An unfulfilled prophecy.
Forty-one years ago, there appeared in the Boston Transcript an interesting and timely article in relation to the Royall House, under the caption,The last of an ancient mansion.
In it the writer says ‘It was the intention of the purchaser (Mr. Geo. L. Barr) to repair the place and preserve it in original shape [p. 78] as a residence, but the assurance of builders that this could not be done without involving modifications which would amount to a substantial rebuilding of the house, has led him to a change of plan and before many days the hand of the destroyer will be laid on an edifice which has long been an object of interest in this old town so rich in antique structures.’
The article gives a detailed account of the house, its exterior appearance and arrangement of rooms, etc., but evidently the author was not a craftsman as he writes of shingles upon the front wall and on ‘the end nearest town’; and of the rear wall as ‘panelled.’ Also that the path from Main street was of ‘gravel originally imported from England, but has lately been covered with native soil.’
Mention is made of the barn ‘to the right and farther away [than the slave quarters] still in a good state of preservation considering its age, and ornamented with a small and quaint looking cupola.’
The summer house described at some length, was said in the former days to contain a huge punch bowl. The writer's mythology is a little at fault, however, as the account reads, ‘roof surmounted by a large carved wooden statue of Mars, at present minus arms and somewhat bent from a perpendicular and dignified position.’
The steps thereto were ‘composed of a peculiar dark freestone (probably imported) and partially covered with moss.’
The central brick wall is also mentioned as ‘through the two lower stories.’ This wall in the residence at Antiqua from which the present one was modelled was to guard against the effect of earthquakes.
The article closes with, ‘In building his new house it is the intention of Mr. Barr to have one apartment finished off with the trimmings and in the style of one of the present rooms in which he will retain many relics of the original edifice. The summer house will also be rebuilt in its first form with a new statue of Mars upon its top.’ [p. 79]
Now that the grand old mansion has escaped the ‘hand of the destroyer’ and its future seems assured by the public interest aroused thereto, the article quoted from is of especial interest. Possibly its allusion to the tiled fire places and iron firebacks stimulated investigation, resulting in their restoration.
But should the summer house be restored, by all means let the swift messenger of the gods in his hastening attitude resume his old place, instead of the effigy of Mars the god of war.
With thanks for the interest shown by the writer of 1870 this is written as a waymark in the old mansion's history.
