Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1876 — The New England Log Cabin. [ARTICLE]

The New England Log Cabin.

In a sequestered corner of, the Centennial Grounds stands the New England Log Cabin. And a very humble and unpretentious cabin it is, too, with its bare walls and shaky roof, contrasting strangely with the huge, gaudily-painted edifices in the neighborhood. Veritable logs compose its material, and they are put together rudely enough to satisfy the most critical backwoodsmen. If the building was designed simply as a specimen of early Colonial architecture, it would be interesting. As it is,* the attention of the visitor is wholly drawn from the cabin itself, and is concentrated upon the wonderful collection of relics exhibited in its interior. These comprise articles of furniture, utensils, and ornaments, none of them less than a century old, and nearly all associated with historical names and places. To the American mind there is a peculiar interest attached to relics of the old Puritan and Revolutionary days. It is doubtful if the foreign visitors to the Exposition will see much to admire in the pots, and kettles, and cradles that came over in the Mayflower. The Frenchman and Italian will laughingly point to relics that are ten times as old, and far shapelier in appearance. The Englishman will scarcely gloat over a sword that was worn by some Rebel officer in the war with Great Britain. It is to the citizen of this country that the collection of relics appeals: and that the appeal is not fruitless may be seen in the crowds tnat flock Into the Log-Cabin daily.

A narrow foot-path leads up to the door, where a maiden, whose Puritan garb does not detract from the brightness of her eyes, is in waiting to welcome the visitor. The narrow, low-walled rooms inside are furnished with the simple, old-fashioned chairs and tables which were once used by our ancestors. Old and discolored wood has been employed in making the rafters overhead; and, looking up, one sees the regular old garret which the story-book always associates with boyhood’s days—with its dark corners, its dusty spinning-wheel, its pile of old books and magazines. The first room contains a bewildering profusion of relics—all interesting. At the right, on entering, one sees a capacious fire-place, whereon is the familiar log, and the kettles suspended over it. One of these kettles—a diminutive iron utensil —is said to have been brought from England on me Speedwell, the" second ship coming to New England. Its age is about 200 years. On the mantel are several old flint-lock muskets that were used in the Revolutionary War. The tinderbox and crane-lamp are beside mem. Near me fire-place is a spinning-wheel which was brought over in the Mayflower. It is operated by a lady from Boston, who is attired in the last-century style. A very dilapidated and ancient-looking saddle hangs near by, . made 170 years ago. Across me fire-place is a chest of drawers 200 years old. Beyond is a clock of primitive construction, whose steady tick-tack is heard to-day .as it was 400 years ago. The hands upon its brass dial are rusty and bent, and the whole timepiece looks forlorn, as though weary of the existence which it has been so long in dragging out. The striking apparatus is nojv out of gear, owing to the promiscuous handling of curious visitors. In anotKer corner may be seen a flaxwheel made in Holland 200 years ago, still doing daily duty at me beck of its fair nineteeatoceutury mistress. A quilt woven by hand in 1650 is near it. An old-fashioned tape-loom next attracts me gaze, and a brass spoon-mold, once used in Paul Revere’s foundry in Boston. Also, a salt-cellar once owned by Mistress Mary Kendall, and brought by her when she voyaged to the New World in that famous ship, me Mayflower. Reminiscences of Peregrine White abound. He, it is known, was born on that vessel—the first child of the Colony. The selfsame cradle in which the infant Peregrine was rocked is shown—a rough, pineboard structure, yet full of interest. The saddle in which me full-grown Peregrine was wont to ride is also here, In looking at these relics, one almost expects to see the sturdy Puritan himself start out of the shadowy corner and claim his longleft property. ' The Revolutionary relics occupy a large space, and an equally large share of pub-Ite-attention. One of the most noticeable is a flag which was carried through me Battle of Bunker Hill. An inscription upon it tells that it belonged to me Second Synod of me Second Regiment of Massachusetts. During that memorable engagement the flag-bearer was killed, but the flag was preserved from capture to tell its ewn story a century afterward. There is also shown the sword belonging to Capt. Nathan Barrett, which was worn bv him at the Concord fight. One sera also a pair of spurs worn by Gen. Stark at Bennington. The commission of Capt. Barrett, from George the Fourth, appointing him an officer in me British army, before he turned Rebel, is framed, and hangs upon the wall over his sword. Then mere are wooden canteens, powderhorns, muskets, and other paraphernalia of war—all of that date. In me center of me apartment is a table, on which is a glass case containing an iroa spoon once belonging to me Indian King Philip. Next to it are a pair of small images of Washington and King

Philip, cut out of beef-bone by a Conti - nental soldier while confined in a British prison-ship in Boston Harbor. The first religious newspaoer printed in New England, called the Herald of Ooerel Liberty, i published at Portsmouth, N-JR ,by Elias Smith, in 1808, may also be seen; as well; as any quantity ot old books and miscellaneous documents. Passing into the second room, one Is attracted first by an antique bedsteqd, covered with curtains of old-fashioned pattern. The Bhcets were once the property of Mrs. J.-P. Joyce, of Lynn, Mass., and are 200 years old. The quilt is of quainT construction, and belonged to Judge Holton 100 years ago. A Pilgrim’s needlebook, brought to America in 1628, deserves attention. A very odd article is a piece of needle-work wrought by Elizabeth Holmes in 1736. Upon it is worked the lines:

* This needle-work of mine can tell And by my elders also tanght Hot to spend my tluu for naught." Near this is a chair which was once used by. Gov. Hancock. John Alden’s desk, brought over in the Mayflower, is a curious piece of work- It is almost too small to be of practical service in these days, but people did not do so much writing then as now. Beyond is a wooden chair, of the cross-legged species, which belonged to Gov. Endieott 900 years ago. Ladies are always interested in a round wooden box lor holding face-powder, owned by Mrs. Benjamin Faneuil in 1792. In the box is a puff-ball of cotton thread. The apparatus is not so elaborate qs that now in use. The walls are ornamented with rude wood-cuts—one set, representing the four seasons, having been printed in 1796. A lace-pillow for making lace, with bobbins, belonged to Elizabeth Dutch, of Ipswich, in 1720. There is exhibited also the first pair of shbes made in Lynn; and odd enough they look, with their pointed toes and no heels. Framed and hanging on the wall is an original deed given by Richard Penn, John Penn, and Thomas Penn—sons of the old Quaker—in 1787. I have endeavored to give a running sketch of the antiquities that are here exhibited—not, of course, including the entire catalogue. There are, besides the articles already mentioned, scores of relics, of greater or less interest, and all of them liighlv prized by their possessors, who have loaned them to the International Exhibition. It is a pleasant diversion to look them over - but, if the full history of each article were written and known, could any novel be more interesting ?— Cor. Chicago Tribune.