Mourning Marshall Spring Hagar

In the 1850s, Marshall Spring Hagar was everywhere in Richmond, Maine. He was a lawyer and judge, as well as a state senator. He was part of the team leading the creation of the Portland & Kennebec Railroad. And he was well-known in the shipyard as a builder and owning parts of more than a dozen ships. 

Marshall and his brother James had moved to Richmond from Waltham, Massachusetts outside of Boston. Richmond was a young town in a new state when they arrived. Marshall was growing with the town and must have been seen to have a bright future ahead of him. 

Sadly, Marshall died at the age of 51. And it was nothing more than a foolish accident. 

Republican Journal, page 2 | Belfast, ME
Friday, Feb 14, 1862

The story was quickly spread throughout the papers of Maine and neighboring states. 

Portland Daily Advertiser, page 2 | Portland, ME
Tuesday, Feb 11, 1862

Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, page 2 | Bangor, Maine
Monday, Feb 17, 1862

At his funeral, the Reverend H. A. Lounsbury delivered the sermon which included,

What makes the death of our brother so sad and touching is the fact that he died so suddenly and unexpectedly. He had to premonitions of the coming of the King of Terrors. The message was not sent to him. "Set thine house in order for thou shall die and not live." No disease had laid hold of him and warned him of the hour that was approaching. The Son of Man came to him as a thief in the night, in an hour in which he thought not.

1 comment:

  1. Certainly sounds rather judgemental minister! Bible based I understand but seems to be implying eternal damnation!

    ReplyDelete

Mourning Marshall Spring Hagar

In the 1850s, Marshall Spring Hagar was everywhere in Richmond, Maine. He was a lawyer and judge, as well as a state senator. He was part of...