52 South Main Street, undated

Collection Name:

George W. Perry Scrapbooks

Title:

52 South Main Street, undated

Creator:

Perry, George W., 1891-1971

Creator Role:

Collector

Accession / Call Number:

1974.045

Object ID:

1974.045.12.045

Type of Material:

graphic material

Physical Description:

1 photograph

Language:

English

Scope and Content:

Undated photographic print of the house at 52 South Main Street in Concord, NH. A photocopy of the caption states, "This house was built by Willard Williams, in the late fifties. Here also lived ex-president Franklin Pierce, and where he died on October 8, 1869. The evening following the assassination of Lincoln, a crowd soon grew to large proportions, and it was proposed to visit General Pierce, who was living at the home of Willard Williams. The crowd hurried thither, rang the bell and called for the ex-president, who promptly appeared at the front door. On being informed that his views were desired on the event uppermost in all minds and hearts, he at once declared it "a dastardly act" and "the deed of a fiend," and avowed his willingness now to take up arms, if need be. The time was about 9 o'clock and some rain was falling. The glow of a single burner in the entry gave a mere outline of the speaker's form. As he began, anxiety to hear caused deep silence. Never were words more fitly spoken. Almost alone on the porch, he uttered words which calmed, which comforted, and which gladdened; yes gladdened, even in that sombre hour. It was a master who stood forth equal to the hour of whole people's pain and humiliation. It was as a man, and as a citizen, and as a soldier, and as himself an occupant of a chair more exalted than a throne, that he spoke of the chief laid low and the nation's abasement in his murder. But when the brief address was over, three ringing cheers were given as the visitors departed. The one who rang the door-bell on this night was a newsboy, Charles F. Nichols The porch from which Pierce uttered words which, calmed, and gladdened that sombre hour, April 16, 1865 About nine o'clock in the evening. Joseph Wentworth lived in this house for thirty years (1870-1901). Wentworth was Assessors for Ward six, 1873, 1874, Representative from ward six 1878, Delegate to Constitational [Constitutional] Conventions, from ward six, 1876. Colonel Joseph Wentworth bought this house in 1870, he brought [bought] the residence and other adjoining property for the some [sum] of $26,000, and went into the mercantile business for a while after that into banking. His daughter Sarah C. was the wife of William F. Thayer of Concord. He was nominated in July 1886 as a candidate for governor of the State of New Hampshire, by the prohibition party, he never used tobacco or intoricating [intoxicating] drinks in any form. Joseph Wentworth was born in Sandwich, New Hampshire, January 30, 1818 died at Concord, March 1, 1901. For thirty years he was a successful merchant in his native town. He was aide to Governor John Page, with the rank of Colonel, and for several years quartermaster of the New Hampshire Horse Guards. For many years he was president and chief owner of the Carroll Country National Bank. He then resided in Sandwich, on the homestead of his father until 1870, when he gave it to son Paul, and removed to Concord. There for thirty years he was a conspicuous and honored citizen. Through most of his years he was a Democrat, but in his later years he was an ardent Prohibitionist, and was a candidate for governor on the ticket of the party. His religious views were very liberal and he was not a registered member of any church, but he maintained family worship and was a regular attendant of the South Congregational Church in Concord. He married (first) May, 7, 1845, Sarah Payson Jones. One of their children was Sarah Clark Wentworth, who married William F. Thayer, of Concord."

Subjects:

Dwellings

Locations:

Concord, NH

People:

Perry, George W., 1891-1971 , Wentworth, Joseph, 1818-1901

Terms of Use:

For permission to reproduce or publish material from this collection, please contact the New Hampshire Historical Society. Researchers are responsible for following all copyright and intellectual property laws.

Credit Line:

Gift of May Nutter.

Restrictions:

Available for research.

Level Description:

Item

Box Number:

2