16 May Newsletter - Cranston Historical Society

Newsletter
May 2016
Scenes from our April
10th First Ladies Tea
with Pat Perry
Photographs by Katie
Costa
Our next meeting will be on May 17th at 7
pm in the Sprague Mansion. Trish
Harmon, president of the RI Genealogical
Society will show us how to trace our
ancestral roots.
BOARD Of DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Katy Cabral Stepney (Social Media)
Martha Cornell (Gift Shop)
Frank DelSanto (Bylaws)
Sandra Moyer
President
Steven Frias (Finance)
David Griswold (Publicity)
James Hall (Curator)
Tom Worthington
Vice President
Mary Mierka
Secretary
Fred Joslyn (Ways and Means)
John Lonardo (Hospitality)
Gregg Mierka (Property Management)
Mary Mierka (Events and Rentals)
Sandra Moyer (Endowment)
John O'Leary (Nominations)
Tristan Poirier
Treasurer
Lydia Rapoza (Joy Homestead)
Herbert Zakrison (Buildings and Grounds)
Directors at Large
Ed Garcia
Eleanor Sasso
The Cranston Historical Society's mission is to protect, document, interpret and
expand understanding of Cranston history.
1351 Cranston Street
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 944-9226
www.cranstonhistoricalsociety.org
email: [email protected]
facebook: www.facebook.com/cranstonhistoricalsociety
President's Note
By Sandra Moyer
As you can see, we have changed the format of our newsletter in order to bring you
not only information about the upcoming general meetings and events, but also much
more about our museum collections and the history of our city. In the last issue, we
started a new segment called Curator’s Corner which described an artifact from our
collection. With this issue we will be introducing two more new features. Lifestyles of
Long Ago is designed to inform you about the way people lived in another era, including
what they ate, wore and did for amusement. Sketches of the Spragues will be a short
biography of one of the members of the Sprague family.
I would like to thank the committee that designed the new newsletter as well as
wrote articles for it. The committee consists of Mary Elizabeth Corrigan, Kathy Sprague
Cyr, Jim Hall, Mary and Gregg Mierka, Kaylie Sasso and myself. Our thanks also go to
Mark Feimer and Katy Stepney who acted as our technical advisors in setting up the new
format and All the Answers, Inc, at 60 Alhambra Road Warwick who printed and mailed
the newsletters for us.
Seeing that Memorial Day originated as a way to honor the war dead in 1868, we
thought we should make the theme for this newsletter be the Civil War. All of our articles
will revolve around that time period. Yarns of Yesterday will recount the history of
Memorial Day and how it became a national holiday. In Lifestyles of Long Ago, you will
hear about clothes and food from that time period and Sketches of the Spragues will be
about Kate (Chase) Sprague, who was married to William Sprague, the Civil War governor.
May is also the month of the National Genealogical’s Society Family History
Conference so it is appropriate that our presenter at the general meeting will be the
President of the RI Genealogical Society, Trish Harmon, who will provide you with the
information and materials you need to begin or continue your search for your own roots.
Trish, and her colleague Louise Duckworth, will give a Powerpoint presentation and
provide handouts designed to help you participate in the increasingly popular pursuit of
family genealogy.
Membership
By Mary Mierka
Welcome New Members
Edward/Jennifer Colozzi, Cranston
Ms. Tray Gearing/Mr. Chris Conte, Cranston;
Mettie Mazzur, Cranston
Rene Rico, Cranston
Charlene Mastrostefano & Family, Rumford
In Memory of:
Dorothy Saccoccia, Life Member, Cranston
Welcome New Business Supporters
All The Answers, Inc.,-Warwick, Mailing & Printing Services alltheanswersinc.com
CWS Gases Co. (Cranston Welding Supply)-Cranston Since 1946 cranstonwelding.com
Rhode Island Dental Arts-Cranston, All dentals services ridentists.com
Please support our Other Business Members and Donors:
EMC (Energy Management & Control Services )-Cranston, Building control/ energy &
integrated facility management systems emccontrols.net
Forest Hills Nurseries Inc.-Cranston, Retail/Wholesale
plants/nursery foresthillsnurseries.com
North Eastern Tree Services-Cranston northeasterntree.com
Rhode Island Civil War Round Table-RI’s premier Civil War discussion group ricwrt.com
Stiller Distributors-Cranston, Distributer of commercial/residential flooring
stillerdistributors.com
TreePro Services-Coventry treeprori.com
Twisted Roots Lawn Care-W.Warwick, Landscaping/Lawn Care
facebook.com/twistedrootsinc
A Cordial Thank You:
Victorian Tea Assistants and Donors
Mary-Elizabeth Corrigan; Kathy Sprague Cyr; Photographer Katie Costa; Tanya DeMello;
Michelle Lineberger & Lineberger ladies; Gregg & Mary Mierka, Sandra Moyer, Katy
Cabral-Stepney, Marilyn Walaska
Enchanting Cakes by Melissa-Johnston; Stop&Shop-Cranston; 7 Star Bakery-Prov; Plants
to Enjoy—Lowes-Cranston
CCRI Community Service Day on April 5 – Volunteers at the Mansion
Calendar
Meetings & Events
May 17 Tuesday 7:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion
General Membership Meeting – The presentation by the president of the RI Genealogical
Society will help both beginners and the more advanced research their family tree.
May 30 Sunday 6:00 pm in the Pocasset Cemetery
Civil War Memorial Day Observance – Collation to follow at the Sprague Mansion
June 18 Saturday 6:00 pm in the Joy Homestead
Annual Strawberry Biscuit Tea celebrating the march of the Allied French forces through
Rhode Island
June 28 Tuesday 7:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion
Board Meeting
July 19 Tuesday 7:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion
General Membership Meeting – Topic TBA
August 23 Tuesday 7:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion
Board of Directors’ Meeting
September 20 Tuesday 6:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion
General Membership meeting and buffet to celebrate William Sprague’s birthday
October 21 Friday 7:00 – 9:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion
Charlie the Butler’s Ghost party featuring Rory Raven
October 25 Tuesday 7:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion
Board of Directors’ Meeting
November 15 Tuesday 7:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion
General Membership Meeting – Volunteer of the Year Award and New Members’
Reception
November 25 Friday 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Sprague Mansion
Decorating the Christmas tree
December 4 Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 pm Sprague Mansion & Joy Homestead
Christmas Open House
Lifestyles
A Vest from Lincoln’s Inaugural Ball
By Mary Elizabeth Corrigan
The Cranston Historical Society's collections include many objects that relate to the
American Civil War, including this silk matlessé waistcoat, worn to Lincoln's second inaugural
ball in 1865 by Joseph H. Barrett. This vest was given to the Cranston Historical Society by
Miss Catherine Bryant, a descendant of Barrett, in 1977.
Barrett (1824-1910) was the Commissioner of Pensions and one of the earliest Lincoln
biographers. In 1860 his “Abraham Lincoln of Illinois” was published. After Lincoln's
assassination in April, 1865 Barrett published an updated edition of the biography that
included Lincoln's presidency and death, retitling it “Life of Abraham Lincoln.”
This waistcoat is hand sewn with white silk and cotton thread. The waistcoat fronts are
made from white and pale bluesilk matlessé, which is a fabric woven to resemble an intricately
quilted and embroidered pattern. The waistcoat is single-breasted with a Shawl collar and
closes with fabric-covered wooden buttons. Inside the bottom edge of the waistcoat is a strip
of fine leather lining which would have helped to keep the waistcoat smooth and not bunch up
over the trousers. The pointed waist was popular in the 1840s, so this was either a vest that
Barrett had owned and worn to formal events before, or it was a new vest that he had made in
the same style of those he had worn as a younger man.
The vest would always be worn underneath a coat, so the
back of the vest is made of inexpensive white cotton. The coat
would also conceal a small tab and buckle that would allow the
wearer to adjust the waist. This design detail is another hint that
the vest was intended for a lifetime of use, because the fit could
be very easily adjusted. At a time where men’s fashions were
unrelentingly conservative and uniform, the choice of black or
white waistcoat and tie were the only areas where a man could
express his individual taste in fashion.
To celebrate Lincoln's re-election, the Inaugural Ball was
held on March 6th 1865 at the Post Office Building (today the
National Portrait Gallery) in Washington D.C. Important guests
received invitations and tickets were also available to the public.
For $10, a gentleman and two ladies gained entrance to a lavish evening of dancing followed
by a midnight buffet. The Washington Evening Star reported there were undignified scenes of
guests taking entire platters of food when it was finally served. Barrett's vest shows two small
stains that may have happened as the 4,000 guests enjoyed the buffet that March night in
1865.
Of Long Ago
Mary Todd Lincoln’s White Almond Cake
Lincoln‘s favorite favorite cake his dear wife baked, “ the best
I ever ate . . .”
By Mary Mierka
This particular recipe was presented at our recent “Tea With the First Ladies” program.
Mary Todd Lincoln was Abraham Lincoln’s beautiful love. She met Abraham around 1840
when he first practiced law. After secretly courting, they married in November 1842.
Although she came from a wealthy Kentucky family, she was an extremely apt homemaker.
Contrary to some stories written about Mrs. Lincoln, in the beginning of their marriage, she
sewed and loved to bake. Before they married, her family obtained a cake recipe from a local
French baker for a delicious White Almond Cake. She made this cake while they were
courting. Mr. Lincoln always stated it was one of his favorite desserts.
After Lincoln was elected President, the First Lady would present this masterpiece
delight when they entertained guests at the White House. The cake would take two days,
since the fresh almonds had to be shelled, then blanched overnight, and ground finely to be
included in the recipe. There are several variations of her cake. It is a light sponge-like cake.
To the ladies, we say Mrs. Lincoln’s cake recipe will turn your husband or intended into an
Honest Abe! (Recipe adapted from Lincoln's Table by Donna D. McCreary / by Janice Cooke
Newman)
1 cup blanched almonds & chop fine (or use a food processor)
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup milk
6 egg whites
½ each teaspoon vanilla & almond extract
confectionary sugar
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Preheat oven 350 degrees. Grease/flour (or use wax paper) a 16x11 cookie pan w/sides
Cream butter/sugar. Sift flour & baking powder. Add to creamed butter/sugar,
alternating with milk. Stir in almonds and mix well
Beat egg whites until stiff; fold into batter. Stir in vanilla & almond extract
Pour into prepared pan; arrange slivered almonds in a design across the top
In the Kitchen: A time saving invention patented around 1830 was the hand cranked egg
beater. It amazed how easy it was to beat eggs. The turning of the beater equaled 288
stirs. Perhaps Mrs. Lincoln as well as her White House kitchen staff used this model circa
1857. This model was invented by James F. Monroe, Fitchburg, MA & Edward Monroe of
NY, and resembles today’s beaters . “. . . continue until the surface is smooth as a mirror,
and the beaten egg as thick as a rich boiled custard . . .” Eliza Leslie, The Lady’s ReceiptBook, 1847.
Curator’s Corner
By Jim Hall, Curator
Patriotism was to be found everywhere, on both sides, during the American Civil
War. Everyone wanted to help the brave men fighting for the cause on the battlefield and
first among those wishing to help were the women. They formed ladies’ aid societies and
made bandages, food, clothing and factory goods. None were more fervent than our own
ladies of Cranston. During the early years of the war ladies of Oak Lawn plied their needles
and thread to make a grand United States flag. The flag boasted thirty-four stars, one for
each State. The next star would come in 1863 when West Virginia entered the Union.
The Oak Lawn flag was raised with
appropriate patriotic fanfare on a
pole in front of the Oak Lawn
schoolhouse which later became
the Oak Lawn library and still
serves the City of Cranston today.
During World War I, 1916-1918, the flag hung in the archway in back of the pulpit of
the Oak Lawn Baptist Church along with the names of Oak Lawn boys who were in the
service at that time.
Thirty-three stars are arranged around a single large star which presumably
represents the State of Rhode Island. The stars are appliqued. The flag has been repaired
over the years with patches and at some point preserved with a muslin backing. There are
what appears to be burn marks on the bottom. The flag was a gift to the Cranston Historical
Society by the Oak Lawn Library years ago and is now being carefully preserved by the
Society as befitting such a sacred reminder of that turbulent time in history.
Yarns of Yesteryear
RI US Senator William Sprague; the GAR Insignia; John A. Logan; The GAR Grave Marker; & RI Governor A.E. Burnside
MEMORIAL DAY: A GREAT & IMPORTANT TRADITION
By Gregg Mierka
Each year, at the end of May, our country experiences what is seen by many to be a day of
vacation. A sizable portion of people do not fully understand why the day called Memorial Day
exists. If asked, some see the extra day off of work as a celebration, thanks they assume to our
veterans. In fact Memorial Day, or Decoration Day is not a day of celebration, it was intended to
be a day of reverence; a day of observance honoring those who served our country and have
passed away; a time of remembrance. When first created Memorial Day was designed to be a
solemn occasion whereby the people of America, led by living veterans should decorate the graves
of their comrades forever interred in cemeteries across the land with the flowers of spring. It is a
time set aside to remember the service of veterans passed away and teach our citizens and our
children all they did to protect our way of life. Memorial Day was never intended to be a holiday.
The true Memorial Day was observed for almost 100 years on the 30th day of May, not the most
convenient Monday at the end of the month of May. The time of the year was chosen because it
was a spring time moment when the weather across the country afforded most areas a new birth
of flowers and allow people to pause to decorate the graves of late veterans in the manner in
which President Abraham Lincoln envisioned a “New Birth of Freedom” made possible by citizens
who dawned the uniforms of our military and risked or lost their lives to give each generation of
Americans the life we enjoy.
On 5 May 1868, former Major General of the Civil War and Commander-in-Chief of the
Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) John A. Logan issued General Order No. 11, officially creating
Memorial Day to be observed each year on May 30th. The GAR and the Military Order of the Loyal
Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) instantly embraced the effort of Logan and Decoration Day
or Memorial Day was borne. US Senator, former RI Governor and veteran of the Civil War William
Sprague, IV, as well as former Major General of the Army and RI Governor Ambrose Burnside led
efforts in our State to make all Rhode Islanders take notice of the importance of Memorial Day.
One of the songs the old veterans sang was, “Hard Times Come Again No More”. It was their wish
as well as the wish of all veterans since, not to repeat the harsh past, but learn from it.
Today members of Governor Elisha Dyer Camp No. 7 of the RI Sons of Union Veterans of
the Civil War (descended from RI GAR Arnold Post No. 4), joined by members of RI MOLLUS
annually gather at Pocassett Cemetery in Cranston to conduct a ceremony honoring veterans of RI
GAR Arnold Post No. 4. Many of the Post 4 veterans are buried in Pocassett. Afterwards a short
collation at the Governor Sprague Mansion is an important part of this tradition. At the end of the
ceremony in the cemetery a poem written by an unknown Civil War veteran is read, and each time
the poem asks, “Who will carry on after the last of the veterans, or the last of the Boys in Blue are
gone”, participating members reply with great spirit, WE WILL! Therefore the final questions
remains, if Memorial Day is to be carried on as it was intended, what will you do and will you teach
your children to correctly do the same?
Sketches of
The Rise and Fall of Kate Chase Sprague
By Kathy Sprague-Cyr
Catherine Jane Chase was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 13, 1840. She was
named after her father’s late wife, Catherine Jane Garniss. Kate formally changed her
name to Katherine Chase later. When Kate was five years old her mother died. Her father
married for the third time the next year. Kate was quite jealous of her stepmother, so in
1846, Salmon Chase sent her to The Haines School, a fashionable boarding school in New
York City. Kate learned languages, elocution and the social graces along with music and
history. At age 16 she graduated and returned to Ohio.
When her father, a widower again, became governor of Ohio in 1856, Kate served as
his official hostess, secretary and advisor at the governor’s mansion. Kate had high
aspirations for herself and her father. She wanted her father to be President. Chase’s
presidential attempt failed going up against Lincoln in 1860. Lincoln then appointed him
Secretary of the Treasury. Kate moved to Washington with her father. She continued to
serve as his hostess and advisor. Parties at the Chase mansion were quite opulent. Kate’s
popularity in Washington’s social scene continued to fuel her rivalry with Mary Todd
Lincoln.
She met the newly-elected Senator from Rhode Island, William Sprague in 1862.
Soon after Kate and William became engaged. William broke off the engagement briefly
when he learned Kate had had a romance with a married man. They later reconciled and
were married November 12, 1863 in the Chase home in a lavish wedding. Over 500 guests
attended the affair. William’s gift to Kate was a $50,000 diamond and pearl tiara. Their
wedding, fit for a king and queen invited criticism due to the lean times of the Civil War.
President Lincoln attended the wedding, minus Mary Todd Lincoln.
Kate Chase Sprague’s Wedding Photo
Kate and William
the Spragues
Kate continued to support her father’s political aspirations with the help of William
Sprague’s money. Their first child, William was born in 1865. Kate continued to spend the
Sprague money taking many trips to New York City and Europe to furnish the new Sprague
Mansion, “Canonchet” in Narragansett, RI and expand her ever growing wardrobe. In 1869
Kate gave birth to their second child, Ethel. Soon after, Kate began an affair with Roscoe
Conkling. It is rumored that her last two daughters, born in 1872 and 1873 were not her
husband’s.
The Sprague Family suffered huge losses to their fortune in the depression of 1873.
In 1879 Kate’s philandering with Roscoe Conkling was discovered by William, when he
returned unexpectedly home from a business trip. William chased Conkling with a shotgun,
imprisoned Kate and threatened to toss her out a second story window. Needless to say
Kate filed for a divorce in 1880. The case dragged on until 1882 when Kate won custody of
her 3 daughters, but her son remained with William. Kate also legally changed her name to
Mrs. Kate Chase. She moved her 3 daughters to Europe and lived there until her money ran
out in 1886.
Returning to Washington and Edgewood, her family home, she began selling off the
silver, paintings, furniture and mortgaging the mansion. She was reduced to peddling eggs
and milk.
In 1899 Kate sought medical help for a serious kidney and liver disease. She died on
July 31, 1899 at the age of 58. She was buried next to her father in Spring Grove Cemetery
in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Though Kate was Washington’s belle of the ball for many years, her obituary from
The Cincinnati Inquirer read: “Hardly more than two or three - and they the nearest
relatives on earth - were gathered together yesterday morning around the new-made grave
in Spring Grove Cemetery.”
During the Civil War, Kate Chase visited Union Army camps in the Washington area
befriending Union generals, and often offering her opinion on how the war should be
fought. Kate is pictured here with General J.J. Abercrombie and staff, about 1863.
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Membership Meeting May 17
Origin of Memorial Day
Mary Lincoln’s White Almond Cake
Civil War Flag
Kate Chase Sprague
Vest from Lincoln Inaugural Ball
Inside:
Cranston Historical Society
1351 Cranston Street
Cranston, RI 02920