Snow-Storm in August

by Jefferson Morley

  POSTSCRIPT: WHERE

  The home of John Marshall Warwick, where Beverly Snow lived until gaining his freedom in 1829, still stands on Court Street in Lynchburg, Virginia.

  Where Francis Key’s city residence once stood at Third and C streets is now the site of the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse.

  The riverside tract on Falls Street in Georgetown where Key lived from 1806 to 1835 is now a park named in his honor. A plaque in the park states inaccurately that Key was “active in anti-slavery causes.”

  The site of Terra Rubra, the Key family estate in Maryland, is still a country residence consisting of farm buildings and surrounding land.

  Daniel Key is buried in Frederick, Maryland. The site of the Good Hope Tavern and dueling grounds where he died is now the intersection of Good Hope Road and Alabama Avenue, home to a fast-food fried-chicken restaurant.

  Where City Hall (and its courtroom) once stood in Judiciary Square is now the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

  Where the City Jail stood at Fourth and F streets is now an office building of the D.C. courts.

  Where the Jockey Club’s racetrack stood from 1810 to at least the 1840s is now a block of apartment buildings near the intersection of Fourteenth Street and Columbia Road.

  The Centre Market between Seventh and Ninth streets on Pennsylvania Avenue, where Anna Thornton and Maria Bowen did their shopping, is now the site of the National Archives.

  Where Anna Maria Thornton, Ann Brodeau, Maria Bowen, and Arthur Bowen lived, on the north side of F Street between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, is now an office building with an Italian restaurant on the first floor.

  The site of John Cook’s Union Seminary near the corner of Fourteenth and H streets is now an office building.

  President’s Square, the park between Fifteenth and Seventeenth streets, G and H streets, is now known as Lafayette Square.

  The northwest corner of Sixth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, home to Beverly Snow’s Epicurean Eating House from 1832 to 1835, is now occupied by a restaurant that caters to tourists and lobbyists.

  The adjacent site of Isaac Cary’s Emporium of Fashion from 1827 to 1841 is now a parking garage. Across the street where Gadsby’s National Hotel once stood is now the media museum known as the Newseum.

  William Thornton’s Capitol building, topped with a dome after the Civil War, remains in use by the United States Congress.

  The presidential mansion at Sixteenth Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, then home to the seventh president and now known as the White House, is home to the forty-fourth president of the United States.

  Appendix

  BEVERLY SNOW’S MENU

  November 16, 1848

  MASONIC BALL, ST. ANDREW’S LODGE, TORONTO.

  Supper at the two large dining rooms of Phoenix House, purveyed by Mr. Snow.

  Sponsored by the Provincial Grand Lodge. Between 700 and 800 attended.

  Bill of Fare

  SOUPS: Oyster, Mock Turtle

  COLD DISHES: Boned Saddle of Mutton; Spiced Round; Bone forest and Game stuffed Turkey; Boar’s Head; bone forced and stuffed Hams; Ducks (domestic); Geese, boned and jellied; Chickens; Tongue; Turkey (plain); Oysters; Lobster Salad; Italian ditto; Walled Pie.

  HOT COURSE: Saddle of Venison (Currant Jelly); Partridges (Bread Sauce); Wild Ducks (Claret Sauce); Woodcocks (King of Odes); Quail (Celery Sauce); Snipe (Spiced Gravy); Oyster Patties; Lobster; Patties; Croquettes; Callabash; Calipee.

  PASTRY: Charlotte Russe; Blanc Mange; Jellies; Creams (Iced); Custards; Whips; Trifles; Malaga Grapes; Apples; Pippins; Nuts; Filberts; Almonds; Raisins; English Walnuts; Cream Nuts; Prunes; Figs, &c.

  Acknowledgments

  I first wrote about the events of 1835–1836 in an article for The Washington Post Magazine in 2005. Sydney Trent’s editing and enthusiasm perfected the article that, in retrospect, was the first draft of this book. Jodie Allen and Peter Perl encouraged me to pursue the story. Margot Williams provided invaluable research for both book and article.

  George Briscoe and Bob Ellis of the National Archives staff helped me understand and navigate Record Groups 21 and 351. They also provided valuable insights into the workings of the Washington courts in the 1830s.

  In the manuscript division of the Library of Congress, Jennifer Brathovde, Barbara Bair, and Jeff Flannery assisted my research, including the favor of a look at Anna Thornton’s diaries.

  At the archives of the District of Columbia, Director William Branch made available a wide variety of records.

  The staff of the Kiplinger Library of the Historical Society of Washington aided my research with unfailing courtesy.

  Jo-Ellen Bashir and the staff of the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University helped me trace the remarkable story of John F. Cook.

  Wayne Motts, executive director of the Adams County Historical Society in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, showed me Clem Johnson’s deed of manumission and shared his thoughts about its origins and implications. The interpretation presented here of Francis Scott Key’s relationship with Clem Johnson is mine alone.

  Bridgette Kamsler of the Historical Society of Frederick County helped me search the society’s holdings on Key and slavery in Maryland.

  Mary Williamson of York University provided invaluable information about Beverly Snow’s time in Canada and the greatest gift an author can receive: a happy ending. Karolyn Smradz Frost introduced me to Williamson.

  Jared Holloway of the University of Alabama assisted in unearthing the diary of Sarah Haynesworth Gayle. Paul Leatherdale, archivist of the Law Society of Upper Canada at Osgoode Hall in Toronto, provided Beverly Snow’s bill of fare, which appears in the Appendix.

  In Lynchburg, Joyce Mattox of Warwick House Publishing gave me a tour of the house where Beverly Snow lived in the 1820s. Kimeta Dover provided background on John Warwick and family. Ted Delaney shared insights into Lynchburg’s racial history. Michael Lee showed me a long-lost slave cemetery.

  Catherine Dixon, library director at Greenfield Library at St. John’s College, gave permission to view Francis Scott Key material held at the Maryland State Archives.

  Lynne Oliver, editor of the website foodtimeline.org, provided help on all food-related questions.

  The manuscript was much improved by the superb line editing of Ronit Feldman and meticulous copy editing of Amy Ryan.

  Catherine Talese perfected the illustrations. Agent Ron Goldfarb helped make it all happen.

  My friends and family sustained me with their interest and encouragement throughout. Jeanette Noltenius was the first to say the Post article should become a book. When I doubted that, David Corn gave me a push. Jack Shafer shared his enthusiasm for the hidden history of the District of Columbia. David Talbot and Karen Croft infected me with enthusiasm. John Judis, Jim Campbell, Bruce Schulman, and Rosemarie Zagarri offered historical perspective and advice. Nesti Arene provided computer assistance. Anthony Morley did photo research. Diego Morley asked questions. Brad Knott, Kandace Kattar, Anya Schoolman, Barry Lynn, Clara Rivera, Ken Silverstein, Charles Sweeney, Stephanie Schehr, Mark Steitz, Mark Sugg, Rick Swartz, Patrice Lemelle, Steve Mufson, and Agnes Tabah all helped as only true friends can. Without the love and support of my wife, Teresa Arene, this book could not have been written.

  Notes

  ABBREVIATION KEY

  Key to Names, Places, Things

  AJ: Andrew Jackson

  AMT: Anna Maria Thornton

  CHS: Columbia Historical Society

  FSK: Francis Scott Key

  RBT: Roger Brooke Taney

  Key to Frequently Used Sources

  AJP: Andrew Jackson Papers, University of Tennessee

  AMT Diary: Diary of Anna Maria Thornton, Library of Congress

  CFC: Charles Francis Cook papers, Moorland-Spingarn Center, Howard University

  GUE: Genius of Universal Emancipation

  MHS: Maryland Historical Society

  MJQA: Memoirs of Jo
hn Quincy Adams

  National Archives

  RG 21: Record Group 21

  RG 351 Record Group 351

  Sarah Haynesworth Gayle diary, Josiah and Amelia Gorgas Family Papers, Hoole Library, University of Alabama

  Special Report: Special Report of the Commissioner of Education on the Conditions and Improvements in the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office, 1869)

  TRC-DC: Trial of Reuben Crandall, Washington, D.C.

  TRC-NY: Trial of Reuben Crandall, New York

  WTP: William Thornton Papers, Library of Congress

  PART I: THE DISCIPLE OF EPICURUS

  Chapter 1

  1.1. John was the son: “William Sidney Warwick, 1765–1832,” Warwick Family file, Lynchburg Museum.

  1.2. Captain William Norvell, a veteran: Agora Journal for Undergraduate Scholarly Papers, Lynchburg College, accessed October 2, 2010, http://www.agorajournal.org/x9368.html.

  1.3. Thomas Jefferson, who sold: The Jefferson Papers of the University of Virginia: http://ead.lib.virginia.edu/vivaxtf/view?docId=uva-sc/viu00007.xml.

  1.4. Beverly, as a servant and cook: City of Lynchburg, Will Book A (June 1809–1831), 41, contains a list of slaves owned by Norvell in 1824, including one named “Beverly,” said to be worth $100. That relatively low figure is consistent with Beverly’s limited term of servitude, which would have reduced his market value.

  1.5. his name appeared: John’s uncle, Daniel Warwick, supplied nails for the construction of Jefferson’s “Academical Village” in Charlottesville, soon to be known as the University of Virginia. See University of Virginia Art Museum blog, “The Builders and Workers of Thomas Jefferson’s Academical Village,” accessed February 20, 2011: http://www.uvamblogs.com/jeffersons_academical_village/?p=235.

  1.6. a rich man well before: Warwick’s prosperity can be traced in the City of Lynchburg’s Land Books, 1820–23, 1824–27, 1828–31, and 1832–35; City of Lynchburg Courthouse. At the beginning of 1825, Warwick reported owning two pieces of property in Lynchburg. A year later, he owned nine. See also “Mayor Waits 101 Years for Marker on Grave,” The News & Daily Advance (Lynchburg), March 1, 1980.

  1.7. three of whom died: “Plan of the Family Grave Yard Belonging to Estate of Wm Norvell, Dec’d,” Warwick House Papers, Jones Library, Lynchburg, Va.

  1.8. “It is a stain”: Diary of Mrs. Susannah Caroline Warwick, 1829, John Warwick Daniels Papers, University of Virginia Library, Special Collections, series 9, Miscellaneous and Printed Material, box 33.

  1.9. Captain Norvell owned several Negro families: City of Lynchburg, Will Book A (June 1809–1831), 4, 41.

  1.10. Susannah chose Beverly: According to the City of Lynchburg Land Book for 1824–27, John Warwick owned two slaves over sixteen years of age in 1824. The next year he owned four. I conclude that Beverly Snow moved into John Warwick’s house in 1825 at the latest.

  1.11. He also took a wife: Judy Snow manumission, Lynchburg County Deed Book, 1824–1827, vol. K, 57.

  1.12. John became a member: Christian W. Asbury, Lynchburg, and Its People (Lynchburg, Va.: J. P. Bell, 1900, 1967), 112.

  1.13. “I believe, sir”: Sketches and Recollections of Lynchburg by the Oldest Inhabitant (Richmond, Va.: C. H. Wynne, 1859), 120–21.

  1.14. John Warwick formed: Asbury, Lynchburg, and Its People, 90.

  1.15. “Of all classes of our population”: Quoted in William Jay, Miscellaneous Writings on Slavery (Boston: John P. Jewett Co., 1853), 22–23.

  1.16. Johnson lived openly: Thomas Brown, “The Miscegenation of Richard Mentor Johnson as an Issue in the National Election Campaign of 1835–36,” Civil War History 39 (March 1993), 5–6.

  1.17. Johnson took up with: Ibid.

  1.18. Virginia’s eighth governor: Governor’s Information, National Governor’s Association website, accessed June 1, 2010, http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.​29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=​24090d431dfb5010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD. One reason I infer that Beverly Randolph Snow was named after Governor Beverley Randolph is because the former also sometimes spelled his first name “Beverley.”

  1.19. only if a white man petitioned: Ted Delaney and Phillip Wayne Rhodes, Free Blacks of Lynchburg (Lynchburg, Va.: Warwick House Publishing, 2001), 20, citing A Collection of All Such Acts of the General Assembly of Virginia of a Public and Permanent Nature (Richmond: Virginia General Assembly 1808), 95–98.

  1.20. A carpenter from the area: Delaney and Rhodes, Free Blacks of Lynchburg, 11–12.

  1.21. only to be kidnapped and sold: Jay, Miscellaneous Writings on Slavery, 48. The most famous case concerned Gilbert Horton, a free colored man and citizen of New York State, who had been snatched off the streets of the capital in 1826 and sold into slavery. Governor DeWitt Clinton of New York addressed a public letter to President Adams demanding his immediate release, which was granted. Most kidnapping victims were not so fortunate.

  1.22. “emancipate, set free, and relinquish”: Deed Book, Lynchburg County Courthouse, vol. K, 46.

  Chapter 2

  2.1. The stagecoach left Lynchburg: Lynchburg Daily Virginian, February 28, 1829.

  2.2. “They may be likened”: Charles Dickens, American Notes (New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1985), 119.

  2.3. the coach drivers were flamboyant: Dickens, American Notes, 120.

  2.4. town of three thousand people: Census.gov, accessed June 25, 2010, http://www.census.gov/population/www​/documentation/twps0027/tab06.txt.

  2.5. by reputation, religious in tendency: John T. Goolrick, Historic Fredericksburg: The Story of an Old Town (Richmond, Va.: Whittet & Shepperson, 1922), 151.

  2.6. The daily steamboat that went: Advertisement, National Intelligencer, March 11, 1828.

  2.7. Long Bridge, a rickety wooden structure: Alexandria Gazette, November 24, 1834.

  2.8. no other American city: Constance McLaughlin Green, The Secret City: A History of Race Relations in the Nation’s Capital (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1967), 53.

  2.9. enslaved people had outnumbered: Mary Beth Corrigan, “Imaginary Cruelties? A History of the Slave Trade in Washington, D.C.” Washington History 13, no. 2 (Fall/Winter 2001–2002), 6. According to George Watterston’s A New Guide to Washington (New York: Robert Farnham, 1842), 19; in 1830, there were 6,152 free blacks and 6,119 enslaved people residing in Washington City.

  2.10. Franklin and Armfield, located: Stanley Harrold, Subversives: Antislavery Community in Washington, D.C., 1828–1865 (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2003), 30; Virginia Landmarks Register, 4th ed. (Charlottesville, Va.: University of Virginia Press, 2004), 80.

  2.11. “engaging and graceful”: E. A. Andrews, Slavery and the Domestic Slave-Trade in the United States (Boston: Light & Stearns, 1836), 136–37.

  2.12. slave pen at Third Street: Corrigan, “Imagined Cruelties”, 6–7. See also Walter C. Clephane, “The Local Aspect of Slavery in the District of Columbia,” Records of the Columbia Historical Society 4 (1899), 224–56.

  2.13. “See there. Ain’t that”: Jesse Torrey, A Portraiture of Domestic Slavery in the United States (Philadelphia: John Bioren, 1817), 33.

  2.14. a dinner table conversation: Fergus Bordewich, Washington: The Making of the American Capital (New York: Amistad, 2008), 21–52.

  2.15. Northerners and southerners alike: Thomas Froncek, ed., The City of Washington: An Illustrated History (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1977), 47–51.

  2.16. “I doubt not it will be”: Letter, William Thornton to John Trumbull, January 6, 1796, William Thornton Papers (WTP), Library of Congress, reel 1.

  2.17. “I saw the dome”: Harriet Martineau, Retrospect of Western Travel (London: Saunders and Otley, 1838), 143.

  2.18. “We no longer say”: National Intelligencer, December 31, 1827.

  2.19. “scorching hot in the morning”: Dickens, American Notes, 105.

  2.20. “The whole affair”: The visitor was Basil Hall, author of Travels in Nor
th America in the Years 1827 and 1828, vol. 3 (Edinburgh: Cadell and Co., 1829), 1.

  2.21. lined with Lombardy poplar trees: H. Paul Cammerer, A Manual on the Origins and Development of Washington (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1939), Seventy-Fifth Congress, 3rd session, Senate document no. 178, 35.

  2.22. Seventy-five colored people: Dorothy Provine, “The Economic Position of the Free Blacks in the District of Columbia, 1800–1860,” The Journal of Negro History 58, no. 1 (January 1973), 68.

  2.23. less than the white messenger’s: A Full Directory for Washington City, Georgetown, and Alexandria (Washington, D.C.: E. A. Cohen and Co., 1834), 34.

  2.24. One could easily get drunk: John Marszalek, The Petticoat Affair: Manners, Mutiny and Sex in Andrew Jackson’s White House (New York: Free Press, 1997), 68.

  Chapter 3

  3.1. The building, spanning 252 feet: Wilhelmus Bogart Bryan, A History of the National Capital (New York: Macmillan, 1916), 80–81. Appearance: Francis Regis Noel and Margaret Brent Downing, The Court-house of the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.: Judd & Detweiler, 1919).

  3.2. both in size and shabbiness: Noel and Downing, Court-house, 24.

  3.3. settle for a license: “Licenses for Races 5th Nov. 1830,” Minutes of the Circuit Court, RG 21, microfilm 1021, reel 4.

  3.4. Brown boasted of fresh vegetables: Jonathan Elliot, Historical Sketches of the Ten Miles Square Forming the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.: J. Elliot, 1830), 315.

  3.5. “I have a delicious quarter of mutton”: Ben Perley Poore, Perley’s Reminiscences of Sixty Years in the National Metropolis, vol. 1 (Philadelphia: Hubbard Brothers, 1886), 42.

  3.6. The big event took place: The track “was on Columbia Road just west of 14th Street,” according to Allen Clarke, “Dr. and Mrs. William Thornton,” Records of the Columbia Historical Society 18 (1915), 71.