Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-08-11
An Old New England Mansion and its
Contents.

HERE and there in the hooks and corners
of old New England, Colonial mansions
yet remain, which carry us back in
thought a century or more. There
seems not to be many of these in Clare
mont. Indeed, few towns can boast of
more than one or two, but we have one
which is more than ordinarily quaint and
beautiful-the residence of Col Russell
Jarvis. The great timbers of its frame
show that houses built century ago were
built to stay. The immense piazza, with
it giant colonnade extending around three
sides of the house, is nearly large enough
to contain as many modern dwellings,
Within are to be found an endless vari-
ETY. of ancient furniture and bric-G-brdc
which would cause the insanity of one
possessed by the now fashionable mania.
Dark carved secretaries, chairs and side
board piano, which certainly is one of
the Oldest of its species, and looks
the personification of modesty be-
side its more snowy modern sister;
china and tiles of the most quaint
and curious pattern; pictures upon the
walls which Enthusiastically show the
touch of the master r-hand-one, the pos
session of which, the most lavish of mod
ern collectors might envy. 1t represents
causing the head of Cyrus to be plunged
into vase filled with blood. This paint
ing has a curious history, having been the
property of a French nObleman living in
San Domingo. During the massacre of
1871 his house was burned, and in that
night of horror he escaped, saving this, his
most valuable piece of property, and little
else. He fled with ii to Boston, where it
was bought by Col. Jarvis grandfather.
This painting attracted much attention at
the Art Exhibition in Boston in 1882, at
which very many of the finest works of
art in America were exhibited, Mr.. Jarvis
having loaned it to the Association. In
the room devoted to masterpieces in the
Louvre, Paris, is to be seen picture by
Rubens exactly similar to this in all re-
spectS except that it is somewhat larger.
In the carriage-house are to be found
vehicles which were used in the olden
time. The family coach, a quaint look.
ing structure of enormous size, was built
in Boston about 100 years ago, and wont
to roll through the streets of that city
when it was but provincial town. The
size and strength of the running gear is
simply immense. Its aXles were forged
by hand before the use of the lathe was
known. A curious box above is the dri |
hind the footman stands Inside it is |
broad and roomy. The windows slide Up |
and down in a curious way. Upon the |
sides are capaciOus pockets. In short this |
is just such a family coach as one finds |
described in the English literature of 100 |
years ago. Another carriage is still more |
Interesting in some respects. The body, !
made of bamboo, was brought from En- |
gland some ninety years since, and in |
form and construction is still a model of |
beauty. One of the pleasantest associa-
tions connected with this is that LAFAYETTE |
on his visit to America in 1925, was CON
veyed in it from Claremont to Wind. |
sor, by the invitation of Col. Jarvis
father.
The old carriages had not been disturbed |
for twenty five years, and when on Cen
tennial Independence Day it was proposed
to bring them forth as worthy relics of the
past, it was found necessary 10 enlarge the
doors, which had been constructed with
reference TO the less stately equipages of
the present day When all was ready the
family and few favored friends were in.
vited to take a Centennial ride. The driv.
er mounted the box, cracking his whip as
In days of old the fOotman clambered up
behind the ponderous wheels turned
round, the leathern braces creaked as if
in delight to get upon the road once more,
and as we rolled away century seemed
10 have slipped from beneath our feet
The old coach was rafting over the turn
pike again. In three days we should ar.
rive in Boston and learn the news that the
Congress had declared our ma
tional independence.
The coach preceded in Difference to its
greater age and experience; the English