1797 The Year The Elephant Visited Providence

From this entertaining tale of life in Providence during the year 1797, we discover the varied interests and concerns of the people who lived there at that time. They engaged in a joyous and lengthy celebration of President John Adams and a subsequent repeated celebration of the anniversary of American Independence. From the detailed offerings of the various merchants and tradesmen we are apprised of what was sought in the marketplace. We become aware of the nature of goods exported and imported in the foreign maritime trade as well as the identity of the various merchants, sea captains, and vessel-owners.