Social New York Under the Georges 1714-1776 Book

SOCIAL NEW YORK UNDKR THE GKORGKS 1714-1776 PREFACE THE purpose I have had in view in the following work has been to show clearly the social conditions of the prosperous class in New York during the period sometimes known as The Golden Age of New York, which extended from the accession of George I. till the outbreak of the Revolution. Other writers have taken pleasure in describing the humble side of life here with the Dutch vrouw at her spin ning-wheel and the goodman on his settle at the fireside. In the following pages, this lowly side of life in Manhattan has been entirely neglected, my aim having been to exhibit the opulent and fashion able life that revolved around Fort George. Nothing could more clearly show the life of suc cessful activity and at the same time of luxury led by the wealthy citizens of New York than the descrip tions of the houses they lived in, the contents of their various rooms, their plate, glass and china, the delicacies with which their tables were supplied, the gardens and domains in which they took their pleas ure, the clothes they wore, the music they sang and played, the plays, exhibitions and shows they attended, the public and private fites, balls, dinners, and assem vii Preface Georgian Age with the minimum of personal com ment, occasionally indicating the connection between the fashions and tastes of that day in New York and those of the mother country. To many people, the facts here presented will be fresh and full of interest. To others, perhaps, the illustrations showing articles that were actually in the possession of old citizens famous in their day will be even more interesting. The Waltons, Ver Plancks, Beekmans, de Peysters, Alexanders, Duanes, Living stons, Jays, de Lanceys and others, who were prom inent in the mercantile and official life of the period, have left many descendants who still possess and prize useful and ornamental articles that belonged to their ancestors, By the courtesy of the present owners, these ob jects have been specially photographed for this book, and many of them have never appeared in any pub lication hitherto. It will be noticed that among the illustrations are several portraits of social leaders of the period, and that on other pages appear articles that belonged to them. The quaint tail-pieces of the chapters arc fac-simile reproductions of various adver tisements that occur in the columns of the news papers. I have to tender my best thanks to those ladies who have kindly allowed me to illustrate my book with pictures of their precious heirlooms and to the ix Social New York Under the Georges New York Historical Society, and especially to its librarian, Mr. Robert Kelby, to whose kindness I am greatly indebted for the privilege of using its priceless collections. E. S. NEW YORK, October 20, 1902, CONTENTS PART I ASPECTS OF THE SMALL TOWN L THE CITY AND ITS STREETS, .... II. VACANT LAND AND TYPICAL HOUSES, . III. HOUSE-BUILDING, FIRES, RENTS AND MAILS, IV. COUNTRY-SEATS AND FARMS, .... PACT 3-14 15-26 27-39 PART II HOUSES AND FURNITURE L EVIDENCES OF LUXURIOUS LIVING, . . . 53-65 II. LIVING-ROOMS AND THEIR CONTENTS, . . 66-78 III. CABINET-MAKERS AND VENDUE SALES, . . 79-87 IV. WALLS, PICTURES AND LOOKING-GLASSES, . 88-102 V. BEDS, CHAIRS, TABLES AND CLOCKS, - - . 103-115 PART III TABLE FURNISHINGS 1. CHINA USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL, . . . 119-132 II. PLATE TANKARDS, PUNCH-BOWLS AND CAN DLESTICKS, 133-144 III. TEAPOTS, URNS AND SPOONS, .... 145-158 IV. PEWTER, GLASSWARE, CUTLERY AND BRASS, . 159-168 xi Content PART IV com Am OF t T. THE MAN OK FASHION HIS M S M IIAI, . 171 1X0 II. THK CLOTHES MEN WORK ...... iKi iW III. COATS, BUTTONS, SHOKS AND UUiVKS, . . 1 7-197 PART V rm DRESS OF ITOUKN I. TOILET, TAINTS AND PKRFt MKS, .... ji II. HAIK-DKKSSINCS, CAPS AMI ILVIN .... im it III. JIX VKS, SHOKS AND STAYS ...... j IV, HOOPS AND MAXTUA-MAKKKS ..... i aj i V. KXTRAVAGANCK AND KCONOMY ..... w-vw VI. JEWELRY AND OKNAMKNTS, ..... 450 2 e PART VI L...Read More