Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 72, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1912 — CHRISTMAS IN COLONIAL DATS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CHRISTMAS IN COLONIAL DATS

Interesting Account of an OldTime Celebration. Men Wore Their Hair In Curie and Bych Games as “Green Grow the Rushes, O,” Furnished Amusement.

GLIMPSE of an old-fashioned celebration of the Christmas season is preserved In a diary of a guest of Maj. Gen. William Lloyd, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, who recounts the good cheer of his household jn the old homestead at Westernvllle, N. Y. The house is standing, and is still occupied during a part of-the summer by some of his descendants. In- those early days of the

republic the journey from New York by sleigh took ten days. In preparation for the coming festivities, the diarist notes that the keeping room (as the main room was then called), which today would be called the parlor, or drawing room, was trimmed elaborately with spruce and cedar branches, there being no holly growing in that region. Roses made of tissue paper, in red, pink and white, were plentifully distributed through the evergreen decorations.

The roses were made by two young women guests, Miss Catherine Floyd and Miss Mary Floyd, who were engaged to be married to James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, afterwards presidents of the United States. They were assisted in entertaining guests during the day by the Misses Wiggins, neighbors of the general. Among other guests, Bishop Whipple and a fellow clergyman were present, as well as the fiance of the diarist.

The festivities began Christmas Eve, and all the family hung up their stockings in front of the huge kitchen fireplace. The Illumination was that of tallow candles in silver and brass candlesticks. Miss Catherine Floyd had expected her fiance, James Madison (as was jotted down In the diary), and was greatly disappointed at his not coming: He sent, by way of a Christmas gift, a full-length likeness of Gen. George Washington, framed, which was brought by a neighbor returning home from New York.

The merrymaking was at its height Christmas Eve, all sorts of then fashionable and popular games, such as "Hunt the Slipper," "Blind Man’s Buff,” and “Green Grow the Rushes, 0,” being indulged in by the young people until 10 o’clock, at which hour sharply General Floyd closed the bouse.

That in keeping early hours he was not altogether arbitrary appears when we learn that the breakfast Christmas morning was at early candle light The diary says: "it was so early, and I

had to take my curl-papers out, so I am sure my hair will not curl at all.” The gay young people gathered in the immense kitchen after breakfast w'as served, to examine the stockings that Santa Claus was expected to have left in prosperous condition. Of her gifts the diarist remarks: "Such beautiful gifts I have never received away from my home. Some beautiful mink skins, sufficient to make my winter fur and muff, from dear General Floyd, taken from animals caught In a trap near the milk house, Baxter’s ‘Saints’ Rest,’ and a nice volume of Watts’ hymns from Mrs. Floyd, a white velvet pincushion, painted with roses and leaves, from Catherine, and a pretty collar of lace footing from Mary. My dearly beloved gave me a ruby ring, the emblem of eternal fidelity and love.” The "dearly beloved” became her husband a few months later.

"Chrietmas Day was indeed a joyful one; after we had seen all our gift®, all the young people went to the hill back of the house and coasted for two hours on the hard crust of ice and snow; the distance from the top of th® hill to the gulf ravine was nearly, a mile.”