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Webster/South Bedchamber: End of Webster’s Life
The South Bedchamber of Webster Cottage was the room that Webster stayed in while he lived in this house in his last year at Dartmouth. While he was only in Hanover for four years, Webster visited the town several times later in life. He also kept close ties to New Hampshire even after moving to Massachusetts in 1816.
Towards the end of his life Webster fell ill. This chair known as an “invalid chair” was where he sat as his condition worsened. He was nursed in his home in Marshfield, Massachusetts until his death on October 24th, 1852. He died of cirrhosis of the liver and bleeding from the stomach and bowels.
Webster had two large public funerals. The first in Marshfield, where there was a focus on his community and family. While there were important figures there, including the governor of Massachusetts, Webster’s family was deemed more important at this local event. The second public funeral was in November in Boston. There were military units and politicians who all marched through the city dressed in black.
These two funerals show how important Daniel Webster was during his time period. He spent years working in Washington as a politician for multiple administrations. He ran for president several times, and held considerable influence within our government. This influence led to his participation in many important historical events, some good, and some that we now view more critically. Like many historical figures, it is hard to balance recognizing the ways in which he had positive impacts on our country, while also remembering the harm he caused as well. His legacy is a complicated one that highlights the duty historians and museums have to tell the entire story of American history.