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Volume 1, Issue 1 July 5, 1851 The South Danvers Observer George Peabody’s Dinner a Triumph! The South Danvers Observer is published quarterly. July 5, 1851— It has been no endorsement that Mr. Peabody secret that tensions between the went forth with his plans. Americans visiting London for the Written and published by More than a thousand guests Great Exhibition and the British Nancy Barthelemy were invited. Over eight have been at an all time high. hundred stayed for dinner. The American exhibitors had Among those who attended to bear under the ridicule of both were the Baroness Angela British and American press when Georgina Burdett-Coutts, Joseph they arrived in London without Paxton who designed the Crystal Inside this issue: enough funds to properly display Palace for the World’s Fair, their wares. members of Parliament, the Mr. Peabody, 2 No stranger to hosting U.S.- Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress American Ambassador British friendship dinners in the of London and, of course, the past, Mr. George Peabody Duke of Wellington. balls,” Emily Mary Lamb Temple, MMar.r Pyleaanbdo dy’s Aid Goes Beyond 2 dgreacniddeeds tt os chaoleld e ovneer. o Anl lt hweit h the the Viscountess Palmerston was It was Mr. Peabody’s great heard to say. Her words were honor to introduce His Grace, hope it would ease the animosity “National Disgrace” turned to 2 certain to doom Mr. Peabody’s Arthur Wellesley Wellington to Victory by Peabody between his fellow citizens and upcoming event. the Honorable Mr. Abbott the residents of London. Lawrence. Few will forget how Gtheoosreg ein P Seoaubtohd Dy’asn Cvoenrsc ern for 3 But the date chosen, July 4, L a w r Uenpcoen ahdevairsiendg hthisis f,r Mienr.d it the band struck up “See The was one no one could ignore. To Conquering Hero Comes” as would be best to exclude the Peabody’s Generosity Extends 3 the Americans, it is the most British when planning his they met or the rousing beyond his Family patriotic of days. To the British, applause from all who were it is a tasteless reminder of what invitations. present. was lost. But acting with the same Mr. Peabody’s Next Dinner 4 And with His Grace, the Duke confidence which has guided him And when Mr. Peabody of Wellington’s pronouncement throughout his life and has approached his long time friend, brought him so much success, he had a good time, Mr. Abbott Lawrence, the U. S. Peabody’s place as an “eminent Mr. Peabody consulted with the Minister to Britain, he was told American merchant,” has been Duke of Wellington. not to expect anyone to attend. sealed. “Good idea!” the Duke was “The fashionables are tired of known to say and it was with that The Great Exhibition The Great Exhibition at The Crystal Palace When Henry Cole, a was chosen. The building this year, thousands of visitors member of the Royal Society extended across twenty acres of flocked to the fair. Exhibits of Art, returned from the Paris land and allowed for trees to be depicting the art and architecture Exposition in 1849, he met included inside the building. of the past are included as well with Prince Albert, the Not all were enthralled with the as the wonders of technology president of the Society, to choice. One member of the House today. suggest London host an of Commons was reported to say The Crystal Palace is able to Industrial Exposition of All “It is the greatest trash. . .it is hold 13,000 exhibits from all Nations. meant to bring down prices . . .and parts of the world, including our Once it was approved and to pave the way for the own American displays and those Hyde Park chosen as the site, establishment of cheap and nasty of as far away as Australia and Joseph Paxton’s remarkable trash.” New Zealand. design for a “Crystal Palace” He was proved wrong. When it opened on May 1 of Page 2 George Peabody Has Long Been An Unofficial American Ambassador To Great Britain When George Peabody left from was saved. This was only the then that it came to light that New York in February , 1837, little first step he took to Peabody never asked for or did he know he wouldn’t return to demonstrate the honor of received his commission. his home for almost twenty years. the Americans to the British. Through those years, He had been elected by the With his fellow Peabody demonstrated to “W hereas George Peabody, State of Maryland as one of three Commissioners from every wary European that th en of Maryland, now of Commissioners to sell the state’s Maryland, Peabody went first Americans could be trusted. bonds. These bonds, amounting to to Paris and then Amsterdam His insistence that Maryland Lo ndon, negotiated a loan $8 million were to be sold in to sell the bonds. They were would honor the bonds, his fo r this state and refused Europe to finance both the unsuccessful. Emory and determination to save the firm to apply for compensation Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and Buchanan gave up and of William and James Brown allowed him; because he the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. returned to the U. S. the and his continual work which was unwilling to add to Fellow Commissioners, John following October. changed from import-export th e burden of Maryland Buchanan and Thomas Emory, With the Maryland business to that of a bond joined Peabody in London in legislature under pressure and investment banker, when she was in need—- August of 1837. not to pay interest on the Peabody showed that trust in It is unanimously resolved Americans would not be Mr. Peabody arrived in England bonds, Peabody’s task was by the General Assembly on Feb. 13, 1837. As had nearly impossible. And when misplaced. of Maryland to tender the happened in his previous four at last he did manage to sell In this way, he always th anks of the State to Mr. voyages to Europe, he suffered the Chesapeake and Ohio acted in our country’s best George Peabody.” greatly and arrived unwell. Canal portion of the bonds, interests. When Maryland he did so at a very low price. couldn’t honor the interest on It didn’t take long for his health He was blamed for that, its bonds, Mr. Peabody to return, however. And when it M aryland Resolution to especially when soon after insisted to all those who did, he went to work with a passion George Peabody, to accomplish his goal. the price of Maryland’s doubted, it was only because March 7, 1848 bonds rose. times were bad. But that Times were bad. The Panic of once things turned around, But without all of his hard 1837 was in full swing. The Maryland could be counted on work, Maryland wouldn’t standing of American credit and have been able to maintain to honor its debts. the reputation of American her credit in Europe. And With his colleagues and business in Europe was at an all because Maryland was still business associates, he time low. struggling financially, further proved American Mr. Peabody’s first order of Peabody didn’t seek to goodwill by fair dealings and business was to save the Liverpool collect the $60,000 with gifts from his native land. firm of William and James Brown, commission which was his These could be anything from which was the source of his own due for the sale. hickory nuts to hominy or credit in Europe. He did it by apples or Boston crackers. It wasn’t until 1847, when traveling over five hundred miles in And these, along with his Maryland emerged from the five days to conduct as many face words and practice, depression and could begin to face meetings as he could. demonstrated to all those he taxing its citizens, that the And with his tireless efforts, the met the nature of the land he state began to pay interest firm of William and James Brown on the bonds. And it was called home. “A National Disgrace” Turned To Victory by Mr. Peabody “Every American It is well known by now With 40,000 square feet display. just what our own George of space provided for the In all, our country contributed connected with the Peabody has done to spare Americans in the Crystal 599 exhibits, which included our country further Palace, the pieces Hiram Powers statue, “The Greek Exhibition owes a debt embarrassment. comprising our exhibit were Slave,” Colt revolvers, Richard Mr. Edward Riddle, the too sparse to provide much Hoe’s printing press, Albert of gratitude to commissioner appointed by interest. Our nation’s pride Hobb’s unpickable lock and Cyrus Mr. George Peabody.” our government to oversee was at stake. And hearing Hall McCormick’s reapers. this project, arrived in of the problem, Mr. And because of our very own New York State agent London to discover he had Peabody quietly Mr. Peabody’s generosity, they Benjamin Pierce no money with which to approached Mr. Abbott were shown to the best create a display appropriate Lawrence with 3,00 pounds advantage. for the American exhibit. or $15,000 to assist in the Page 3 George Peabody’s Concern For His Native Country Isn’t Confined to Just Those Visiting London. George $1,000 had fallen short by But he just recently learned Peabody’s $300, it was his generosity his old master was in debt birthplace which made up the difference. and instructed his sister to on And when the Great Fire on pay their debts and find them Washington Sept. 22, 1843 destroyed a home where they could be Street. much of our fair town, it was happy. Mr. Peabody who not only For he told her, “I have not donated 50 pounds to the town forgotten that both himself & at large but also contributed Wife were kind and indulgent $250 for the rebuilding of our to me.” Though the “Religious South Congregational Church. and Moral principles,” Captain As poor as his beginnings were, He has especially been and Mrs. Proctor tried to pass there is nothing humble about concerned of late with the on to Mr. Peabody “had little “Life at any time George Peabody’s efforts to put his welfare of two of our own or no influence at the time. . .I have the satisfaction to think is uncertain and country in the best light possible. native citizens, Captain and that at least a partial more so at the Ever ready to enthuse to all who Mrs. Sylvester Proctor. compliance with those good advanced age of know him of the honor of his native Always conscious not to lessons . . . Has in some yourself and Americans and always willing to cause his former employer measure led to my almost wife. I have lend a helping hand to those who pain, he enquired through his unexampled success in life.” therefore written visit England, George Peabody’s sister, Mrs. Judith Dodge in to you both to let hospitality has long been evident to 1846 whether they were in any Whether Mrs. Dodge you know you any who have made his need. And when Mrs. Dodge passed onto her brother are not forgotten acquaintance. informed her brother they were Captain Proctor’s high opinion and to express a But this is not limited just to comfortable, he was gratified to of the boy who once worked hope that our those who find themselves lonely or learn that Captain and Mrs. for him is unknown. lives may be homesick for their native land. He Proctor “were enjoying a ‘green But we have heard through spared to meet has also asked often for news of his old age’ in good health and Sylvester Proctor Jr., that his again in this past friends and acquaintances comfortable circumstances,” father “often boasts of the smart boy that tended in his world.” from South Danvers. He sent them a gift of $50 Most here remember 1835 when which was placed in the store some 40 years ago, who George is now a merchant Prince in Peabody’s letter our town erected the Lexington collection plate at church for the great City of London.” to Captain Monument. When Mr. Peabody the poor. Sylvester Proctor learned our town’s efforts to raise George Peabody’s Generosity Extends Beyond His Family The death of George supported his mother and opportunity of obtaining anything And we have learned Peabody’s father when he sisters and nieces and more than the most common that in 1832, when he was sixteen was a severe nephews, and has aided his education I am, well qualified to amended his will, he not blow to the Peabody family. brothers in their business estimate its value by the only provided for his family They lost their home and endeavors. disadvantages I labour under in the but also planned on were forced to separate By 1827, his largesse society in which my business. . leaving $2,000 for and stay with various extended to charities, as well. .frequently throws me.. . . and education in Baltimore relatives. Both the Baltimore General willingly would I now give twenty and $5,000 for schools in But George never gave Dispensary and St. Mary’s times the expense attending a good our very own South up hope he could buy back Orphaline Female School were education. . .I can only do to those Danvers! the family home for his the recipient of his donations. that come under my care, as I could Perhaps the day will aging mother. His nephew, George have wished circumstances had arrive—and not long in the And in 1817, when he Peabody, the son of his permitted others to have done by future— when he will was just 22, he succeeded. brother David, shared a letter me.” return to South Danvers His concern for his family, he received from his uncle From all we have learned of and so allow us to however, didn’t end there. long ago in 1831. those under his care, he has indeed demonstrate our pride in Since then, he has fully “Deprived, as I was, of the fulfilled this promise to himself. our very own native son. “Your idea of bringing together the inhabitants of two of the greatest nations upon earth. . .was a most felicitous conception.” U.S. Minister to Britain Abbott Lawrence’s letter to George My thanks go to Franklin Parker for his dissertation George Peabody, Founder of Modern Philanthropy, 1956. And his recent work Almack’s Assembly Rooms, George Peabody Location of George Peabody’s July 4, 1851 Dinner Handbook, A-Z. And to Franklin Parker and Betty June Parker George Peabody’s Next Dinner for their 2005 work Rediscovering Word has reached our ears that Mr. Peabody is considering hosting yet Educational Philanthropist George another dinner related to the Great Exhibition. Peabody. This one shall not be held until the American exhibitors depart London for home. But the projection for this event will be sometime in October of this year. We look forward to hearing more about this anticipated event.