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1826 letter from Boston, 4th of July...death of President Adams

July 26, 2018

Interesting letter written by Clement Durgin, a schoolteacher in Boston to his brother John, back with the family in Sanborton New Hampshire

Talk of John’s visit to Boston, and the special 50th anniversary of the Fourth of celebration. and the solemn events following the death of ex-President Adams.

It would seem the John misbehaved while In Boston and Clement is jokingly threatening to tell his wife!

On a sad family note, their mother would die a little more than 2 weeks after this letter.

Sent to

John H. Durgin

Sandborton Bridge (ed. Sanborton)

Boston July 7^th 1826

Dear Brother

I have not heard from Sandborton since

you were here monday I know that you ever arrived at home.

If you had not, I probably should have rec’d some enquiry

from your wife and should then have had to relate all that

passed during your stay in Boston how you wanted me to go

up to that noted little place ------- with you and how I

would not, and I should have to tell her that you were so

kind in your remembrance to him, that you thought (that) one

of the same sex would answer just as well and how

do I know that you were not a rogue for you were not under

my eye half the time. I say John if you don’t want me

__(t)ell all this and how you ----- walked with that pretty girl &

__ very dark night & and how you got lost coming home &c.

I say if you wish her not to learn all this you may prevent

It by writing me the first leisure time you have.

Nothing has transpired since you left more than is usual in a

city like this -- where daily transactions are such as astonish the

natives -- you can testify to this; recollect how you stand

and _____ and gazed and were astonished at what you saw.

I dare say you have told large stories since you returned

especially of the Circus and Museum, and never did a man go

out of Boston better satisfied with what he saw and heard than

you. We have many great days in this city and among the most

important, past, was the Fourth of July and had you been here

you might well have said O! What a thundering noise they make –

At early morn the roar of cannon and ringing of bells announced////

the great jubilee and the same was repeated noon and night.

The day was beautiful and all nature seemed to wear a more

than usual pleasant smile. Our common looked like the encamp-

ment of the Israelites journeying to the land of Canaan.

In the evening we had a grand ___ of fireworks prepared by

the city for the occasion. I can give you no adequate description

of this as you have now seen any thing of the kind.

I got through the day tolerably comfortably heared two ora-

tions dined with Franklin Society delivered a speech before them

and did as most other people on the occasion, drank toasts

eat grapes, strawberries &c and after all I came off quite sober and highly

delighted -– in the evening went to see the fireworks where I saw more

kind of working than one and retired greatful that I had lived to

see this great jubilee of our happy country.

On the morrow it came to pass that our bell were caused to

toll for the death of the venerable president Adams who died

at his residence in Quincy about 4 o’clock PM of the 4^th

His funeral obsequies were performed this day, and all univer-

sal mark of respect was paid his memory by this city.

Bells tolled and minet guns were fired from 4 to 6 o’clock

when the tomb rec’d the remains of this truly great man.

“ So sleep the good who sink to rest.

By all their country’s wishes blest”

But 2* of the signers of the declaration of Independence now remain

Mr. Carroll of Maryland and Mr. Jefferson of Virginia,

Mr. Adams died within a few minets after he had completed

the fiftieth year from the time he signed the declaration.

I have recently rec’d a letter from brother Jackson – family well

and have lately buried their youngest son about 15 months old

died of measles.

*But one Mr. Carroll ////

I shall probably be at Sandbornton in about

8 weeks – since you were here I have closer my first

year’s engagement and commenc’d another. My salary is

raised to what I told you. I should require viz 600 Dolls.

with some privileges which will be as good as one hundred or

150 more.

I shall endeavour to content myself with that sum

until I can do better, or if my health is preserved I shall

in time get enough to maintain my children comfortably.

Give my love to mother with a wish for health and happiness

hoping. I shall soon have the pleasure of seeing you and her.

Tell Mary I believe she owes me a letter or if she does not

I should be glad to give her 25 cents for one.

Remember me to all my brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins,

neighbours, and friends. I don’t wish you to leave your haying

to tell them, but tell all who enquire that I shall be seen a__

and about our premises on or about the first of Sept. when and

where I shall be extremely happy to mark on them.

=> Look ye well to my threat – if you don’t write soon

I shall ------ I won’t say what if you write

I am respectfully your

Affectionate brother

Clement

=> Ensign S.A. Durgin Esq.

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1826 letter from Boston, 4th of July...death of President Adams

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