LIVING HISTORY ^ Classroom •4-k An Educational Service of Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens Volume No. 5 November 1996 FAVORITE LESSONS FROM THE LIVING FIFTH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE HISTORY CLASSROOM Remember this Gentleman ... 2 Answers to Puzzles ... 3 Year-Round Classroom ... 4 Welcome back to our Living History Classroom! This issue marks our fifth An Architect's View ... 6 anniversary of publication. To celebrate African American History ... 8 the event, we've gathered some of our best features from issues past. We have focused on Not-So-Secret Gardens .. 10 the articles and activities that chronicle the history of Book 'Em! ..12 the people who governed, lived, and worked at Tryon Palace and our other historic sites. Time for the Tryons .. 14 Margaret Wake Tryon . .16 We look forward to bringing you another year of snapshots from the past. As always, if you have Cross Words . .17 questions or suggestions, we'd love to hear from His Excellency's Daughter . .18 you. We also welcome submissions from teachers or students. Please write or phone: Word Scramble .. 20 Jumbled Journals .. 21 Living History Classroom Tryon Household . . 22 Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens A Good Servant .. 23 P. O. Box 1007 New Bern, North Carolina 28563 Ye Olde Jeopardye .. 24 (800) 767-1560 Tryon Palace Puzzle .. 26 (919) 514-4900 Christmas Customs .. 27 Christmas Quiz .. 31 Myth of the Month .. 32 Printed in U.S.A. 1,500 copies printed at $.98 per copy, courtesy of the Kellenberger Historical Foundation. REMEMBER THIS GENTLEMAN: GOVERNOR colony in North Carolina. residence for the governor WILLIAM He was supposed to and a meeting place for the TRYON substitute for Governor council, the upper house of Arthur Dobbs, who wanted to the colony's legislature. make a trip back to England. Long before "Tryon" was The Tryons, with their three- Tryon took great interest in the name of a palace, it was year-old daughter, came to the people of North Carolina. the name of a gentleman Brunswick, North Carolina, He visited the Moravian who would one day leave in October 1764. Architect settlements in the western his mark on North Carolina John Hawks also came with part of the colony. The history. That man was Tryon. He would later Moravians recorded in their William Tryon, governor of oversee the construction of community diary: "The the North Carolina colony the palace at New Bern. (See morning was spent visiting in from 1765 to 1771. related article on page 6.) the houses, the Governor and Br. Loesch going into every William Tryon was born room, kitchen and cellar, he June 8, 1729, in Surrey, Tryon was ready to take over, inquiring about everything. . .. England, which is southwest but Dobbs decided he wasn't In short one could see that he of London. He joined the ready to travel yet! There was had received a very favorable British army and became a not much for Tryon to do idea of our customs and lieutenant in the First except to visit different areas methods." When a Tuscarora Regiment of Foot Guards of the colony he would soon Indian leader visited him in and later a lieutenant govern. Tryon was on one of Brunswick and became ill colonel. In 1757, when he those journeys in March 1765 with the mumps, Tryon was twenty-eight, Tryon when he found out that Dobbs arranged for the leader's care married Margaret Wake. had died. Now Tryon would and wrote: "he dined twice at Their daughter, also named have to take over as governor. my Table which was as often Margaret, was born four as his Health would permit. I years later. Many important things found him not only happened in North Carolina Humanized, but really over the next six years. In Civilized." (This comment 1765 and 1766 Tryon had to reveals Tryon's European deal with the colonists' prejudices about Native protests over the British tax Americans, as well as his known as the Stamp Act, interest in the Tuscarora until Parliament repealed the leader.) tax. Tryon was involved in setting a boundary line The one thing Tryon didn't between British and Cherokee like about North Carolina was Tryon wanted to serve his territory. He also picked New the climate. Like many king and to advance himself Bern as the permanent capital Europeans, Tryon had trouble in military rank. He decided of the colony of North adjusting to the climate and to accept the post of Carolina and arranged for the suffered from fevers and other lieutenant governor of the Palace to be built as a illnesses. He wrote: "These are inconveniences I am told successful expedition (from the resentment they felt over every newcomer must the British point of view!) high taxes and unjust officials. experience in this Colony into Connecticut to raid To the people of New Bern, it they term it a seasoning." American supplies. Tryon was a symbol of their town's He added, jokingly, "Surely had to leave New York in importance as North it has a little too much of the 1780 because he had severe Carolina's capital, even after Kian [cayenne] Pepper in it." gout, a problem with the capital relocated and the metabolism that causes pain Palace itself burned. ■ There was more than just the climate to spice up Governor Tryon's administration. The Why do we remember this gentleman Regulators, a group of more than many others? settlers in western North Carolina, had been angry for some time over high taxes and corrupt local officials who took advantage of the in the joints of the arms and Who could forget the settlers. They began to riot, legs. He returned to England gentleman who started all breaking into courtrooms to and became a lieutenant that? t interrupt court business and general, and finally colonel, terrorizing the officials they of the Twenty-ninth disliked. Tryon decided to Regiment of Foot, before his ANSWERS TO PUZZLES call out the North Carolina death in London in 1788. Page 17 militia (citizen army) to stop the Regulators. Tryon and Tryon was one of many men Across: 1. Eighty-six 4. Harpsichord the militia defeated the who served the king as the 8. Then 9. Dressing 11. Son 13. Blair Regulators at the Battle of governor of a royal colony 15. Fire 18. Neatness 19. Lady Alamance on May 16, 1771. before the American Revolution. Why do we Down: 1. Elwin 2. India 3. Fortifications 4. Her Excellency Tryon was glad that he remember this gentleman 5. Roost 6. Organ ended the Regulator crisis more than many others? 7. December 10. Not 14. More when he did, because he had 16. Mind 17. Wake been given a new post as the Governor Tryon served at a governor of New York. He pivotal time in the North Page 20 Tea set, Candle, Quill Pen, left North Carolina in July Carolina colony's history and Bed Curtains, Writing Desk, Sailing Ship, Fireplace, Carriage 1771. Josiah Martin became built a building that the next (and the last) royal symbolized much of that Page 21 Writing Desk, Bed Curtains, governor of North Carolina. history. The Palace was not Carriage, Sailing Ship, Fireplace, just a place for the governor Tea Set, Candle, Quill Pen Tryon served as governor of to live. It was a symbol of the New York from 1771 until power of the king, when the Page 26 Isaac Edwards 1780. During the American king still ruled North Page 31 Santa Claus Revolution, he commanded Carolina. For the Regulators loyalist troops and led a the Palace was a symbol of TRYON PALACE: Fall Visit Tips: Since many social studies texts cover THE YEAR-ROUND colonial America in the first units, you can plan your visit CLASSROOM to be either an introduction to or a culmination of your colonial studies. And since weather can be variable, check the New Bern-area forecasts a day ahead to let students When is it a good time to bring know how to dress for the weather. your class to Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens? With Christmas: The sights, sounds, and smells of Christmases the number and variety of past make this an unforgettable time to visit our historic programs here year-round, it's sites. During the Christmas tour, students can learn about hard to find a time when the evolution of American Christmas customs as they visit something interesting isn't going the first floors of the Palace, Kitchen, and three houses, as on! December and April are two well as the Union army camp and the New Bern Academy. of the most popular times to Christmas tour dates vary slightly each year; check with OLir visit, but there can be special tour coordinator for information on the upcoming season. advantages to touring during the off-peak months as well. Let's Christmas Visit Tips: Because the Christmas tour season take a season-by-season look at provides such a unique experience, it's an extremely the activities in our living history popular time to visit. Be sure to plan your trip and make classroom. reservations as far in advance as possible. When you call our tour coordinator, have alternate dates or times in mind September-October-November: If in case your first choice is already booked. Take advantage you're looking for an in-depth of the background information on pages 27-31 of this issue special program or just want your of Living History Classroom and in the special Christmas class to experience eighteenth- Times flyer you'll receive on site, integrating your visit into century life at a leisurely pace, a lesson on Christmas customs. On the day of your visit, consider a fall field trip to Tryon we'll do our best to keep everyone from heading to the Palace. From mid-September same building at the same time, but be prepared for some through November, second- waiting time. graders can find math and science lessons in the gardens during the And if you miss out on the Christmas tour, don't despair! Young Sprouts program, while Consider the advantages of a history-focused tour in one of fourth- to sixth-graders can try the quieter seasons. their hands at eighteenth-century crafts in Colonial Skills. In January-February-March: Does your class have cabin fever? addition to the basic guided tours A trip to Tryon Palace may be just what you need to beat the of the historic sites, teachers can winter blues. Take a guided tour, or try the Who Was I? also sign up their classes for the and Stepping into History programs. Colonial Skills is Who Was I? information offered January through mid-March; Young Sprouts tours scavenger hunt at the New Bern resume in their spring format in March and run through Academy, or the Stepping into May. History role-play program for middle-schoolers. Winter Tour Tips: Dress for the weather, especially for the outdoor programs (Young Sprouts and Colonial Skills). Use the trip as a motivator for extra past speak for itself. Characters from the Tryon household reading or an extra-credit project are portrayed at selected spots during the Palace tour, giving if the class covered colonial a personal view of the past. You can also choose the Who history earlier in the year. Was I? or Stepping into History options. April-May: The spring is another Summer Tour Tips: Take it easy! Be sure to allow students popular time for Palace visits, as a chance to cool off and drink plenty of water, especially schools end the year on a note of while touring the gardens. Light, comfortable clothing is a excitement. Choose from guided must, and it wouldn't hurt to bring rain gear in case of a tours, or the special programs summer shower. Young Sprouts, Who Was I ?, and Stepping into History. If With all the programs that Tryon Palace Historic Sites & spring fever is making it hard for Gardens can offer your students to make learning easy your students to concentrate, one throughout the year, the only hard part is deciding when to of these special programs can come! Whether we've tempted you to try a new season, or help them regain their focus in whether you stick with your tried-and-true tour time, we an enjoyable way. look forward to seeing you and giving you a historic welcome. # Spring Visit Tips: As during the Christmas season, plan your trip and make reservations as early as The Living History Classroom is published possible. Traditionally, the third twice a year by Tryon Palace Historic Sites week in April is a peak time for <& Gardens. school-group visits. If your school Living History Classroom is available free is planning a multi-day visit to of charge to schools and educators. coastal Carolina, you may want to check the possibility of booking For more information about Living History your Palace visit before Classroom and our other educational committing specific days to other programs, write: sites. Encourage students to keep Living History Classroom a journal of multi-site trips so Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens they can remember all their P.O. Box 1007 experiences. (See related article New Bern, NC 28563 on page 12.) call: (919) 514-4900 June-July-August: If your school or, 1-800-7674560. is in session year-round, remember that our living history Written by: Hilarie M. Hicks Maria L. Muniz classroom is too! Our living history drama tours, offered Original artwork by; Memorial Weekend through Michael Talton mid-August (daily except Monday) offer students an Design: Maria L. Muniz exciting opportunity to hear the the word "undertaker" for a completely different profession; what is it?] TRYON PALACE: AN ARCHITECT'S The undertaker might draw a simple sketch showing the shape and size of the foundation of the building. Or he VIEW might just tell the brickmasons, carpenters, and other craftsmen what to build. There were no detailed blueprints "This Palace is mine." for these American workers! If Governor Try on had proudly made this statement, he would have meant that the Palace was his to live in while he served as governor of the colony of North Carolina. Governor Tryon was not the only person who might have called the Palace his own, however. There is someone else who could have said "This Palace is mine," because the building was his own In England, however, there were professional architects design. He too must have felt drawing detailed plans. One was a man named Stiff proud of the beauty of the Leadbetter. Mr. Leadbetter and some other architects had building. This man was the exciting new ideas for English homes in the 1750s. Instead architect, John Hawks. of lining up rooms one behind the other, they designed homes with rooms arranged in a loop around a grand Professional architects play an staircase in the center of the building. Since there could be important role in the no outside windows in the walls of an inside staircase. Stiff construction industry today. Leadbetter and his fellow architects added a skylight to bring Some architects such as Frank light in through the roof. They put rooms for the family's Lloyd Wright or I. M. Pei become activities in the main house and rooms for the servant's famous for the unique and work in small buildings called "offices" on each side of the memorable buildings they design. main house. Other architects, such as TV's Mike Brady, develop more Why is British architect Stiff Leadbetter important to the ordinary designs. Real-world Tryon Palace story? The man who would one day design architects' blueprints are the the Palace got his start by working for Mr. Leadbetter! Some beginning of almost every of the plans for Mr. Leadbetter's English homes seem to be construction project in America in John Hawks's handwriting, so Mr. Hawks probably made today. the final copies and perhaps even helped with the design. Things were very different in John Hawks came to North Carolina in 1764 aboard the colonial America. Most buildings same ship that brought Governor and Mrs. Tryon and their were designed by the men who daughter Margaret to the colony. Governor Tryon called built them. The builder was often Mr. Hawks "the Master Builder I took over with me from called an "undertaker" because he England, and who is a very able Worthy man." Why did would "undertake," or take on, Governor Tryon bring along an architect to North building projects. [Today, we use Carolina? He must have been planning to build something too important to entrust to any plans. Elevations, proportions, drawings, or directions." He local "undertaker." selected building materials, hired craftsmen, and directed their work and kept track of expenses. Skilled workmen And it seems that he was. When were not easy to find. Mr. Hawks had to travel to William Tryon became governor Philadelphia to find some of the workers he needed. after Governor Dobbs's death, one Building a palace was no small job. of his first projects was to make New Bern the permanent capital But for John Hawks, it was certainly a job well done. When of North Carolina. Under Governor Tryon spoke to the council and the assembly at Governor Tryon's leadership the the opening of the Palace, he praised John Hawks highly. In council and the assembly voted to Tryon's words, "The Integrity, Diligence, and Ability, of the make New Bern the capital and Architect" had helped to make this building "a lasting to use public tax money to build a Monument." home for the governor. The Palace lasted through the terms of Governor Tryon and Now John Hawks could set to the last royal governor, Josiah Martin, as well as several work. He drew several designs for early state governors. Travelers admired this monument, the Palace, including a three-story and some had a chance to speak with the architect himself. version. His final plan had some Mr. Hawks even gave one enthusiastic traveler, Francisco interesting features. Instead of de Miranda, a written description of the Palace to take lining up rooms one behind the home with him. other, Mr. Hawks designed the Palace with rooms arranged in a When John Hawks died in 1790, he may have thought that loop around a grand staircase in his Palace would long outlive him. Changes were coming, the center of the building. Since however. In 1794 Raleigh became the state capital. There there could be no outside was no official use for the Palace any longer, but rooms windows in the walls of an inside were rented out for schools, balls, and meetings of the staircase, Mr. Hawks added a Masonic lodge, and hay was stored in the cellar. In 1798 a skylight to bring in light through fire that began in the hay destroyed the building. the roof. He put rooms for the family's activities in the main But that was not the end of the Palace story. Through the house and rooms for the years, the people of New Bern remembered the Palace and servants' work in small buildings were proud that it had once graced their town. In the called "offices" on each side of the twentieth century, many people wanted to see the Palace main house. Stiff Leadbetter rebuilt. would have been proud to see his student following in the master's Just as John Hawks had played a key role in building the footsteps! original Palace between 1767 and 1770, his architectural drawings provided the key to building a reconstructed Mr. Hawks not only designed the Palace from 1952 to 1959. In the 1990s, the museum staff at Palace; he also oversaw its Tryon Palace is learning even more about the building by construction. In the governor's studying the newly discovered description of the Palace that words, Mr. Hawks was "to John Hawks wrote for Francisco de Miranda. And, superintend this Work in All its following the example set by John Hawks, the staff Branches." He had to "prepare, continues to provide all sorts of information about the and deliver to the said several Palace to the interested travelers of our own century. Managers, Undertakers, or Workmen, in the different Considering all his contributions, perhaps it would be only Branches, all necessary designs. fair to call this building "John Hawks's Palace"! ft AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AT TRYON PALACE HISTORIC SITES & GARDENS Tom, Surry, John C. Stanly, Lydia, Sarah, Andrew, Ann Hazle-these are some of the African Americans whose stories are part of the history of Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens. Like many slaves and free black people of their times, they are hard for people of our times to get to know. They didn't record their own life stories, and very little was recorded about them during their lifetimes. Piecing together the bits of evidence we do have gives us some answers about their lives-and raises many more questions as well. Tom and Surry are the names in the garret over the plantations.) Perhaps some of of two of the slaves owned by kitchen and she ran up and Tom's work centered on the Governor William Tryon pulled him out of bed." kitchen or kitchen garden. during his years in North Carolina. Were they working at What do those bits and pieces Surry, too, is a somewhat Tryon Palace? No one knows tell us about Tom? Certainly mysterious figure. His name is for certain, but it is quite not as much as we would like known to us only because he possible. to know. From Murray's was advertised as a runaway comment, it seems that Tryon slave in 1777. The North In 1766, while living in was pleased with Tom's Carolina Gazette offered a Brunswick Town before the service, although we don't three-dollar reward for Surry, Palace was built, Tryon hired know what role he played in described as "about 5 Feet 6 (rented) and then purchased the household. Inches high, about 30 Years of Tom from James Murray. Age, well made, is rather Murray sent Tryon a bill of sale The fact that Mrs. Hatch put yellowish, and carried with for Tom, "Who I rejoice to hear herself at risk to alert Tom of him many different Suits of makes a good Servant to so the fire is also interesting. Mrs. Clothes. The said Fellow is a good a Master." Hatch knew Tom by name and new Negro, tho' speaks pretty seemed concerned about him good English." The phrase There are no documents that as an individual. Was she "new Negro" was used to say what Tom was doing from simply showing a describe someone born in mid-1770 to July 1771, when humanitarian concern that all Africa, so Surry was one of the Tryon lived at the Palace in her staff was safe, or was Tom a small number of slaves in New Bern. There is one last special person in the North Carolina who had come mention of Tom in 1773, when household? Or was she merely directly from Africa. fire destroyed the Tryons' protecting Tom as the home at Fort George, New governor's property? Why did Surry run away? The York. advertisement gives us one Notice that Tom slept in the clue: "He was formerly the When housekeeper Patty Hatch garret, or attic, over the Fort Property of Governor Tryon, gave her statement about George kitchen. Slaves on a and now belongs to the Estate events the night of the fire, the town property often slept near of Isaac Edwards, deceased." official record states that she their work locations. (Slave Isaac Edwards had been Tryon's "asked where was the negro cabins or quarters were more secretary in North Carolina and Tom, and she was told he was common on farms or probably acquired Surry when 8 Tryon left for New York in were her or his days like in appearance as bright mulattoes. 1771. Six years had passed; now the Palace's kitchen? Un- No citizen of New Bern would Edwards was dead and Surry's fortunately, the historical hesitate to walk the streets with future was uncertain. Perhaps record is silent. him. He was uniformly Surry had heard what would courteous and unobtrusive." happen to him and didn't like History has more to say about it. Or perhaps Surry simply New Bernian John Carruthers John C. Stanly's family realized that with his owner Stanly, barber and plantation certainly valued education. His dead, there was never going to owner. His mother was an son, John Stewart Stanly, ran a be an easier time to pack up African-born slave, and his respected school for free black and leave. The fact that Surry father seems to have been children. Among the students "carried with him many merchant John Wright Stanly, were John Stewart's daughter, different Suits of Clothes" original owner of the John Sara Stanly, and Ann Hazle, might mean that he was a Wright Stanly House. John C. daughter of a free New Bern house servant and was better Stanly was born a slave, since blacksmith. In the 1850s, both dressed than the average field his mother was a slave, but Sara and Ann attended Oberlin hand, or that he had helped became free in 1795 when his College in Ohio and because of himself to some of Edwards' owners petitioned the Craven their excellent early education clothes. County court for his freedom. were able to skip the He was then twenty-one years preparatory classes. Oberlin was Runaway slave advertisements old. a unique educational setting in are a vivid reminder that its time, since classes, dining slaves were considered to be John C. Stanly ran a profitable halls, and student residences property with a monetary barbershop and even secured a were all integrated. The group value. There are also other loan for his half brother, John photograph of the Oberlin class reminders. The only reason Stanly Jr. "Barber Jack," as he of 1855 shows Ann Hazle in the that we know that Lydia, Sarah, was called, was eventually able midst of her white classmates. and Andrew were the names of to purchase his wife, children, How did she compare the slaves in George W. Dixon's and brother-in-law out of college atmosphere to the household (our Dixon- slavery. Yet, he also bought increasing restrictions on free Stevenson House) is that those slaves to work in his black people in her home state? slaves were listed in Dixon's barbershop, in his house, and Did Ann and Sara feel isolated mortgage of his property along on his plantation. Did he, like or accepted? with his house and furniture. others of his time, view people This idea of people as property as property? Without knowing Reviewing the history of these is illustrated again by a letter more about his thoughts, we black New Bernians is both from Colonel Samuel Martin can only acknowledge the fascinating and frustrating; of Antigua, the father of apparent contradictions in fascinating for glimpses of the Governor Josiah Martin. Stanly's life. diversity of African American life in New Bern, and When Martin succeeded Tryon One New Bernian's frustrating because of the as governor of the North recollection of John C. Stanly questions still left unanswered. Carolina colony, his father reveals the town's good Even if the stories of Surry, wrote that "knowing well the opinion of "Barber Jack," as Barber Jack, and Lydia are expences [Josiah] must incur" well as the prejudices of the incomplete, the history of in the move to New Bern, he 1820s: "J. C. Stanly was a man of Tryon Palace and our other would send his son some dignified presence, and lived in museum buildings would be money, a carriage, some sets of fashionable style, his sons and incomplete without them, ft china, and "a Negro Cook." daughters being well educated, Who was she, or he? What and always making a good THE SECRET Misselthwaite's secret garden and the gardens of Tryon Palace reflect somewhat different influences in landscape design, GARDEN AND there is much for students to learn by comparison and THE NOT-SO- contrast. SECRET GARDENS Misselthwaite Manor itself is fictional, but Frances Hodgson OF TRYON PALACE Burnett patterned it after an actual English estate where she had lived for some time. Great Maytham Hall in Rolvenden, Kent. Great Maytham Hall was an old house that Sir Edwin "It was the sweetest, most Lutyens renovated and rebuilt in mysterious-looking place any 1909-1910; the gardens were older one could imagine," wrote than the house itself. Frances Hodgson Burnett in her 1911 classic of children's Owners of English estates in the literature. Although we might early 1900s (the time during which like to think she was describing the story takes place) were one of our favorite nooks in the beginning to develop their gardens Tryon Palace gardens, she was of as a series of rooms, with each course describing The Secret garden offering a different experience of nature. It may be Garden, a long-abandoned surprising to realize that the Tryon Palace gardens are walled garden at the fictional arranged in a similar manner. The gardens as we see them English estate Misselthwaite today were actually planned in the 1950s, using the series-of- Manor. By bringing that garden rooms approach as a way to showcase several different garden back to life (with the help of a styles of the 1700s. nature-loving Yorkshire boy named Dickon), the spoiled What do the grounds of Misselthwaite Manor look like in orphan Mary, her self-absorbed The Secret Garden? Have your class pay special attention to cousin Colin, and even the gruff chapter 4, in which Mary takes her first walk through the gardener Ben Weatherstaff are grounds of Misselthwaite: themselves transformed. "Mary turned down the walk which led to the door in the Ms. Beechye Morris of West shrubbery. . . . When she had passed through the shrubbery Greene Elementary School, gate she found herself in great gardens, with wide lawns and Snow Hill, North Carolina, winding walks with clipped borders. There were trees, and mentioned that her fifth-grade flower-beds, and evergreens clipped into strange shapes, and a class enjoyed making large pool with an old gray fountain in its midst." comparisons with the Tryon Palace gardens after reading The Students might compare this description with certain Secret Garden. Ms. Morris elements in the Tryon Palace gardens, such as the winding explained: "I wanted my paths of the Wilderness Garden surrounding the South students to see a formal garden. Lawn, or the fountains in the Latham and Kellenberger I grew up in eastern North Gardens. Misselthwaite's "evergreens clipped into strange Carolina, and a garden was shapes" are probably cones, spirals, or other geometric where you grew vegetables!" designs; Tryon Palace's only clipped evergreens are Always eager to adapt a good rectangular edgings surrounding flower beds. idea, the writing staff of Living History Classroom reread this Mary next passes through a doorway in an ivy-covered wall childhood favorite with the into a series of walled kitchen gardens. Although more Palace gardens in mind. While extensive, these seem similar to the Tryon Palace kitchen 10