Flat Jane Austen in Providence Rhode Island

 Flat Jane Austen in Providence, Rhode Island:
In which Jane pays calls on the elite

June, 18-
My dear friends,

It is nearly time to leave this unusual place and move on to visit other friends. First, though, I pay calls on the neighbors. 

Many of the elite residents of Providence earned their wealth in the China trade. Next door to Mr. John Brown's family lives another Brown, Mr. John Nicholas Brown, Jr, (nephew of Mr. John Brown) and his family. 

Now the John Nicholas Brown Center for Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage
at Brown University

The house was built in '91 for Colonel Joseph Nightingale and sits on one acre of land. Mr. Nightingale was a Revolutionary and merchant of the firm Clark & Nightingale. They sold goods from the East Indies, stationary and hardware at their shop at the Sign of the Frying-Pan and Fish. They also made rum which was traded for human flesh.

Side of the house, possibly later addition

back wing, probably later addition

This Mr. Brown is an industrial leader, state representative, co-founder of the Providence Athenaeum and generous donor to Rhode Island College. As such, the college was renamed for him. 

Around the corner is the home of Mr. Edward Carrington, a China Trade merchant and associate of the Brown family. It is of recent construction, only begun in '10 for a Mr. John Corliss, Mr. Joseph Nightingale’s brother-in-law. Construction was interrupted by a series of legal conflicts with Spain. Mr. Corlis ran out of money before the house was completed. He removed to Kentucky to try his hand in tobacco.  

Corlis-Carrington House, a home away from home for community leaders
Be sure to look inside and take a tour to see period inspired furnishings

Mr. Edward Carrington recently returned from duties as American consul in Canton, China. He has married a shipping merchant's daughter, the former Loriana Hoppin. Mr. Carrington's office is located to the side of the house. How... American.

This house at 2 George Street, was built for Mrs. Eliza Ward, daughter of Mr. Joseph Brown, the architect. 'Tis newly built a few years previous in 1814. Mrs. Ward is a widow and lived with her brother until her home was completed. A widow living alone? It is not a truth universally acknowledged that women can not take care of themselves?! It seems as if American ladies are more independent than we are.

Eliza Ward House

The interior is most elegant with ceiling cornices, and elaborate, delicate wood trim. Mrs. Ward enjoys hanging French wallpaper. A particular favorite is Les Rives de Bosphore (Banks of the Bosphorus) printed by Joseph Dufour. It is rather... loud, much like the French.

Susanna's family home is located near Planet Street, named for the Transit of Venus and the previously mentioned Congregational Church. 

Flat Jane at the RI School of Design's Pendelton House

 Charles Pendelton House, a reproduction Federal Era home built for the purpose of displaying the collections of Charles L. Pendleton (1846-1904), given to the RISD Museum in 1904.

editor's note: This building is in actuality at the opposite end of Benefit Street but in keeping with the Federal style, I have placed it with the other grand homes built in Jane's day.

Her family is well connected and her father works for one of the China trade firms.

Reproduction Federal era home

I shall paint a picture with my words to shew you how the inside looks.

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