Trials of a public benefactor : as illustrated in the discovery of etherization

Front matter

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Preface

When inexorable Death, with ever-ready pen, has placed " finis" to the concluding chapter of some life written only in the hook of Time, the friends, and if a person of note, the public, instantly feel curious about all concerning the departed, and demand information of his early history and subsequent career. But often it is then too late. With its erasing brush

" Oblivion, softly wiping out the etain,"

soon leaves all details obscure or contested ; and much valuable information, accessible in the lifetime of the person, scattered by the four winds of heaven. The history, if then written, can be formed only from facts and dry data, written or printed, from the conflicting narratives of others, or from common rumor ; but the real feelings during the life-struggle, the bitter experiences and gratifying triumphs, are to be learned from the mouth of their recipient alone.

The common way of avoiding this, has been by an autobiography, the writer preferring to speak for himself instead of leaving the chance to posterity, perhaps a more

VI PREFACE.

upright and candid judge, but. one less able to enter into its spirit and detail. But generally this method entails one most disagreeable necessity — the person must die anterior to the presentation of the memoir — so that he never knows how it is received, or has an opportunity to correct what is misunderstood or disputed. In addition to the conceit the preparation of it evinces, which would deter many, few, unless with rather morbid tendencies, can bear the post-mortem trains of thought it occasions, this perpetual suggestion of coming dissolution ; besides, it must at best prove unsatisfactory ; for the knowledge is ever present that however far along in it progress is made toward eternity, the last chapter must be added by another's hand, and may, perhaps, counteract and ruin all the previous ones. The case is similar to the man who in his lifetime makes all the preparations for the last moment — purchases his coffin, and has it ever by his side, and yet knows full well that after the expiration of that moment, others will conclude what he has begun, and, notwithstanding his efforts, he may be but slovenly nailed down, and receive but a shabby burial.

It is said that the life of each person we meet in the daily walks of life, or in the social circle, would, if written, inculcate some valuable lesson — some warning, if ill spent, some encouragement, if passed without reproach. It would seem, therefore, almost superfluous to proffer an apology or a reason why another volume has been added to the already large number respect or self-interest have emitled to the world. But in the present case there are especial and additional reasons : it is one more attempt to procure justice for a man who, unrewarded, has made one of the most useful discoveries ever given to the world. As thus far he has been vilified and abused, his rights have been

PREFACE. Vll

disputed, and many of his assertions twisted or disbelieved, it is but fair to suppose that the same course will, unless the subject is cleared during his lifetime, be continued after his death. This, therefore, is the proper time, when the materials are ready, and he is present to explain. Although for many years the attention of those " whose lot is suffering and pain," has been drawn to this subject, and consequently to the man, few know the history, are able to reply to questions concerning the discoverer, or can find facts they would be glad to know, simply because it has heretofore been enclouded with such a haze of contention, and the means of investigation so buried in a mass of scattered, and, to most, uninteresting documents. The majority of the information has hitherto reached the public by means of newspaper statements, or disjointed, and, perhaps, garbled reports. No simple, connected statement exists, and, at this moment, the name of the man who has been the means of banishing agony from millions of his fellow-creatures, is absorbed in the glory of the discovery.*

In the compilation of this work, in addition to the congressional documents, printed legal evidence, and other pamphlets accessible to the world, the author has derived much valuable assistance from letters, the carefully-prepared private narratives of friends, and from interviews with Dr. Morton himself. It contains all that can be said bearing upon the history of the discovery, aside from the

* In the Dictionary of Dates, fifth edition — London, 1851 — a work which one would suppose, from its title, required correctness, is the following statement : — " The discovery, in 184G, of ether and chloroform, as anaesthetic agents, promises to be of vast benefit to mankind. The discovery that, by inhaling ether, the patient was rendered unconscious of pain, and insensible to any surgical operation he underwent, was first made by Mr. Thomas Morton, of Boston," <fec.

Vlll PREFACE.

matter contained in these papers ; whenever any assertion has been made, corroborative proof has, if possible, been added, and as much of the personal conflicting matter has been given in the words of others, as could be procured. It may not, in consequence, present so much interest as a narrative, but possesses greater value as regards details.

It is true no written work can fully render, during the lifetime of Dr. Morton, that justice which is his due, but which has been so tardily meted out. In the words of Senator Walker, before Congress : "His most enduring reward will be in the undying gratitude of posterity, and a supreme happiness flowing from gratitude to God, for being made the medium of such a boon to his creatures."

Chapter I. Early Years

Introductory Remarks — The Morton Family — Ancestors of Dr. Morton — Birthplace of Dr. Morton — An Amateur Practitioner — Early Education — Determination to Study Medicine — Singular Meeting — Adverse Circumstances pages. 13-23

Chapter II. Begins Professional Career His First Attempt To Induce

ANESTHESIA.

Dental Surgery as Dr. Morton found it — Attends the Opening of the first Dental College in the World — Commences Practice in Boston — Determines to perfect himself in his Profession — Professional Intercourse — Pays Five Hundred Dollars to Vice-President of American Society of Dental Surgery — Makes an Improvement in his Art — Discovers the Theory of Etherization — Becomes busied with this One Idea — Enters Massachusetts Medical College — Marriage — First Case of Local Anassthesia — Daring Experiment upon a Patient — Experiments upon Animals 24-33

Chapter III. Attends The Massachusetts Medical College

The Dissecting Room — Professors John C. Warren, John W. Webster, George Hayward, Walter Channing, John Ware, Jacob Bigelow — Massachusetts General Hospital — The Inquisitorial Torture Chamber — Method of Operation before the Introduction of Ether — Pulleys to drag in Dislocated Bones — Woman's Fear of the Scalpel banished — Scenes of Student Life 34-44

XIV CONTENTS.

Chapter IV. Practices Dental Surgery

Makes Artificial Nose and Palate — Smiling Appendages — London Exhibition — His Professional Income 45-51

Chapter V. Discovery Of Anaesthesia

His Speculations upon Ether — Purchases Books on the Uses of Ether — What Information he found — Determines to discover how dangerous — Gives Ether to a Dog — Consultations with Chemists — Gets all the Known Information of the Day upon Ether — Recollection of a Conversation with Dr. Morton on the Subject by a Boston Chemist while abroad — Evidence of Early Experiments — Communications — Belief in Ultimate Success of his Experiments — Intrusts his Business to Another — Experiments upon Himself — First Real Verification — Gets a larger Supply of Ether — Determines to Extract a Tooth — Offers Reward for Patients — None could be induced — Experiments upon his Students — Ascertains Difference in Quality of Ether — Crude Apparatus — Experiment endangering his Life — First Painless Operation on Man — Threatened Proceedings — Various Effect — Motives that induced "Witnesses to his Experiments 52-65

Chapter VI. Knowledge On Subject Anterior To Discovery

Early Existence of Desire to relieve Pain — Oracle at Delphi — Grotto del Cane — Carbonic Acid Gas — Employment of Narcotics Mention in the Bible — Account by Pliny — Dioscorides and other Ancient "Writers — Means of preventing Pain among the Chinese

Customs in other parts of the East— Tho Old Man of the Mountain — Haschisch— Modern Use of Drugs in the East — Measures adopted in the Middle Ages— State of Knowledge at Commencement of 17th Century— Popular Belief— Arabian Nights— Shakespearian Opinion — Intoxication by Alcohol — Compression — Cold and Frio-- orific Mixtures — Mesmerism — Anaesthesia by Inhalation — Nitrous Oxide Gas — Previous Use of Sulphuric Ether — Knowledge of its

Effects after Inhalation — Claimants of the Discovery Chloroform

— Other Substances Employed — Benefits of the Discovery Method

of Action of all Anaesthetics 66-87

CONTENTS. XV

Chapter VII. The Public Trial

Morton takes Measures to make the Discovery public — Interview with Dr Warren — A Critical Moment — Invitation to Experiment at the Hospital — Dr. A. A. Gould — Trials and Difficulties — Opportune Arrival — Operation at the Hospital — The first Public Trial — Morton holds One of the Gates of Death — A Proud Moment for Dr. Morton — Action of the Surgeons — Their Refusal to continue to use the Agent — Offer of Dr. Morton — The Veil removed — Result — Remarkable Case — The Liberality of the Trustees of the Hospital — Risk of Indictment for Manslaughter 88-99

Chapter VIII. The Announcement

Effect of the Announcement of the Discovery — A Biographical Parallel — Morton Fortifies Anaesthesia — Published Accounts — Rejoicing in America — Woman in her Hour of Trial — Announcement in England — Joy — Letters — London Journal — Dr. Morton's Deserts — First Operation in England under the Influence of Ether — Proclamation over the Rest of Europe — News too Good to be True— A Change in FeeliDg 100-112

Chapter IX. Opposition

Professional Jealousy — The Dental Manifesto — Upbraided for Announcing a Humbug — Opposition of Physicians and Editors — Replies — Medium of Publication — Dispiriting to Dr. Morton — Offer to the United States Government — The Reception of the Offer — Headquarters — Religious Scruples against Anaesthesia — Congress jealously regards Anoesthesia — Letter of Dr. Simpson — A Case in Point 113-127

Chapter X. The Patent

Reasons for securing a Patent — Generosity of Doctor Morton — Gift to the Hospital — The Patent Secured — Terms and Advantages of the Patent— Gifts Abroad— The Inhalers— The Christening— Letter of Dr. 0. W. Holmes — Physicians ask Congress to buy Patent 128-141

XVI COKTENTS.

Chapter XI. Controversy — Nitrous Oxide — Wells

Futile Attempts of "Wells with Nitrous Oxide— He abandons his Experiments— Exhibits Birds— Sells Patent-Rights and Pictureslie visits Europe— His Letter in Hartford Courant— Nitrous Oxide dependent on Mesmerism— Examination of his Claim — Its Basis— Is Nitrous Oxide Gas a Proper Ancesthetic ?— Was he the Former of the Original Induction ?— Claim of Dr. Cooley— Failure of Wells with the Gas in New- York — Can the Efi'ects of an Anaesthetic be resisted by an Effort of the Will — Dr. Hayward, of Boston, testifies Wells admitted he never used Ether — The Important Article in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal — Foray into the Enemy's Camp — The Search for the Auxiliaries — One Hundred Dollars Reward — Dr. Wells in Paris — His Article in Galignani — Important Correspondence between the Claimants — Proof that Dr. Wells did not act the Part of a Discoverer — The Different Issue made — Basis of Wells' Claim — Curious Reasoning — The Challenge — Was Dr. Wells a Plagiarist ? — Was the Discovery made before 1846 ? — The True amount of Credit due Dr. Wells — His Death — The Insinuations against Dr. Morton — Hon. Truman Smith appears upon the Stage — His Letter and Circular... 142-167

Chapter XII. Controversy Continued — A Suggestion — Jackson

Interviews between Dr. Charles T. Jackson and Dr. W. T. G. Morton — Dr. Jackson's Financial Proposition — First Acquaintance of the Two Claimants — Their Friendly Intercourse — The " Toothache Drops" — The Germ of the Ether Controversy — The True Position of the Parties— The Obligation of Dr. Morton— Why Jackson was associated with Morton— Balm to a Troubled Conscience — Execution of Papers between Jackson and Morton — The

Statement of Dr. Jackson — Admits he made no Experiments An

Examination of his Claim— Its Basis— Singular Conduct for a Discoverer or a Benefactor— Goes Back Four Years— The Meeting called by Dr. Jackson, in Boston— The Opinions of the Members — Jackson simply a Spectator to Morton's Experiments— The Pen Mightier than the Sword— Jackson disclaims Anaisthesia— Opinion of Dr. Morton as regards the Aid received from Dr. Jackson —Problematic Honors — Monomania — Claims the Telegraph— Ex-

CONTENTS. XVii

emplification of the Creed, "All is Fair in War " — Steals a March upon Morton — Denounces Everybody that espouses Morton's Cause 168-200

Chapter XIII. The Award Of The French Academy

The News reaches Paris— The Opposition — The Concealed Blow— The Letter to the French Academy — Effects — Indignation of

Dr. Morton Temporary Adjustment Procrastination- — The

Epistolary Imposture in the Boston Daily Advertiser — Another Attempt at an Arrangement — Morton proposes an Arbitration — More Duplicity — Morton commences his Defence — Difficulties in establishing his Claim — The Institute of France refuse Fifteen Minutes to Morton's Claim — Detention of Documents — Sold for Old Paper — The Decision of the Academy of Sciences — Its Value —The Medal 201-218

Chapter XIV. First Application To Congress

Reasons for deciding to apply to Congress — A Recompense — Precedents — Petition of Dr. Jonner — Dr. Morton's Memorial presented — The Finale — Opinion of Dr. Jackson on the Wells' Claim — Report of the Massachusetts General Hospital — Gift from Bostonians to Dr. Morton — Letter from Professor J. Y. Simpson 219-229

Chapter XV. The Era Of Persecution

An Unpleasant Surprise — A Dilemma — Plotting — The Coup d'Etat — The Destruction of the Bond — The Threat — Malignity never at a Loss — An Agent's Deposition — Transference of Operations to Europe — A Trap laid — Dr. Jackson's Letters to Mr. Whitney — Mr. Poore's Account — False Insinuations — Epistola rediviva — The Telegraph made a Scape-Goat — Charge Laid before Council of Freemasons — Before the Trustees of tho Massachusetts General Hospital — The Attacks getting Nearer Home — An Auto Da Fe — Official Interference — The Slanders presented to Congressional Committee — Their Failure — More Violence — A Libel in a Scurrilous Newspaper — An Explanation — Arrest of Dr. Jackson — Falsehood — Opposing Assertions — The Saving " Card" — The True Position of the Claimants — Look on this Picture, then on That : Letter from the Mayor of Boston contrasted with One from Dr. Jackson, Both addressed to the Mayor of New-York 230-263

XV1H CONTENTS.

Chapter XVI. Pecuniary Difficulties

Retrospect— Intercourse of Dr. Morton -with Dr. Keep— Partnership formed between them-Its Dissolution— Desertion— The Mysterious Stranger— The Anonymous Letter— Fears for the Future— The Riddle—Its Solution— A Shrewd Plan— Its Success— More Injuries- Prostration— " A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed"— Corroborative Letters— The whole Pack of Hounds let Loose— 111 Health 264-281

Chapter XVII. The Second Application To Congress

Dr. Morton decides to visit Washington — Tne Lion in the Way — True Friends — Letters from Drs. Homans, Robbins, 0. W. Holmes, Charles G. Putnam, Jacob Bigelow, John Jeffries, Robert W. Hooper, Henry J. Bigelow, A. L. Peirson, George Hayward, George M. Briggs, Governor of Massachusetts, John P. Bigelow, Mayor of Boston, Hon. Charles Sumner, Hon. Rufus Choate, Ex- Gov. Morton — Dr. Morton's Memorial — Demonstrations at Washington — Arrival of Dr. Jackson at the Capital — Dr. Morton and Prof. Morse — Report of the Congressional Committee — The False Affidavit — The Lucky Slip of Paper — Honorary Medical Degree conferred 282-309

Chapter XVIII. Third Application To Congress

Assistance of Friends — Letters from Drs. 0. W. Holmes, George Hayward, Henry I. Bowditch, S. W. Henderson, R. W. Hooper, Judge McLean, Hon. Albort Smith, Hon. B. B. French — Interview with Hon. Daniel Webster — A Plan of Operations agreed upon — The Committee appointed — Action before Committee — The Circulars to Medical Men — The Snake Shows its Head — Valuable Endorsements — Letters from Surgeon-General, Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Hon. Sam Houston, Hon. A. G. Brown, Hon. J. P. Walker, non. W. Brookes, Hon. James L. Orr, Hon. Alfred Gilmore, Hon. Horace Mann, Hon. Thomas B. Florence, Hon. Emanuel B. Hart, Hon. W. W. Snow, Hon. Gilbert Dean, The Secretary of War, Secretary of the Treasury — Difficulty in getting Report before Congress — Project of the Chairman of Committee — Its Failure — Amendment to the Army Appropriation Bill

CONTENTS. XIX

— Debate in Congress — Speech of Mr. Borland — Singular Conduct of Hon. Truman Smith — His "Wisdom — The Proposal made — Speeches of Mr. Shields, Mr. Douglass, Mr. Walker, Mr. Mallory — Postponement procured by Mr. Hale — The Vote — Discouragement 310-353

Chapter XIX. Third Application Continued

Unhappy Condition of Dr. Morton — The Commission at Hartford to take Testimony in perpeluam — The One at Boston — The Memorial of the Boston Physicians — The Petition of the Trustees of the Massachusetts General Hospital — The Petitions presented to Congress — The Committee formed — More Difficulties — The Report published — The Proposition of Dr. Morton to have it decided legally—The Vote— Another Failure 354-375

Chapter XX. The Last Defeat

The Bill presented by Mr. Everett — Protest of Dr. Jackson — Passes the Senate — Singular Conduct of the Speaker of the House of Representatives — The Vote and Last Defeat — The Manner in which Dr. Morton comported Himself — Agricultural Life — His Reputation at Home — Return to Now-England and Reception — Etherton Cottage— The Family Fireside 374-389

Chapter XXI. Action Of The Executive

A Leaf out of the Records of the Circumlocution Office — A New Course ordered Him — " Artful Dodgers" — Opinions on the Patent — Protest to the Executive — The Replies — Official Etiquette — A Game of Battledore — The Design of Dr. Morton — Waits for the Report of Prof. Henry— Hon. Mr. Witte— The President of the United States takes a Hand in the Game — False Hopes — Dr. Morton plans a Visit to Europe — Credential Letter from Secretary of State of the United States — The Arrangements made — Letter from the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture — Unfortunate Results — No News from Washington — The Dernier Resort — Letter to the President — An Audience with the President — Shipwreck of his Hopes — Dark Prospects — Race for tho Despoliation.. .390-420

XX CONTEXTS.

Chapter XXII. Action Of The Benevolent

Mr. Amos A. Lawrence — His Kindness— Suggests a Meeting of the Philanthropic in Boston— The Plan of a National Testimonial formed— The Appeal — Donations of Public Institutions— Individual Subscriptions— The Movement in New- York— Letters from Governor Banks, Drs. James Jackson, Jacob Bigelow, 0. W. Holmes, John Jeffries, and S. D. Townsend — The Committee meet —The Circular of the Medical Profession — Plan of bringing the Subject before Public Institutions — Resolution of Medical Board of Bellevue Hospital — Report of Committee on Bollevue Hospital — Subscriptions of Public Institutions of New- York — The Opinion of the Counsel for the Corporation of New- York — Dr. Morton construes the Advice of the President literally — The Government Prosecuted — An Explanation — An Account Current with Mankind — Cost of Introducing the Discovery — Questions for Mathematicians — Reliance upon Medical Brethren 421-453

Conclusion

Review of the Case of Dr. Morton — Treatment received by all Discoverers — Success the Best Reward — Comparison of Case of Mr. Cyrus W. Field — Probable Reception of Some of the Statements contained in this Book 454-460

Chapter I. Eaely Years

"Yet unto thee, New England, still Thy wandering sons shall stretch their arms, And thy rudo chart of rock and hill Seem dearer than the land of palms."

—T. G. WhittUr.

There is a distinctive character about a New-England village, which has no counterpart in those of any other portion of the Union — a difference somewhat difficult to describe, but one sure to impress the traveler as he passes from one part of the country to another.

The sunny South, with its more genial and settled climate, allowing a life to be passed for a large portion of the year in the open air, by the less carefully constructed houses, the large open windows and ill-closed doors, by the many loop-holes and crannies, with their cross-draughts and counter-currents to strike terror to the heart of northern rheumatism, leaves on the mind of the visitor an impression of carelessness, if not shiftlessness. Owing to the large tracts owned by the planters, and the almost feudal character given the wealthy by the prerogative of slavery, there is in the towns less the appearance of compactness and sociality, and more of those striking evidences of differences of rank and position, which are especially obnoxious to the feelings of the genuine Yankee villager.

14 DISCOVERT OF ETHERIZATION. [CHAP. I.

In the young and growing West, the greed for gain, or its sudden acquisition, shows its effects in every act of man's handiwork. In the farm, where the log-cabin and the mud-plastered hut are looked upon, not as the family homes, but as places for temporary deposit for the bodies containing the energy and courage which are to secure a fortune from the countless acres surrounding them ; in the mushroom towns, where the brown stone front of some fortunate speculator jostles the rude cabin of some early pioneer — where the paved and lighted streets, and other conveniences of an older civilization, are abruptly terminated by the primeval forest, or the unbroken prairies — where all that meets the eye betokens a young, wild, untrimmed, but still a vigorous, healthy growth— one which will soon, by increase of years, remedy what are now so apparent defects.

But in the New-England town there is a pervading air of quiet respectability, a solid look of permanency and demure maturity, which is seen in eveiy farm-house, and its surroundings, from the capacious, non-picturesque, glaring white house of the last builder, with its comfortable, well-constructed rooms and latest improvements, to the mossy thatched weather-beaten cottage of the oldest family in the town. The barns and out-buildings, larger and often better built than the houses ; the massive stone walls, the well- tilled fields, with each stone removed except the huge boulders, the inevitable accompaniments of a New- England landscape, all show the amount of the labor demanded from their sturdy owners, and the constant care and attention bestowed.

There is much about them to remind one of many of the English hamlets. There are the same old mossy walls and quiet, shady walks — the same decorous stillness pervades them ; but in addition, there is more of the true appearance of thrift, and ot the well-to-do- in-the-world look of the man, fair, fat and forty, who has something in bank laid by for a rainy day, and a sturdy architectural independence, as if each house owner was proud that he had made his way to his present prosperity by his own exertions, and was only too glad to let every passer-by know the fact.

CnAF. I.] THE MORTON FAMILY. 15

From such towns as these emanate that restless, shrewd, energetic class of men who have done so much to make New-England what she is. From such a town, each day in the year, some kind, wise father, or indulgent mother, sees a son start out to carve himself a place among the wealthy, or to strive for an honorable position with the wise and good. With a soil too sterile to support all who would wish to stay, and her means for acquiring wealth too few and difficult to satisfy the demands of most, it has been the fortunate lot of New-England to see more of her sons exiled to other States respected, powerful, and beloved, than any other portion of the country.

Such a New-England village is Charlton, one of the many comprised in the large, wealthy, and fertile county of Worcester, in the State of Massachusetts. Nestled among the hills, beautified by many a sheet of water, it has always from its foundation, furnished to the call of the country a hardy, healthy yeomanry, and kept for its demands at home a virtuous, intelligent, energetic community.

Here from the commencement of the 18th century, had dwelt the maternal ancestors of William T. Or. Morton, the subject of the present sketch. Originally from Salem, and other towns on the Atlantic seaboard, they had at this early period been induced to settle here from the superior advantages afforded in the interior for agricultural pursuits,' or because dissatisfied under the restrictions of what was then called a city life ; and living quietly and unambitiously as prosperous farmers, have left behind them a legacy of respect and esteem. His ancestors on the father's side, that family of Mortons, so often and honorably mentioned in the early chronicles of New-England, had at an early period in our history emigrated to this country from Scotland, to search in the New World that freedom of art and thought, and that religious liberty, which was not vouchsafed to them in the old.

Among them was one Kobert Morton, a merchant, who settling first in Mendon, a town in the vicinity of Charlton, was afterward induced, by love of speculation, to remove to New- Jersey. Here he acquired by purchase for three ship loads of goods, several thousand acres in the eastern part. Upon what was

16 DISCOVERY OF ETHERIZATION. [CHAP. I

then a portion of his domain, is now situated the large and prosperous city of Elizabethtown. Singular to state, the original grant has never been sold, or in any way cancelled, and at the present time, with the original title deed in the possession of Dr. Morton's family, we have the novel spectacle of a city of squatters — for in that way was the land and title placed in the possession of the present holders. It has often been suggested that the claim be prosecuted, but with the knowledge of the law's delays, the length of time required, and the multitude of obstacles to be thrown in the way, the attempt has never been made by any of the descendants.

James Morton, a son, had at an early age settled at Smithfield, a town in Rhode Island, the inducement being a colony of Quakers, (of which sect he was a member,) who, attracted by its distance from other settlements, and its superior farming advantages, had for a long time lived here.

"When the war trump was sounded through the quiet villages, and the example and exhortations of the ministers were added to the demands made by the leaders of the down-trodden people to rise and assert their rights, among the first to respond to the call was this same son, who, forsaking his home, his wife, and his children, partook of all the dangers and vicissitudes of that period, from the battle of Bunker' s-Hill until the close of hostilities had established as a settled fact the declaration of the people, that they would forever remain free and independent.

Thomas Morton, a son, who was born in 1759, shared with him the perils of this trying time, and shoulder to shoulder breasted, equally with his father, all the difficulties which their cause imposed, or took the young man's share. At the close of the war, and after his return home to the bosom of his family, and the love of a young wife, to whom ho had been united a few years before, he was accidentally killed upon his own threshold. One morning, when about to start with his aged father to a neighboring justice's to arrange the will and some family papers, he was appealed to by an old family slave, who, with a lugubrious air, complained of the dullness of his scythe, and proffered the request that it should be taken to the town to be sharpened. On

-— CHAP, 1.] ANCESTORS OF DR. MORTON. 17

their way out of the gate with the implement in the vehicle, the horse became unmanageable, and Thomas, in endeavoring to leap from the chaise and seize his head, fell upon the scythe, and received so serious a wound, that, in a short time, he breathed his last.

James, his son, (and the father of Dr. Morton) at that time a boy of but six summers, was much afflicted by the horrors of this dreadful catastrophe, and often afterward related the particulars so minutely, as to show the indelible impression which it had made upon hi3 memory.

After the death of his father, his mother, who seems to have been a woman of rare energy and prudence, and well qualified to act in the trying position in which she found herself placed, devoted herself to the mental culture and moral well-being of her children, a task in which the results show how admirably she succeeded. Her father had purchased a farm which was conveyed to her in trust, for her children. Upon this, the young boy found full employment for his time and his natural energy, and by his untiring exertions contributed much to the support of his family.

At the age of 21, the whole farm came into his possession by purchase from his mother — and shortly afterward a new claim was made upon his care and affection, by his marriage with a young person at Charlton, whose acquaintance he had made a short time before when on a visit in that town.

The wish of his wife, and attachments which he himself had formed with her relations and friends, induced him shortly afterwards to sell his farm at Smithfield and remove to her place of birth, where he purchased a house and farm of about 100 acres, which for a long time had been, and still is, in possession of his wife's family.