Dublin Core
Title
Rufus Dwinel Sarcophagus
Subject
1804 Rufus Dwinel 1869
Description
Rufus Dwinel was a former mayor of Bangor and a millionaire lumber baron. His greatest competitor was Samuel Veazie whose pride, Dwinel is said to enjoy tweaking.
Dwinel, was one of a group of prominent Bangor businessmen who organized the April 13, 1861 mob attack on the Bangor Democrat newspaper. The editor of the Democrat, Copperhead Marcellus Emery, was a supporter of State’s Rights. In order to protect the Bangor troops from “fire from the back” the mob was formed to destroy the presses, throwing them into the street and burning them along with the office furnishings.
Dwinel and all other prominent businessmen were found not guilty during the following trial, held in Waldo. Samuel S. Mann and John Tabor were among the four men appointed by the mob to smash the press, were found guilty of charges and ordered to pay $916.60 in restitution, which was said to have been covered by the wealthy co-conspirators. In January 1872, Dwinel's estate settled with Emery for the destruction of the Bangor Democrat in the amount of $3000 in consideration of a legal release and discharge of action "from all parties with an interest therein..."
During his life, Dwinel was noted to be a gregarious personality who was consistently pursued by mothers on behalf of daughters in need of a mate. Dwinel, however, never married. Following his death on September 29, 1869, Dwinel's Last Will and Testament reveals Dwinel's generous nature as he bequeathed more money and gifts than his estate possessed.
His most significant bequest was to Emmeline Thomas, his loyal housekeeper of 20 years. In addition to the sum of $1250 per year for the remainder of her natural life, Dwinel gave his housekeeper $5000 to purchase a home for herself, her parents, and sisters, $1000 to furnish the house in addition to $1500 worth of Dwinel's own furnishings, $3000 worth of books and pictures, his silver service and silverware, as well as his horse "Billy, sleigh and harnesses. Finally, he provided $1000 annually "for her to use for charitable objects and purposes."
Although legend holds that Dwinel is interred within the sarcophagus, the marker is in fact carved from solid Tennessee sandstone and Dwinel is interred beneath the monument.
Dwinel, was one of a group of prominent Bangor businessmen who organized the April 13, 1861 mob attack on the Bangor Democrat newspaper. The editor of the Democrat, Copperhead Marcellus Emery, was a supporter of State’s Rights. In order to protect the Bangor troops from “fire from the back” the mob was formed to destroy the presses, throwing them into the street and burning them along with the office furnishings.
Dwinel and all other prominent businessmen were found not guilty during the following trial, held in Waldo. Samuel S. Mann and John Tabor were among the four men appointed by the mob to smash the press, were found guilty of charges and ordered to pay $916.60 in restitution, which was said to have been covered by the wealthy co-conspirators. In January 1872, Dwinel's estate settled with Emery for the destruction of the Bangor Democrat in the amount of $3000 in consideration of a legal release and discharge of action "from all parties with an interest therein..."
During his life, Dwinel was noted to be a gregarious personality who was consistently pursued by mothers on behalf of daughters in need of a mate. Dwinel, however, never married. Following his death on September 29, 1869, Dwinel's Last Will and Testament reveals Dwinel's generous nature as he bequeathed more money and gifts than his estate possessed.
His most significant bequest was to Emmeline Thomas, his loyal housekeeper of 20 years. In addition to the sum of $1250 per year for the remainder of her natural life, Dwinel gave his housekeeper $5000 to purchase a home for herself, her parents, and sisters, $1000 to furnish the house in addition to $1500 worth of Dwinel's own furnishings, $3000 worth of books and pictures, his silver service and silverware, as well as his horse "Billy, sleigh and harnesses. Finally, he provided $1000 annually "for her to use for charitable objects and purposes."
Although legend holds that Dwinel is interred within the sarcophagus, the marker is in fact carved from solid Tennessee sandstone and Dwinel is interred beneath the monument.
Creator
Edward F. Meany, marble and freestone worker, Boston, Massachusetts
Source
Last Will and Testament of Rufus Dwinel.
Publisher
[no text]
Date
Stone: 1872
Photograph: 2013
Photograph: 2013
Contributor
[no text]
Rights
© 2012 Kimberly J. Sawtelle. All rights reserved.
Relation
[no text]
Format
Tennessee sandstone with granite pillars
Language
English
Type
Elevated sarcophagus
Identifier
mhc_2012.8
Coverage
[no text]