The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-27
THE ROMANCE OF OLD NEW ENG
LAND ROOE-TREES.

New England Is so rich in early historic
material that it is no wonder that sue
cessive gleanings have not exhausted it
and that each one discloses new matters
Of interest. This is particularly true of
Massachusetts, which. If not the birthplace
of the Nation, was, at least, one of its ear
lest cradles. The political history of the
colony and Its connection with and part
in the revolutionary war have been quite
thoroughly written about, but the social
history of those times has not been as fully
presented. The Romance of Old New
England R~oof-Trees" Is an interesting con-
tribution to this line Of New England
colonial history. The author of the book
is Mary E. Crawford. and 1t is published
in the Little Pilgrimages' series by l..
c. Page & Co., of Boston. In a graceful
preface to the volume the author says:
These little sketches have been written
to supply what seemed to the author a
real need-a volume which should give
clearly, compactly, and with a fair degree
Of readableness the stories connected with
the surviving old houses Of New England.
That delightful writer, Mr.. Samuel Adams
Drake, has In his many works on the his
toric mansions of colonial times provided
all necessary data for the serious student.
and to him the deep indebtedness of this
work is fully and frankly acknowledged.
Yet there was no volume which gave en-
tire the tales Of chief interest to the ma
tority OF readers. 1t is therefore to such
searchers after the romantic In New Eng
lands history that the present book Is
offered" The book itself is a delightful
compilation and condensation Of some of
the most characteristic episodes and pas
sages in the development Of New England
social life and civilization. 1t Is of a per-
sonal and anecdotal character rather than
historic, yet 1T carries a distinct historic
atmosphere. Opening 1t at random one
finds that o Hancock, the bold signer
OF the Declaration Of Independence, could
write such a letter as this to his wife from
Philadelphia, under date of March 10. 1777:
Il shall make out as we'll as 1 can, but I
assure you, my dear soul, I long to have
you here and I know you will be as ex-
peditious as you can in coming. When I
part from you again 1t must be a very
extraordinary occasion. I have sent every
where to get a gold or silver rattle for the
child, with a coral, to send, but cannot get
one. I will a one If possible on your
cunning. L lave sent q SaSh Tor her, and
two little papers Of pins for you. II you
do not want them you can give them
away. My dear Dolly. I am yours forever.
John Hancock"
One cannot help wondering IL John was
as unhappy without his wife as he repre-
sented himself to be. Dear Dolly had
been Miss Dorothy Quincy, and some of
John Hancock's love letters to her before
their marriage are amusing. One letter
he closes with: God bless you, my dear
girl. and believe me, most sincerely, yours
most afectionately, John Hancock" Again
he concludes with: "Adieu, my dear girl.
and believe me with great esteem and af-
lection. yours without reserve, John Han
cock" There were loves and romances In
those days as well as now. This volume
contains more than a score of such ro-
mantle passages and family histories
sketched with the accuracy Of a faithful
chronicler and the devotion Of a lover for
local history and facts. The book is q
mine of genealogical and family traditions
and OF personal and historical anecdote.
Its photogravure illustrations convey an
excellent idea of the remaining specimens
OF colonial architecture in New England.