Samuel Appleton was born at New Ipswich, N.H., June 22, 1766, anddied, without issue, at his residence in Boston, on Tuesday, July 12,1853; having just entered on the eighty-eighth year of his age.
In November, 1819, he married Mrs. Mary Gore, who was much youngerthan himself. This union has been marked, on his side, by the mostunvarying confidence and sincere affection. He has ever found his owndelight in gratifying each wish of his wife with an almost boundlessindulgence. And she—the brilliant and happy mistress of hishospitable mansion—has been alike admirable, when presiding over itssocial circle, or its more public gayeties; and when, in its privaterecesses, she has devoted herself to what she has ever felt to be herhighest duty and her chief privilege,—that of guarding the decliningyears of her husband with the most kind and thoughtful care; cheering[4]his pathway to the tomb by those considerate attentions, which, bothin life and in death, he so gratefully appreciated and acknowledged.
On the last morning of his life, he enjoyed his usual health. Duringthe day, however, he suffered pain and uneasiness, apparently theresult of indigestion. Mrs. Appleton, therefore, remained constantlywith him, but without feeling any serious apprehensions. He at lengthseemed to be entirely relieved by the means used, and said, "I willnow try to go to sleep." In a few moments, Mrs. Appleton was alarmedby hearing him breathe once or twice much more loudly than usual. Sheran to his bedside, and his favorite female attendant was immediatelysummoned. He was still lying in the same attitude of repose. The sleepthat had fallen upon him so gently was the sleep of death!
This event at once called forth a universal and spontaneous expressionof regard for the deceased from the community in which he had so longlived. It was unrestrained by any differences of political opinion orof religious sentiment. Thus, in the "Boston Post," the organ of theDemocratic party of Boston, there appeared the followingcommunication:—
"Samuel Appleton is dead! Never has there been[5]summoned from among us a purer man or a more public-spiritedcitizen. Possessing strong natural sense and the most plain andunaffected manners, he was truly simple-hearted andnoble-minded. There was nothing about him of ostentation orpretence. All his acts, during a long life, praise him.Beginning with humble prospects, by industry and intelligencehe became one of our wealthiest merchants. As a countryschoolmaster, during the winter months, he was once, when ayoung man, 'put up at auction, to be boarded out in thefamily that would consent to take him at the lowest rate.'[1]Latterly, for many years, probably not a day has passed withoutthe performance of some deed of kindness great or small,—someact of public or private munificence; and each evening saw himsink to rest, happy in the consciousness that he had madeothers happy. In a notice of him, as a benefactor of one of ourchief charitable institutions, published not long since, it issaid: 'In advanced age, and unabl