By AnneMarie Donahue, teaching English/Media/Journalism at Oakmont Regional High School in Ashburnham. She is currently trying to disprove the theory that Richard III was a hunchback.
"An immoral law makes it a man's duty to break it, at every hazard. For virtue is the very self of every man," Ralph Waldo Emerson cried out to the assembled crowd in front of The Old Manse of Concord, Massachusetts. The audience responded with applause and cheers of "well said!" Emerson had delivered his famous speech against the Fugitive Slave Law. It was August 19, 2006, but at The Old Manse the year was 1861 and Concord was ready to give up one of her sons, Lt. Ezra Ripley, to preserve the Union.
The Eight Annual Civil War presentation at The Old Manse was a success. Volunteers, staff members, and living history re-enactors crowded the once-battlefield of The Old Manse to honor Concord's Civil War History. During the summer of 1861 Ezra Ripley returned to his family's home as a Lieutenant in the Union Army. Ripley had enlisted at 35, well past the age expected at the time when President Lincoln called for volunteers. He brought his newly-formed troop to The Old Manse to camp within sight of the Old North Bridge monument; there Ripley told his troops that they were fighting to preserve not only the Union, but freedom, justice and liberty. This event was dedicated in the memory and honor of Lt. Ezra Ripley who gave his life defending those ideals. Sarah Alden Bradford Ripley, who lived in The Old Manse during 1861, hosted her son's troops. Lt. Ripley left behind not only his wife but a promising law career serving the poor of Cambridge.
Volunteers and Living History interpreters were on hand to help guests acclimate themselves to the transition in time. The East Cambridge Company of Volunteers, led by Lt. Ripley, was quartered on the back field. A surgeon was on hand for medical demonstrations and to provide a full physical-fitness check before allowing any "recruits" to join. Big Bear Trading Company set up a sutler's tent to sell much-needed items to the participants, such as snoods, wick cutters, quills, and the more modern wooden writing set.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Amos Bronson Alcott and Henry David Thoreau were present to debate the advantages and ills of a war against the South. They were joined in the discussion by Lt. Ripley and Captain George Prescott, who had returned from the Battle of Bull Run. Captain Prescott cautioned the participants not to underestimate the South. "This war will not be won in 90 days," Prescott warned. Thoreau, however, pressed hard to allow the South to leave, saying "I only wish the Union had fallen apart sooner." Emerson and Alcott favored the war, only wishing that Abolition had been the chief goal.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, former renter of The Old Manse, was in the crowd along with his wife, Sophia Peabody Hawthorne, and their son, Julian Hawthorne, listening to the riveting debate. Mrs. Hawthorne later discussed the Institution of Slavery with Mrs. Sarah Ripley, Mrs. Harriet Ripley and members of the audience. Mrs. Hawthorne had seen slavery first hand when she stayed in Cuba for a year to improve her health. The Hawthorne family lived in the Wayside, next door to the Alcott home, Orchard House.
Living History interpreters included May Alcott as Hannah Slocum, D. Michael Ryan as Bronson Alcott, Richard Smith as Henry David Thoreau, Wendell Refior as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Karen Ahern as Harriet Hayden (leader of the Soldier's Aid Society), Devon Kurtz as Captain Prescott, Jim Hollister as Lt. Ezra Ripley, Deborah Kreiser-Francis as Harriet Ripley (wife of Lt. Ripley), Barbara Forman as Sarah Alden Bradford Ripley (mother of Lt. Ripley), Warren Wegrzyn as Nathaniel Hawthorne, AnneMarie Donahue as Sophia Peabody Hawthorne, and Oliver Wilder-Smith as Julian Hawthorne.
The Old Manse is open for tours until October 31, Monday through Saturday 10-5, and Sundays 12-6. For more information about upcoming events at The Old Manse please contact Historic Site Manager Deborah Kreiser-Francis at 978-369-3909. The Old Manse is owned and operated by The Trustees of Reservations, a nonprofit, member-based organization that is dedicated to the preservation of historic sites and open spaces across Massachusetts. For more information on this organization and membership opportunities please visit the website www.thetrustees.org.
Photos: ©The Trustees of Reservations by Michael Poirier
Backgrounds: Word of Mouth Web Design.
