It is said of Isaac Royall, second, that his love of display and his liking for good things were known throughout the town. He was one of the most hospitable citizens, giving the finest of dinners to his friends, the Vassalls, who occupied the Craigie House, the Olivers, and other citizens of Tory Row, besides dignitaries of Church and State. His wines were the best, his horses and carriages the most stylish, and it was said of him that he was one of the most eccentric men in the colony. He kept a journal describing minutely every incident and every visitor, even going so far as to tell what slippers he wore. His ambitions were political, but he was never very prominent. At the outbreak of the Revolution, Isaac Royall left the house, and his estate was taken under the Confiscation Act. Finding that the place was deserted by a hated Tory, it was made a lawful retreat for the Continental army, and used by Colonel John Stark for headquarters. He lived there with his officers, and his regiment was quartered near by. In the old summer-house were held many councils of war, and from here the troops went forth to fight at the battle of Bunker Hill. During the time that General Stark and his wife lived here, which was over a year, they entertained a great deal. Molly was a most loyal wife. At the time of the evacuation of Boston, it was said that she went to the top of the stairs leading to the roof above the attic after her husband had marched to Dorchester Heights, and watched to see whether the British ships in the harbor landed troops on the north side of the Mystic. In such an event, she had orders to alarm the people. Lee and Sullivan were quartered here for a short time. The fine old wines left by Colonel Royall did service for the officers. The cellar was ransacked in search of goodies; the soldiers, in oddly designed uniforms, passed up and down, stacking their guns in the wide hall, while their flag of thirteen stars fluttered over the entrance. After the government took possession of the property, it was returned to the Royall heirs in 1790, and they in turn sold it to a syndicate. In 1810 Jacob Tidd came into possession of the estate, his wife living there for fifty-one years. She was Ruth Dawes, sister of William Dawes, who took the midnight ride to Concord, April 18, 1775. Her bedchamber, in which hangs a picture of William Dawes, has been restored by her descendants. The house has been acquired by the Royall House Association, being used to-day for patriotic and educational purposes. In a closet of one of the rooms is shown a tea-chest, the only one left from the memorable Boston Tea Party. Few houses in colonial history possess the interest of this one, and the Royall House stands unique and distinctive among the many colonial houses of the period. CHAPTER XX THE LONGFELLOW HOUSE