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My Trip Abroad: 1909 J. Radford Abbot Diary Part 3

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

Date: Friday, July 9th

Place: Lucania

 

Last night the sea was so rough that the boat dipped above the port holes on both sides of the saloon, and a bottle standing on our table flipped over. All of our party, however, are O.K. I did not get to sleep last night until after midnight. Every minute or two the boat would roll so that our porthole would be buried in the water and our dress suit cases on the floor slid back and forth as the boat rolled. The (rades?) were used at table all three meals today. Many people sick. Great fun at the table. Abe and I walked a mile on the deck to night. Sea calmer in the evening.  All O.K. 470 Miles.

 

In this entry of John’s travel journal, he writes about how he was in a saloon that night. The Lucania saloon was a bar and dining area, where passengers could go for meals, socializing, and entertainment. Usually the saloon was filled with about 100 to 13

First-Class-DIning-Room

Dining Hall

0 tables and over 700 velvet plush dining chairs. At the bar, there were raised chairs and a large counter. The passengers could eat and relax while being entertained for hours.  John also wrote a lot about how the seas were very rough and how high the water around the boat was getting. In 1909, there were many accounts of missing ships, due to the seas being so rough. On July 5th, a newspaper in London printed the reports of 5 missing ships during the few past weeks. The ship that John was sailing on, the Lucania, was lucky to not be caught in one of the more ferocious storms, and instead at the edge and end of a smaller sea storm. Later in his entry, Jo
hn writes ‘All O.K. 470 Miles.’  indicating how far the ship had sailed. This would have been very good in 1909, when traveling by ship took a lot of time. Two entries’ ago John wrote that they had sailed 460 miles. This means that the Lucania had traveled 10 miles in two days.

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Conclusion to the Bessie Goldsmith Childhood Diary

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

Bessie GoldsmithTranscribing the diary of Bessie Goldsmith was a very interesting experience. I got to learn about life in 1896 Andover through the eyes of a ten year old girl, as well as getting to share her experiences, and then sharing what I’ve learned with all of you!

Bessie was a great person to learn about because she was a very influential person in the history of our town. When she got older, Bessie continued to live in Andover and even wrote a book about it called “The Townswoman’s Andover.” She also taught cooking and sewing in Andover schools. Bessie  became a great lover of the outdoors and she even owned a dressmaking business at one point.

It was fun to learn about Bessie and transcribe her diary because she witnessed important historical moments in Andover history. Throughout her life, Bessie witnessed fires, saw automobiles gradually begin to appear in Andover, attended the opening of South Station Terminal, and best of all, she recorded her thoughts and experiences in her diaries!

Thanks for reading the blog!

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My Trip Abroad: 1909 J. Radford Abbot Diary, Part 2

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Date: Thursday July 8th

Place: Lucania

Slept like a top all night. Abe had upper berth and I lower. This morning the sky was overcast and there was a stormy N.E. wind blowing which kicks up quite a sea. We are at a table with two actresses and a man named Sargent who is a real Yankee joker so we have lots of fun. In the morning Abe and I went up in the aft wheel house and were shown compasses, wheel, sounding leads, etc. Dale had a hair-cut by the ships barber, and Abe also patroniges the barber by buying a cap. Sea rather rough and many sick. All of our party at church and dinner.  Afternoon sea very rough. Boat hitched and rolled a great deal.

In this entry, John mentions that he and Abe go and visit the aft wheel house and were shown “compasses, wheel, sounding leads, etc.” In 1909, big cruise ships like the Lucania had many different rooms for passengers to explore. One of these rooms was the aft wheel house. An aft  wheel house is the room where the wheel,  maps, and compasses are stored. When John and Abe went up into the wheel house, they saw many of these things. In 1909, most of the wheels were very large, had many spokes, and were usually made of oak or pine wood. Big ships always had to have someone at the wheel to prevent them from steering off course. A ship’s maps were usually pasted on a wall in the aft wheel room, so they could be easily accessed by the capion of the ship. Maps had to be extremely detailed and were always up to date. The maps could be in black and white, or in color, to show the different countries more easily. Compasses in 1909 were much simpler than the compasses we have today. In 1909, the compasses usually had a small sun or star in the center, with its points pointing to North, South, East West, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest. The arrow would spin on a small pin, allowing it to point to north.

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My Trip Abroad: 1909 J.Radford Abbot Diary, Part 1

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

This blog entry includes the transcription of a diary from the Andover Historical Society written by John Radford Abbot in 1909 when he began a trip to various European countries.  Keep following Maddy’s post to learn about  John Radford Abbot and all the places he visited over 100 years ago!

Date: Wed. July 7th
Place: Lucania

We left the wharf about 10:15 and started off doron New York Harbor. Saw the N.Y. skyscraper, Liberty Satute, Coney Island, etc.  At about 11:45 we slowed down and a rowboat came alongside to take off the pilot and also a woman who had forgotten to get off the pier. It was quite an experience getting her off, but it was finally accomplished. At about noon we passed sandy hook and the Ambrose Channel Lightship where our official time is taken for Europe. The sea was calm and the weather great. In the afternoon Dale and I explored the boat from bow to stern, going into the second cabin and steerage. We had dinner at 7 P.M. 460 miles.

During the beginning of J. Radford Abbot’s journey to Europe, he wrote that he ” Saw the N.Y. skyscraper, Liberty Satute, Coney Island, etc.” in the first decade of the 1900′s, these were very popular sights to see. The New York Skyscrapers were famous, but mostly  for their height.  In 1909, most skyscrapers were usually not over six stories high. New York’s Empire State Building has 106 floors. People often got excited when going into one of the skyscrapers, especially visiting the highest floor and looking over the city. Also in 1909 one of the biggest things to see was the Statue Of  Liberty. Lady Liberty has been standing for 127 years. She was built in 1875 by a french architect named Frederick Bartholdi as a gift to the United States  from the people of France. She was considered the symbol of freedom, democracy and America. People were originally allowed to travel up into the torch that she holds in her right hand high above her head, but soon, the arm that supported the torch grew weak, so the torch viewing point was shut down. Now people can only look out onto the city from the crown Lady Liberty wears on her head. J. Radfrod Abbot also wrote that he saw Coney Island. In 1909, Coney Island was just opening to the public. It first opened to the public on June 20th, 1909. This means that when Abbot saw Coney Island, it had only been open for less than eighteen days. Coney Island was one of the most elaborate amusement parks of it’s days. Otto B. Benschuetz, owner and founder, landscaped the grounds, put in a children’s playground, a bandstand for outdoor concerts, and a dance pavilion which served as an ice skating rink and theater.

 

John Radford Abbot

Today I found a photo of John Radford Abbot.  He was much younger when he began his European trip. This is the only photo I  found of him at the Andover Historical Society so far. I am still looking and will post another photo if I find it.

 

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Volunteers Needed for Andover Historical Society School Program

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

The Andover Historical Society is looking for new volunteers to join us as part of our annual school program, Andover at Work in the 1820s.  Each year over 600 third and fifth grade students visit the Andover Historical Society throughout May and June to participate in a 2 hour engaging and interactive tour.  This program requires a large crew of volunteers to lead fun and engaging activities based on life in the 1820s.

Andover at Work in the 1820s immerses students in the atmosphere of early nineteenth century Andover, giving them an opportunity to become historical Andover citizens and engage in actions and occupations of the past through hands-on activities.  After assuming the identity of a historic Andover residents, dressing for their roles, and reviewing a historic map of Andover, students visit several stations throughout the Historical Society that tell the story of how a community worked together in the 1820s.

While visiting the Andover Historical Society, students view life like it would have been in the 1820s at the home of Amos Blanchard, the cashier at the Andover Bank, whose home was also open to boarders from Phillips Academy.  Students are lead by education volunteers wearing reproduction period costumes as they journey into the past and see how our community has changed.  Students stop to grind spices for the midday meal in the kitchen and practice their best manners in the parlor.  After visiting the barn to collect eggs and see what work was done throughout the seasons, students learn to barter and trade at the general store.  At the print shop, students lend a hand and use a historic printing press.  As an example of a community working together, students join a bucket brigade to help save a neighbor’s home from fire, and they see one of the first fire engines, an 1829 Hunneman Hand Tub.  During Andover at Work in the 1820s students, learn about how their town worked as a community and how each individual played an integral role in ensuring that the community thrived.

Without children, Andover at Work in the 1820s would not be possible, but without a crew of dedicated education volunteers, Andover at Work in the 1820s would not be a cornerstone program of the Andover Historical Society and a significant educational resource in Andover.

The Andover Historical Society is hosting two open house tours for people interested in learning more about volunteering for the annual school program Andover at Work in the 1820s.   To learn more about this opportunity, staff at the Historical Society will be hosting tours on March 26th and April 3rd at 10:00 a.m11:00 a.m.  During the open house tours, interested individuals will learn about the volunteer schedule and what takes place during the school program.

Andover at Work in the 1820s runs almost daily May 1st – June 15th from 9:30-11:30 a.m.  Andover at Work in the 1820s is a flexible volunteer opportunity for people who enjoy working with children and have an interest in local history.  Volunteers for Andover at Work in the 1820s will receive thorough training and opportunities for continued learning.  For questions regarding becoming a volunteer for the school program Andover at Work in the 1820s, contact Museum Educator, Debbie DeSmet at 978-475-2236.

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A Picnic with Bessie

Tuesday, November 13th, 2012

Today I am blogging about a fun summer day with Bessie that features a few activities that I’m sure we can all relate to. Enjoy!

July 1st 1896

Today I went on a picnic to Lakeview with Miss Jenkin’s Sunday school class. We started at half past eight and got there about half past ten. Before dinner most of the girls rode in the flying horses three or four times. We ate dinner in the piazza. We had a great variety of things to eat and a plenty of everything. After dinner I rode in the flying horses twice and the second time I caught the brass ring and so I had another ride free. We went around the lake on the steamboat. I didn’t take money enough and so I borrowed ten cents of Annie Johnson and ten of Ethel Coleman and Miss Jenkins treated me to my rides on the steamboat and on the flying horses. We started home a little after three but we didn’t get there till about half past five for we missed a car and had to wait half an hour in Lowell. I was very tired and so I went upstairs directly after supper but I came downstairs again for Miss McLaulin and Miss Robinson and May Locke came in.

I really like this entry because once, I caught the brass ring at a carousel at Martha’s Vineyard.  At some carousel’s if you grab the brass ring, you win a free ride!  I think it’s cool that Bessie and I shared similar experiences, even though we live in such different time periods. Also, Bessie certainly had a lot of friends!

Below is a picture from Andover Historical Society that shows young children picnicking near Haggett’s Pond, which was a popular spot for picnics until the town started using it for drinking water. Rules prohibiting swimming, boating, and other water activities, were set into place.

Doug Cooper, a researcher at the Historical Society found this information about Haggett’s Pond:

“In 1889, Haggett’s Pond was named as the official water supply for the town and swimming was no longer allowed. The prohibition was routinely ignored by people and cows alike. (Joan Patrakis. “What Our Ancestors Did For Summer Fun). In 1908, the state of Massachusetts took further steps to protect the pond from pollution so that nobody got sick from drinking bad water. (Report on Water Supply & Sewerage pg. 26 [1984.10] ).  The state regulations helped bring an end to organized activities at the pond.”

In another one of her entries, Bessie mentions having a picnic at Haggett’s Pond with some friends.

#1992.803-Picnic at Haggett's Pond

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Bessie and May

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

Today I am blogging about an exciting summer day for Bessie and her friend May. They go to a graduation, ride on their bicycles, and even meet a moody cow! Hope you enjoy it!

June 26th 1896

“This afternoon May and I went over to the west Boxford High School Graduation. We started at about twenty minutes of one and got there about twenty minutes of two.  We had no difficulty in finding the way and the road was pretty good although there was a good deal of uphill and down. We left our bicycles in the horse sheds and then went to a house nearby and got a drink. The hall was quite small so that any seat was a front seat and as we were in good season we watched the people come in. the whole school with trustees sat on the platform. As nearly as we could  count there were twenty one in the whole school, six in the graduating class, three boys and three girls. Although the class was so small the exercises took two hours. Maud Murphy wore long, white gloves and when she turned the pages of her essay, she wet her thumb with her  tongue. One of the men who made an address said, “the paths you shall travel in the future  .(”)When a scholar had sat down after taking some part in the program our usher would bring a bunch of flowers from the back hall he would rise and take the flowers and then thrust them under his chair. May almost laughed out loud at one of those performances.  When the exercises were over our knees were so stiff that we could hardly go down stairs. When we had ridden almost a mile we saw a calf in the road ahead of us and when it saw us it got out into the middle of the road and struck a very defiant attitude. Generally I am not afraid of cows and neither is May but now we were and we both jumped off and began to walk towards the beast. We did not dare to come very near to him and so we turned around and began to walk back. I was a little ahead of May and pretty soon I heard a whirring sound behind me and I thought that she must be mounted but when I looked around she was running as fast as she could go, leading her bicycle. Then she shouted “What is it doing now?” I looked around and it was standing in the middle of the road as before. May looked so funny and as the calf did not look nearly so ferocious at a distance I burst out laughing and laughed so hard that I could hardly run. We decided we could not pass the creature and that we had better go back and take the road that branched from this one. When we had hidden a little way we saw some flowers that looked familiar and after we had gone further still we found that we were on the road by which we came. Then we were so glad that the calf had been there to scare us onto the right road. It took us about an hour and a half to get home for we had to walk some of the hills. I was quite tired. The round trip was about fourteen and a half miles.”

Imagine if you saw a cow in the road today! Bessie’s reaction probably would have been similar to mine, walking towards it, then getting scared and running away. By now you probably know that Bessie’s two favorite things to do are to ride a bike and hang out with friends, which are still popular activities that we enjoy today! Bessie may have lived in a completely different time period than us, but we really aren’t that different after all. Well, except for seeing angry cows in the road……

Below is a picture of cows grazing in front of a house in Andover. This house is at 9 Andover Street, one of Andover’s oldest houses near Central Street with a long history, even connected to the Salem Witch Trials!   Can you imagine pastures around down town Andover with cows, sheep, and pigs?

1991.115.2

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A Summer Day with Bessie

Thursday, October 4th, 2012

Now that school is out for the Punchard School kids, Bessie’s summer is starting to take shape! Today’s post is about a great summer day in 1896 Andover.

June 22nd 1896

Not so hot as it was yesterday.  This morning when I got home from my music I embroidered a little.After dinner I went down to see if Miss McLawlin would go to ride with me. Miss Robinson said that she had gone up to the pond on a picnic with the school children. As long as Miss McLawlin was up there I thought that I would go too.  I went by the Bakers’ and was able to ride all the way

At the pond there was a beautiful breeze. Most of the children rode in the barge but quite a number went on bicycles.  Miss McLawlin and I got down before the barge for the wind was at our backs and downhill all the way.  We were terribly hot and so we went into Allen’s and each had an ice cream soda.

This evening Clarence and I  went to the Dunns Musicale. I did not appreciate the music but I did appreciate seeing the girls in their bright dresses. The prettiest dress that I saw was pink, accordion plaited with quite a low, round neck , just the tops of the shoulders being bare, and elbow sleeves. Clarence says that he does not see how the girl ever  kept the dress from sliding off.  We went into the Carter’s for a few minutes on the way home to read the account in a Lawrence newspaper of the decorations on Sunday.  

Even though we live in the twentyfirst century, Bessie’s summer day doesn’t seem too far off from ours! She has a picnic, gets an ice cream soda, and goes to a show, something that all of us can relate to. Some things just never change……

Below is a picture of the Goldsmith family in a boat on a pond in Andover. Bessie’s family enjoyed many recreational activities such as biking and camping. I can’t be sure, but the girl on the right looks like Bessie.

 

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Bewitched in Andover

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

Looking for something spooky to kick off the month of October? Get an early start to your Halloween festivities by attending Bewitched in Andover a series of eerie events at the Andover Historical Society.  We promise you’ll have an eerily good time. The fun begins on Wednesday, October 3 with  Medicine or Magic? Herbs of the Early Colonists  a lecture by Betsy Williams.

The following week, join us for The Witches of Andover: Samuel Wardwell,  a lecture by Enders Robinson, October 11th at 7p.m.  Enders Robinson is a noted Witch Trials historian, author, and descendent of Samuel Wardwell . An accused witch,  Samuel Wardwell was brought to trial in Salem. During his court examination, he confessed to being a witch by submitting a long and detailed story of his indiscretions in order to save his life. His conscience and personal courage led him to recant the story and claim innocence, knowing the risk involved. He was hanged on September 22, 1692.

During the month of October take time to visit one of the remaining sites related to Andover during the Salem Witch Trials.   Ghosts of the Past: A Cemetery Tour of First Burial Ground hosted by the North Andover Historical Society will take place on October 21st at 2p.m. in North Andover.

Witchcraft was not just limited to Salem, Massachusetts. In fact, Over 50 of the people arrested were citizens of Andover.   One of the leading historians on the witch trials, Dr. Emerson Baker, of Salem State will host a Tavern Night at the Andover Historical Society.  Puritan New Englanders viewed taverns as a necessary evil. Travelers needed a place to stay and eat, and sessions of court were sometimes even held in them –including the early hearings in the Salem witch trials. However, they were also places where people could fall for the Devil’s temptations. Taverns provided the setting for drunkenness, lechery, gambling, idleness and even witchcraft.  Dr.  Baker will discuss the bewitched and debauched Quaker tavern at the center of his book, The Devil of Great Island: Witchcraft and Conflict in Early New England.   Trials and Taverns with Dr. Emerson Baker will take place  on Friday, October 26 at 7 p.m.

For those youngsters,  A Pumpkin Patch Story Hour will take place on October 30th at 10:00 a.m.  Wear costumes and attend a special Halloween story hour.  Get ready to Monster Mash!

Why wait until Halloween?  Participate in all of the Andover Historical Society’s Bewitched in Andover events.   It will be an experience you won’t soon forget. Happy Halloween!

To learn more about these programs contact 978-475-2236 or visit our website.

 

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Punchard High School’s Graduation

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Today I am blogging about the graduation at Bessie’s school, Punchard Hall. This was an exciting day for both the graduates and Bessie. After the graduation there was a dance, and Bessie writes about that, too. Enjoy!

June 18th 1896

We went up to school only for a little while today, to pack up our books and have our seats assigned for tonight. After that I went down and did my practicing.

It has been very hot today  and for the first time have been able to wear a whole thin dress.

This afternoon I went to Lawrence with mamma.

This evening I went to the Punchard graduating exercises. They were very good and more interesting to me for I knew more of the graduates. The first prize for composition was given in the senior class, the second prize in the third class, and a composition poem in our class was the next best although there was no prize for it.

June 19th 1896

There was no school today. Mary came over this morning to bring the dress that she is going to wear tonight. It has been terribly hot all day. This afternoon I went to the graduating exercises at the Stowe school. When I got home I dressed myself for the reception all except for my dress.

Mary walked over before supper and we were dressed in season. Mamma and papa went in a carriage for they received. Clarence and I went into the hall together and Mary went with one of the wishers. As we went in quite early it was not quite as “queering” as it was afterwards. Quite a lot of the fourth class was there.  Miss Berry introduced me to George Marland and I had to Promenade with him. I t was so funny every time I went by the girls I wanted to laugh out loud. The dancing began about half past nine. I only had two dances engaged. One to Clarence and one to Ralph Coleman and I missed the one with Clarence when I went down stairs in the intermission. Papa and mamma went home at ten o’clock but Clarence and Mary and I stayed till almost twelve. I danced everything but the schottische, the gallop and the lanciers.

Punchard Free School was founded by Benjamin Punchard in the mid nineteenth century.  As you may know, in Andover , there is a street called Punchard Street, and so now you know where it got its name! It also must have provided important experiences for Bessie, because Punchard became her middle name.  I’ll look into that next week!  Below is one of Bessie’s school pictures. She graduated Punchard in 1899.

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