis—and certainly numerous “servants.” household furnishings. He also kept track Washington as express riders. of all people residing at the House, includ- MarthaWashington, her son Jackie Custis ing family members, staff, guests, and ser- (from her first marriage), his wife Nelly, and Henry W. Longfellow’s Journal, vants. Austin’s records first note the pres- friends arrived after a two-week journey March 22, 1855: ence of himself, his wife and daughter just from Virginia at the Cambridge headquar- Lundy Lane and old Mrs.Vassall (born a slave six days after the general’s arrival. ters in December for Christmas. They too in this house in 1769) came to see me, and Washington moved into the Vassall man- were accompanied by servants/slaves. stay so long that Fields is driven away…” sion on July 13, 1775. He brought with him a The account books also record many young enslaved man as a valet, who took care of the general’s clothes and hair: William “Billy” Lee, purchased as “Mulatto Will” for Longfellow Summer Festival Schedule 2003 £62 in 1767. On July 24 Austin recorded the Sponsored by Friends of the Longfellow House, New England Poetry Club, & Longy School of Music All programs take place on the side lawn at Longfellow NHS and are free and open to the public. Recent Donation Seating is limited so blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. No parking available. Sundays at 4 p.m., unless otherwise noted rofessors Stanton and Lydia Garner of PSan Marcos, Texas, recently donated a June 15 Italian Cultural Day: Celebrate the Longfellow family’s love of Italian cul two volume set of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s ture with special programs, including Dante-themed house tours. prose works to the Longfellow NHS. Pre- 4 p.m. Poetry reading and booksigning by Maria Mazziotti, author of sented to Henry Longfellow by Emerson, Italian Women in Black Dresses and Things My MotherTold Me. the books were originally part of Longfel- 4:30 p.m. Greenland String Quartet performs Corelli, Vivaldi, and others. low’s library. The first of two volumes is July 6 The Spirit Lives! 12-4 p.m. John Glover’s Marblehead Regiment re-enactment inscribed “Henry W. Longfellow/with old of Revolutionary War encampment, military demonstrations, & sea chanteys. regards of R.W. Emerson/Oct. 30, 1869.” 4 p.m. Synergy Quintet, brass ensemble, period & patriotic music for all ages. It is not known when the volumes left July 20 Robert Pinsky, former U.S. Poet Laureate, reads from his works, including the House. The Longfellow House Trust Democracy, Culture and theVoice of Poetry. He will receive the Golden Rose gave a number of books to Harvard Uni- Award from the New England Poetry Club. Booksigning. versity in the 1960s and earlier, but Emerson’s July 27 Longy School of Music presents Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Prose Works show no sign of having been in Aug. 3 Frank Bidart, poet, editor of Collected Poems by Robert Lowell, reads his a public repository. Family members re- own work, including Music Like Dirt. Booksigning. ceived material from the House prior to its Aug. 10 String Quartet featuring Raphael Hillyer, viola; Eugene Kim, cello; transfer to the National Park Service in Gabriella Diaz & Edward Wu, violins. Pieces by Mendelssohn and Haydn. 1972, and some of this material was subse- Aug. 17 Mary Oliver, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of What Do We Know: Poems quently sold. Possibly, sometime in the reads from her work. Booksigning. early twentieth century a family member Aug. 24 JasMiNe Trio—Vanessa Breault Mulvey, Rebecca Jeffreys, & Michelle Nover sold these books on the open market. —classical, romantic, & modern music for c-flute, alto flute, & bass flute. The Garners purchased the books Sept. 14 Family Day 1-4 p.m. Poetry, music, special house tours, 19th-century “decades ago” from a rare book dealer. games, painting, and outdoor activities for all ages. Thanks to a series of fortuitous telephone 2 p.m. Envisioning the Poems, talks & booksignings by Glenna Lang and calls, the couple learned of the Longfellow Christopher Bing, illustrators of Longfellow poems. site and generously offered to donate the 4 p.m. Musical concert featuring Armenian Children’s Chorus. Emerson books to the House. 7 - " potlight on an bject Join us as a Friend and help support an international collection of nS each issue of the newsletter,O we focus Fine & Decorative Arts, Rare Books, Letters, and Historic Photographs Ion a particular object of interest in the Longfellow House collection. This time representing three centuries of American History… our spotlight shines on a hand-stitched q $1000 Benefactor q $150 Contributor cloth doll made as a tribute to and said q q to be the likeness of Tony Vassall (1713- $ 750 Sponsor $ 70 Family 1811), a slave who became a businessman, q $ 500 Patron q $ 30 Individual landowner, and Cambridge legend. q $ 300 Donor q $ 15 Student The doll stands about eighteen inches tall and is attached to what seems to be Make checks payable to: the remnants of a doll-stand. The cloth- Friends of the Longfellow House covered buttons and lined vest were all 105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 created from luxurious fabrics. The hair For more information, call (617) 876-4491. is made from human hair, and the eyes are ceramic. The three-cornered hat Name recalls Tony’s vivid presence in the Revo- Address lutionary War history of the House. City According to a receipt and a note alongside the doll in the House archives, State Zip it seems that Longfellow’s grandson Telephone Harry Dana purchased the Tony Vassall Special area(s) of interest in the Longfellow House: doll in 1943 from an elderly woman whose mother had lovingly crafted it q when she was a girl and claimed to have I would like someone to call me about volunteer opportunities. seen Tony in 1820. Both Tony and his son Contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. Darby were well-known and respected figures in early Cambridge history and were often confused in local lore.

Friends of the Longfellow House 105 Brattle Street Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138