Benjamin F. Newhall facts for kids

Benjamin Franklin Newhall was an important American figure. He was a successful businessman and a strong supporter of ending slavery. He also worked as a politician and a writer.

Benjamin Newhall's Early Life

Benjamin Newhall was born on April 29, 1802. His hometown was Saugus, Massachusetts. At that time, Saugus was part of Lynn. His parents were Jacob and Abigail Newhall.

Benjamin's grandfather, Jacob Newhall, was known as Landlord Newhall. He was a big supporter of American independence. He even helped organize the Saugus Minute Men. Famous people like Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette and George Washington visited his tavern. Benjamin was also a descendant of Thomas Newhall. Thomas was the first white person born in Lynn.

Benjamin grew up in a tavern. He was very close to his mother. She often prayed for him. Benjamin worked hard to make his mother proud.

When he was about thirteen, Benjamin started helping his father. They worked in a shoemaking shop. He didn't like this work much. Later, he found a job at a chocolate factory. Benjamin was a very ambitious worker. He worked so hard that his mother asked him to quit. But he kept working to earn money for her.

In 1818, he left the factory. He went to work on a farm in Nahant. While working there, he had an accident. He cut off one of his thumbs while chopping wood. The farmer sewed it back on. A doctor then helped him heal it. His thumb was saved, but it took two months to get better.

When Benjamin was 21, he left home for school. He attended the New Market Academy in New Hampshire. After six months, he returned to Massachusetts. He then started teaching at a school in Stoneham.

Becoming a Businessman

On April 25, 1825, Benjamin Newhall married Sarah Jewett. She was from Stanstead, Canada. They had seven children together. Two of them died when they were babies. Soon after marrying, he moved to Canada. He opened a shop with his brother-in-law. But the business didn't do well.

In 1830, he returned to Saugus. He was in debt, but his uncle helped him pay it off. He then borrowed money and started a shoe-making business. Benjamin became one of the most successful and wealthy businessmen in his area.

In 1852, he helped create the Saugus Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was the company's secretary and treasurer. He held these roles until he became ill in 1861. Also in 1852, Newhall was chosen as a director for the Saugus Branch Railroad Co.

Because he started with little and became very successful, people often called him a "self-made man". This means he achieved success through his own hard work.

Benjamin Newhall's Religious Beliefs

Benjamin Newhall was a very religious person. In the 1820s, he was a Methodist preacher. He believed in making good moral changes. But his ideas sometimes differed from other Methodist leaders. So, he joined the Universalist church. From 1838 to 1848, Benjamin often preached at the Universalist church in Saugus.

His Work in Politics

Benjamin Newhall was active in politics. He was a member of the Liberty and Free Soil parties.

He was strongly against slavery. He led the Saugus chapter of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. His home at 17-19 Ballard Street was a stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. Runaway slaves would stop at his home on their way from Boston. They would then go to a safe house in South Danvers for medical help.

Newhall also supported the Temperance movement. This movement worked to reduce or stop the use of alcohol.

From 1841 to 1847, Benjamin Newhall served as the Saugus Town Clerk. In 1842 and 1843, he represented Saugus in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. While in the state legislature, he was against capital punishment, which is the death penalty.

From 1844 to 1850, Newhall was an Essex County Commissioner. In 1846, he ran for the United States House of Representatives. He was the Free Soil candidate for Massachusetts's 2nd congressional district. He came in second place in that election.

Newhall also served in other important roles. He was a selectman, an overseer of the poor, and a member of the school committee. He was also a justice of the peace.

Benjamin Newhall's Writing

Benjamin Newhall was a talented writer of both prose (regular writing) and poetry. He didn't have much formal training in grammar. He only had common school and six months at New Market Academy.

His most famous work was "Historical Sketches of Saugus." These writings first appeared in the Lynn Weekly Reporter newspaper in December 1858. They continued for about two or three years.

Newhall wrote about many different topics. He changed his writing style to fit the subject. He could be serious or lighthearted as needed. He was a kind person, so his writing was rarely harsh. His poems often rhymed well and showed cleverness. Some of his works had a quiet sense of humor. This humor sometimes turned into gentle satire. His writings often included religious ideas, which was a big part of his character.

Later Life and Death

For the last ten years of his life, Benjamin Newhall suffered from chronic rheumatism. This is a condition that causes pain in joints and muscles. During his final two years, he was confined to his bed. Benjamin Newhall passed away on September 17, 1863.