The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-11-12
Death of George Peabody.

Tho death of this eminently good man,
the worlds bcnefactor, creates common
sorrow on both sides of the Atlantic. All
classes mourn; but none have cause foi
so deep mourning rs the poor; for though
Mr.. Peabody was friend to mankind II
general; he WAS n special friend OF the
poor and needy. In the financial crisis IL
England in 1857, his donations for the TO
lief of the poor amounted to ono million
two hundred and fifty thousand dollars
In 1868 he made u special bcquest to the
poor in London, of $3J0,0O0. God only
knows how many sorrowing hearts were
made glad by this angel Of mercy sent to
them In the time of distress; and in eter-
nifty only can the woes relieved be chron.
icled. His charities have not been con-
fined to England; but tho greatest boon
ever bestowed on the poor by one man. Is
the magnificent amount given for the edu-
cation of the Southern poor In this coun-
try. Of 81, 600, 900. in addition to the large
endowment of two Institutions bearing
his name-one ut Danvcrs, Mass, his m.
tive town, tho other nt Baltimore, Md
Nor are these the only acts of his great
benevolcnce, the Peabody Museum nj
Salem has received sl5O,O00; Ncwbury.
port, for Library, $4,000; Memorial
church in Georgetown, Mass, TO the
memory of his mother, and for public IL
brary, 100000; Yale College, 100000;
Phillips Academy Mt Andover, $4,000;
Massachusetts, Historical Society, $4,000
Maryland Historical Society, $4,000;
Kenyon College, $4,000; Public Library
Mt Thetfort, VT, $4,000. besides u great
many smaller donations, both in England
and America.
Mr.. Peabody was born in Danvcrs,
Mass. Feb. IL. 1905. His parents were
not blessed with worldly wealth, and nc
cessity required that ut the early age Of
eleven years he shonld enter n grocery
store Mt Danvers. He remained In this
employment for some three years, when
he left and passed year with his grand.
father Mt Thetford, Vt. or this trip there
Is % pleasant "reminiscences. In the sum.
mcr of 1868 Mr.. Peabody was In Concord
N. H.. the guest of Hon. Nathaniel g
Upham, ut whose dwelling was assembled
"a company of ladies and gentlemen, to bt
presented to the distinguished banker. In
the course Of conversation Judge Pcrley
inquired of Mr.. Peabody II he had been
here prior to that day. His reply was
Eyes; when IA years old / went alone
upon visit to connections In Thctford,
VT, passing through Concord. stayed
over night Mt Stickney's tavern, and saw
cd wood to pay for my nights lodging"
He subsequently became clerk to his el-
der brother in Newburyport, and upon the
destruction of the store by fire no went
with an uncle who resided in Georgetown,
ID. G. He soon formed business engage
mcnt with Mr.. Elisha Riggs in the whole
sale dry goods business, and when he was
90 years of age the firm removed to Bal
timorc, and at No. 2l5 1-2 Market street,
then called "Old Congress Hail." he gain
ed the first $4,000 OF fortune which II Is
estimated reached. including his donations,
to over twenty millions of dollars.
Mr.. Peabody never married, but had
constantly shown strong attachment for
the members of his own family, distrib-
uting among them mt various times
gifts amounting In MI to 81, 100000.
He left this country but few weeks
ago, In feeble health, and died ut his resi-
dence In Eaton Square, London, ut IL 1-2
o'clock Thursday r. NJ, Nov. 4.
Monuments and statues will doubtless
be erected to perpctunto the memory Of
this great and good man, both In England
and America, yet he has reared for him.
self in his work, a monument which shall
endure when the wasting hand Of time
shall have obliternted the last Of earths'
records, for this monument can never
rcrish