The Will of Samuel Appleton Part 1

The Will of Samuel Appleton.

by Samuel Appleton and Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch.

REMARKS.

Samuel Appleton was born at New Ipswich, N.H., June 22, 1766, and died, without issue, at his residence in Boston, on Tuesday, July 12, 1853; having just entered on the eighty-eighth year of his age.

In November, 1819, he married Mrs. Mary Gore, who was much younger than himself. This union has been marked, on his side, by the most unvarying confidence and sincere affection. He has ever found his own delight in gratifying each wish of his wife with an almost boundless indulgence. And she--the brilliant and happy mistress of his hospitable mansion--has been alike admirable, when presiding over its social circle, or its more public gayeties; and when, in its private recesses, she has devoted herself to what she has ever felt to be her highest duty and her chief privilege,--that of guarding the declining years of her husband with the most kind and thoughtful care; cheering his pathway to the tomb by those considerate attentions, which, both in life and in death, he so gratefully appreciated and acknowledged.

On the last morning of his life, he enjoyed his usual health. During the day, however, he suffered pain and uneasiness, apparently the result of indigestion. Mrs. Appleton, therefore, remained constantly with him, but without feeling any serious apprehensions. He at length seemed to be entirely relieved by the means used, and said, "I will now try to go to sleep." In a few moments, Mrs. Appleton was alarmed by hearing him breathe once or twice much more loudly than usual. She ran to his bedside, and his favorite female attendant was immediately summoned. He was still lying in the same att.i.tude of repose. The sleep that had fallen upon him so gently was the sleep of death!

This event at once called forth a universal and spontaneous expression of regard for the deceased from the community in which he had so long lived. It was unrestrained by any differences of political opinion or of religious sentiment. Thus, in the "Boston Post," the organ of the Democratic party of Boston, there appeared the following communication:--

"SAMUEL APPLETON is dead! Never has there been summoned from among us a purer man or a more public-spirited citizen.

Possessing strong natural sense and the most plain and unaffected manners, he was truly simple-hearted and n.o.ble-minded. There was nothing about him of ostentation or pretence. All his _acts_, during a long life, praise him.

Beginning with humble prospects, by industry and intelligence he became one of our wealthiest merchants. As a country schoolmaster, during the winter months, he was once, when a young man, '_put up at auction_, to be boarded out in the family that would consent to take him at the lowest rate.'[1]

Latterly, for many years, probably not a day has pa.s.sed without the performance of some deed of kindness great or small,--some act of public or private munificence; and each evening saw him sink to rest, happy in the consciousness that he had made others happy. In a notice of him, as a benefactor of one of our chief charitable inst.i.tutions, published not long since, it is said: 'In advanced age, and unable to walk from his house, he continues in the highest and best sense to enjoy life. He has, indeed, no children; but a numerous band of nephews and nieces look up to him with truly filial regard. Indeed, the community itself ventures to apply to him _their_ familiar and affectionate appellation of "Uncle Sam." This name, in the abstract so dear to every patriot, could not be more worthily bestowed.'[2] That life, so honorable and so useful, rendered sweet by the daily blessings of those whose necessities or sufferings have been relieved by his bounty, has been fitly closed by a calm and peaceful death."

Obituary notices of a like favorable character, and characteristic anecdotes, &c., were inserted in the "Daily Evening Transcript," the "Boston Courier," and the "Christian Register," and also in various other journals.

Public funeral services were held at the Stone Chapel, on Friday afternoon, at four o'clock. The Hon. Thomas H. Perkins, and a few other surviving contemporaries of the deceased, were present among the a.s.semblage of relatives and friends by which the church was filled.

He was buried at Mount Auburn, in a lot which he had purchased many years ago, and on which he had erected a costly monument. Designing to embellish that field of the dead, he had authorized an artist in a foreign country to execute this work without regard to expense. When completed, it was not in accordance with the simple tastes of Mr.

Appleton. He even desired that he might be buried in his tomb, under a church in Boston, rather than in the beautiful spot which he had thus selected and adorned. The existing ordinance of the city rendered it impossible to comply with this suggestion; and indeed it seemed to be, on other grounds, inexpedient.

At a stated quarterly meeting of the Trustees of the Ma.s.sachusetts General Hospital, held on the same day, the following preamble and votes, as proposed by the Chairman, were unanimously adopted, viz.:--

"The funeral of the late Hon. Samuel Appleton takes place this afternoon; and the bells of the city are now tolling as a public expression of respect for one of its worthiest sons and its n.o.blest benefactors, who, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, has died universally beloved and regretted.

"Formerly a Trustee of this Inst.i.tution, and ever cheris.h.i.+ng a lively interest in its welfare, we are happy to acknowledge our indebtedness to him, alike for his valuable personal services, and for a large share of that bounty which he has always so wisely and so liberally bestowed.

"This Board would present to the widow of the deceased, by whose affectionate attentions and devoted care his life has been for so many years prolonged and rendered happy, the a.s.surances of their profound sympathy, now that she has lost a companion and friend by whom she was most tenderly beloved.

"_Voted_, That this Board do now adjourn to attend the funeral of the deceased."

Mr. Appleton left a Will and Codicil, of which a few copies are printed for the use of his executors and legatees.

These doc.u.ments were opened and read in the presence of the widow and some of the relatives, on Sat.u.r.day, July 16; and the following anecdote was then related by one of the Executors:--

The late Isaac Appleton Jewett was a favorite nephew of the deceased, and, as such, had a bequest of $30,000, and was eventually to receive besides one-tenth part of the residuary property. He died in January last, leaving as his heir-at-law a half-sister, who, by the terms of the will, became ent.i.tled to these bequests. There was no blood-relations.h.i.+p between her and the Testator. _A comparative stranger would thus be a larger legatee than any one of his own kindred._ The Executor called Mr. Appleton's attention to this fact.

His reply was: "I am much obliged for the suggestion: it was a proper one for you to make. I will consider, and let you know my decision to-morrow." The next day he said: "I have been thinking of what you mentioned to me; and if, in the other world, there is any knowledge of what is done in this, I should not like to have my nephew, whom I so loved and trusted, find that my first act, on learning his death, is the revocation or curtailment of a bequest made in his favor, and which, if he had survived me, would have eventually benefited her who was nearest and dearest to him. _The will must stand as it is._" This confirmation of a private bequest is no less honorable to the memory of Mr. Appleton, than are those other two provisions of his will by which he so bountifully remembers the servants of his household, and appropriates to public uses so large a part of his princely fortune.

N.I.B.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] "History of the Ma.s.sachusetts Hospital," 1851.

[2] "History of the Ma.s.sachusetts Hospital," 1851.

WILL OF SAMUEL APPLETON.

THE

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

OF

SAMUEL APPLETON.

Be it remembered, That I, SAMUEL APPLETON, of Boston, in the County of Suffolk and State of Ma.s.sachusetts, merchant, being of sound disposing mind and memory, and in good health, but aware of the uncertainty of life, and desirous of making a disposition of such property as I may leave at the time of my decease, do make, publish, and declare this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following, to wit:--

[Sidenote: To his wife, $122,000.]

I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary Appleton, one hundred and thirty thousand dollars, in the manner following, to wit:--

[Sidenote: Viz. $100,000.]

1st. The sum of one hundred thousand dollars in cash, to be paid to her by my executors.

[Sidenote: House, 53, Beacon-street, at $14,000;]

2d. My land and house in Beacon-street, Boston, numbered fifty-three, now occupied by Mrs. Goodwin, and valued by me at fourteen thousand dollars, to hold to her and her heirs.

[Sidenote: And $6000 to put said House in order.]

3d. The sum of six thousand dollars in cash to be paid to her by my executors for the purpose of putting said house in good order and condition.

[Sidenote: Or the $20,000 in cash, if she prefers.]

If, however, my wife do elect to accept the sum of twenty thousand dollars in cash, instead of said land and house in Beacon-street, and said six thousand dollars, then and in that case it is my will that the sum of twenty thousand dollars in cash be paid to her by my executors.

[Sidenote: A clause revoked by the Codicil.]