The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-10-18
The Home Of Daniel Webster.

The Home Of Daniel Webster.
"Burleigh, Of the Boston Journal,
has been visiting the old home of Dan
iel Webster al Marshfeld, and writes
as follows about it:
Mr. Webster bought the Marshfeld
property in 1882, though he commenc-
ed residing there in 1927 AZ the time
of his death it was supposed that he
owned not far from two thousand
acres Much of that was contracted
for during his last sickness, and the
deeds were never passed Much Of his
estate has been sold, but the house
and the grounds surrounding it are
still held 10y the family The forest Of
trees belts the house and secures pri-
vacy to the inmates, who can walk on
the great lawn without observation,
which arrangement makes this abode
so much like the country seats of Eng
hsh noblemen Every one Of these
trees was planted by Mr. Webster. As
you approach the mansion the air Of
decay and diiapidation appears on all
sides. The beautiful wire fence to
protect the lawn has wholly disap-
peared and the posts, like gaunt sen
tinels, only remain
The house is under the control Of
Mrs Fletcher Webster whose house is
in Quincy. She is now with her son.
Ashburton ut the mansion With great
kindness she allows the friends Of her
husbands father to see such portions
of the house as will not disturb the
family. As far as possible everything
is kept as when Mr. Webster occupied
the house. His Office, into which he
retired Tor his morning work, is small
one story wooden building on the op-
posite side OF the lawn from the dwell
ing. 1t was once white. The storms
of many winters have beat upon it
since the hand of the great master was
laid cold in death The blinds are
closed, and an air of gloom surrounds
it. The library in the house is down
stairs, and with the dining room and
guests chamber, which open into each
other were the last additions Mr..
Webster made to the place The libra
~ was planned by Julia, his favorite
child. 1t is one story, but the roof is
brought into the room and makes the
hight lofty and imposing It's form is
octagon. Six elegant black walnut
book cases are placed symnetrically
round the room. His writing chair,
high backed and stuffed, covered with
red morocco, with the table, books and
papers, remain as the great statesman
left them. Two days before he died
he came down STAIRS 10 greet some
guests. He held III one hand Maluc-
ca rod which he always held in his
hands when he went about the farm.
which was brought home by Fletcher
from China. In his other hand he held
white slouched hat
He received his guests in his library.
and sat in his fayorite chair at the ia
BILE. Two days after he had passed
away, over fine portrait of him by
Headly, the rod was placed, and on it
the hat was hung, from which it never
has been removed Everything re-
mains on the table as Mr. Webster left
it. Fine portraits OF Mr. Webster and
earlier Mrs. Webster, of Lord Ashburn,
his children, Edward, Fletcher, Julia.
and fine marble bust of Plus IX, and
other paintings, adorn the room. The
guests chamber, the diving room, the
breakfast room and the reception open
one into another.
The room in which Mr. Webster
died is reached by the grand staircase,
filed with portraits and statues Of no
blemen, with whom Mr.. Webster was
brought into contract during his long
public life. He died in the northwest
chamber, small but pleasant room.
The furniture is of bird eye maple,
with a cottage two-thirds bed, as it is
called. This room is unchanged. The
bed was rolled into the middle of the
room that he might view the lake IN
the rear of his house. Here he order
ed his "home squadron" as he called
his yachts, to be moored that he might
see them, and ordered lights to be
placed at the mast head during the
night His fayorite cattle were driven
up that he might look OH them once
more 1T makes my heart bound,
he said, "to hear their heavy breath
ing.