Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-24
DANIEL wEBsTER,s HOME.
Where the Great Expounder Lived In
HIS Childhood.

From the Manchester O.. H. Union
Franklin is pre-eminently a city Of fine
distances. In one direction there rises to
view a slope thickly built up with tasty
cottages and imposing mansions. In an
other line the roofs and chimneys of large
manufacturing establishments appear
above the cool shade of wide-spreading
trees. Another way a pastoral landscape
and the white spire of a church are seen.
While yet again, the cultivated fields
through which sweeps the Merrimack in
the grace of its freshest beauty attracts
the eye and holds the attention of the
visitor.
1 hold that the pilgrim to the Webster
mecca, two and half miles down the
river from the Franklin railway station, is
lucky II he has to walk. Not that the
teams are not good, but the first half of
can really do in the shape of excellent
farming lands. and the Merrimack keeps
company good part of the way, setting
the pedestrian a lively pace to keep up
with her.
AS said, the Webster place is two and
one-half miles down the river road below
the station. The old mansion is really
days when the great statesman last saw 1t.
The residence of the superintendent of
the Orphans Home is built on the east end
OF the original house. but the old home is
practically unmolested save in color.
The Webster family removed here from
Salisbury when Daniel was two years old,
which was in 1854 Judge Ebenezer Web
ster. Daniels father, bought the place of
the heirs of Phillip Call. AS early as 1879
Call was placed in charge of q fort on this
farm. Judge Webster died In 1906 ard
vas buried in the cemetery near by. The
two sons, Ezekiel and Daniel then became
equal owners of the property.
Ezekiel died suddenly while. addressing q
jury in Concord, April TO- 1890. Daniel
bought Ezekiers share. and soon after i'm
proved the premises by building what is
known as the Mansion House Here he
wrote the celebrated Hulseman letter, and
composed one of his most distinguished
orati6ns. The trustees of Mr.. Webster
sold the farm to Rufus L. Tay, April 3,
lSa5 The heirs of Mr.. Tay sold 1t to JOS
eph Eastman and John c. Morrison Feb
ruary Is. 1870. and Messrs Eastman and
Morrison sold 1t to the New Hampshire
Orphans Home August 2s. 1871.
Fine trees border the highway in the
locality. The great elm In front of the
Webster house was set out by Daniel
spreads wide it's branches above the man
sion, and casts a grateful shade even to
the road.
OF the interior of the old Webster house,
the sitting room or parlor, with its wafns-
coted walls, is about the same as 1t was
before the statesman left it to the muta-
tons of time and the tender mercies of
those destined to follow him in proprietor
snip. The iron fireplace, with brass and
irons Is there, and long wooden table,
once the property of the Websters, has q
place in honor of the room. In one corner
door opens out into an entry. where q
staircase wrought with semi-ornamental
workmanship, leads to the floor above.
At the back of the mansion il a veranda,
under which Webster used to sit and enjoy
the cool shade of the afternoon This We
randa or perch has not undergone any al
terations, and has felt the touch of tho
hand of time very lightly.