Letters of Mary Boardman Crowninshield, 1815-1816

Introduction

IN going over a file of family correspondence I was much interested in some letters from Washington^written by my great-grandmother, Mary Boardman Crowninshieldy in the years 1 8 1 5 and 1 8 1 6. Thinking that they would prove of interest to her descendants, to friends of the family, and possibly to some others, I am publishing them with a few notes, telling who some of the persons mentioned in the letters are. If I have made any errors in these notes [and I am afraid I have"), I should be much pleased to have them brought to my attention.

As the Crownins hie Id family of Salem, Mass., had been identified for a number of years with the shipping industry of the country, and all the members of it were strong supporters of the government, it was not unnatural that, in the year 1805, President fefferson should have appointed the Honorable facob Crowninshield, then a member of Congress from Massachusetts, to the ofiice of Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Crowninshield never entered upon his duties, on account of a sudden illness which finally terminated in his death, at Washington, April 1 4, 1808.

[vi]

On December 15, 1 8 1 4, while the War ofi'^12 was still in progress^ President Madison appointed benjamin W. Crowninshield, a brother of facoby to the Secretaryship of the Navy from which Mr. William fones had just resigned. Mr. Crowninshield accepted the appointment and immediately started for Washington. He served through President Madison's administration, and held the same position in President Monroe's Cabinet until he resigned, in November, 1 8 1 8 .

Mr. Crowninshield married on fanuary i, 1 804, Miss Mary Boardman of Salem, and at the time he removed to Washington ( 1 8 1 5), they had six children. As Mrs. Crowninshield disliked the long separations from her husband which his duties in Washington were making necessary, she determined to accompany him thither when he returned in October, 1815.

Accordingly, toward the end of that month, they set out from Salem in a private carriage, and drove to New Haven, Connecticut, accompanied by their two eldest daughters, Mrs. Crowninshield' s maid, and a manservant. At New Haven they took the steamboat for New York, en route for Washington.

The following letters tell of her journey to Washington, of her life there, and of her arrival home, in Salem, fune 2, 18 16.

[vii]

In order properly to understand Washington life of that time^ we must bear in mind thaty only the year before ^ the White House and most of the public buildings had been burned by the British. This made it necessary for many prominent people to live a " boarding house" existence, and accounts for much of the simplicity of the life set forth in these letters.

The letters are published exactly as they were written, with the exception of a few paragraphs of a too personal nature which have been stricken out, and the addition of an occasional word to make the meaning clearer.

The letters from President Madison and Mrs. Willson serve as an interesting introduction to Mrs. Crowninshield' s account.

Francis B. Growninshield.

Boston, March i, 1905.

NOTE TO THE PORTRAITS

'The frontispiece is the picture of Mrs. Crowninshield painted by Vanderlyn in Washington /'« 1816. // is mentioned in the letter on page 6^. 7'he portrait of Mr. Crowninshield facing page 44 was also painted by Vanderlyn at the same time. Mention is made of it on pages 46 and 47.

Both of these paintings are now in the possession of Mrs. John ^incy Adams, a granddaughter of Mrs. Crowninshield.

[xi]

Washington, December 15, 1 8 14.

Benjamin W. Crowninshield,

Salem, Mass.

Sir : —

Mr. Jones ' having retired from the Secretaryship of the Navy, my thoughts have been turned to you as a desirable successor, and I have this day sent in your name to the Senate for the appointment. I hope you w^ill excuse my doing it w^ithout your consent, which would have been asked if the business of that Department had less urged an avoidance of delay. The same consideration will apologize for my hoping that it will not be inconsistent with your views to aid your country in that station, nor with your convenience to repair to it as soon as you may receive notice that the Senate have given effect to the nomination.

Accept, Sir, assurances of my esteem and of my friendly respects —

James Madison.

' William Jones of Pennsylvania.

PVashington^ December 17, 1 8 14.

Benjamin W. Crowninshield,

Salem^ Mass.

Sir : —

You were yesterday nominated to the Senate for Secretary of the Navy. As there is no doubt but the nomination will be confirmed, I have taken the liberty to write you a few lines to offer you a room in my house. I can now if agreeable to you give you an excellent South room. It is large and pleasant. Perhaps it will be more agreeable to you as it is very near and convenient to the house now occupied as the Navy Office, and I believe every Secretary almost has lived in my house. Mr. Dallas and family are now with me, and a most agreeable family they are. If you should want two rooms, you can have them, and after the fourth of March as many as you may want. I refer you to Mr. Pitman and to Mr. Jones, late Secretary of the Navy, for any information you may want regarding my house, etc. etc. Your brother, Mr. Jacob Crowninshield, boarded in

[ xiii ] my house until the last winter he was here. He only left me then because I was removed too far from the Capitol, which he after regretted. We regretted it very much also as he was a most amiable character and esteemed by us all.

Should you be inclined to be one of my family, I shall be much gratified. I pray you to pardon me for the great liberty I have taken, and believe me. Sir, to be with much respect your Obedient servant —

Sarah Willson.

N. B. Should you see Mr. Pitman I will thank you, Sir, to present my kind regards to him and tell him we all hope to see him here in February next.

S. W.

[xiv]

Washington., January 3, 181 5.

Hon. Benjamin W. Crowninshield, Salem, Mass.

Dear Sir : —

I have just received yours of the 28th of December communicating the agreeable result of your reconsideration of your first determination on the subject of the Secretaryship of the Navy. It only remains to say that no obstacle has been erected by another nomination to the Senate, and to repeat my hopes that you will be with us as soon as possible. Accept my friendly respects.

James Madison.

LETTERS

I

Steamboat^ 1 1 o'clock^ Thursday. ^November ^ 1815.]

Dear Mother' and Sisters^: —

Here we are on board the boat since five this morning. The wind is not fair, consequently there is more motion than is usual. I feel a little dizzy. Mary ^ is having a grand frolic — says she has heard so much of the steamboats she is determined to enjoy it. Is really amusing all the passengers with her fun. There are eight on board The cabins are very fine. I was astonished when we were called to breakfast, to be carried to a very long room, two very long tables spread with everything good, for I thought I had seen every part of the boat before. It is a charming way of travelling. There is an elderly lady on board, about your age, who lives in Washington. Has been from there about a month. She tells me all about it — says they expect to have a

' Mrs. Crowninshield's mother was Miss Mary Hodges. She married Francis Boardman of Salem.

^ Her sisters were Sarah, who married Zachariah Silsbee, and Elizabeth, who married Nathaniel Bowditch.

3 Their second daughter, who married Charles Mifflin, gay winter there. She was acquainted with Mr. C. last winter. I expect to go on in company with her. There is a family of children here whose parents are moving to Baltimore — a little girl who is playing with Mary, and boys about as big as ours, and make about full as much noise. And we have the British Admiral Coffin,' and many others not worth mentioning, — a very pleasant lady and her daughter, belonging to New York. Not a word about Elizabeth.^ When we stopped to dine the first day, she was sick a little and could not eat her dinner, but slept grandly all night with me, and Mary with her Pa. The second day she was sick several times, once in the carriage all over her Pa's cloak and mine. The third day she was not sick [at all], only dizzy, and I think if we had ridden to-day she would have felt nicely. Miary feels sick now in the boat, but she is playing about and eating boiled chestnuts.

We have really had a very pleasant journey, — everything good to eat for breakfast, dinner and supper, — chickens, oysters, pies, waffles

' Sir Isaac Coffin, an illustrious admiral of the British Navy, Born in Boston, 1759. "He never forgot that he was an American,"

* Their eldest daughter; married the Rev, William Mountford, author of Euthanasy.

and preserves. I have not taken any cold. The first night was very tired, — since then have not felt the least fatigue. Uncle George' has been grand company and we are very glad he came with us. Shall be sorry to part with him. He and Mary would try who could eat most ; he always finished the pie he began.

Well, now for yourself and the dear children. How do you all do ? How often we talk of you ! Uncle G. would say, " Now, Mary, Francis's^ fingers are in the sugar bowl, and now grandma 's catching him." The dear babe,3 what can I say of her ? Tell the boys to kiss her a dozen times a day for me. I really feel too dizzy to write. I could not write at New Haven. We got there late in the afternoon ; — so much company, and so many continually arriving, and so much noise and confusion, I thought it best to wait till to-day.

I wish you could see what a pretty place we are in. The girls are now in one of the berths.

' George Crowninshield, Mr. Crowninshield's brother, a Salem merchant and owner of the celebrated yacht Cleopatra's Barge. Mr. Crowninshield was then starting on a journey to New Orleans.

* Their second son, Francis Boardman Crowninshield ; married Sarah Gooll Putnam. He was the first president of the Somerset Club of Boston.

3 Their youngest daughter ; married Jonathan Mason Warren.

There are a dozen around the cabin, covered with nice white counterpanes — look very neat. Tell Mrs. Dodge Sophia ' is nicely. Has fared as well as any of us, ate and drank at the same table with us so far, and is very attentive. Think we shall like her very much. We shall arrive at New York about dark, so shall not see Sally ^ to-night. The steamboat leaves New York to-morrow morning, and we ought to go on, but we must see Sally and shall have to stay till Monday ; but the man who attends here says we cannot go sooner, so many are wanting to see Mr. C. ; for the last dozen trips as soon as the boat arrives there are a dozen down to inquire for him. You can let both Aunt Sally see this, and Aunt Silsbee.^ I will write to her after seeing Sally. Tell the children all about it. I hope they got the sugar plums from Boston.

Good bye — good bye.

Your affectionate daughter,

M. B. C.

' Maidservant.

* Mr. Crowninshield's niece, daughter of Jacob Crowninshield ; married Richard S. Rogers.

3 Mr. Crowninshield's sister ; married the Honorable Nathaniel Silsbee, United States Senator from Massachusetts.

II New Tbrk, \th November^ 1815, Saturday Afternoon

Dear Mother and Children : —

Benjamin,' Francis and George,* don't you long to see us ? and dear little babe too ; she could give us a pretty little smile. Have you been good ? It is Saturday, and I think you are playing in the yard. Now mind, don't run away nor plague Grandma. We are still in New York and shall remain here till Monday morn, seven o'clock. The steamboat does not go till then and it is so much easier to go in that way. Our girls enjoyed the day. They were on the water more than any other day. We arrived here late on Thursday evening. Mr. Bailly came on board and had his carriage waiting, put us in and carried us to his house, where we were very kindly received by his wife. She had her tea all in waiting, and fixed a trundle bed in my chamber, thinking I should bring children with me. I now

' Their eldest son, Benjamin Varnum Crowninshield. He died on his twenty-first birthday.

^ Their third son, George Caspar Crowninshield ; married Harriet Sears.

[ 8 ] feel quite at home. The next morning, as soon as breakfast was over, to Mrs. Brenton's* we went. Mrs. B. went in the carriage with us. We did not know as we should see Sally, but without any hesitation we were admitted. Uncle George and Mr. Dodge went with us. We were shown into a parlour, and soon after Sally appeared. She saw the carriage and knew us, but was not certain she should see us. She has grown very fat. Her cheeks are as plump and she looks more like Aunt Silsbee than ever. Mrs. Brenton was very sick the day before ; it was not thought she would live ; but is better ; I did not see her, but she desired Mrs, Bailly to show us the house, which is opened to company only on Wednesdays. This was a great favor and gratified Sally very much. I was a little disappointed in seeing the garden, for it was not larger than ours, but the house very large and spacious. We went in the school room, saw the young ladies, some very little girls, many not bigger than Mary Silsbee, but some eighteen. We stayed more than an hour, but how to part from her, — it was very painful. If I had been at a public house I should have requested Mrs. Brenton to let her go in to town with

* The head of a boarding-school for young ladies.

US, but as Mrs. Bailly did not mention it I could not invite her, but we left her in tears on the steps, promising to see her again if possible.

To gratify our girls we went last eve to the theatre. We were late and the play begun, but Mary was so frightened, — " O ! do let me go, I shall die if you don't," — we could not coax her to stay ; she declared, if we did not let her go home, she would scream as loud as she could, so Mr. Dodge had to carry her home, and she passed her evening with Mr. Bailly reading religious tracts and saying hymns. You can't think how frightened she was — everybody in the next boxes was so amused with her. You boys would have been delighted. There were four live horses came on the stage. They looked like the Troop. Elizabeth was very much pleased. I have been walking all the morning. While I was out a number of ladies called on me. I was invited to dine today at the Navy Yard. Mrs. Evans* called herself for me, but I was not at home. Her husband urged me very much (when he came for Mr. C), but I did not want to go as I should have to cross in a boat. I had rather be here. Mrs. Bailly says she shall carry us

' Mrs. Evans was probably the wife of the Commander of the Navy Yard.

[lo]

all to meeting to-morrow. Tells Uncle George he must and shall go, and I hope he will, but I am afraid he will set out this afternoon. He dined here yesterday, went to the theatre with us, and you can't think how agreeable and polite he has been.

Mary is now out walking with Sophia. Hanson ' has gone to show them the way ; they were out all yesterday afternoon and bought sugar plums. I wish you boys had some too. Everything pretty to sell here, but I have made no purchases — I forgot to take my money ; I am sorry ; — I shall make my purchases in Philadelphia.

Good night, dear children,

M. B. C,

' Manservant.

Ill

Philadelphia^ November 7, 18 15.

We arrived here this morning at twelve, after a most delightful sail down the Delaware. We started in the steamboat at seven o'clock. We saw most elegant country seats along the banks of the river on both sides. At several little towns stopped to take passengers on board, which made it very pleasant. I ought to have begun with our leaving New York on Monday at seven o'clock, in the boat. It was very foggy so that we could see very little till noon. Had not very smart passengers. The old English Admiral came part of the way with us. We have seen him so that much it seemed like meeting an old acquaintance, and he is pleased with our girls. Calls Elizabeth his sweetheart, but she runs from him. We stopped at Brunswick and there met Uncle George. He got there a day before us. We left there about four o'clock in the stage, to go nearly thirty miles. I was dreadfully frightened, as our horses were gay to go so great a distance by night. We had four stages in company, but go we must

[,2]

or lose our passage. This morning we arrived at Trenton at ten, safe and sound ; Elizabeth was not sick ; had a good supper and went to bed. Up this morning before six to be in time for the boat again. We had many passengers. A lady with her two daughters about the age of ours and the same names. They had a good frolic together, but the mother was unsociable so that I did not get acquainted with her on the passage, but the same lady has called on me this evening with Mr. Meany, as his wife was sick and this lady was their sister. They wish us to stay in this city several days, but we are determined on leaving to-morrow at three o'clock in the steamboat, and shall have to ride again to-morrow evening, but we shall have a moon. It will be only sixteen miles, and the next morning early we shall take the boat for Baltimore.

I have been about the city with the girls and Hanson for my guide, but dare not venture far. We found much difficulty in getting lodging. We are at a Quaker lady's — nothing smart. Her daughter is now amusing our girls — about their age — telling them about her school. Here is Mary and she says I must tell you she doesn't like Philadelphia half, nor a quarter, so well as she does Salem, and Elizabeth says she wishes she was at home. We have found a

['3]

new carriage and horses here, tell the boys, but I have not seen it. Pa says it is a handsome one. I can't tell them what color the horses are, but I don't believe they will be so good as the old gray. It is to be sent to Washington, and we are going in the stage and the boat, as it would take us too long to go in a private carriage. Uncle George is going to Baltimore with us. You can't think how agreeable we find him. He is much pleased with this city, says the turkeys are up to your knees — such good eating.

Well, how do you make out ? How I long to hear from home. Are the children well — are they good ? Have you begun to repent yet that you engaged to have the care of them ? I am so impatient to hear. Does George go to school? yes, indeed, and learns beautifully, and I hope Francis gets his Sunday lessons, and Ben, I am sure, is a good boy because he is the eldest. Does the babe grow ?

M. B. C.

IV Saturday^ Washington^ November ii, 1815

We arrived here yesterday afternoon early enough to see the city. It looked dreary to be sure on our first getting here, we were so cold and fatigued. We left Philadelphia on Wednesday at three o'clock in the steamboat. Had a very pleasant sail to New Castle, where we arrived about ten. Had very bad lodging that night. Were up at four o'clock, to take the stage about sixteen miles. We had six stages in company, all filled with passengers. We arrived at French Town about nine o'clock. We found a fine breakfast ready for us on board the boat ; were all proper hungry. We have excellent fare on board the boat. It was a rainy day and considerable wind, so that we had not so pleasant a passage. Many were very sick indeed. We all were a little so ; Mary could not sit up, but Elizabeth did not feel sick.

We arrived at Baltimore about nine in the eve — found excellent lodgings, but left the city at eight o'clock the next morning. This

['5]

we regretted, as we wanted to see more of Baltimore ; and here we left Uncle George to go on his journey Westward. He had made himself so agreeable I was unwilling to part with him. We always had a grand time when we sat down to table, all had such excellent appetites. We had an addition to our party. We took a young lady with us from Philadelphia who wanted to visit her friends here. Quite a pleasant girl, and looked so much like Priscey ' that I could not but like her.

Well, here we are. All the folks ran to the door to welcome us — so glad to see my husband. We soon had tea by ourselves. All looked so strange. We went to bed early. Com'r Porter's ^ family is at this house. She [his wife] came in to see me soon after I arrived. She is a very pretty little woman — looks like Abigail Knapp. I was introduced to many gentlemen, but should not know them again, although I met them again this morning at breakfast.

About twelve o'clock Mr. C. came in and said I must go immediately to see Mrs. Madison. Our girls went with me. She lives in the

' Priscilla Webb, an intimate friend of the family.

* David Porter, an illustrious American naval officer ; born in Boston, 1780. Married Elvira Anderson of Chester, Pennsylvania.

same block* with us. I did not alter my dress. Well, we rung at the door, the servant showed us to the room — no one there. It was a large room, had three windows in front, blue window curtains which appeared to be of embossed cambric, damask pattern, red silk fringe. The floor was covered with dark gray cloth, two little couches covered with blue patch, a small sideboard with I don't recollect what on it. In about two minutes the lady appeared, received us very agreeably, noticed the children much, inquired their names, because she told them she meant to be much acquainted with them. You could not but feel at your ease in her company. She was dressed in a white cambric gown, buttoned all the way up in front, a little strip of work along the button-holes, but ruffled around the bottom. A peach-bloomcolored silk scarf with a rich border over her shoulders by her sleeves. She had on a spencer of satin the same color, and likewise a turban of velour gauze, all of peach bloom. She looked very well indeed.

Since returning home, Mrs. Porter has called in my room with her sister and cousin, two

' For a year after the burning of Washington, President Madison occupied the Octagon, a spacious mansion on the corner of New York Avenue and i8th Street. This house was built in 1798 by Colonel John Tayloe of Virginia.

[>7] very young ladies, and Mrs. Lear who came from Portsmouth. Mrs. Porter brought in her babe about twelve weeks old. I was delighted with seeing it, but it did not look much like my dear babe.

I received Betsey's * letter written last Sunday. I was gratified to hear from home and that all was well. Well, what good boys ! — I wish I could say our girls were as good — they have the worst time going to bed every night. " Oh, if I only had my own bed," Elizabeth says ; she is not willing to sleep with Mary. We have a bed for them in our chamber, and we have a very pleasant parlour which opens immediately into our bedchamber — this we have to ourselves ; dine with the boarders and sit in the family parlour below when we choose. Dined with a table full of gentlemen — just left them at table. The dining-room is next to ours. I can now hear the gentlemen talking and telling stories.

Our carriage has not come yet. May be here to-morrow. I rode a little in it at Philadelphia. It was a very easy one, rather too gay — the horses are a chestnut color, rather light, but very large and appeared very gentle. The coachman is a white man and recom-

' Elizabeth Mead, a distant relation ; married Francis Boardman, Mrs. Crowninshield's brother.

mended as a very good one. We shall* keep him if he will stay. We shall keep Hanson too. At Philadelphia, at our boarding-house, I became acquainted with a Miss Custis, a grand-daughter of General Washington's Lady. She carried me to the most fashionable milliner ; — elegant goods we saw, but I did not make many purchases. Saw most elegant white velvet for gown, and everything that was pretty.

I really think Washington much pleasanter than I expected. From my window now it looks like a common ; houses about as far distant as from your window. As we went up to Baltimore I could not but think of poor Aunt Wellman ' ; how many times have I heard her tell of her journey there !

Tell the boys there is a little boy here who has a little brass cannon that he can fire. His name is William Porter. He is six years old, but not so big as Francis, and I don't believe that he can read so well or studies Latin, but I will ask him next time I see him. I wish we had brought George. This letter is as much to Sally, and she must write me ; and Frank,* — why does he not write ? M. B. C.

' Mrs. Wellman was a sister of Zachariah Silsbee. She was called Aunt by many persons who were not really related to her.

' Francis Boardman, Mrs. Crowninshield's brother.

V

Friday^ December I, 1815.

We are just up, and Mary says, "you must write. Ma, that I may send my letter." Elizabeth is not out of bed yet. She is always the last one; — we are earlier than common, for the first bell has not rung yet for breakfast and it is half-past eight. Indeed, every day when I get ready to take my work, I am astonished to hear it is twelve o'clock. We never dine till after three. Soon after rising from table it is candle-light and then we go in to tea — have it sent round. We have excellent tea, but nothing very good to eat with it. After that, if we choose, we can play whist, chess or [back] gammon, for there are always enough to make up a party. I generally return to my own room till the girls tease me so to go visiting in some of the other parlours.

I think I told you we were to dine at Mrs. Monroe's ' the day before yesterday. We had

' James Monroe was then Secretary of State.

there the most stylish dinner I have been at. The table wider than we have, and in the middle a large, perhaps silver, waiter, with images like some Aunt Silsbee has, only more of them, and vases filled with flowers, which made a very showy appearance as the candles were lighted when we went to table. The dishes were silver and set round this waiter. The plates were handsome china, the forks silver, and so heavy I could hardly lift them to my mouth, dessert knives silver, and spoons very heavy — you would call them clumsy things. Mrs. Monroe is a very elegant woman. She was dressed in a very fine muslin worked in front and lined with pink, and a black velvet turban close and spangled. Her daughter, Mrs. Hay, a red silk sprigged in colors, white lace sleeves and a dozen strings of coral round her neck. Her little girl, six years old, dressed in plaid. The drawing-room was handsomely lighted — transparent lamps I call them; — three windows, crimson damask curtains, tables, chairs and all the furniture French ; [and] andirons, something entirely new. This would suit Aunt Silsbee.