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Remembering
Madam Thornton
four reminiscences from the
The Centennial of Bath, 1793-1893
Rev. L. Merrill Miller, D. D.
from a speech on the evening of June 6, 1893
printed in The Centennial of Bath, 1793-1893, p. 17
Colonel Williamson had commenced building, in 1799, a grand country seat
on his Springfield Farm, so-called, a mile and a half below the village,
near Lake Salubria. It was the largest private dwelling in eastern New
York, and calculated to dispense hospitality on a princely scale. Although
constructed of wood, it was considered magnificent, with its spacious
parlors broad halls and grand assembly room, with their high ceilings
and heavy mouldings, all finished and furnished exquisitely after the
latest style. It was flanked by two wings, each as large as an ordinary
dwelling house, set off with piazzas and porticoes. The grounds about
were artistically laid out and graced with ornamental trees and shrubs,
and the then rare Lombardy poplars. On its completion, in 1801, he placed
it in charge of Major Presley Thornton, a kinsman of Washington and an
officer in the Revolution, who had just come from Virginia with a young
wife of rare wit and beauty. She was long known as "The Madam," from her
graceful and commanding ways. The colonel made his home with them after
he retired from the agency, maintained the establishment, and dispensed
its hospitality with a generous hand. The place became famous for its
brilliant assemblies. For there gathered on such occasions all the beauty
and aristocracy from all the Genesee country, and even the distant Susquehanna.
The Major died in 1806, and the Colonel soon after left for Europe and
never returned. The Springfield Farm, with the appurtenances, passed into
other hands. The purchaser failed and it fell to his creditors, and soon
the famous mansion, with its gardens and walks, showed signs of decay
and became a picture of desolation—the abode of the owl and the
bat and other uncanny things. Thirty odd years ago it was taken down to
give place to the present farm house of Mrs. R. B. Wilkes.
The Major brought with him a few slaves as household servants. He was
followed the next year by Captain William Helm, a wealthy planter from
Prince William county, Va., and his family and a retinue of about forty
slaves. He purchased a number of farms and set these colored people cultivating
them. He built a fine mansion on the present site of the First National
Bank, and lived there in great splendor, says Austin Stewart his born
thrall. He purchased and rebuilt the old grist mill erected by Williamson
near the bridge, and engaged John Richardson, the grandfather of Clinton
Richardson, as miller, who ground the first superfine flour. He entered
into large speculations. His wife died, and on the death of Major Thornton
he married his widow. His money soon gave out and his enterprises failed.
Some of his slaves ran way; some were seized by the sheriff and sold to
satisfy his creditors and his whole estate vanished. He became intemperate;
the Madam left him, and, in 1826, he died in penury in this village, cared
for only by one of his former chattels.
Ansel J. McCall
From the historical address printed in
The Centennial of Bath, 1793-1893, pp. 126-127
Among the names of those living in the early times, whose strong individuality
and exceptional characteristics have been impressed upon the society of
their day, and who have lived in tradition for generations after, may
be mentioned that of Madam Susan Thornton. Many of us remember her in
her old age, when she resided on East Morris street, and an old gentleman
once related to me his impressions of her appearance, some years after
her marriage with Captain Helm, one morning when he saw her walking across
Pulteney Square from the Agency House to that of her husband. Their residence
then stood on the corner, afterwards occupied by the Clinton House, and
now by the Bank of Bath. He described her stately and graceful carriage,
the brightness of her eyes and her handsome, attractive face. She was
prominent in that period of festivity and lavish hospitality, when the
old customs of Virginia were transplanted to the banks of the Conhocton,
and many interesting events occurred in the life of this lady, to whom
was always given the title of "Madam."
Louisa L. R. Pitkin
A letter printed in The Centennial of Bath, 1793 -1893, p. 147
156 South Fitzhugh Street
Rochester, N. Y.,
May 15, 1893
Committee:
The following trifling reminiscences are sent, not for their value, but
as an acknowledgment of the courtesy of an invitation for June 6th and
7th prox:
Possibly there are not many (if any) among the residents of Bath, who
recall Mrs. Thornton-Helm as a personal acquaintance so early as 1817.1
spent the summer and fall of that year in my brother's family, in my 7th
year. School life in B. is among my most pleasant recollections. A gentleman
teacher, whose name I do not retain, daily intercourse with Virginia Thornton,
Amelia Helm and Washington Helm furnished my recreation. Mrs. Thornton
is a historical personage. Her seat at the left of the preacher, on the
platform, was a weekly observation of my child life.
Her stately form, brunette complexion, with the invariable "turban" upon
her head, made her a fair representation of her distinguished ancestress,
Pocahontas.
Mrs. Thornton's hospitality was proverbial. Next door neighbor to my
sister, Mrs. M. E. (Harvey) Montgomery, she was the source of helpfulness
in many ways during Mrs. M's. extreme youthfulness as a housekeeper. She
married at 16 years of age, going from Dansville to Bath, and always felt
unbounded gratitude for Mrs. Thornton's kindness. Mr. Montgomery's two
eldest children were born in Bath—William Rochester Montgomery in
1813. He now lives in Hillsdale, Michigan. The second, Sophia Harriet
Montgomery, died in her 21st year in this city.
My brother, Wm. B. Rochester, was some years a resident of your beautiful
town—beautiful for its surrounding hills, etc., etc. He married
for his second wife, while there, Miss Amanda Hopkins, of the adjoining
village of Springfield. Her only remaining child is Gen. Wm. B. Rochester,
of Washingtron, D. C, ex-Paymaster of the United State Army.
The antique view of your program with its back-view of hill, is well
remembered by me.
Respectfully, LOUISA L. R. PITKIN.
William Howells
Letter to the Centennial Committee. (Page 271 The Centennial of Bath,
1793 - 1893.)
Nor were the citizens of Bath, at the time of which I speak, unmindful
of the dignity of learning or unskilled in the conventional amenities
of social life. From the traditional period of the early glories of the
village the women of Bath had been noted for their beauty and the generous
hospitality of their homes, and who that ever saw Madam Thornton, even
in the stately decadence of her fortunes, will doubt that the minuet and
cotillion in Bath would answer the most rigorous demands of the Eastern
cities?
Sherman S. Rogers
From the Centennial Oration of , delivered June 7, 1893. (Page 247 The
Centennial of Bath, 1793 - 1893.)
I remember very well Madam Thornton, respecting whom several things have
been said here to-day. I am glad to add one word more. Past her prime
a little, as I first saw her, she was still stately in her uprightness
and queenly in her movements. With all her singularities and unique use
of language, which many of you understand, she had also wonderful and
sterling qualities. In the great reverses which came to her, from being
the owner of many slaves and much property, and holding a high position
in society, and thence down to real poverty and need through severe experiences,
she manifested singular patience and fortitude. The nearest to complaint,
which I recall, was once her saying, "I should be very content, while
I staid here, were I sure of the same fare my old servants always had
in my kitchen." She came to Ogdensburg, where I saw her to the last. Supported
by simple faith in Christ, and trusting to him as the Resurrection and
the Life, she calmly waited her decease. To friends, telling her death
was near, she replied, "Hush." She wished to go quietly and silently.
I am glad to add this simple testimony concerning Madam Thornton to all
that has been said about her to-day.
The Steuben County Historical Society has reprinted The Centennial
of Bath, New York, 1793 -1893. The book has orations, reminiscences, a
general history of the village, and an index. 280 pages. Send payment
of $22.95, s/h $3.00 to SCHS, P.O. Box 349, Bath, NY 14810.
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