Samuel Pierson Hartley White

• General Notes
  • Obituary of Samuel:
    
    Bidderford Daily Journal July 31, 1915
    Page 8
    Oldest Masoon & Odd Fellow in Two Cities
    
    Samuel P H Whites Dies at home on Middle Street Friday
    "Samuel P H White, Better known as "Uncle Sam" the oldest Mason & Odd Fellow in the Two cities, died at his home on Middle St., Friday evening at 9:20 O'Clock, following a long illness. Death was due to imfirmities incident to his great age. For a number of months he had been unable to get out of doors by himself. owing to an ever increasing weakness and for some years his ability to walk had been restricted from this same cause. The end seemed to come as a result of the gradual wearing away of the vital forces which had stood him in a so good stead through the many years of his long life. He was 89 years, 11 months and 2 days old.
    In the death of Mr. White, the city loses an interesting and lovable character and those who knew him best will learn of his passing with sincere sorrow. Dating back, as his life did, to the early days of Biddeford, he could tell with surprising exactness of the early history of Biddeford and many of its important residents of a day and generation now long since passed away. Particularly interesting were the accounts of the adventures of his family who was a captain and followed the seas during the turbulent times of the war of 1812. These included tales of blockade-running and other thrilling adventures of that exciting period. M. White could also tell much of interest in regard to the early history of the city, as he say it grow from a mere hamlet and remembered many of the old-time customs and conditions.
    Uncle Sam came from on the old and aristocratic families of the city, his grandfather, Deacon Samuel Pierson, being one of the influential men of his day, for whom Piersons Land was named. Interesting it was indeed to hear M. White when in reminiscent mood, as he told of this old-time gentleman who lived in such style, in what is now known as the Maxwell House, on High Street. In those days this section was the aristocratic part of the city, with fine residences surrounded with spacious lawn reaching away toward the river and interspersed with shade trees. Just as now in those days boys were boys, and it was very funny to hear how, as a boy, he with some juvenile friends, stole the Deacon's One-Horse Chaise and, attaching thereto the venerable horse with which he wont to preambulate about the country, went for a drive, which ended so disastoradsly that the chaise was overturned and neatly broken beyond repair.
    Uncle Sam was a member of the famous club known as the boys of 1825. The club was composed of late Benj. F. Day, Danl. F. Meeds, Saml. W. Hackett. S.P.H. White all of Biddeford, and Capt. Abithar W. Leavitt of Saco, the only surviving member. Up yo witing a few years, the club met each year at the home of some member to celebrate the year of their birth. Owing to the infirmities of age this custom was given up of late years.
    Mr. White enjoyed the best of health, although unable to go about as much as he would have liked. Yet he enjoyed life, as he sat by his own open fire and read, or dreamed of the past. Callers were ever welcome and his old-time hospitality would manifest itself in the ever welcome mug of cider and dish of apples. And then, quietly seated in his easy chair, he would tell those quaintly interesting tales of the past while ever and anon he sipped from his glass, as if drawing inspiration from its amber depths.
    Mr. White was initiated a member of Laconia Lodge of Odd Fellows July 18, 1848, and became Past Grand, July 1, 1852. He became a member of the Saco Lodge of Mason in 1849 or 50.
    Mr. White was born in this city August 28, 1825, a son of Captain Sam White and Sarah Pierson. He is survived by a daughter, Miss Sarah P. White of this city, who has faithfully cared for her father during the years of his infirmity. A brother, John White, of Dorchester, Mass. , also survives.
    Mr. White was a Machinist and worked for many years on the Perrerell.
    Funeral services will be conducted in the Chapel at Laurel Hill in Saco, Monday Afternoon at 2 O'Clock.
    His picture is in the Biddeford Daily Journel Saturday, July 31, 1915 at Bidderford, ME Library.