This beautiful building was built in 1853 and because of my small connection to it, I was anxious to visit it on May 20, 2023. This is the 12th library I wrote about this month.
The Peabody Institute, Peabody
82 Main St, Peabody, MA 01960
https://peabodylibrary.org/
I saw this photo on the wall as I entered. The library opened in 1853.
The reference desk is above and multiple displays on the main floor are shown below.
Because it was a perfect weather day, I had to take three below photos of the library.
While walking around I could see where the old building met the new building.
I love roaming around. Nobody ever sees me.
I was happy to see a sign for Level 3 and the listing of the Fitch Poole Room. Fitch was my 2nd great-uncle. He was the son of Fitch Poole and Elizabeth Cutler. A photo of Fitch and his wife's burial sites are below.
While on the third floor, I just saw lots of shelves of books. Then I went toward the window and saw an office below, between the old and new buildings. I later learned that was where the archivist works. She was at lunch and only sees by appointment. I hope another time, I can meet with her, especially since I hope to move to Peabody.
From one window I was able to see my car below.
From: New England Historical Geographical Record. vol. 28: 486 (Oct. 1874).
“Poole, Fitch, Esq., librarian of the Peabody Institute, Peabody (late South Danvers), Mass., at his residence in that place, Aug. 19, 1873, aged 70. He was b. at Danvers, June 13, 1803, and was a son of Fitch and Elizabeth (Cutler) Poole, and a descendant of the Pooles of Reading, being the seventh generation from John Poole, of that town, one of its earliest settlers, through previously Cambridge and Lynn; through Jonathan,2 Jonathan,3 Zechariah,4 William,5 and Fitch,6 his father, above named. His immediate ancestors on both sides were distinguished for literary tastes, and his maternal grandfather, the Hon. Manasseh Cutler, LL.D. (Yale, 1765), was the author of several scientific treatises which gained for him the notice and friendship of the eminent men of his time. The tastes of Mr. Poole led him to cultivate literature even amidst the distractions of business, to which early in life he was devoted. He was educated at Bradford Academy, in the class with the Hon. Daniel P. King. On the establishment of the Institute and library in his native town by George Peabody, of London, he accepted the congenial post of librarian which he held to the day of his death, and his valuable aid in historical research has been often acknowledged by writers whom he assisted by his accurate judgment and untiring zeal. He possessed a delicate sense of humor, a keen love of scholarship, a lively imagination, and an accurate knowledge of books, all of which gave to his pen a racy power and an admirable mastery over the subjects which from time to time he presented to the public. Among his principal contributions to the press, were: ‘The Lawrence Conant Letters,’ ‘Lament of the Bats,’ ‘Legend of Gallows Hill,’ ‘Old Bell Tavern,’ ‘The Haunted Steeple,’ ‘Olden Times,’ ‘Old Meeting-Houses,’ ‘Deacon Jone’s Brewery,’ ‘Devil’s Dish full,’ ‘Deacon Simpkin’s Butchery,’ ‘Giles Corey’s Dream,’ ‘The Librarian’s Epitaph,’ ‘Political John Gilpins,’ ‘Death and von Vulcan,’ ‘Polk’s Bridge of Sighs,’ ‘Polk’s Trial for Murder,’ and a hundred other quaint and humorous pieces suggested by ancient traditions, historical researchers and passing events.
He repeatedly declined a nomination to the state senate, and other county offices tendering him by his fellow citizens, and rarely accepted public trusts, though he served two terms as representative to the legislature, was for many years trustee of the public schools, and Postmaster of the town.”
C. H. P. (Charles Henry Poole)*
(Charles Henry Poole (my gg-grandfather) was a brother to Fitch.
The local History Resource Center for the Peabody Institute Library in Peabody MA has these records from 1854-2018, see link below.
Fitch Poole Jr. and his wife Mary Ann Poor are buried in Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem, MA.