Part 6 (1/2)

For attendance at these performances and other social events, the ladies and gentlemen of George Town were naturally interested in this advertis.e.m.e.nt in the paper:

BY FAs.h.i.+ONS WE LIVE

JOHN JONES

Hair dresser for Ladies and Gentlemen. Begs leave to inform Ladies and Gentlemen of George Town and its vicinage that he intends carrying on his profession in all its different branches and fas.h.i.+ons; he also carries on the Cus.h.i.+on, Perriwig, Curls, Braids, false curls and Gentlemen's Bandoe making. The highest price given for human hair.

George Town, at this time, was even favored by the presence of one of the greatest portrait painters of his time, Gilbert Stuart. About 1803 he spent two years here. He painted Jefferson and the men who followed him in the Presidency up through John Quincy Adams. He had, of course, previously been much at Mount Vernon while doing his famous portraits of General Was.h.i.+ngton. It is said that Was.h.i.+ngton was the only person in whose presence Stuart was ever embarra.s.sed.

There were drawing teachers and dancing masters. ”Mr. Carle, dancing master, may be spoke with on school days at Mrs. White's Tavern.”

”Dancing School of J. B. Duclaviacq at his dancing room back of Mr.

Turner's Counting House.”

Perhaps it was one of these two which advertised, ”A night Dancing-School for the Reception of Gentlemen who are not at leisure to attend in the Day-time; will be kept the evenings of the School days; The Price to each Scholar will be Four dollars. A subscription is lodged with Mr. Peter Casanave.”

Gaming at cards at private b.a.l.l.s and parties and toddy at dinner date back to the earliest knowledge of society in this vicinity. Card playing, horse-racing and other sports were fas.h.i.+onable and popular and had not abated in 1800 when the Government came.

In chronicles of Sir Augustus Foster, the British Minister in 1805 he notes the b.a.l.l.s in Georgetown ”Cards for everybody, loo for the girls--brag for the men.”

But all was not play, for in the _Times_ and _Potowmack Packet_ is this newsnote:

On the 13th inst. a daughter of Mr. Aaron Haynes of this town, a young miss in the tenth year of her age, spun 50 knots of good linen yarn, from sun-rise to sunset. An example of industry, highly honorable to herself and well worthy of imitation.

And speaking of youth here is an interesting item:

This day were baptized three male children (the uncommon gift of Providence at one birth) by the names of George Was.h.i.+ngton, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin.

Then this sad and interesting advertis.e.m.e.nt:

With regret and shame the subscriber finds himself under the necessity of advertising his wife. Although it is practised by some white people, yet he, though black, blushes at the thought of declaring to the world that his wife has run away. But disagreeable as it is, he does by these presents make known that Lucy, his wife, has eloped from his bed and board and forbids all persons harbouring or trusting her, as he will pay no debts of her contracting after this date.

Prince Hull.

On June 30, 1790 there was this announcement in the newspaper:

The gentlemen who have subscribed to celebrate the Anniversary of American Independency will be pleased to attend at Mrs. White's Tavern at Four O' clock tomorrow afternoon to choose Managers to regulate the proceedings of that day.

Scheme of a Lottery:

To raise the sum of One Thousand Five Hundred and Nine Dollars for the purpose of finis.h.i.+ng the Church between George Town and Bladensburgh, called Rock Creek Church.

All prizes not demanded in six months after the drawing, will be deemed generous contributions.

3000 Tickets at Two dollars each.

As the above is laudable it is expected that it will meet with approbation and support of the public. As soon as the tickets are sold the drawing will commence at Mr. John Suter's at George Town and the Prizes paid immediately thereafter on application to Thomas Beall Treasurer, in specie.

MANAGERS

Col. Wm. Deakins Robert Peter Benj. Stoddert John Peter Brooke Beall Bernard O'Neil John Threlkeld Anthony Hollmead Thomas Cramphin Col. George Beall Thomas Beall of George Treasurer