The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-02-28
The NIarshfeId Mansion.

The Boston Trdoeller has the follow
ing concerning the mansion of DANIEL
Webster, situated in the southeastern
part of the town of Marshtield. Massa-
chusetts, which was totally DESTROYED
by fire on the morning of Thursday, Feb
ruary IA: "The building was owned by
Mrs. Fletcher Webster, who, with her
son, was the sole occupant, and was in
sured In the Massachusetts Mutual In
surance Company for $4,000. The lady
and her son, upon discovering that de-
struction of the mansion was only a
question of time, set heroically at work,
and In the short time allotted them sue
ceeded in rescuing quantity of the
silver plate, pictures and some other
articles priceless as mementoes of Mr..
Webster. 1t was thought that the
valuable library had been DESTROYED
when the intelligence first spread
among the residents of the neighbour
hood, but an investigation showed that
it had been removed some time since.
The building was quaint, and after no
especial style of architecture, the vari-
Gus additions being added with more
regard to the taste and convenience of
the owner than general effect. The
mansion, set back from the road some
800 yards, was painted white, and
nearly hidden by the elms which have
become so famous. The original owner
was Capt. John Thomas, near and
dear friend of Mr.. Webster, and it is
related that the latter upon visiting the
spot became charmed with its great
natural beauty, and entered into nego-
nations Tor its purchase. Capt. Thomas
became, however, financially embar-
raised, and upon the urgent request of
MIR. Webster he and his wife occupied
q room in the house until his decease.
The house was surrounded by wide
plaZZa, and to the west of the old build
ing MIR. Webster had constructed an L
after peculiar Gothic pattern, for his
library. This room was lighted by
colored glass, which made IT favorite
resort of all who paid tho mansion
visit. Adjoining the library were the
drawing room and q small reception
room. To the rear of these apartments
was the immense dining hall, some so
feet in length. To the east of this was
the main hall, about 125 feet in length,
running the whole length of the build
ing. At the easterly side of the house
was the small sitting room, connected
by hall with the breakfast-room.
Passing through hall one came into |
the large kitchen, in the rear of which |
was situated the extensive dairy and |
woodshed. Upon the second floor, in |
front of the house, was the room in |
which Daniel Webster died, ON the |
right of the hall. Opposite to this, on |
the left OF the hall, a large bedroom,
and over the library, on the extreme |
west of the upper story, was situated |
the 'Castrum,' so-called because it had |
no entrance except from the bedrooms |
on either side. Some 400 feet from the |
mansion was the barn, and near by the
various outbuildings, but these were
not destroyed"
The articles saved were but a small |
part of those in the house. The SER
wants saved the greater part of their
Mrs. Webster saved some Of
her wearing apparel. Nothing in the
upper stories was removed from the
building. OF the fine collection OF
china nothing was saved, although
part of the silver was. A large punch
bowl presented to Daniel Webster by
the sandwich Glass Company was
lost. The dining room contained some
costly antique furniture and fine en-
Cravings which were lost A portion
OF the library aud the piano IN the
MUSHROOM were saved. Among the
PORTRAITS saved were those of Lord /
Ashburton, Judge Story, three of Dan
lei Webster. one of Mrs. Daniel Web
ster, those OF their sons-Col. Fletcher
and Major Edward-an oil painting Of |
the Virgin Mary. and q collection Of |
butterflies presented 70 Webster b. the
snPsror Of Brazil.