The Romance of Old New England Rooftrees

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21645

Title

The Romance of Old New England Rooftrees

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume offers a collection of romantic sketches detailing the histories of New England's surviving colonial houses. Blending fact with fiction, it explores the lives of notable figures—from philosophers and poets to soldiers and outcasts—whose stories are inextricably linked to the region's ancient architecture.

Summary up to 500 words

Mary Caroline Crawford's *The Romance of Old New England Rooftrees* offers a collection of evocative sketches that transform historic colonial mansions into vessels for enduring human dramas. The work bridges the gap between serious historical data and the romantic tales that captivate the general reader, focusing on the physical structures of the past as stages for love, war, conversion, and redemption. The narrative opens with the story of Bishop Berkeley, who sailed to Newport to build Whitehall. Inspired by the tragic legacy of Dean Swift and his beloved Vanessa, Berkeley's journey to America was made possible by Vanessa's death and her subsequent legacy, allowing the eminent philosopher to realize his dream of establishing a college in the West Indies. The book then shifts to the brutal captivity of Deerfield, detailing the ordeal of Reverend Stephen Williams and his daughter Eunice. After being taken by Indians, Eunice assimilated into Indian life, marrying a native and eventually tracing a lineage that, in a remarkable twist, claimed descent from the French Dauphin—a story later debunked but illustrating the complex interplay of identity and faith. Crawford further highlights the pioneering spirit of Deborah Sampson, the intellectual fervor of Ann Hutchinson, who was driven from Boston for her heretical views, and the tragic witchcraft trials of Salem. Through these varied accounts, the author illustrates how the surviving old houses serve as tangible links to the past. The text emphasizes that every house where men have lived and died is a haunted house, preserving the romantic spirit of American history. By weaving together the lives of figures like Sir Harry Frankland, the Maid of Marblehead, and the Brook Farmers, Crawford creates a compact yet comprehensive volume that honors the memory of those who shaped New England's destiny within the walls of their historic homes.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History