Description:

Franklin Pierce
n.p. but probably Washington, D.C., n.d. but ca. February 1857
Franklin Pierce PSA MINT 9 ALS As Pres. Re: Burial Instructions Of Family Member At Mt. Auburn Cemetery!
ALS

A 1p autograph letter signed by sitting 14th U.S. President Franklin Pierce (1804-1869), with a beautiful full signature as "Franklin Pierce" at lower right. N.d. but ca. February 1857. N.p. but probably Washington, D.C. Inscribed on watermarked paper. Encapsulated and PSA/DNA certified and graded MINT 9. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and a few extra wrinkles. Minor soiling along the top edge recto corresponds to adhesive residue and negligible surface loss along the top edge verso. Else very good. The letter measures 6.875" x 5.5" while the slab measures 10.125" x 6.625."

Pierce wrote in full, with original usage:

"James McGregor
Chestnut Street
Boston
Mass -

Dear Mrs Smith expired at one oclock today calmly - having retained full possession of her faculties to the last. Shall the sepulture take place here or at Mt. Auburn?

Mr Smith desires to know your wishes.

Franklin Pierce

Answer - ."

We contend that Pierce wrote this letter while he was still president, probably ca. February 1857, when the family member "Mrs. Smith" is known to have died. Pierce informed correspondent James McGregor (1798-1877) of Chestnut Street, in Boston, Massachusetts, of her death, and inquired where McGregor wished Mrs. Smith to be interred. The two burial sites were either "here" - presumably in Washington, D.C. - or at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mount Auburn was the first garden cemetery established in the United States in 1831 and conveniently situated near Boston.

President Pierce took time away from presidential duties to report on the death of Mrs. Smith; she was Frances Gordon Kent Smith (1809-1857), his relative by marriage by way of his wife, Jane Means Appleton Pierce. The deceased was the sister of Jane's aunt by marriage, Abigail Atherton Kent Means (1802-1857). (And they were also cousins besides!) Abigail was a well-known figure at the White House during Pierce's administration, as she frequently acted as substitute First Lady at ceremonial functions. Jane relied heavily on her aunt's support, for, just prior to her husband's inauguration, the Pierces' only surviving son was killed in a gruesome train accident. Consequently, Jane was often unwell and incapacitated by grief. Frances Kent Smith and Abigail Kent Means were sisters of Mary Kent McGregor (1804-1877), James McGregor's wife. Therefore, this letter represents Pierce's writing to his wife's relation through marriage (James McGregor) regarding the burial arrangements of one of his wife's relations through marriage (Frances Smith), who was also the sister-in-law of James McGregor.

James McGregor and his wife Mary Kent McGregor evidently wished that Frances Smith be transported to Mount Auburn Cemetery for burial. Both the Mount Auburn Cemetery association website as well as FindAGrave list Frances Smith as being interred there (along the Eglantine Path, in Lot 1137) on February 22, 1857. Adjoining burials in the family plot later included both Frances Smith's sister Mary Kent McGregor and brother-in-law James McGregor. Franklin Pierce would have left office just over a week after Frances Smith's interment at Mount Auburn, on March 4, 1857.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: slabbed: 10.125" x 6.625"
  • Medium: ALS

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