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Archiver > MA-MENDON > 2001-05 > 0990130154


From: "Alice Palladini;" <>
Subject: Re: [MA-MENDON] Ammidon
Date: Thu, 17 May 2001 16:09:14 -0400
References: <l03130300b726095b2aab@[206.173.56.43]> <009e01c0dcdb$2e6826a0$ca61accf@x1v6y4> <001701c0dd94$dc9933e0$0c10a8c0@diane> <004601c0ddfc$d37dada0$05f5accf@x1v6y4>


Why Was George Washington refused Lodgings at the Ammidon Tavern in
Mendon, Ma. :)

Pres George WASHINGTON was inaugurated , as the 1st President ,
in New York City in 1789. Congress adjourned and Washington began his
a tour of the states along the Eastern seaboard on Thursday, Oct.
15. 1789 . As far as can be found he was accompanied by Major
Jackson,
Mr. Bear, and 6 servants..

The President traveled in a very impressive carriage flanked by
impressive uniformed Officers. (from Acc. of Sara Taft, written 1908)

They spent the first night in a tavern in Rye, NY. proceeding to
Fairfield CT. where they spent their first overnight in a New England
state. From their they traveled to Stratford, CT. ferried across
the Housatonic River and spent the night in Milford, CT. From there
they proceeded to Brookfield, Ma. along the old POST Lane Road. to
Boston, Ma.
This is where the much talked about "Hancock Incident" took place.
Gov. John Hancock was not on hand to greet the President , as he
should have been. Many took this as a deliberate slight by the Gov.
to the President of the US.
The next day, Gov. Hancock called on the Pres. and pleaded ill health
for this slight
From Boston Washington's party went to NH. by way of Marblehead
, Salem, Ipswich, Newburyport, and Andover , Ma. they also toured
Haverill, Andover, Lexington,Watertown, Needham, Sherbon. Holliston.
Milford, Mendon and Uxbridge in Ma. The tour lasted one month..

The new President planned to stay in Mendon, Ma. on Nov. 6th 1789 at
the Inn owned by his old ARMY friend Philip Ammidon.

However when the President and his entourage arrived, on a cold
rainy Nov. day, Mr. Ammidon and his daughter were not at home .as
they were out buying meat for the anticipated visit of Phillip's old
friend, and Pres. of the Us. George Washington.
From here the story varies according to who tells it.
Some say a maid opened the door, as Mrs Ammidon was resting from so
much preparation for the President's visit, and the maid when asked if
they had the accommodations. . She replied "They were expecting
someone very important and all the rooms were reserved".
So the gentle person from Virginia turned and left and proceeded to
Uxbridge, Ma. to the Taft Tavern where the President and his
party were gladly welcomed.

Another versions is that the wife answered the door and not the
maid and misunderstood and thought the "Title " Pres. meant an
Educator and she was to ill to accommodate them?
Washington's own version is " that the owner of it being from home ,
and the wife sick, we could not gain admittance"
Well, whoever answered the door, they refused George Washington
lodging for the night, at the Ammidon Tavern in Mendon, Ma. .

Upon Mr. Ammidons return home and he heard of this error , he and
his daughter quickly jumped back io their horses and rode to the
Taft Tavern to fetch his old friend and bring him back to
Mendon..
However the Pres. was in bed and did arise to greet his old
friend. However he was very comfortable and he would not return
to Mendon.
Col Ammidon naturally was mortified about this big misunderstanding
, but the Pres. was even joking with Ammidon's daughter .
There are a few excerpts in George Washington's diary about his
stay in Uxbridge. Also there is a letter written by Pres. Washington to
the Taft Tavern's Inn keeper Samuel Taft and his family..and writings
of Sara Taft.. They all tell more about the Pres. visit.

Sources:
1. News Articles, by John Ledger, 1994. in the Telegram & Gazette.
2. Milford Daily News Article. by Denise M. Mize (no date)
3. Unknown author article, in the Mendon Historical Museum.
Just titled George Washington;
4. Milford Daily New Article, Dec. 1985. by Gary Starta.
All above articles in the Mendon Historical Museum
===========
Above compiled from these sources by Alice Pickering Palladini
- Message From Massachusetts


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