vl21 - private lives, public house - the story of the ......this morning's lecture, private...

PRIVATELIVES,PUBLICHOUSE:THESTORYOFTHEFAMILIES

WHOLIVEDINTHEWHITE-ELLERYHOUSELECTUREFINDINGAID&TRANSCRIPT

Speakers: StephanieBuckandMarthaOaks

Date: 4/3/2010

Runtime: 1:00:58

CameraOperator:BobQuinn

Identification: VL21;VideoLecture#21

Citation: Buck,Stephanie,andMarthaOaks.“PrivateLives,PublicHouse:TheStoryoftheFamiliesWhoLivedintheWhite-ElleryHouse.”CAMVideoLectureSeries,4/3/2010.VL21,CapeAnnMuseumLibrary&Archives,Gloucester,MA.

Copyright: RequestsforpermissiontopublishmaterialfromthiscollectionshouldbeaddressedtotheLibrarian/Archivist.

Language: English

FindingAid: Description:KarlaKaneb,4/20/2020.Transcript:MonicaLawton,5/6/2020.

VideoDescription

ThislectureisthefirstofmanyeventsplannedbytheCapeAnnMuseumin2010tocelebratethe300thanniversaryoftheWhite-ElleryHouse.Inthispresentation,archivistandlibrarianStephanieBuckrecountsthelifeoftheReverendJohnWhite(1677-1760)forwhomthehousewasbuiltin1710.Asthepastorofthe

PrivateLives,PublicHouse–TheWhite-ElleryHouse:TheStoriesoftheFamiliesWhoLivedThere–VL00–page2

FirstParishChurchinGloucester,Whitelivedinthehouseuntil1733.CuratorMarthaOakspicksupnextwhenownershipistransferredtotheElleryfamilyin1740,severalgenerationsofwhichremainedatthehouseuntilitwasgiventothemuseumin1947.FromearlycolonialtimestothebuildingofRoute128,thisdeepdiveintothearchivalcollectionsofthemuseumhighlightsthechangesthathavebeenexperiencedbythepeopleofGloucesteraspersonifiedinthisremarkablywell-preservedhistoricstructure.

Subjectlist

ReverendJohnWhite MarthaOaks

LucyWiseWhite White-ElleryHouse

AbigailBlagueWhite FirstPeriodArchitecture

AliceNorwoodWhite FirstParishChurch

CaptainWilliamEllery FourthParish

AbigailAllenEllery LandBankof1740

IdaBeeman Ellery’sFurniture

StephanieBuck Route128

Transcript0:14LindaMarshall:HappyEaster,everybody.WelcometotheCapeAnnMuseum.MynameisLindaMarshall.I'mtheDirectorofProgramsandit'sverynicetobebackintheFollyCoveAuditorium.We'vebeenclosedforthepastfewmonths,soit'snicetoresumeourprogramming.Wewantedtowelcomeyoutothefirstprograminaseriesthisyearcelebrating300yearsoftheWhite-Elleryhouse.Thereisahandoutavailable,whichIhopemostofyoupickedup,whichshowsallsortsofupcomingprogramsthatarescatteredthroughouttherestoftheyear.You'regoingtofindeverythingfromlecturestoabirthdaypartyonJune5,topaneldiscussions,exhibitionsandevenatavernnight,sopleasestaytunedthroughouttherestofthespringformoredetailsaboutthat.


Also,briefly,IwanttomentionthatSeaArtshassomeculturalevaluationsurveyswhichareoutonthetable.Ifyoucouldplease,attheendoftheprogram,justtakeafewmomentstofillthoseout.Weverymuchappreciatethat.They'reinvolvedinaculturalstudywithUMassontheeconomicimpactoftheartsonCapeAnn.Sothatkindofinformationisveryhelpfulforallofus.Overthepastthreeyears,themuseumhasbeenworkingverydiligentlytostabilizeandpreservetheWhite-ElleryhouseandthebarnandtomaketheentiresitenotonlyavitalandvibrantpartofthemuseumbutalsoofthegreaterCapeAnncommunity.Andthisyear'scelebrationacknowledgestheimportantrolethatthehousehasplayedandcontinuestoplayinthelongandrichhistoryofGloucesterandCapeAnn.1:54Thismorning'slecture,PrivateLives,PublicHouse,willbeco-presentedbyStephanieBuckandMarthaOaks.StephanieBuckisthemuseum'slibrarianandarchivist,andshehasresearchedGloucester'shistoryformorethanadecade.She'stheco-authoralongwithSarahDunlapofFitzHenryLane,FamilyandFriends,whichwaspublishedin2007;aswellastheMaryBloodMellonchronology,whichwasincludedinthemuseum's2007exhibitioncatalogforFitzHenryLaneandMaryBloodMellon,OldMysteriesandNewDiscoveries.2:30MarthaOaksisthemuseum'scurator.ShehasalongprofessionalhistoryonCapeAnn.Shewascuratorhereatthemuseumbetween1981to1991.ShethenservedasdirectoroftheSargentHouseMuseumfor15yearsuntilherreturnherein2007.Sheholdsamaster'sdegreefromBostonUniversityinAmericanandNewEnglandstudiesandshe'salsotheauthorofnumerouspublicationsontheartandhistoryofCapeAnn,includingGloucesterMid-Century,TheWorldofFitzHughLane(goodthingyou'relaughing!);theHistoryoftheGloucesterFisherman'sInstitute;andAdolphGottliebonCapeAnn.I'mcertainyou'regoingtoenjoywhatIthinkisaveryrareopportunitytohearfrombothStephanieandMarthainoursingleprogram.Sopleasejoinmeinwelcomingbothofthemtothepodium.3:41StephanieBuck:Goodmorning,caneverybodyhearme?I'mStephanie.I'mstartingoutthisandIamgoingtobetalkingabouttheReverendJohnWhite.HewasministeroftheFirstParishonCapeAnnforalmost60years,andhelivedintheWhite-


Elleryhousefor23ofthoseyears.Therearenoknownimagesofhimorhisfamily;andthefewwritingsthatheleftareforthemostpartonreligioustopics.HisobituaryintheBostonnewsdescribedhimasanamiablegentleman,whosereligiouszealwaslikeaheavenlyflamefoundbydivinegrace.Inthenexthalfhour,Ihopetoexpandthatimagetoincludethehumansideofthismanofthecloth.4:28First,alittlebackgroundhistory.Beforetheseparationofchurchandstate,themeetinghousewasthegeographical,social,spiritualandciviccenterinthecommunity.Thenewlysettledtown’sfirstdutywastoorganizethechurch,buildameetinghouseandhireaminister.Itwasexpectedthatthisministerwouldremainasthetown'spastorforaslongashewasabletoperformhisduties.Andthesedutiesweretoadviseonquestionsoffaith;topreacheverySabbath-morning,afternoonandsometimesevening;togivealectureonceamonthbetweenAprilandOctober;andtogiveaidandcomforttothesickanddying.Inreturn,theministerwouldbeprovidedwithahouse,agardenplotandasalary.Thislast,whichcamefromtaxesleviedontheparishioners,wasalwaysalengthyandintenselydebatedissue.5:26Gloucestergotofftoarockystartwithitsministers.FirsttobepermanentlysettledwastheReverendRichardBlynman,whoarrivedin1642andleftaftereightyearsofalmostconstantbickering.SecondwasReverendWilliamPerkins,wholastedfiveyearsunderthesameduressbeforegivingupandmovingontoTopsfield.AfterMr.Perkinsleft,thepulpitwasfilledbytwoelders,ThomasMilletandWilliamStevens,whofoughtsomuchoverwhoshouldpreachwhen,andwhoshouldgetpaidwhat,thatthetownsplitintotwofactionsandtheGeneralCourtwascalledinlegislateatruce.ThetownwasreunitedwiththearrivalofReverendJohnEmersonin1661,andheremainedpeacefullyasitsministeruntilhisdeathin1700-justlongenoughtoseeanewmeetinghouseerectedatthegreen.6:18Historyeternallyrepeatsitself,soit'llbenosurpriseforyoutohearthatduetoalackofavailablefunds,thetownwasunabletoprovideacompetitivewagepackage,whichadverselyaffecteditssearchforanewpastor.Earlyin1701,theymadeanoffertoReverendJabezFitchofCambridge,whoflatlyrefused.Next,theyapproachedReverendJosephCoytinConnecticut,whoactuallyvisitedinthemiddleofJuly,butleftafterthreeweekshavingfound,ashetactfullyremarked,thatthetownwasunder“someuncomfortablecircumstances.”


Selectmencastaroundagainandarrivedatashortlistoffourmen,oneofwhomwasReverendJohnWhite,thenchaplainatthefortinSaco,Maine.AtthetimetheIndiansweregearingupforanotherroundofattacks,whichbecameathirdFrenchandIndianWar,laterknownasQueenAnne'sWar.OutpostslikeSacowereveryvulnerable,andperhapsthisloomingdangerinfluencedReverendWhite'sdecisiontoaccepttheiroffer.HearrivedinGloucesterinthefallof1702,andwasordainedinAprilofthefollowingyear.Hewasonly25yearsold,justfouryearsoutofHarvardandrelativelyinexperienced.7:30BythetimeofReverendWhite'sarrivalinGloucester,officiatingatmarriagesandbaptismshadbeenaddedtotheminister’sdutylist,andeveryonewasstillexpectedtoattendmeetingeverySabbath.However,veryfewwereactualmembersofthechurchproper—thatis,wereownersofthecovenant,abletotakecommunionandtovoteonchurchmatters.Toachievethisstatus,youhadtoexperienceapersonalencounterwithGodcalledasavinggrace,andmakeapublicconfessionofyoursins.8:00WhenReverendWhitecamehere,theownersofthecovenantnumberedjust21menand49women.Itissurelyatestamenttohisinfluencethatbythetimetheparishsplitin1742,thisnumberhadrisento260.Thechurchelderssethissalaryat65poundsthefirstyear,planningtoextenditto70poundsforthenexttwoyears,then80poundsayearfortheremainderofhistime.Ashisministrylastedmuchlongerthananyoneanticipated,theamountwasincreasedperiodically,althoughnotwithoutextensivediscussion.Forinstance,oncewhenheaskedforaraise,itwasdebatedfor10monthsbeforebeingagreedto,andthedeaconsweresternlyremindedtomakesuretheypassedthecollectionboxinthegalleryaswellasonthefloorofthehouse.Therewasalsolengthydebateaboutwhethertosetasideapieceoflandandbuildahouseonitforhim,orgivehim100poundsandlethimfindforhimself.ThelatterwasdecidedonandReverendWhitestartedtolookforsomewheretolive.9:05TwomonthslaterhemarriedLucyWiseandtheneedforapermanenthomebecamemoreurgent.Hesoonboughtahousewithabarnandsomelandnearharborswamp,paying163poundsinsilverforit.Caneverybodyseewheretheharborswampisonthatmap?It'ssortoftheareaofBurnham'sfielddowntoWashingtonStreetthesedays.LucywastheoldestdaughterofReverendJohnWiseatIpswich,aCongregationalministernotedforhispoliticalactivism,especiallyinhisoutspokenstanceagainstGovernorAndros’levy


ofatax,withoutfirsthavingcalledanassemblytodebateit—essentiallyBritishtaxationwithoutrepresentation,aplaintthatwasalmost100yearsbeforeitstime.Lucy'smotherwasAbigailGardner,granddaughterofoneoftheDorchestercompanywhocametoCapeAnnin1623.ItisnotknownifLucyinheritedanyofherfather'sfire,althoughhertombstoneclaimsshewasindustrious.10:05ReverendWhiteandLucyhadbeenmarriedforayearwhenjustbeforethebirthoftheirfirstchild,ason,thewholetownwasthrownintoturmoilwhenpiratesweresightedhidingoutonEasternPoint.ThecrewofaBoston-basedtradingship,whohadmutiniedandspentthewinterintheWestIndies,happilyrelievingunwaryvesselsoftheircargoesofgoldandsilver,sailedboldlyintoMarbleheadharborinJuneof1704,andwereastonishedtodiscoverthattherewasapriceontheirheads.Theyfledinalldirections,10ofthemtoGloucester.InhotpursuitcametworegimentsoffootsoldiersoutofSalem,andathirdtroopwhohadcommandeeredashallopandsetsailupthecoast.Asthemilitiaapproached,newscamethatthepirateshadbeenseenescapinginavesselthathadbeenlyingoffBassRocks,andthefootsoldierswereturnedback.ButthemenoftheshallopcameonandweremetinGloucesterbythecommandingofficerswhoweredeterminedtocontinuethehunt.However,itquicklybecameapparentthatmen,whoweresoldiers,notsailors,wereveryreluctanttotaketotheboatagain.Bydintofwhoknowswhatinducements,acrewwasfinallycobbledtogetherandtheysetoffjustaftersunset,ratherignominiouslyhavingtorowthemselvesoutoftheharborasthewindhaddropped.11:15SamuelSewall,whowasoneoftheofficersinvolved,wroteinhisdiarythatReverendWhitekeptavigilallthatnight,diligentlyprayingforthesafeandvictoriousreturnofthevoyagers.Earlynextmorning,hisprayerswereansweredwiththenewsthatthefugitiveshadbeencapturedwithoutashotbeingfired.WithitcametheintelligencethattwoofthepirateshadliterallymissedtheboatandwerestillholedupsomewhereonCapeAnn.Thewomengathereduptheirchildren,barredthedoors,whilethehueandcrywentout.Butwithnoavenueofescape,andnohelptobehad,themenwerequicklycaughtandcarriedofftoBostontoawaittheirfate.Andtheexcitementfinallywaned.By1710,ReverendWhiteandLucyhadhadfourchildren,threeboysandagirl,andhadburiedoneofthem.Theyalsohadatleastoneservantinresidence,anIndianboycalledPrin,andtheirhousebyharborswampwasfeelingratherovercrowded.InMarch,ReverendWhitepetitionedtheselectmentogivehimtogranthima,toquote,“smallparceloflandbetween


themeetinghouseandthecreektosetahouseupon.”Theyagreeddependentonhimleavingasufficientcartwaytogounderthebrowofthehilltothedock,andReverendWhitebeganbuildingwhatwenowcalltheWhite-Elleryhouse.12:35In1716,thoseparishionerslivingonthewestsideoftheriver,tiredoftheweeklyferrytrip,succeededingettingsetofftoformtheirownchurch,SecondParish.ThisledtoanincreaseintheratesoftheremainingFirstParishresidentsandaconsequentreductionintheamountofmoneydepositedinthecollectionbox.AlthoughReverendWhite’ssalaryhadbeenraisedto90poundsperannum,thislossofadditionalincome,combinedwiththeincreaseofhisfamilybythebirthsoftwomorechildren,madeitdifficultforhimtomakeendsmeet.ThismayexplainwhyhemortgagedallhispropertytotheprovincetrusteesoftheMass.Baylegislatureforafive-yearloanof250pounds,whichactuallytookhim10yearstopayoff.Thentoaddtohisfiscalwoes,papermoneywasdepreciatedin1722,andhedespairedofhissalarycovering,asheputit,“thepriceofthenecessariesoflife.”13:30In1723,witheightchildrentofeed,houseandclothe,ReverendWhitetriedtosellhishomesteadtohisparishioners,buttheyrefusedtoconsiderit.SoheandLucystruggledoninthehousebythecreek.Fouryearslater,onMarch5,1727,LucyWhitepassedaway.Shewas46.HertombstoneintheFirstParishburialgroundread,“HereliesburiedthebodyofMrs.LucyWhite,theexemplary,industriousandvirtuousconsortoftheReverendMr.JohnWhite.”Atthetimeofherdeath,ReverendWhiteandLucyhadhad11children,nineofwhichwerestillliving,andfiveofthemwereundertheageof10—whichmaygofartoexplainwhyjustsixmonthsafterLucy'sdeath,ReverendWhitemarriedthewidow,AbigailMatherBlague.14:25Abigail'sfatherwasReverendIncreaseMather,adevoutPuritan,sometimepresidentofHarvard,andpastorofBoston'sNorthChurch;andhermotherwasMaryCotton,daughterofanotherPuritandivine,JosephCotton.PrayersintheMatherhouseholdwereheldeverymorning,noonandnight.Giventheirfamilybackgrounds,LucyandAbigailmusthavebeenasfarapartaschalkfromcheese.Forinstance,duringtheSalemwitchcrafthysteria,ReverendWise,Lucy'sfather,risked


hisownneckbyleadingaprotestovertheaccusationofJohnProctor,whileReverendMather,whocouldhaveexertedhisconsiderableinfluencetostoptheslaughter,merelyadvisedthecourtstousecautionwhenconsideringspectralevidence.15:11Thetwomenhadalsobeenatloggerheadsoverchurchautonomy,andtheextenttowhichthelaityshouldhaveavoiceinchurchaffairs.Abigail'sfatherwasstronglyinfavorofputtingallthepowerinthehandsoftheclergy,whileLucy'sfatherbelievedindemocracy.Perhapsthewordsontheirtombstonestellthestory:Lucywasexemplaryandvirtuous.Abigailwassimplypious.15:37ReverendWhiteandAbigailhadbeenmarriedjustonemonthwhenCapeAnnwasstruckbyanearthquake.Therehadbeenonepreviouslyin1717,whichhadshakentheearth,therocksandthehouses,andhadsoundedlikegreatthunder,butthisonewasfarmorefrightening.Itstartedabout10o'clockatnightwithabrilliantflashoflightfollowedbyathunderousrumblethatgrewinintensityuntilthegroundheavedsomuchthatpeoplecouldn’tstanduprightandhousesreeledandswayed.Accordingtolocaldiarist,Mr.Parsons,strongaftershockscontinueduntildaybreak.Althoughnoonewasinjured,theeventwassoterrifyingthatthemeetinghouseswerepackedforweeksafterwards,andReverendWhiteandhisfellowpastorscalledforatonementwithpassionatesermonsanddaysoffasting.Severalyearslater,ReverendWhite,whobelievedthattheworldwasgoingtoendconsumedinfireinthenottoodistantfuture—1736tobeexact—remindedhisparishionersoftheterrorsofthatdayandthehorrorsofthatnightwhenyoufelttheshakesandheardtheroarsoftheearthquake.16:43TheyearafterReverendWhiteandAbigailweremarried,histwooldestboys,John,atanner,andWilliam,acarpenter,movedtoFalmouth,Maine.AndyetanothersectionoftheparishstretchingfromAnnisquamtoSandyBaywasallowedtoseparateandformitsownchurch,ThirdParish.Thisagainreducedthenumberofpeoplesupplyinghissalaryandputanextrastrainontheremainingparishioners.Plusthemeetinghousewasbeginningtoshowitsageandbecomingmoreexpensivetomaintain.Thewindowglasswasconstantlybeingreplaced,theoldsqueakyfloorre-nailed,andseveralgalleryseatsfellapartcompletelyandhadtoberebuilt.Townmeetingswerestillhadheldtheretoo.Andwiththepopulationgrowing,itwasevidentthatthespacious40footsquarebuilding


erectedin1700wasnolongerbigenough;andthequestionofwhethertoenlargethecurrentmeetinghouseorbuildanewonecameupfordiscussion.17:35InJanuary1729,theparishheldtheirfirstofficialmeetingonthesubject.Andafterheateddebate,itwasagreedthatanewstructurewasthebetterplan.Butconsensuscouldnotbereachedonwheretobuilditnorhowtopayforit,whichdelayedthemoveforalmostadecade.Andeventhenitcameaboutbydefaultwhenasmallgroupofharborresidents,tiredofboththeargumentsandtheweeklytrektochurch,justbuiltanewmeetinghouseonMiddleStreetandofferedittotheparish.Itwasanimposingbuilding,90footlongby60footwide,withatalltowertoppedbya70-footspire,anditseated600.Theinsidewasequallyimpressive,andthecongregation'sviewofthepulpitwasanawe-inspiringpyramidofdignitaries,withthefourdeaconsatthebase,twoeldersonabalconyatthemidpoint,andtheminister,ReverendWhite,perchedhighabovethefloorattheapex.18:30Severaloftheeldersandmostoftheparishioners,manyofwhomnowlivedintheharborareaoftown,weredelightedwiththebuildingandtherewasamajorityvotetoaccepttheoffer.TheyannouncedthatReverendWhitewouldgivealectureonthenewmeetinghouseonThursday,September28,1738,andthatthepublicworshipofGodwouldbecontinuedinthesaidhouseforthefutureasitusedtobeintheoldmeetinghouse.Thismovegaverisetoalongseriesofprotestsandcounter-proteststothegeneralcourtbythosedisgruntledbythehigh-handednessoftheharborgroup,andthetreacheryoftheirco-parishionersingivingintotheallure.Theoldguardcenteredinthegreenespeciallyfelttheywerelosingcontroloftheirchurch,andbyextension,oftheirpositioninthetown.Theyexpressedthesefeelingsbyclaimingthathavingtotravelmorethanamiletoweeklymeetingwouldcreateahardshipforthem,especiallyinthewinter.19:20OnegroupwantedtobeallowedtojointherecentlyformedThirdParish,anotherwantedtoseparateintoacompletelynewparishandathirdwantedtostayputandhireasecondministertopreachintheoldmeetinghouse.Thosewhofavoredthemovetotheharborobjectedtoalltheserequestsonthegroundsthatanyoneofthemwouldagainincreasetheparishtaxrate.InDecember1742,anexasperatedgeneralcourtorderedFirstParishtobedividedintotwodistinctprecincts,andhammeredin


thefinalnailbystatingthatthesoutherlyportionintheharborwastoretainthetitleofFirstParishwhiletheoldcenteroftownwastobeknownasFourthParish.20:00Inthemidstofallthisupheavalandfractiousdiscontent,ReverendWhite,whowasahiredservantoftheparish,hadnosayintheproceedingswhatsoever.HecontinuedtopreachonSundays,lectureontheoccasionalThursdays,andridehisSorrellhorse,withadistinctivewhiteblazeonitsforehead,onhisappointedrounds,visitingthesickanddying.Hedidmakeoneanticipatorychange,however.In1733,hesoldhishouse,barnandgarden,theWhite-ElleryHouse,toEzekielDayinHoldenfor550pounds,andboughtasmallhousewithabarnandorchardandseveralacresofmowinglandonburying-groundlane,nowCentennialAvenue,fromJohnMatchett,mariner,for180pounds.Thisexchangehadtwoimmediatebenefits—hisnewpropertywasnottoofarremovedfromeitherthegreenortheharbor,andgavehimsomeextramoneythatenabledhimtosendhistwoyoungerboys,BenjaminandSamuel,tohisoldalmamater,Harvard.21:06Aftergraduating,bothboysreturnedtoGloucesterwheretheytaughtschoolforawhilebeforemovingaway.Bothpre-deceasedtheirfather,dyingintheir30's.Themiddleboy,Thomas,didnotgotocollegeandmovedtoMainearound1738.21:21InOctober1743,thecovenantofthenewly-formedFourthParishwassignedby17men,andtheReverendJohnRogersfromKittery,Mainewasinvitedtobetheirpastor.ReverendJohnRogerswasafollowerofthe“NewLightmovement”whichhadarisenasareactiontoareformationknownastheEnlightenmentorArminianism.Arminiansbelievedthatmanwascapableofimprovinghislotthroughreasonandexperience,whichisindirectcontradictiontotheCalvinismofthePuritanswhobelievedinpredestination.21:54TheNewLightscalledforareturntoCalvinism.ReverendJohnRogerswasalargeandrobustmangiventoloudrantingsermonspepperedwithviolentgestures,hishandspunchingtheairaroundhim—ayoungandexcitingnewcomer.Withintwomonthsofhisordination,76womenaskedtobedismissedfromFirstParishtohischurch.Howmanydidsoforpurelyreligiousreasons,andhowmanybecausehewasastimulatingspeakerandanexceedinglyeligiblebachelor,remainsspeculative.


Inthemeantime,theagingReverendWhitecontinuedtopreachhismiddle-of-the-roadcongregationalismtohisflockintheharbor.HewasopposedtoArminianism,thefollowersofwhichhedescribedasthechildrenofBelialandwhathereferredtoasquasi-Presbyterianism.Andwhilehewelcomedreform,healsohadlittlepatiencewiththeexcessesoftheNewLights,whoweregiventopublictransportsofterrorandjoy.HewrotealittlebookcalledNewEngland'sLamentations,inwhichundertheheading“thedangerofArminianprinciples,”hewarnedhisfellowpastorsthat“itwouldbebettertobechimneysweepersallyourdays,thantohavescoresandhundredsofdamnedwretchescursingyouinhellforguidingthemthewrongway.”23:09AndwhentalkingofhisownexperiencewiththeoverlyexcitableNewLights,heonceremarked,“Wefindthatstrongbutshortterrorssucceededwithravishingjoys,arenocertainevidenceofsalvation.Astovisions,wehavehadenoughofthem.Sountilsuchtimeasinasermon,Ideclaredmysentimentsconcerningthem,andsofarasIcanunderstand,therehasneverbeenonesince.Ourcongregationhasbeendisturbedandinterruptedbyoutcries,butIlaboredtosuppressthem.”In1741,ReverendWhitefoundhimselfintercedingonGloucester'sbehalfwiththeprovincialauthorities,whenthetownwasrequestedtocontributetoarelieffundforCharleston,SouthCarolina,whichhadjustsufferedadevastatingfire.HewroteinresponsethatGloucesterwassurelynotobligatedtosendaidasitwastotallyimpoverished,due,asheputit,“byreasonofthewarwithSpain,andthefearofwarwithFrance,andthesmallnessofthepriceoffish,andthedearnessofsalt.Ourpeoplearescatteredabroadintheworldtogettheirbread,manypressed,manyservingasvolunteersinHisMajesty'sservice.”24:17TheSpanishwarhewasreferringto—dubbedmyfavoritenameforawariftherecanbesuchathing,TheWarofJenkinsEar—beganin1739,afteracertainCaptainRobertJenkins,whoclaimedhisearhadbeencutoffduringaskirmishwithaSpanishnavalpatrol,exhibitedtheseventhmembertotheHouseofCommonsinEngland.TherewasapublicoutcryandEnglanddeclaredwaronSpain.GeorgiaandSouthCarolinaimmediatelyinvadedtheSpanishcolonyofFloridabyland,whiletheSpanishretaliatedbyattackingthetwoBritishcoloniesfromthesea.TheneteffectonCapeAnnwasaseverelycurtailedSoutherntraderoute,andanotablereductioninboththeablebodiedmalepopulationandtheincomeofthoseremaining.25:02


ReverendWhite'sextracashfromthesaleoftheWhite-Elleryhousedidn'tlastlong,andin1740,inthemidstoftheparishbattle,whensomeofthosecryingforseparationrefusedtopaytheirFirstParishrates,hewasfacedwiththeprospectthathissalarymighthavetobecut.Hecommented,“thedifficultiesIhavelaboredundersomeyearspast,aresuchastooccasionattimesseriousthoughtsoftryingsomeotherplaceorsomeotherbusinesstosupportmyfamily.”Soitisunderstandablethatwhenabankingschemethatpromisedhimasteadyincomewasproposed,hequicklysignedon.Knownasthelandbank,itwasformedbyagroupofBostonmenwhoenvisionedacreditunionthatwouldencouragethedevelopmentofagriculturalandmanufacturingenterprises.Usingtheirlandassecurity,theyproposedtoissue150,000poundsandnotesofcreditaslong-termloansat3%interest,withtheprincipalbepaidbackin20annualpaymentsofeitherthebank’sownnotesorinmanufacturedgoodsorproduce.EighteenmeninGloucester,includingReverendWhite,signedonasshareholders.26:09Unfortunately,theschemehadpoliticalimplicationsthatdidn'tappealtocertainotherbusinessfactions,andamovewasmadetoblockthebank.Atfirst,thoseopposedsimplyrefusedtoacceptthebank'snotesasvalidpaymentforgoodsandservicesrendered.ThentheygotthemtotheattentionoftheBritishParliament,whoinvokedanactwhichregulatedcorporations,andthebankcollapsed.By1744,ReverendWhite'sfamilyhadshrunkappreciably.DaughterLucyhadmarriedlongagoandsincedied,whiledaughterHannahhadrecentlymarriedDeaconNathanielHaskell.TheboyshadallmovedawayandtheoldestJohnhadalsodied.OnlydaughtersAbigailandMaryremainedathome,andMarywasabouttomarryDavidAllen.Perhapswithonlywomeninthehouse,hefelttheneedformalecompanionship.SoinFebruaryheandhiswifeAbigailcontractedwiththeoverseersofthepoortohouseandeducatean11-year-oldboycalledJosephPreston,whosefatherwasdeceased.Josephwastobetrainedasacordwainer,ashoemaker,aparticularskillReverendWhiteisnotknowntohavepossessed.Butthereweremanyothersintownwhodid.27:15ThecontractcontainedaninterestingclausethatyoungJosephwasnottobesenttoseaunlessheparticularlyrequestedtogo,andhismothergaveherconsent.ThismayhavearisenbecauseKingGeorge'sWarhadjustbrokenout,andthewatersoffNewEnglandwereswarmingwithFrenchprivateers,whichasReverendWhitesaid,“wereapttobreakinuponourfisheriesand


breakthemtopieces.TheylieneartheroadwherewehaveourEuropeanmerchandiseandtheycansallyoutandtakeourcommercialvessels.”Fouryearslater,AbigailMatherBlagueWhitediedattheageof71.Hergravestonereads“HereliesburiedthebodyofMrs.AbigailWhite,thelatepiousconsortoftheReverendJohnWhite.”28:00BackwhenhehadmarriedAbigailsosoonafterLucy'sdeath,ReverendWhitehadyoungchildreninneedofamother.Hedidn'thavethesameexcuseforhisequallyrapidthirdmarriagetoMrs.AliceNorwood,justsixmonthsafterAbigail'spassing.Hewas71.Shewas62.AlicewasthewidowofCalebNorwood,andthemotherofsixadultchildren.SheandCalebhadlivedinBostonforseveralyearsandkeptatavernthere.Calebdiedin1735andAlicereturnedtoGloucester.Afewyearslater,sheandDeaconEbenezerParsonsannouncedtheirintentiontomarry,butsomedisagreementaroseandMr.ParsonmarriedaMrs.ToddfromRowley.ReverendWhite’smarriagetoAlicewas,inasense,anotherrunguponthesocialladderforhim.HehadgonefrommarryingLucy,thedaughterofacountryparson;toAbigail,thedaughterofaninfluentialBostonminister.AndnowAlice,thedaughterofSamuelDanelleofYork,courtjudge,representativetotheMass.legislatureandprovincecouncilor.Forallthat,Alice,whooutlivedReverendWhitebythreeyears,isnotburiedwithhim.29:10In1750,ReverendWhitecelebratedhis72ndbirthday.HehadbeenpastorofFirstParishforalmost50years,butwasnolongerinthebestofhealth.Torelievehimfromsomeofthepressuresofhisjob,theparishstartedinvitingministerstocomeandtakethepulpitforseveralweeksatatime.Thesemenneededpaying,andthegoodcitizenswhoprovidedthemwithfoodandboardneededreimbursing,sothedecisionwasmadethatitwouldbecheaperinthelongruntoinstallapermanentassistantforhim.Theyfirstofferedthispositiontohisgrandson,ReverendSamuelMoodyofYork,Maine,sonofhisoldestdaughterLucy.ReverendSamuelMoodyhadoccasionallyassistedhisgrandfatherinthepulpitbefore,butasmallandinfluentialgroupofparishionersformallyprotestedhisappointment,claimingthatReverendWhitewasstillabletoperformthemostimportantdutiesofthepast,namelygivingthesacramentandofficiatingatmarriages.30:05UnvoicedwasperhapssomeconcernoftheReverendMoody’sratherflamboyantmodeofdress,andhisfitsofsevereshakingwhencalledupontopreach.Therewasevenafearthat


theseaberrationswouldgrowworse,giventhathisfather,ReverendJosephMoody,wasknownas“HandkerchiefMoody,”becauseheperpetuallyveiledhisfacewithablacksilkhandkerchief,andseldomspokeexcepttoturnhisfacetothewallwhileheprayedorsermonized.Babson,inhishistoryofGloucester,rathercharminglyexplainsthat,beforehemarriedLucy,ReverendJosephMoodyhadbeenbewilderedbytheattractionsofaMissFirst,whichapparentlyhadalastingandunfortunateeffectonhim.30:48Nothingmorewassaidonthesubject,andinthesummerof1751,ReverendSamuelChandlerwasaskedtocome.TheeldersbickeredwithReverendChandleroverhissalaryforseveralmonthsbeforereachinganagreement,andheranintothesametroublewithhislivingarrangementsasReverendWhitehadsomanyyearsbefore.Atfirsthelodgedwithvariouspeople,includingReverendwhite,whiletheparishdiscussedthemeritsofbuildinghimahouseasoriginallyproposed,orgivinghim150poundstofindhisown,untiltheydiscoveredthatitwouldactuallycosttheparish200poundstobuild.Theygavehim150.InOctober1752,ReverendChandlerraisedtheframeofhishouseonMiddleStreet,justafewhundredyardstothewestofthenewmeetinghouse.Hetreatedabout70friendsandacquaintanceswhohadassistedintheenterprise,totoddyandflipandwhitebreadandcheese,averytemperaterepastwhenyouconsiderthatthedecadebefore,theraisingofthespireforthenewmeetinghousehadbeenlubricatedwiththeconsumptionofalmostthreegallonsofrum.31.54OnasnowyWednesdayinJanuary1760,ReverendWhitecameinfromthecold,proppedhiscaneinthecorner,dustedthesnowoffhishatandcoatandhungthemontheirpegs;straightenedhiswig,changedhisoutdoorshoesforapairofpumps,andwalkedslowlyintotheparlor.Hedrewthecurtains,litthecandles,tookhisglassesoutofhispocket,andpickingupabookfromhisdesk,settleddowninhisfavoritechairinfrontofthefire.Ashorttimelater,hepassedquietlyfromthisworldtothenext.Hewas83.TheBostonnewsreportedthathewasdecentlyinterredontheMondayfollowingattheexpenseofthepeopleinhischarge,whoselovehejustlydeservedandlargelypossessed.Theparishhadvotedtopay20poundstowardshisfuneral,andhisstoneintheFirstParishburyinggroundread:“Hereliestheremainsofthatzealous,faithfulandexcellentdivine,theReverendMr.JohnWhite,whodiedJanuary16,1760,inthe83rdyearofhisageandthe58thyearofhisministry.”


33:28MarthaOaks:IjustchangedthePowerPoint.We'veallhadtolearnhowtouseallthisequipment.It'sbeenquiteastruggle.Andthisisthemostelaborateproductionwe'vedone,withtwoback-to-backtalks.So,I'mgoingtodropbacktothehouse,nowthatwe'veheardtherestofthestoryaboutReverendWhite'slife.Istartoffwiththis1851mapshowingtheElleryhouselocationrighthere,whichisnowwhereroute128comesintoGloucester.AndasIlookaroundtheaudience,Ithinkmostofyouhavebeeninthehouseinthelastcoupleofyearsandarefamiliarwithit.Butthisgivesyouanideaofhowfarthatsitewaslocatedfromtheharborvillagearea.34:37WearefortunateinourcollectionhereattheCapeAnnMuseumtohavealotofdocumentationabouttheWhite-ElleryHouseandthetowngreenarea,includingtwolovelyoilpaintingsbyFitzHenryLane.Thisonedonein1863hangsupstairsinthegalleryandisoftheRiverdalearea,whichisthegeneralneighborhoodnameforthetowngreentoday.ThiswasdoneaboutwherePolesHillis,withWashingtonStreetintheforegroundlookingoverthemarshtowardstheRiverdalemills.Andagain,thisis1863.35:12Also,inthearchivesisthiswonderfulhand-drawnmapbyJohnMasonfrom1823showingthesamearea.Thehospitalisupthisway,andwewouldbestandingherelookingdowntowardswhereGrantCircleisnow,andthisistheElleryhouse.ThisistheyellowgambrelroofedhousenextdoortotheElleryhousethatwecalltheBabson-Allinghouse,andthemeetinghousebehind,whereReverendWhitestartedoff,andit'sinteresting,thepoundhereforwaywardanimals.ButyoucanseetheEllerypropertyisjustthelittlesegmenthere,surroundedbytown-ownedlandwithapubliclandingrightalongside,andthecreekinthefront,andthecommonareasinthebackherebehindthehouse.36:06AndthisisthesecondviewofthesameareabyLane,againdonein1863.ThisshowstheBabson-Allinghouseandbehindthetrees—I'mnotsurewhy—butthatistheWhite-ElleryHousetuckedintherebehind.Andtheninthefront,thecreek,andonthelefthandsideofthepaintingtheflat-bottomedbarge,usedtocarryhaythatwaspulledalongonthemarsh,calledagundalow,whichwasthecommonmeansoftransportinggoodsandsometimesanimalsontheAnnisquamRiver.


Butfortunately,LanealsoleftusapencildrawingoftheElleryhouse,andhedidthisforJohnJamesBabson’s1860historyofGloucester,showingthefrontfacadeoftheElleryhouseasitwouldhavelookedinthelate1850s.36:58AfterJohnWhitesoldtheElleryhouse,asStephaniesaid,itwaskeptasatavernforabout10yearsandthensoldin1740totheElleryfamilyandsixgenerationsoftheElleryfamilylivedinthehousefrom1740until1947,whenthehousewastakenbyeminentdomainandgiventothemuseumandrelocatedslightly.ThefirstgenerationoftheElleryfamilyisrepresentedbyCaptainWilliamEllery,whosegravestoneweseeherefromtheCentennialAvenueburialground,whereJohnWhiteisburied.Hewasamerchant.HewasinvolvedintheseparationoftheFirstParish—thefolksthatmoveddowntotheharborversustheoneswhostayedattownparish,thetowngreen—andheflip-floppedbackandforthuntilhefinallydecidedin1740hewasgoingtostayintheoldtowngreen.HemarriedAbigailAllen,whosefamilyownedtheyellowhousenextdoortotheElleryhouse.WilliamEllerykepttheElleryhouseasatavernforafewyearsandthenmadeithispermanenthome.38:14Hehadawholeraftofchildren,includingonenamedBenjaminEllery,andwe'refortunatetohaveinourarchives,Benjamin'saccountbookfromthemid1770s.Andonthesetwopages,helistsallofhischildren.LiketheWhites,theyallseemtohavehadalotofchildren.Healsointhisbookkeepstrackofhistrade.Hecalledhimselfayeoman,andhedidalotoftradingbackandforthandbarteringwithhisneighbors.Hehadatleastonegundalow,theflat-bottomedboatthathewouldletouttopeopleinexchangesometimesforgoods,sometimesformoney.It'safascinatingaccountofwhattheeconomywaslikeinthatareaoftowninthe1770s.38:58ThisisoneoftheearliestphotographsthatwehaveoftheWhite-Elleryhouse.Wethinkitdatestoaboutthe1870s—thisiswhenitwasstilllocatedrightonthecreekbeforeitwasmovedacrossthestreettoitspresentlocation.Thisisaninterestingpicture.Ifit's1870s,thehouseisalready150yearsold,asyoucantellfromthephotograph.Ithasabig,tallfoundation,makingroomforacellarunderthefirstfloorandalsokeepingthehouseoutofthedampmarshlandwhichmusthavebeenverydampthere.


39:36It'sfuntozoominandtakealookatsomeofthefaces.Wedon'tknowwhothesepeopleare—obviouslymembersoftheElleryfamily—butallofthesephotographshavebeenveryhelpfultousaswe'vedonerestorationworkontheoutsideofthehousethelastcoupleofyears,guidingusastowhattheoriginalwindowsmighthavebeenlike,whenthehousewascladinclapboards,andwhenitcladinshingles.Sothey'vebeenveryhelpful.Thisphotowastakenafewyearslater.Andifyoulookcarefully,it'shardtotellbutthiswindowhasbeenchangedandenlarged.Andyoucanseewhatabigfoundationithasliftingitoutofthewetground.Andalsosomeone'splantedsomefruittreesinthefrontofthis,whichweseeagainandagaininthephotos.40:18Itisalargehouse,andasfaraswecantell,exceptforthislittlesegmentontheside,itwasbuiltallatonce.Ithasabigcentralchimneyandfourrooms—2roomsoneithersideandthenabigkitchenintheback,andthesameformationupstairs.Wethinkthelittlesidepartwasaddedonprobably50yearslater.Inthisphotothephotographerissteppedbackenoughthatyoucanseethetownlandingtotheleft.Stephanietalkedaboutthis—whenhewasoriginallygiventheland,verycarefullyinthebacktheydivideditoffsotherewasapublicpassagewaybehindthehouseandthendownthesideheretogetintothetidalwaters.Youcanseetheyardcarefullymarkedoffwiththestonewall.41:07Afewyearslater,thefruittreeshavegottenquitealotbigger,anditisstilloccupiedbytheElleryfamily.Ithinkwe’reintothethirdorfourthgeneration.Theywereprimarilyfarmers.Thebranchofthefamilythatmoveddowntown—andtherewasabranchthatdid—gotinvolvedintheshippingtradesandbecamequitewelltodo.This(photo)showsagainthatlargefoundation.Thepreservationconsultantthathasbeenworkingonthehousewithus…HeandIarebeginningtowonderifatsomepointthehousemighthavebeenliftedupalittlebit,becauseit’squiteanawkwardsituationwiththefrontdoorsteppingoutandthendroppingdownlikethat.Butsofar,wehaven’tfoundanyevidence.41:50


Andagain,thisistherearofthehouse,andyoucanseethefencemarkingoffpublicaccesstothewaterfromthebackoftheElleryfamily.Thisgivesyoualovelyviewofthebigsweepingroofthatyoucanstillseetodaywhenyoucomeupbehindthehouse.We’vehadfunexploringvariousbranchesoftheElleryfamily.ThisisaphotographofMainStreetinGloucesterinthe1870s,donefromastereopticoncardthatshowsEllery’sfurnitureshoponMainSt.,probablyaboutwheretheCurtainShopisnow.42:25ThiswasabusinessstartedbyBenjaminFranklinEllery,whowasthefourthgenerationconnectedwiththehouse.HedecidedtomovedowntownjustaftertheCivilWar.Hewasacarpenterbytrade,likehisfatherhadbeen,andhespecializedincoffins.Heandhisfamily,amazingly,movedinto27PleasantSt.,whichisourlittlemuseumhouseuponthefronthere—itwasatwofamilyhouseforagoodpartofthemid-1800s—andheranthisprosperousbusinessuponMainSt.43:04Wehaveawonderfulselectionofphotographsinourarchives,includingoneofhisson,BenjaminFranklinEllery,whochosetogobythenameFrank,whowasalsointhefurniturebusinessandthenbecameanalderman.ThisisthehousethatFrankthesonbuiltonExchangeSt.,neartherailroadtracksandthetrainstationin1882—quitealuxuriousnewhousecomparedtotheoldElleryhousewherehisunclewasstillliving.43:40ThesearethechildrenofFrankEllery,andthisisaphototakenofthematRevereBeachinthe1890s,andtheyarewiththeirmaternaluncle.ThissonisWilliamEllery,whowasbornin1880anddiedasayoungboywhenhewasfoolingaroundwithahandgunin1896.Thisishisyoungersister,Susan,whodiedthesameyearofaburstappendix.Andthisistheirolderbrother,JamesBenjaminEllery,whowasbornin1876,wenttoM.I.T.andbecameachemist,andbecamethefamilygenealogist.Wehavevolumesinourlibrarythatheputtogetherabouthisfamily.44:40Thisisaphotoofhimafewyearslater.HewasamemberoftheGloucesterR.O.T.C.andthisishisgraduationpicture.Andtheotherbranchofthefamilythatdidn’tmovedowntown–thatstayedupattheElleryhouse—faredalright.


ThisisJohnEllery—whowasbornjustbeforetheCivilWar—andhiswifeSarah,insidetheElleryhouse,inoneofthefrontparlors.Hewasacarpenterbytrade,likehisfather.45:15Thisphotographshowsfourgenerationsofthefamilysittingoutinfrontofthehouse.Again,youcanseethatfunnystaircaseaddedtothefrontdoorbecauseofthebig,highfoundation.OntheleftisJohn,thecarpenterfather,whodiedin1906;andoneofhissons,namedJohnGeorgeEllery,whowasanengineerontheBoston&MaineRailroad;andoneofHISsons,JohnElmerEllery,whobecameanaccountant.ItisinterestingtolookatthechangingjobsofpeopleinGloucesterovertheyearsandthegenerations.Wedon’tknowwhatchildthatisonhislap,sowedon’tknowwhattheydidwiththemselves.AndthisisSarah,John’swife,infrontofthehouse.Sheapparentlywasquiteanantiquarian.Wefoundnewspaperclippingsfrom1892,whenGloucesterwascelebratingits250thanniversary,andsheopeneduptheElleryhouseandhadanadinthepapersayingpeoplecouldcomethroughandvisitfor25cents.Wealsohaveaphotoofhowshedecoratedoneofthefrontparlorsinanticipationofpeoplecomingthrough.46:27Around1900,Sarahapparentlyfellandbrokeherhip,andoneofhergranddaughtersmovedin.ThisisIdaBeeman,andthisphotowastakenrightbehindtheElleryhouse.Youcanseeherchickencoopstotheleft,there.Shetookcareofhergrandmotherforthenext10or20years.ThisisaphotoofherthatonememberoftheElleryfamilyprovidedusacopyofshowingIdaintheEllerypasture,whichI'mnotsurewherethatwas.Then,bythe1920s,afterSarahEllerydied,theBeemanfamily—thiswouldbethegrandchildren—movedintothehouse.Andthisisabackviewofit.It'sinterestingtoseethelayoftheland—howitwasbuiltrightintothehillthereandtheBabson-AllinghouseontheothersideofWashingtonStreet.Andifthiswasalittleclearer,you'dbeabletoseetheMaplewoodAvenueschoolinthedistance.47:30In1945-46,planswereunveiledshowingRoute128comingintoGloucesterandtheplansshoweditcomingovertheAnnisquamRiverandrightdownthroughthefrontyardofthehouse.Andbythatpoint,thehousewasinquitesadshape.AlfredMansfieldBrooks,whowasthepresidentofthisorganizationatthattime,feltstronglythatthehouseshouldbepreserved.ItwastakenfromtheBeemanfamily,andgiventothecityofGloucester,andthenturnedovertothemuseumwiththeprovisothatitbemovedinone


month'stimeoutofthewayofthehighway.Soitwasjackedup,asyoucansee,andmoved,turnedabout90degreesandmovedoutoftheway.Andit'sinteresting—IdaBeeman,whowastheyounggirlwhowenttohelpwithhergrandmother,wrotealittlenarrativeaboutwhatitwaslikewhenthehousewastaken,andshewasforcedtomoveout.Andthisissomethingthat'sinourarchivesnow.Shewrote,“Didyoueverhavetheexperienceofemptyingoutanoldhousewhichwasoccupiedbyseveralgenerations,eachleavingastheypassed,theirmark?”Shesays,“Icannotdescribetheheartacheinvolved.Iwilltryandrelatemyexperience.It'salongstory,butI'lltrytocutcornersandtellitthebestofmyability.Itwon'tbelikeMr.Garland'sstories,butinmyhumbleway,I'lltry.”Ithoughtthatwasalovelyconnection.48:58Tomarkwherethehousehadoriginallybeen—I'mnotsurewhoputitthere—butthere'sabronzetabletdirectlyacrossWashingtonStreetfromthepresentdaylocationoftheElleryhouse.It'shardtoseeinthisslide,butitshowstheElleryhouseinitsoriginalpositionwithJohnWhite'smeetinghousebehinditinthetowngreen.AndthiswasdonebyHarrietHyattMayer,thesisterofAnnaHyattHuntington,averywellknownsculptor.So,ifyoucrossthestreetfromtheElleryhouse,youcanfindthisinthewoods.Andveryinterestingly,thisisIdaBeemanin1960withherhusbandafterthehousehadbeenmovedandrestored.Iguessshefeltmorefondlyaboutitbythattime.Andnowjustafewpicturestofinishup,oftheinterior,whichagain,I'msuremostofyouhaveseenit.We'vedonealotofworkontheexteriorandnothinginside,becausewhat'sperhapsmostimportantaboutthehouseistherelativelyuntouchedconditioninside.49:58Thisisthekitchen…andoneofthefrontparlors.It’sgotquitealotofdecorativepaintinginthekitchen,that'sveryearly—spongepaintingonthewallsandontheceiling.Andthenthisisoneoftheupstairsroomswithfalsegrainpaintingacrosstheentirewall,whichisreallyquitelovely.Andthenmyfinalpictureisthe,let'ssee,itmustbetheseventh,eighthandninthgenerationsoftheElleryfamilywhocametovisitlastsummer.Andthey'reshownjustoutsidethedoorofthehouse.50:35I'llstopwiththat.


DoesanyonehavequestionsforeitherStephanie—maybeyoucancomebackup,Steph—orforme?50:55UnknownSpeaker:Areyouabletodialbackyourslidestowardthebeginning—itmightbehelpfultolookatthethirdslidewhichshowsthemapindetailofthearea,sothatwecangetasenseofwherethehousewasmovedtoandthe90degreeflip.51:12MarthaOaks:I’mnotsurewe’llbeabletosee…maybefromthehanddrawnone.(Pause)Sorry,I'msurethere'sanotherwaytodothis.So,usingthislittlegadget,thisistheBabson-Allinghouse,theyellowhouse,that'salwaysbeeninitssamelocation.Thisisthelittlebarnthat'shavingworkdoneonitnow,whichhasalwaysinthesamelocation,andtheElleryhouseisnowrighthere;andthisisPoplarStreetandthisisWashingtoncontinuinguphere.AndsotheElleryhousewaspickedup,turnedandmovedrightupintothislocationhere.Andanewfoundationwasbuilt.Peoplefrequentlyaskwhentheycomeinthehousenowaboutwhat'sunderneathit,andit'sthe1950Foundation.Sothere'snoexcitingarchaeologicalfindstobehadunderneaththere.Andsoit'sbeenheresincethen.52:27Unknownspeaker:Arewecorrecttothinkthatthefrontofthehouse,whichfacedSouthoriginally,nowfacesWest?MarthaOaks:Yes.Unknownspeaker:Anditwaslocatedmoreorlessontheisland,thatyoucanvaguelysee,withWashingtonStreetrunningoneithersideofthatisland?52:45MarthaOaks:Right.It'srightinlinewiththebarn,righthere.Therearesomephotosthatdoshowtheroadgoingoneithersideofthebarn.There’vebeenfencesputupnowandtheshrubberyissortofgrownup,soit’shardtoimaginenow,butphotosdoshowtheroadsplittingandgoingbetweenthebarnandhousethisway.53:06


Unknownspeaker:Maybeit'snotafairquestion,butoneadvertisementforthevirtuesofexploringacrossWashingtonStreetandlookingforthatplaque—whichwasputthereatthetimeofGloucester'sTercentenaryin1923—isthatyougetasenseofthelayoftheland,whichisvisibleinoneofthelaterpictures.ItreallywasafairlystarkgradechangebetweenwherethechurchwasandwheretheElleryhouseis,andyouifyoupokearoundupthereyoucanseethatwiththeconstructionof128today,howstarkthatthatgradechangewas.MarthaOaks:Thereisonephotofromthebackofthehousethatshowsitreallydroppingoffthere.53:50Unknownspeaker:Andit'ssostarkbecauseifyouseemostofthephotographsthatshowthemarsh,italllookssoflat,butitreallyisn't.MarthaOaks:Yes,Bob?54:01Bob:Itwouldbenicetohaveapullawayofwhatitisnowandputitontopofthat.MarthaOaks:That'sbeyondmycomputerskills.(laughter).Yes,Mike?Mike:WherewouldtheFriendly’sbe?MarthaOaks:Well,now,therotaryisrighthere,soFriendly’swouldbeoverhere.Ithinkwhen128wasbuilt,thereprobablywasalotoffillingthattookplaceinthemarsh.UnknownSpeaker:Wherewasthechurch?MarthaOaks:Righthere…meetinghouse…soitwasbehindthehouse.54:33UnknownSpeaker:Whathappenedtothemeetinghouse?MarthaOaks:Themeetinghousewastakendown,Ithinkinthe1840s.They’drebuiltitacoupleoftimes,andthenfinallytheytookitdown.It'sinteresting—OneoftheearlygenerationsoftheseEllerychildren,Samuel,whostayedattheElleryhouseanddidn'tmoveaway….in1840,hewaspaid$15ayeartoringthebellinthechurch,andtotakecareofthemeetinghousebutIthinkitwasshortlyafter1840thattheyjustdidn'thavethefundstomaintainit,soitwastakendown.


55:07UnknownSpeaker:Wherewasthewater,Martha...canyoushowprettymuchhowitflowed?MarthaOaks:Well,there'sthecreekhereandthen,theAnnisquamRiverisoutheretotheright.Andthiscreeksortofwindsupandgoes…Ithinkit'sstillrunsalongside128.It'sverydampinthatarea.Andthenofcourse,themarshesarebehindwherePoplarStreetisnow.Thiswaslargelytidalinthefronthere.55:39UnknownSpeaker:Martha,backinthe1950s,thecreekwasstillexisting,andwhentheyputinanewsewerlinethroughthere,theconstructionfirmZoppocametotownandputapipetocarrythecreekunderneath,andalotofpeoplewereunhappywiththat.Thereweresignsputupturningthenamebackwards,soitbecame“OppozZoppo.”56:10MarthaOaks:Whenyouwalkup,there'safieldthatgoesfromtheyellowhousesortofup128.Andwhenyouwalkinthatfield,thereareacoupleofsinkholesorsomethingthatappeartogoIdon'tknowwhere—Iassumetheygodownintothatcreek.There'salsooneinthelittlebarninthebasementlevelthatjustseemstojustgo,soIthinkit'sprobablystillthere.Anyoneelse(haveanyquestions)formeorforSteph?56:36UnknownSpeaker:DoyouknowwhentheROTCstarted?MarthaOaks:No.Unknownspeaker:Isupposewayback?MarthaOaks:Idon'tknow.DoesanybodyknowwhentheGloucesterROTCstarted?Mike?56:46Mike:Whenyou'redonewiththisslide,IwaswonderingifyoucouldgoovertothehouseonExchangeStreetandthenshowthehouseinthebackgroundthatlookedlikeitwasunderconstruction?WasitonCommonwealthAvenue?


MarthaOaks:Idon'tknow.Idon'trememberwhathousethatisbeingbuilt,doyou?MarthaOaks:Wilber,whatwereyougoingtoask?57:04Wilber:DoyouknowwhentheEllerysfirstcametoCapeAnn?MarthaOaks:Oh,heavens,Idon'tremember.Doyourememberit,Marie,whentheycame?ThisisMarieElleryBlanding.Generationsixorsevenorsomethinglikethat.MarieElleryBlanding:Itgoeswayback—17-something.UnknownSpeaker:164157:35MarthaOaks,showingthehouseonExchangeSt.:Sothisis1882or83,somewhereinthere.It's24exchangeStreet.Sowe'relooking…Whatarewelookingat?CommonwealthAvenue,maybe?It'shardtotell,there'sabsolutelynotrees,asyoucansee.I'msureifwepulledoutanAtlas,wecouldfigureitout.UnknownSpeaker:Isitstillthere?MarthaOaks:Thehouse?Ithinkso.ButIhaven'tgoneby.Bill?58:00BillCross:AquestionforStephanie.Whatdoyoumakeofthe1733saleandhowitrelatestothe1738repositioningofdowntownGloucestertobecenteredonMiddleStreet?JohnWhitewouldseemtohavebeenarguablythemostimportantmanintown.Soit'ssortofhardtothinkofhimasbeingapassiveparticipantinthesefiercedebatesoverwhereGloucestershouldbecentered.58:32StephanieBuck:Idon'tthinkhewasapassiveparticipant,buthecertainlyhadno…Imean,hecouldtalkaboutitandhecouldgivehisopinions,buthehadnovote.AndIwouldsaythathemoveduptownalittlebitsothatwhicheverwayitfellintheend,hewouldberelativelyclosetobothofthem.Andheobviouslyhadbeen,forreasonsthatwedon'tknow,tryingtogetoutoftheWhite-Elleryhousefor10yearsanyway,becausehetriedtosellittotheparishin1723.


59:05BillCross:Butthatwasn'tperceivedasanactofbetrayaltotheparishinterestsatall?Itwasregardedasaperfectlyreasonablethinggivenhisfinancialcircumstances?StephanieBuck:Yes.BillCross:Soitwasakindofactoffence-sittingasthatdebatewasheatingup?StephanieBuck:Yes,definitely.That'showIwouldinterpretitanyway—Yes.59:32UnknownSpeaker:Regarding.:Myguessisthat(thehouseunderconstructionbehindExchangeSt.)isCommonwealthAvenuebecausethebuildinginthebackunderconstructionwouldbetheretirementhomethat'supontheknollaboveSummerSt.Rightuponthetopwheretherearecondominiumsnow…withapartments.59:55UnknownSpeaker:RegardingthequestionabouthowoldwastheROTC…Ithinkinthe‘60s,theyhada100thanniversary,andtheyhadabigparadedowntown.Ican'trememberthedate,butitwasinthe‘60sIguess,sotake100yearsbackfromthatanditwouldbetheCivilWar.1:00:15MarthaOaks:Anyoneelse?We’llbehavingthehouseopenagainthissummer.AsLindasaidthereareseveraleventsplanned.Wethoughtwe'dhaveoneortwomorecontemporaryartinstallations,andwe’replayingaroundwithsomeotherideas;andwe'llconcludethisseasonwithanattemptatatavernnight,sinceitwasatavernforafewyears.So…we'llkeepyouuptodate.

vl21 - private lives, public house - the story of the ......this morning's lecture, private...

Documents