THE WEBSTER CLOCK

The following letter, dated March 20, 1912, was directed by the class of ninety-nine to the President of the College:

Dr. Ernest F. Nichols, President of Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H.

Dear Sir:

The class of ninety-nine has the pleasure of offering to Dartmouth College a relic of its most famous alumnus, Daniel Webster. This survivor of the furnishings of Webster's home in Marshfield, his French clock, a good time-keeper and well-kept by time, we are happy to commit to the fostering care of his almamater. We bespeak for it such venera- tion as may be merited by the loyalty of its donors, and the illustrious name and services of its original possessor.

Faithfully yours, The Class of Ninety-nine, By George H. Evans, Chairman of Committee.

The existence of this clock and the purpose of its owner to dispose of it was brought to the attention of the class at the annual Boston "round-up," March 2. The communication aroused a good .deal of interest, and it was the unanimous opinion of those present that, if the historic authenticity of the relic could be satisfactorily established, its possession ought to be secured to the College, and that the class of ninety-nine would deem it a privilege to become the donors. After general discussion, and a consideration of the documentary evidence of its genuineness, the class voted to purchase the clock, and present it to the College. The following committee was appointed with power to act: George H. Evans, Chairman; George C. Clark, and Willis B. Hodgkins.

The clock is now in the possession of the committee, and it is expected that it will be delivered to the custody of the College in a short time. In connection herewith, the following letter from the last owner should be made a matter of record:

Woburn, Mass., March 20, 1912 Mr. George H. Evans, Woburn Public Library, Woburn, Mass.

Dear Sir: For the purposes of identification, the clock which I herewith deliver to you is described as follows:

Style of case, Gothic; material, metal all-over gilded; height, 17½ inches; width at base, 7 inches; depth at base, 4 9-16 inches; number on works, 592; number on case, 44515; the dial is in the architectural form of a rose window, and the front of the case beneath the dial in the form of a door or gate with pointed Gothic arch. On the base of the glass globe, used as a cover for the clock, is the name, Christina Mclntire.

This clock was brought from Paris, France, for Daniel Webster, was his personal property, and a part of the furnishings of his house in Marshfield, Mass. After his death it became the property of Mrs. Fletcher Webster, and was later given by her to Miss Christina McIntire, for some time a member of her household. After the death of Mrs. Webster, Miss McIntire made her home in my family until her own decease in 1910. To my own personal knowledge the clock was brought from the Marshfield house, directly to my house in Woburn, where it has since been kept.

Some years prior to Miss Mclntire's death she gave the clock to me.

Very truly yours, (Signed) Arthur G. Loring,

Member of New England Historic Genealogical Society and Rumford Historical Association.