Simon Wood
05-04-2009, 08:48 PM
Hi All,
"Receiving" was a New Year custom in Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Union Argus, 30th December 1882, explained—
"New Year's Day in the social aspect promises to be more generally observed than usual of late years, providing the weather is propitious. The caterers have had more orders for the arrangement of tables, and the florists have been busier with decoration for the reception parlor than they have been in some years past.
"Most every lady who opens her house to callers on the 1st of January will receive in full dress attire, and to many of the houses gas will be burned all day for the purpose of showing off the toilets to the best advantage and of giving the scene more striking effect. In the evening, at the houses where a number of young people receive, parties will be given.
"Gentlemen who pride themselves on etiquette will not begin calling until noon, and then they will not be foolish as to don their full dress suits, but wear either Prince Albert coats or neat cutaways. Pen-tailed coats are made for evening and their use out of place only furnishes amusement for the giddy girls of fashion."
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 31st December 1888, published a list of "social lights" who would be upholding this New Year tradition.
Three ladies on the "social light" list were—
Mrs James Atwood, Mrs George T Addison, and Mrs Helen Lamb, all of whom lived at 204 Washington Street, Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 31st August 1885—
4979
On or about 18th January 1889 Francis Tumblety moved to this address.
Good to know he was moving in such polite society.
Regards,
Simon
"Receiving" was a New Year custom in Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Union Argus, 30th December 1882, explained—
"New Year's Day in the social aspect promises to be more generally observed than usual of late years, providing the weather is propitious. The caterers have had more orders for the arrangement of tables, and the florists have been busier with decoration for the reception parlor than they have been in some years past.
"Most every lady who opens her house to callers on the 1st of January will receive in full dress attire, and to many of the houses gas will be burned all day for the purpose of showing off the toilets to the best advantage and of giving the scene more striking effect. In the evening, at the houses where a number of young people receive, parties will be given.
"Gentlemen who pride themselves on etiquette will not begin calling until noon, and then they will not be foolish as to don their full dress suits, but wear either Prince Albert coats or neat cutaways. Pen-tailed coats are made for evening and their use out of place only furnishes amusement for the giddy girls of fashion."
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 31st December 1888, published a list of "social lights" who would be upholding this New Year tradition.
Three ladies on the "social light" list were—
Mrs James Atwood, Mrs George T Addison, and Mrs Helen Lamb, all of whom lived at 204 Washington Street, Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 31st August 1885—
4979
On or about 18th January 1889 Francis Tumblety moved to this address.
Good to know he was moving in such polite society.
Regards,
Simon