The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-07-28
COLONIAL MANSION FOR CHARITY HOME
The Poor of Newport Welcomed in the Old
 ngon Slept Rochambeau Commanded.
6Exelusive serviee IHE sURvEY Press Bureaul

History to a charity organization society usually means the lease his tory of the poor, the sick and the weak. But to the Charity Organi- zation Society of Newport, R. l., the office itself breathes history-history that is tinged with the romance of French cavaliers and is woven of the bold deeds of Revolutionary heroes. For the Newport society has moved from cramped quarters into the spa cious Vernon Mansion, a. square CO., Ionial house built by a Newport mer- chant, MetcaIf Bowler, in 1758, and from that date until 1872 the center of political and social life.
 A history of the house written by Maud Lyman Stevens and published by the Newport Charity Organization Socety, relates that when Metcalf Bowler built his home, Newport was rising into busy commercial center. Merchantmen and wha1eds discharg- ed their cargoes at thew harves, ship building went in the cove, rope walks spun the needed -cordage, while the ram material brought in was worked up in spermaceti refneries and distilleries. Sugar and molasses were the staples. logwood from Hon. duras, silks and wines from France and slaves from Africa.
 The Tax Troubles.
 When in 1765 England was strictly enforcing the obnoxious tax. on sugar and molasses. MetcaIf Bowler was selected to represent his colony at a. convention to consider the grievances to taxation. In 176S he was made one of a committee to prepare an address to King George in behalf of violated rights. During the same year he was made speaker of the General Assm- bIy, an honor which he retained for 19 years.
 In the first days of it's existence. then. the old Vernon House was the scene of open hospitality to prosper ous merchants and colonial law mak- ers5 On the anniversary of the re- peal of the stamp act, March. 1s,. 1767, the records report. Hon. Met calf Bowler gave an elegant enter true friends of Liberty"
 The next owner Of the old mansion was another Newport merchant and ship owner, William VeFnon, whose life and name are even more closely connected with the house than those of Metcalf Bowler William Vernon did not long enjoy his pleasant home stead, however. War and famine came to harass Newport. In De cember, 1776, the English forces. 6, 1900 troops in all, invaded Newport and the Friends of Liberty in the H. fled, leaving their possessions to the enemy. The most comfortable houses in the town were seized by the sol diers and though no mention of Yer non House has come down to us, Miss Stevens believes it was doubtless used like other homes of patriots to quarter troops.
 When the British Left.
 A change of campaign by the Brit ish commanders led to the evacuation of Newport in October, 1779. With her commerce destroyed, more than 500 houses borned and her wealth scattered, the town began the task ot by the arrival in July. 1780. of an ex- ditionary corps of the French allies under command of Count DeRocham-s beau.
 Then began more prosperous days for Newport and brilliant days for Vernon House. For to Count De Roctambeau and the group of youth full nob1es with him was assigned the Vernon House. Councils of war were held, officers came and went, import ant decisions arrived at in the north par1or where tradition places the of fees of the commandant.
 Nor was the house a center of work alone Gorgeous balls were held Ca new French HalT' was added for lareg assemblies and eminent per sonages entertained. The young and