Historic Homes Part 9

Around the room were formerly a great many pictures of the family. Among them was a choice painting by Copley of the beautiful Dorothy Quincy who became the wife of John Hanc.o.c.k, and who came frequently to visit in Portsmouth. There were wonderful pictures of Secretary Waldron, who was killed by the Indians at Dover, and also of his son Westbrook. Sofas and rare bits of colonial furniture furnished the room in the governor's day, and the closely jointed, smooth white floors, which are none the worse for a century's wear, have been pressed by the feet of many a merry dancer.

We look at pictures of the old-time occupants, in periwigs and silver buckles, who people the shadows in the dim grandeur of this wonderful old room. In one corner still stands a rack, with sixteen flint-locks, some of which have bayonets attached. This stand of arms was discovered by the present owner hidden away under plaster. Just what is concealed to-day in the old house is not known, for it has never been fully explored. Naturally one conjectures secret closets and hidden pa.s.sageways, such as were built in many houses of that period.

Beyond is the billiard-room. There is now no billiard table but instead a spinning-wheel, and a dainty, old-fas.h.i.+oned spinet upon which little Martha Wentworth learned to play. One wonders if it was in this room that Madam Wentworth dropped her ring to be picked up by the maid. All at once the maid became near-sighted, and it was not until Martha herself stooped down and touched her ring that it could be found.

Several smaller rooms lead out of the billiard-room. They were used in the olden times as card-rooms, and here many a close rubber was played by the great and reverend patriots of the land.

Underneath is a huge, rambling cellar where the builder of the mansion kept stalls for thirty horses, ready at a moment's notice to be off. The gun-rack in the hall of the Council Chamber does much to convince us that the great man whose personality is stamped so deeply on this interesting pile, must have led a very uneasy life. There were no descendants to inherit the old home, but he left a lasting memorial to himself in the house which embodied so many of his ideals.

CHAPTER XIII

THE FRANKLIN PIERCE HOUSE

In the little town of Hillsboro, New Hamps.h.i.+re, stand two notable houses. One of them was formerly the home of Governor Benjamin Pierce, while the other was occupied by his son, Franklin Pierce, who was the fourteenth president of the United States. Both houses are in a good state of preservation, the former being used as a village inn, while the latter, still filled with interesting mementoes connected with the life of President Pierce, is now occupied by his nephew, Mr. Kirk Pierce.

These houses are not in the village proper but just outside, in a location known as Hillsboro Bridge, a romantic, wooded section on the main road, where in the early days the stage-coach pa.s.sed on its way to Concord, New Hamps.h.i.+re, not so very far away.

Franklin Pierce was born on November 23, 1804, in the old homestead where his father, Governor Pierce, lived, and here he pa.s.sed his early days. The old governor was a prominent character in the history of New Hamps.h.i.+re, being one of the heroes of Bunker Hill, afterwards becoming governor of the State of New Hamps.h.i.+re, a man revered and loved, not only by the military element of the State but by politicians as well.

Even when Franklin Pierce was a child, there existed a true companions.h.i.+p between the boy and his father. He was an attractive lad, with light curling hair that fell to his shoulders, blue eyes, and a winsome face. Not particularly fond of study, he was the ringleader in all the pranks played in the neighborhood; yet he was beloved by all the townspeople, who were a bit suspicious of him, however, never knowing what tricks would be played on them through his love of fun and influence with the other boys.

It was a pleasant sight during the long winter evenings to see this fair-haired boy sitting upon his father's knee, listening to stories of his army life. These filled the boy with a desire to enter the militia and win for himself glory on the battlefield.

His early education was obtained in a little brick schoolhouse that is still standing at Hillsboro Centre, about a mile and a half distant from his home. Here in his boyhood days he attended school with twenty other children. At one time during his school life here, a visitor who was talking to the children told them to have a high aim in life, for in that very room might be a future president of the United States,--a prophecy that rang true.

Later on Pierce was sent to Hanc.o.c.k to enter the academy. Unused to discipline, he became very homesick and walked all the way home to see his family. It was on a Sunday morning that he appeared in the yard and found that the household had gone to church. On their return, they found him sitting on a bench waiting for them. When asked the reason why he came home unannounced, he pleaded homesickness. His father was a stern disciplinarian and without a word had a horse harnessed into a chaise; Franklin was driven into the midst of a dense wood and left to walk the rest of the way back to the academy. It was a dark day and a heavy thunder shower came up, so that he was drenched to his skin by the time he reached school. In speaking of it afterwards he said: "It was the turning-point of my life. I learned the lesson that my father wished to impress upon me."

At the age of sixteen he entered Bowdoin College and became one of the most popular students. Not inclined to study, the first two years of his life were spent in partial idleness, until suddenly he awoke to the value of education and was graduated with honors.

Another turning-point in his life lay in the time when he first met Nathaniel Hawthorne. This meeting was in a stage-coach, in 1821, when Pierce was returning to college during his soph.o.m.ore year. In the same coach also were Jonathan Cilley and Alfred Mason, both intimates then and in after years.

It might be said that Pierce's political campaign commenced at college, for here he held his first civic office as chairman of the Athenean Society, also being elected captain of a little company formed in the college.

There are still treasured in the college library at Brunswick, Maine, two mementoes of his college life. The one is a silhouette found in a little red book containing the pictures of the members of the cla.s.s, which was made before the art of photography was known. The second is a theme that was written in Latin, one of his later works.

He followed his father's career as politician, making his first stump speech in favor of the victor of New Orleans and against John Quincy Adams. He entered Congress at the age of twenty-nine and quickly rose to high political favor; he was elected to the Senate in 1837, being at that time its youngest member.

During his term of office, he stood firm for his party against the opposing members, and yet so popular was he that when his hour of departure came, the senators crowded around him as though he were a personal friend, and no member of the Senate ever retired with warmer friends. Among his a.s.sociates in Congress were such men as Calhoun, Wentworth, and Clay,--men who were helpful to him in his political life.

He decided, however, that he had had enough of politics so he returned to his own State and took up his profession of attorney, devoting much of his time to caring for his invalid wife.

His views, nevertheless, did not meet with the approbation of the people. Soon the Mexican War broke out, and he was forced to enter the fight, accepting the position of Colonel of the Ninth Regiment. During all this time Hawthorne and he remained intimates.

Across the road is a simple little farmhouse where Pierce spent his early married life, and where Hawthorne was a frequent guest. The life of Hawthorne is connected with that of Franklin Pierce far more than is realized, unless one has delved deep into the unusual friends.h.i.+p of these two men. The one, standing at the front of the literary world, sad, morbid, and needing the helpful hand of a friend, was encouraged to work by the other, whom he loved. He shows his appreciation by his dedication of _Our Old Home_ and _Biographical Sketches_. In the preface he tells of the love and appreciation of his work given to him by Pierce, and the praise the latter considered his due.

On the other hand stood Franklin Pierce, the lawyer, soldier, statesmen, friend, one who had battled with the world and whose term of office fell at a time when it was hardest to fill--when the slavery question was being weighed. These two men, strongly differing from each other in every trait, were peculiarly united by strong ties of mutual love and helpfulness.

It was not to the Hillsboro house alone that Hawthorne came, but also to the colonial mansion where Pierce spent his childhood days. There is still seen on the grounds an old tree where one can just decipher, cut on the bark, the names of Hawthorne and Franklin Pierce.

This old homestead in which Franklin Pierce's father lived, has on the drawing-room wall a wonderful old paper as fresh and bright as when placed there a century ago by the original owner. During the governor's lifetime, this mansion was on the direct route of the Was.h.i.+ngton stage, which brought many a distinguished guest to enjoy the bounteous hospitality that was dispensed here. Nearly all the leading men of New Hamps.h.i.+re visited Squire Pierce's house, among them being Judge Woodbury, Governor Steele, and the McNeils.

The grounds were not extensive, comprising a little more than an acre of land, but were for those days wonderfully laid out with walks, gardens, summer-house, and artificial pond, well stocked with trout. The garden was considered to be one of the show places of the time, and here from the summer-house the casual visitor fished for trout in the pond beneath.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PLATE LIV.--The Franklin Pierce House, Hillsboro, N. H.]

The mansion, a colonial type, stands just back of the road. It was a pretentious house in the olden days, as revealed by the broad stairs and hand-carved bal.u.s.ters. The walls are lined with family portraits, representing three generations of this distinguished family. The great parlor at the left shows heavy cornices, ma.s.sive hearthstones, and many historical relics. The wall-paper shows landscapes, tournaments, and festivals. In this house Franklin Pierce lived until he was married in 1834 to Jane Means, daughter of Rev. Dr. Appleton.

Following this event, he purchased the farmhouse across the way, which remains in the family and which contains a wonderful collection of fine paintings, autograph letters, and historical relics. Among the latter is a picture of William H. Marcy, Secretary of State under President Pierce, who ordered the picture painted at a cost of one thousand dollars. Near by is one of the best paintings of Hawthorne extant, which was also painted at the same cost by order of the president. In addition to these paintings are many others of distinguished men, including one of Pierce's father and many of himself. His wife's picture is not among the collection, but is owned by Mrs. Charles M. Stark of Dunbarton, New Hamps.h.i.+re, who descended from the same ancestry.

Many mementoes connected with the life of Franklin Pierce are still treasured in the old house and include several swords, one of which was given by the ladies of Hillsboro when Pierce entered service in the Mexican War. This, together with a letter that accompanied it, is shown to the visitor, as well as a second sword given him by the State of New Hamps.h.i.+re at the close of the war. There can also be seen many interesting and historical canes.

But the most important collection in the house is that of autograph letters representing correspondence with his old friend Hawthorne, whose friends.h.i.+p was terminated only by death; of Presidents Jackson and Polk, and many others of equal note. Perhaps the most pathetic of this collection of letters, however, is a little one written in a childish hand by his son Benjamin, who was killed in a railroad accident near Andover. This letter is as follows:

"ANDOVER, Ma.s.s., "June 11, 1852.

"DEAR MOTHER:

"I am having a pleasant time at Aunt Mary's and I should like to stay until next week. To-day is a rainy day. I don't go out much but stay in the house and play with Jamie.

Edward has just brought the news from Boston that father is a candidate for the presidency. I hope he won't be elected, for I should not like to live in Was.h.i.+ngton, and I know you would not either. I am very well and so are the rest of the family. Little f.a.n.n.y is quite well again and as bright as a bird. Little Mary can walk if somebody takes hold of her hands. Aunt Rebecca sends love to you. I hope you are much better than when you went away. I want you to excuse my bad writing. I have an extra bad pen. It is full of everything but ink. Give my love to father. I will now end this letter, so good-bye.

"Your affectionate son, "BENJAMIN."

He had his wish gratified, for on the threshold of the presidency his father's heart was broken by the untimely death of his son.

Among the many treasured letters of Hawthorne's is one written from the Old Manse.

"CONCORD, Dec. 3, 1861.

"DEAR PIERCE:

"Here is a letter from old Sullivan, and as he wished a portion of it to be communicated to you, I think it best to send the whole. After reading it, please return it. You will be glad to see how confidently he writes respecting the success of his copper mines, but I shall hardly share his hopes at present. After knowing him for so many years and seeing him always on the verge of making a fortune and always disappointed, poor fellow, I am not sure that the fate he half antic.i.p.ates would not be the best thing for him--to be shot or hung--but perhaps I am as usual too despondent as he is too sanguine.

"We are all perfectly well and as happy as the times will permit anybody to be.

"With kindest regard to Mrs. Pierce,

"Sincerely yours, "NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE."

There is another letter from Hawthorne showing the close intimacy that existed between the two men.

"I suppose your election to Congress is absolutely certain.

Of course, however, there will be opposition and I wish you would send me papers laudatory and abusive of you. I shall read them with great interest, be what they may. It is a pity that I am not in a situation to use my pen in your behalf though you do not seem to need the a.s.sistance of newspaper scribblers. I do not feel very well and will close my letter here, especially as your many a.s.sociations will not permit you to read a longer one. I shall be happy to hear from you as often as you find leisure and inclination to write.

"I observe the paper styled you as Hon. Franklin Pierce.

Have you already an official claim to that t.i.tle?

"Your friend, "NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE, alias HATH."