44 South Main, undated

Collection Name:

George W. Perry Scrapbooks

Title:

44 South Main, undated

Creator:

Perry, George W., 1891-1971

Creator Role:

Collector

Accession / Call Number:

1974.045

Object ID:

1974.045.12a.011

Type of Material:

graphic material

Physical Description:

1 photograph

Language:

English

Scope and Content:

Undated photographic print of the house at 44 South Main Street in Concord, NH. The caption states, "44 South Main Street Home of B. A. Kimball. This house was built in 1825 by Sampson Bullard, the keystone disclosed by alterations giving the date of its erection. Here Mr. Thompson established the Thompsonian infirmary. Mr. Thompson used the house as a residence and business office, and was connected with the other buildings built by him by a bridgr [bridge] which formed an arch over the driveway leadings into the grounds. Mr. Thompson appears to have met with immediate success. His infirmary was well patronized, and before a year he was obliged to enlarge his establishment. In September, 1835, the New Hampshire Patriot contained a propectus of the Concord Botanic Infirmary, as it was then designated. The infirmary was fitted up with steam baths; and if the patients presented a more cleanly apparance [appearance] after being washed in the infirmary, and wondered at the whiteness and delicacy of their skin, they were informed by Thompson that it was due to getting the mercury out of them which the poison doctors had for years been putting into their systems. One good old orthodox minister, who resided in an adjoined town and who had made an exchange with one of his Concord brethren, arrived at the infirmary late one Suturday [Saturday] night, suffering from a severe cold. He asked Thompson if he could steam the cold out of him so that he would be able to preach the next day, and was somewhat shocked when Thompson, in his profane way, informed him that he could "steam hell and damnation out of him." Mr. Benjamin Thompson was born about 1790. He was a man for the passion for gambling, who frequently won large sums of money which he dispensed with lavish hand. In vain the regular doctors warned the public against the methods of these, in most cases, ignorant men. It was not until some of the victims were left too long inn [in] the steam-box and were overdone that the popularity of the Thompsonian system began to wane. Whether it was from the decline of his business, or from other causes, or from accounts, reached New York, where he soon after died. About 1842 the Concord infirmary was discontinued, for thirty years the wooden buildings which constituted it, and which streched from Mr. Kimball's house to Concord street, were tenements. The houses on Concord street were moved to Grove street and became the property of Mike Donovan..." The caption continues with a brief biography of Benjamin A. Kimball, part of which is torn off.

Subjects:

Dwellings , Fences

Locations:

Concord, NH

People:

Perry, George W., 1891-1971

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:

3