The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-02-27
wEBsrER's OLD HOME.
Marrhfield Destroyed.


The Boston Traveller has the following
concerning the mansion OF Daniel Webster,
situated In the southeastern part OF the town
of Marshfield, Mass. which was totally de-
stroyed on the morning of Thursday, the
14th instant: "The building was owned by
Mrs. Fletcher Webster, who with her son
was the sole occupant, and was insured in
the Massachusetts, Mutual insurance COM
pany for Sc, 200. The lady and her son, upon
discovering that destruction of the mansion
was only question of time, set heroIcally at
work, and in the short time allotted them
succeeded in rescuing a quantity OF silver
plate, pictures and some other articles price
less as mementoes of Mr.. Webster. 1t was
thought that the valuable library had been
destroyed when the intelligence first spread
among the neighborhood, but an investiga-
ton showed that il had been removed some
time since. The building was quaint, and
after no especial style of architecture, the
various 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 300 yards, was
painted white, and nearly hidden by the
elms which have become so famous. The
original owner was Captain John Thomas, a
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 negotiations for its
came financially embarrassed, and upon the
urgent request of Mr.. Webster he and his
wife occupied room IN the house until his
decease. The house was surrounded by a
wide piazza, and to the west of the old
building Mr.. Webster had constructed an l.,
after peculiar gothic pattern, for his library.
This room was lighted by coIored glass,
which made it favorite resort of all who
paid the mansion a visit. Adjoining the
library were the drawing room and a small
reception room. To the rear of these apart
ments was the immense dining hall, some
so feet in length. To the east of this was
the main hall, about 125 feet in length, run
ming the whole length of the building. 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
wood shed. Upon the second floor, in front
of the house was the room in which Daniel
Webster died, on the right of the hall. OPP
posite to this, on the left of the hall, large
bedroom, succeeded by eight rooms of the
very large. At the rear of the room in
which Mr.. Webster expired was another
large bedroom, and over the library, on the
extreme west OF the upper story, was stu
ated 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 out
buildings but these were not destroyed"
The articles saved were but small part oil
those in the house. The servants saved the
greater part of their clothing. Mrs. Webster
saved some of her wearing apparel. Nothing
in the upper stories was removed from the
building. OF the fine collection of Chins
nothing was saved, although a part of the
silver was A large punch bowl, presented
to Daniel Webster by the Sandwich glass
company, was lost. The dining room con
tanned some costly antique furniture anC
fine engravings, which were lost. a portion
of the library and the piano in the music
room were saved. Among the portraits
saved were those of Lord Ashburton, Judge
Story, three of Daniel Webster, one of Mrs
Daniel Webster, those of their sons-Colone
Fletcher and Major Edward-an oil painting
of the Virgin Mary, and a collection of but
terhies presented to Mr.. Webster by tn,
emperor of Brazil.