The Will of Samuel Appleton with remarks by one of the executors

Excerpt

Samuel Appleton was born at New Ipswich, N.H., June 22, 1766, and died, 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 younger than himself. This union has been marked, on his side, by the most unvarying confidence and sincere affection. He has ever found his own delight in gratifying each wish of his wife with an almost boundless indulgence. And she—the brilliant and happy mistress of his hospitable mansion—has been alike admirable, when presiding over its social circle, or its more public gayeties; and when, in its private recesses, she has devoted herself to what she has ever felt to be her highest duty and her chief privilege,—that of guarding the declining years of her husband with the most kind and thoughtful care; cheering his pathway to the tomb by those considerate attentions, which, both in life and in death, he so gratefully appreciated and acknowledged.

On the last morning of his life, he enjoyed his usual health. During the day, however, he suffered pain and uneasiness, apparently the result of indigestion. Mrs. Appleton, therefore, remained constantly with him, but without feeling any serious apprehensions. He at length seemed to be entirely relieved by the means used, and said, "I will now try to go to sleep." In a few moments, Mrs. Appleton was alarmed by hearing him breathe once or twice much more loudly than usual. She ran to his bedside, and his favorite female attendant was immediately summoned. He was still lying in the same attitude of repose. The sleep that had fallen upon him so gently was the sleep of death!

This event at once called forth a universal and spontaneous expression of regard for the deceased from the community in which he had so long lived. It was unrestrained by any differences of political opinion or of religious sentiment. Thus, in the "Boston Post," the organ of the Democratic party of Boston, there appeared the following communication:—

"Samuel Appleton is dead! Never has there been summoned from among us a purer man or a more public-spirited citizen. Possessing strong natural sense and the most plain and unaffected manners, he was truly simple-hearted and noble-minded. There was nothing about him of ostentation or pretence. All his acts, during a long life, praise him. Beginning with humble prospects, by industry and intelligence he became one of our wealthiest merchants. As a country schoolmaster, during the winter months, he was once, when a young man, 'put up at auction, to be boarded out in the family that would consent to take him at the lowest rate.' Latterly, for many years, probably not a day has passed without the performance of some deed of kindness great or small,—some act of public or private munificence; and each evening saw him sink to rest, happy in the consciousness that he had made others happy. In a notice of him, as a benefactor of one of our chief charitable institutions, published not long since, it is said: 'In advanced age, and unable to walk from his house, he continues in the highest and best sense to enjoy life. He has, indeed, no children; but a numerous band of nephews and nieces look up to him with truly filial regard....