Extracts from the diary and correspondence of the late Amos Lawrence; with a brief account of some incidents in his life

Front matter

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Preface

Among the papers of the late Amos Lawrence were found copies of a large number of letters addressed to his children.

With the hope that the good counsels there given, during a succession of years, extending from their childhood to adult age, might still be made profitable to their descendants, he had caused them to be carefully preserved.

These letters, as well as an irregular record of his daily experience, were scattered through many volumes, and required arrangement before they could be of use to those for whom they were intended.

As no one else of the immediate family could conveniently undertake the task, the editor considered it his duty to do that which could not properly be committed to one less nearly connected with the deceased.

The present volume, containing what was thought most interesting among those letters and extracts, was accordingly prepared for private circulation ; and an edition of one hundred copies was printed and distributed among the nearest relatives and friends.

It has been thought by many that the record of such a life as is here portrayed would be useful to other readers, and especially to young men, — a class in whom Mr. Lawrence was deeply interested, and with

VI PREFACE.

whom circumstances in his own life had given him a peculiar bond of sympathy.

Although many, among both friends and strangers, have urged the publication of the present memorial, and some have even cmestioned the moral right of withholding from the view of others the light of an example so worthy of imitation, much hesitation has been felt in submitting to the public the recital of such domestic incidents as are treasured in the memory of every family; those incidents which cast a sunbeam or a shadow across every fireside, and yet possess little or no interest for the busy world without.

At the solicitation of the " Boston Young Men's Christian Union," the " Boston Young Men's Christian Association," and the students of Williams College, through their respective committees, and at the request of many esteemed citizens, the pages which were prepared for the eye of kindred and friends alone are now submitted to the public. Personal feeling is forgotten in the hope that the principles here inculcated may tend to promote the ends for which the subject of this memorial lived and labored.

The interest manifested in his life, and the tributes rendered to his memory, have been a source of sincere gratification to his family ; and they would here tender their acknowledgments to all those who have expressed their interest and their wishes in regard to this publication.

The present volume is submitted with a few unimportant omissions, and with the addition of some materials, received after the issue of the first edition, which will throw light upon the character and principles of Mr. Lawrence during his early business career.

His course was that of a private citizen, who took but little part in public measures or in public life.

PREFACE. VII

To the general reader, therefore, there may be but little to amuse in a career so devoid of incident, and so little connected with the stirring events of his times; but there cannot fail to be something to interest those who can appreciate the spirit which, in this instance, led to a rare fidelity in the fulfilment of important trusts, and the consecration of a life to the highest duties.

Mr. Lawrence was eminently a religious man, and a deep sense of accountability may be discovered at the foundation of those acts of beneficence, which, during his lifetime, might have been attributed to a less worthy motive.

It has been the object of the editor to allow the subject of this memorial to tell his own story, and to add merely what is necessary to preserve the thread of the narrative, or to throw light upon the various matters touched upon in the correspondence.

It is designed to furnish such materials as will afford a history of Mr. Lawrence's charitable efforts, rather than give a detailed account of what was otherwise an uneventful career.

Such selections from his correspondence are made as seemed best adapted to illustrate the character of the man ; such as exhibit his good and valuable traits, without attempting to conceal those imperfections, an exemption from which would elevate him above the common sphere of mortals.

Most of his letters are of a strictly private nature, and involve the record of many private details. His domestic tastes, and his affection for his family, often led him to make mention of persons and events in such a way that few letters could be wholly given without invading the precincts of the family circle.

VIII PREFACE.

The engraving at the commencement of the volume is from an original portrait, by Harding, in the possession of the editor, a copy of which hangs in the library of Williams College.

It seems also fitting to include a portrait of the Hon. Abbott Lawrence, who, for forty-three years, was so intimately associated with the subject of this memorial in all the trials, as well as in the triumphs, of business life, and who was still more closely connected by the bonds of fraternal affection and sympathy. A few days only have elapsed since he was removed from the scene of his earthly labors.

The grave has rarely closed over one who to such energy of character and strength of purpose united a disposition so gentle and forbearing. Amidst the perplexities attending his extended business relations, and in the excitement of the political struggles in which he was called to take part, he was never tempted to overstep the bounds of courtesy, or to regard his opponents otherwise than with feelings of kindness.

His wealth was used freely for the benefit of others, and for the advancement of all those good objects which tended to promote the welfare of his fellow-men.

That divine spark of charity, which burned with such ceaseless energy in the bosom of his elder brother, was caught up by him, and exhibited its fruits in those acts of munificence which will make him long remembered as a benefactor of his race.

Boston, September 1st, 1855.

LETTERS,

REQUESTING PUBLICATION

Rooms of the Boston Young Men's Christian Union,

G Bedford-street, Boston, June 22, 1855.

William R. Lawrence, Esq.

Dear Sir : The undersigned, members of the Government of the Boston Young Men's Christian Union, some of whom have perused the excellent memoir of your honored father, feel deeply impressed with the desire that it should be published and circulated, knowing that its publication and perusal would greatly benefit the young, the old, and all classes of our busy mercantile community.

Remembering with pleasure the friendship which your father expressed, not only in kind words, but in substantial offerings to the treasury and library of our Society, the Union would be most happy, should it comport with your feelings, to be made the medium of the publication and circulation of the memoir, which you have compiled with so much ability and faithfulness.

Hoping to receive a favorable response to our desire,

We are most truly yours,

JOHN SWEETSER, J. F. AINSWORTH,

JOSEPII n. ALLEN, W. H. RICHARDSON,

CHAS. C. SMITH, . FRANCIS S. RUSSELL,

C. J. BISHOP, FREDERIC II. HENSHAW,

F. II. PEABODY, CHARLES F. POTTER,

ARTHUR, W. HOBART. GEO. S. HALE.

Rooms of the Boston Young Men's Christian Association,

Tremont Temple, Boston, July 10, 1855.

Dear Sir :

The Committee on the Library of the Boston Young Men's Christian Association beg leave, in its behalf, to tender you sincere thanks for your donation of a copy of the " Diary and Correspondence of Amos Lawrence." It will remain to the members of the Association a valued memorial of one of its earliest benefactors. It will be yet more prized for its record of his invaluable legacy, — the history of a long life — a bright example.

The Committee, uniting with the subscribers, managers of the Association, are happy to improve this opportunity to express the hope that you may be induced to give the book a more general circulation. The kindly charities of your late lamented parent are still fresh in impressions of gratitude upon their recipients. They require no herald to give them publicity. The voice of fame would do violence to their spirit.

Yet, now that " the good man " can no more utter his words of sympathy and counsel, — that his pen can no more subscribe its noble bonefactions, or indite its lessons of wisdom and experience, — the press may silently perpetuate those which survive him.

"We must assure you of our pleasure in the knowledge that the liberal interest in the Association, so constantly manifested by your revered father, is actively maintained by yourself.

We remain, in the fraternal bonds of Christian regard,

Yours, truly,

J. S. WARREN, ELIJAH SWIFT,

SAMUEL GREGORY, B. C. CLARK, JR.,

LUTHER L. TARBELL, JOSEPH P. ELLICOTT,

ALONZO C. TENNET, GEO. N. NOTES,

MOSES W. POND, PEARL MARTIN,

FRANKLIN W. SMITH, E. M. PUTNAM, CnAS. L. ANDREWS, GEO. C. RAND, To H. C. GILBERT,

William R. Lawrence, M.D.

Library and lluuiiw

Williams College, June 30, 1855.

Dear Sir :

The students of Williams College having learned that you have prepared, for private distribution, a volume illustrating the character of the late Amos Lawrence, whose munificence to this Institution they appreciate, and whose memory they honor ; the undersigned, a Committee appointed for the purpose, express to you their earnest desire that you would allow it to be published.

Very truly yours,

SAMUEL B. FORBES, E. C. SMITH, FRED. W. BEECHER, To HENRY HOPKINS.

W. R. Lawrence, M.D., Boston.

CONCLUSION, SS2

INDEX, 101

DIARY AND CORRESPONDENCE.

Chapter I. Birth. — Ancestry. — Parents

Amos Lawrence was born in Groton, Mass., on the 22d of April, 1786. His ancestor, John Lawrence, was baptized, according to the records, on the 8th of October, 1609, at Wisset, County of Suffolk, England, where the family had resided for a long period, though originally from the County of Lancaster.

Butler, in his "History of Groton," has, among other details, the following :

" The first account of the ancestor of the numerous families of this name in Groton and Pepperell, "which can be relied upon as certain, is, that he was an inhabitant of Watertown as early as 1635. He probably came in the company -which came with Governor Winthrop, in 1630. His given name was John, and that of his wife was Elizabeth. Whether they were married in England or not, has not been ascertained. Their eldest child was born in "Watertown, January 14, 1635. lie removed to Groton, with probably all his family, at an early period of its settlement, as his name is found in the records there in 1663. He was an original proprietor, having a twenty-acre right."

Of the parents of the subject of this memoir, the same author writes :

" Samuel Lawrence, the son of Captain Amos Lawrence, sen., was an officer in the continental army, in the former part of the Revolutionary War. He was in the battle of Bunker Hill, where a musket-ball passed through his beaver hat. He was also in the battle in Rhode Island, where he served as adjutant under General Sullivan. On the 22d day of July, 1777, being at home, on a furlough, for the express purpose, he was married to Susanna Parker. * * * *

" Having faithfully served in the cause of his country during the term of his engagement, he returned to his native town, to enjoy the peace and quiet of domestic life on his farm. He was elected by his townsmen to some of the highest offices in their gift ; he was a deacon of the church, and a justice of the peace quorum wins. He took a deep interest in providing means for the education of youth, particularly in establishing and supporting the seminary in Groton, which now, in gratitude to him and his sons, bears the family name. Of this institution he was a trustee thirty-three years, and in its benefits and advantages he gave ample opportunities for all his children to participate. Here their minds undoubtedly received some of those early impressions, the developments and consequences of which it will be the work of their biographers hereafter to portray. No deduction, however, should here be made from the importance of parental instruction, to add to the merit of academical education. The correct lessons given by the mother in the nursery are as necessary to give the right inclination to the tender mind as are those of the tutor in the highest seminary to prepare it for the business of life and intellectual greatness. In the present case, all the duties incumbent on a mother to teach her offspring to be good, and consequently great, were discharged with fidelity and success. Both parents lived to see, in the subject of their care, all that they could reasonably hope or desire. He died November 8, 1827, set. seventy-three ; and his venerable widow, May 2, 1845, set. eighty-nine."

Mr. Lawrence writes, in 1849, to a friend :

" My father belonged to a company of minute-men in Groton, at the commencement of the Revolution. On the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, when the news reached town that the British troops were on the road from Boston, General Prescott, who was a neighbor, came towards the house on horseback, at rapid speed, and cried out, ' Samuel, notify your men : the British are coming? My father mounted the general's horse, rode a distance of seven miles, notified the men of his circuit, and was back again at his father's house in forty minutes. In three hours the company was ready to march, and on the next day (the 20th) reached Cambridge. My father was in the battle of Bunker Hill ; received a bullet through his cap, which cut his hair from front to rear ; received a spent grape-shot upon his arm, without breaking the bone ; and lost a large number of men. His veteran Captain Farwell was shot through the body, was taken up for dead, and was so reported by the man who was directed to carry him off. This report brought back the .captain's voice, and he exclaimed, with his utmost power, ' It avSt true; don't let my poor wife hear of this ; I shall live to see my country free. 1 And so it turned out. This good man, who had served at the capture of Cape Breton in 1745, again in 1755, and now on Bunker Hill in 1775, is connected with everything interesting in my early days. The bullet was extracted, and remains, as a memento, with his descendants. My father and mother were acquainted from their childhood, and engaged to be married some time in 1775.

They kept up a correspondence through 1776, when he was at New York ; but, on a visit to her, in 1777 (his mother having advised them to be married, as Susan had better be Sam's widow than his forlorn damsel), they were married ; but, while the ceremony was going forward, the signal was given to call all soldiers to their posts ; and, within the hour, he left his wife, father, mother, and friends, to join his regiment, then at Cambridge. This was on the 22d day of July, 1777. In consideration of the circumstances, his colonel allowed him to return to his wife, and to join the army at Rhode Island in a brief time (two or three days). He did so, and saw nothing more of home until the last day of that year. The army being in winter quarters, he got a furlough for a short period, and reached home in time to assist at the ordination of the Rev. Daniel Chaplin, of whose church both my parents were then members. His return was a season of great joy to all his family. His stay was brief, and nothing more was seen of him until the autumn of 1778, when he retired from the army, in time to be with his wife at the birth of their first child. From that time he was identified with everything connected with the good of the town. As we children came forward, we were carefully looked after, but were taught to use the talents intrusted to us ; and every nerve was strained to provide for us the academy which is now doing so much there. We sons are doing less for education for our means than our father for his means."

Of his mother Mr. Lawrence always spoke in the strongest terms of veneration and love, and in many of his letters are found messages of affection, such as could have emanated only from a heart overflowing with filial gratitude. Her form bending over their bed in silent prayer, at the hour of twilight, when she was about leaving them for the night, is still among the earliest recollections of her children.

She was a woman well fitted to train a family for the troubled times in which she lived. To the kindest affections and sympathies she united energy and decision, and in her household enforced that strict and unhesitating obedience, which she considered as the foundation of all success in the education of children. Her hands were never idle, as may be supposed, when it is remembered that in those days, throughout New England, in addition to the cares of a farming establishment, much of the material for clothing was manufactured by the inmates of the family. Many hours each day she passed at the hand-loom, and the hum of the almost obsolete spinning-wheel even now comes across the memory like the remembrance of a pleasant but half-forgotten melody.

Chapter II. Early Years. — School Days. — Apprenticeship

The first public instruction received by Mr. Lawrence was at the district school kept at a short distance from his father's house. Possessing a feeble constitution, he was often detained at home by sickness, where he employed himself industriously with his books and tools, in the use of which he acquired a good degree of skill, as may be seen from a letter to his son, at Groton, in 1839 :

" Near the barn used to be an old fort, where the people went to protect themselves from the Indians ; and, long since my remembrance, the old cellar was there, surrounded by elderbushes and the like. I made use of many a piece of the elder for pop-guns and squirts, in the preparation of which I acquired a strong taste for the use of the pen-knife and jack-knife. I like the plan of boys acquiring the taste for tools, and of their taking pains to learn their use ; for they may be so situated as to make a very slight acquaintance very valuable to them. And, then, another advantage is that they may have exercise of body and mind in some situations where they would suffer without. How do you employ yourself? Learn as much as you can of farming ; for the work of your hands in this way may prove the best resource in securing comfort to you. The beautiful images of early life come up in these bright moonlight nights, the like of ■which I used to enjoy in the fields below our old mansion, -where I was sent to watch the cattle. There I studied astronomy to more account than ever afterwards ; for the heavens were impressive teachers of the goodness of that Father w r ho is ever near to each one of his children. May you never lose sight of this truth, and so conduct yourself that at any moment you may be ready to answer when He calls ! "

He did not allow himself to be idle, but, from his earliest years, exhibited the same spirit of industry ■which led to success in after life. With a natural quickness of apprehension, and -a fondness for books, he made commendable progress, in spite of his disadvantages. His father's social disposition and hospitable feelings made the house a favorite resort for both friends and strangers ; and among the most welcome were old messmates and fellow-soldiers, to whose marvellous adventures and escapes the youthful listener lent a most attentive ear. In after life he often alluded to the intense interest with which he hung upon these accounts of revolutionary scenes, and times which "tried men's souls." The schoolmaster was usually billeted upon the family ; and there are now living individuals high in political and social life who served in that capacity, and who look back with pleasure to the days passed under that hospitable roof.

At a later period, he seems to have been transferred

2* to another school, in the adjoining district, as will be seen by the following extract of a letter, written in 3 844, to a youth at the Groton Academy :

" More than fifty years ago, your father and I were school children together. I attended then at the old meeting-house, or North Barn, as it was called, by way of derision, where I once remember being in great tribulation at having lost my spellingbook on the way. It was afterwards restored to me by Captain Richardson, who found it under his pear-tree, where I had been, without leave, on my way to school, and with the other children helped myself to his fruit."

From the district school, Mr. Lawrence entered the Groton Academy, of which all his brothers and sisters were members at various times. As his strength was not sufficient to make him useful upon the farm, in the autumn of 1799 he was placed in a small store, in the neighboring town of Dunstable. There he passed but a few months ; and, on account, perhaps, of greater facilities for acquiring a knowledge of business, he was transferred to the establishment of James Brazer, Esq., of Groton, an enterprising and thrifty country merchant, who transacted a large business, for those times, with his own and surrounding towns. The store was situated on the high road leading from Boston to New Hampshire and Canada, and was, consequently, a place of much resort, both for travellers and neighbors who took an interest in passing events. Several clerks were employed ; and, as Mr. Brazer did not take a very active part in the management of the business, after a year or two nearly the whole responsibility of the establishment rested upon young Lawrence. The stock consisted of the usual variety kept in the country stores of those days, when neighbors could not, as now, run down to the city, thirty or forty miles distant, for any little matter of fancy, and return before dinner-time. Puncheons of rum and brandy, bales of cloth, kegs of tobacco, with hardware and hosiery, shared attention in common with silks and thread, and all other articles for female use. Among other duties, the young clerk was obliged to dispense medicines, not only to customers, but to all the physicians within twenty miles around, who depended on this establishment for their supply.

The confidence in his good judgment was such that he was often consulted, in preference to the physician, by those who were suffering from minor ails ; and many were the extemporaneous doses which he administered for the weal or woe of the patient. The same confidence was extended to him in all other matters , no one doubted his assertion ; and the character for probity and fairness which accompanied him through life was here established.

The quantity of rum and brandy sold would surprise the temperance men of modern days. At eleven o'clock, each forenoon, some stimulating beverage, according to the taste of the clerk who compounded it, was served out for the benefit of clerks and customers. Mr. Lawrence partook with the others ; but, soon finding that the desire became more pressing at the approach of the hour for indulgence, he resolved to discontinue the habit altogether :

" His mind was soon made up. Understanding perfectly the ridicule he should meet with, and which for a time he did meet with in its fullest measure, he yet took at once the ground of total abstinence. Such a stand, taken at such an age, in such circumstances of temptation, before temperance societies had been heard of or the investigations had been commenced on which they are based, was a practical instance of that judgment and decision which characterized him through life." *

In regard to this resolution, he writes, many years afterward, to a young student in college :

"In the first place, take this for your motto at the commencement of your journey, that the difference of going just right, or a little wrong, will be the difference of finding yourself in good quarters, or in a miserable bog or slough, at the end of it. Of the whole number educated in the Groton stores for some years before and after myself, no one else, to my knowledge, escaped the bog or slough ; and my escape I trace to the simple fact of my having put a restraint upon my appetite. We five boys were in the habit, every forenoon, of making a drink compounded of

* President Hopkins's Sermon in commemoration of Amos Lawrence rum, raisins, sugar, nutmeg, &c, with biscuit, — all palatable to eat and drink. After being in the store four weeks, I found myself admonished by my appetite of the approach of the hour for indulgence. Thinking the habit might make trouble if allowed to grow stronger, without further apology to my seniors T declined partaking with them. My first resolution was to abstain for a week, and, when the week was out, for a month, and then for a year. Finally, I resolved to abstain for the rest of my apprenticeship, which was for five years longer. During that whole period, I never drank a spoonful, though I mixed gallons daily for my old master and his customers. I decided not to be a slave to tobacco in any form, though I loved the odor of it then, and even now have in my drawer a superior Havana cigar, given me, not long since, by a friend, but only to smell of. I have never in my life smoked a cigar ; never chewed but one quid, and that was before I was fifteen ; and never took an ounce of snuff, though the scented rappee of forty years ago had great charms for me. Now, I say, to this simple fact of starting just right am I indebted, with God's blessing on my labors, for my present position, as well as that of the numerous connections sprung up around me. I have many details that now appear as plain to me as the sun at noonday, by which events are connected together, and which have led to results that call on me to bless the Lord for all his benefits, and to use the opportunities thus permitted to me in cheering on the generation of young men who have claims upon my sympathies as relations, fellow-townsmen, or brethren on a more enlarged scale."

Of this period he writes elsewhere, as follows :

"When I look back. I can trace the small eveifts which happened at your age as having an influence upon all the after 4 things. My academy lessons, little academy balls, and eight-cent expenses for music and gingerbread, the agreeable partners in the hall, and pleasant companions in the stroll, all helped to make me feel that I had a character even then ; and, after leaving school and going into the store, there was not a month passed before I became impressed with the opinion that restraint upon appetite was necessary to prevent the slavery I saw destroying numbers around me. Many and many of the farmers, mechanics, and apprentices, of that day, have filled drunkards' graves, and have left destitute families and friends.

" The knowledge of every-clay affairs which I acquired in my business apprenticeship in Groton has been a source of pleasure and profit even in my last ten years' discipline."

The responsibility thrown upon the young clerk was very great ; and he seems cheerfully to have accepted it, and to have given himself up entirely to the performance of his business duties. His time, from early dawn till evening, was fully taken up ; and, although living in the family of his employer, and within a mile of his father's house, a whole week would sometimes pass without his having leisure to pay even a flying visit.

But few details of his apprenticeship can now be gathered either from his contemporaries or from any allusions in his own writings. He was disabled for a time by an accident which came near being fatal. In assisting an. acquaintance to unload a gun, by some means the charge exploded, and passed directly through the middle of his hand, making a round hole like that of a bullet. Sixty-three shot were picked out of the floor after the accident, and it seemed almost a miracle that he ever again had the use of his hand.