Historic Homes of New England

by Mary Harrod Northend

There are still treasured in the college library at Brunswick, Maine, two mementoes of his college life. The one is a silhouette found in a little red book containing the pictures of the members of the class, which was made before the art of photography was known. The second is a theme that was written in Latin, one of his later works.

He followed his father's career as politician, making his first stump speech in favor of the victor of New Orleans and against John Quincy Adams. He entered Congress at the age of twenty-nine and quickly rose to high political favor; he was elected to the Senate in 1837, being at that time its youngest member.

During his term of office, he stood firm for his party against the opposing members, and yet so popular was he that when his hour of departure came, the senators crowded around him as though he were a personal friend, and no member of the Senate ever retired with warmer friends. Among his associates in Congress were such men as Calhoun, Wentworth, and Clay,—men who were helpful to him in his political life. He decided, however, that he had had enough of politics so he returned to his own State and took up his profession of attorney, devoting much of his time to caring for his invalid wife.

His views, nevertheless, did not meet with the approbation of the people. Soon the Mexican War broke out, and he was forced to enter the fight, accepting the position of Colonel of the Ninth Regiment. During all this time Hawthorne and he remained intimates.

Across the road is a simple little farmhouse where Pierce spent his early married life, and where Hawthorne was a frequent guest. The life of Hawthorne is connected with that of Franklin Pierce far more than is realized, unless one has delved deep into the unusual friendship of these two men. The one, standing at the front of the literary world, sad, morbid, and needing the helpful hand of a friend, was encouraged to work by the other, whom he loved. He shows his appreciation by his dedication of Our Old Home and Biographical Sketches. In the preface he tells of the love and appreciation of his work given to him by Pierce, and the praise the latter considered his due.

On the other hand stood Franklin Pierce, the lawyer, soldier, statesmen, friend, one who had battled with the world and whose term of office fell at a time when it was hardest to fill—when the slavery question was being weighed. These two men, strongly differing from each other in every trait, were peculiarly united by strong ties of mutual love and helpfulness.

It was not to the Hillsboro house alone that Hawthorne came, but also to the colonial mansion where Pierce spent his childhood days. There is still seen on the grounds an old tree where one can just decipher, cut on the bark, the names of Hawthorne and Franklin Pierce.

This old homestead in which Franklin Pierce's father lived, has on the drawing-room wall a wonderful old paper as fresh and bright as when placed there a century ago by the original owner. During the governor's lifetime, this mansion was on the direct route of the Washington stage, which brought many a distinguished guest to enjoy the bounteous hospitality that was dispensed here. Nearly all the leading men of New Hampshire visited Squire Pierce's house, among them being Judge Woodbury, Governor Steele, and the McNeils.

The grounds were not extensive, comprising a little more than an acre of land, but were for those days wonderfully laid out with walks, gardens, summer-house, and artificial pond, well stocked with trout. The garden was considered to be one of the show places of the time, and here from the summer-house the casual visitor fished for trout in the pond beneath.