Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-07-20

SALE OF THE OLD Town HoUsE.-The
venerable old town house IN Providence,
erected in 1928 and the oldest public building
now standing III the state, was sold at auction,
Wednesday, for the sum OF S20. ~ very
large and respectable company assembled to
pay the last tribute of respect to departing
worth, as indicated by the last cal of the auc-
toneer Before the closing scene, His Honor
Walter r. Dantorth entertained the company
by the recital of a few "reminiscences of the old
edifice and the people who used to figure con-
spicuously within its walls. Mr.. ID. said he
felt the present to be rather solemn occasion,
and his emotions were similar to those with
which one would go to the funeral of an old
friend, This was particularly the case be-
cause he had seen disposition to cast slurs
upon the old building on the part of those who
did not appreciate its former usefulness.
In this place, said Mr.. Danforth, first at
tended divine worship, under the ministry of
DR.. Enos Hitchcock, divine who had been a
chaplain in the revolutionary army, attached
to Gen. Vernon's division. Among the con-
spicuous men who then worshipped here were
Gov. Jabez Rowen and William Wilkinson,
MIR. ID. remembered the solemn services upon
the occasion ofleaving the old house and going
to the new meeting house, affecting him-then
mere bOy-to tears, by the lugubrious an
thems and mourntul addresses. But after the
procession had marched to the new house, the
tone OF the exercises changed so suddenly as
i'll some royal courts, when the dead king is
mourned one day and the new sovereign
brought forward with exceeding joy on the
next
After the house was sold to the town, the
town meetings were held here, those only who
possessed landed estate being permitted below
to take part in the deliberations, while all 9th
ers, styled by an ancient worthy of that time
'the Tom Shaddocks," sat in the gallery and
looked on. For time out of mind, Gov. Jabez
Bowen was always chosen moderator, and on
one occasion, when the governor was a little
behind time, his father rebuked growing i'm
patience by the remark that at was no use to
try to organize-it couldn't be done-Jabez
had not arrived! ~
John Dorrance succeeded Gov Bowen in
the office of moderator, and so often was he
reelected a speaker in explaining the meaning
OF free trade and sailors rights" said it was
the right by which John Dorrance was always
made moderator of the town meetings. TWAS
said in explanation of the reason why Mr.. Dor.
rance CHANGED to be an educated man. that
when young he was lame, and the only one
out OF a large family who could not do some
thing else, so he was sent to college And,
said Mr.. d. many lame one has been sent
there since.
Mr.. Dantorth mentioned public meeting
of the citizens that was held in the town house
during the non-intercourse, embargo times,
when, although the demonstration was strong.
ly federal, Judge Hoyle attempted to defend
the administration. AS the venerable man
had some difficulty in reading an extract from
some printed document, Tristan Burgess
courteously volunteered to read it for him, but
the old gentleman responded: "No, sir no,
Mr.. Moderator L know that gentleman, sir;
don't like his emphasis"
AT the close of Mr.. Danforth's happy re-
marks the old town house was sold for $40 to
A. Hodges. The old engine house on Benefit
street was next sold Tor Sl4 to James Lynch.
The small building on College street, late the
city marshal's office, was sold to Joseph Bel
cher for S26. The sounding board and one of
the old front doors of the old town-house were
reserved for the historical society.