The good citizens of Concord welcomed the year 1874 with much anticipation. Nine years following the Civil War’s end, there was much opportunity to lead a very enjoyable and productive life here.
In the world, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis had just filed a United State patent for blue jeans with copper rivets that would sell for $13.50 per dozen. The Philadelphia Zoo just opened. Robert Frost was born and the Great Apache Chief Cochise passed away.
As summer approached, thoughts turned to leisure.
There was a celebration on July 4, 1874, just like every other year, and many people gathered and made plans to celebrate our Independence Day with great fanfare. One such family planning a celebration was Anson Southard Marshall, his beautiful wife Mary Jane Corning Marshall and their young son Anson Marshall Jr.
Anson Southard Marshall was a very respected man in the Concord community. He cared about people and was highly educated. He was born in Lyme on Dec. 3, 1822, and was considered a very good student. His education led him to Dartmouth College where he graduated in 1848. Anson would teach at Fitchburg, Mass., High School during recess from his Dartmouth studies and was selected to become the principal of the Fitchburg High School after graduating. He was a wonderful teacher and principal and very well liked by both the students and the administration.
Anson was born with much ambition and sought additional education in the coming years when he studied law at the firm of Torrey & Wood in Fitchburg before traveling to Concord to complete his studies with Franklin Pierce and Josiah Minot. His studies completed he was admitted to the New Hampshire Bar in the year 1852.
Anson Southard Marshall married Mary Jane Corning and found a good life living in Concord. The couple had one son while Anson continued to practice law locally while rising to the position of U.S. Attorney for the New Hampshire District.
With his dedicated work and high standards, the Marshall family became very established and the community embraced the family. They built a fine home on Pleasant Street and set about educating their young son in local schools. The couple was very involved in local charities while Anson provided generously to people in need of legal advice.
Anson and Mary Jane were planning for a fine day with their son at Penacook Lake this Fourth of July. Mary Jane organized a very nice lunch and arranged it lovingly in a picnic basket for the short carriage ride to the lake. Many people from Concord enjoyed the pastures surrounding the lake for they offered a brilliant view, cool breeze and plenty of sunshine after the long New Hampshire winter.
As the family arrived at the lake, they first visited many friends at Tamblyn’s Pasture where they spent some time socializing. Their friends expressed their desire for the family to stay at the pasture and celebrate the day with them, but Anson, Mary Jane and their son had other plans. They wished to enjoy the peaceful solitude on the far side of Penacook Lake where they could enjoy nature at its finest, read and discuss the events of the day. After a few short hours, the family spread a blanket on the hill in a pasture and settled for a fine meal.
As the basket was opened and delectable food prepared there was a moment of confusion as the sound of gunfire could be heard further up the hill in the pasture. The situation became quite concerning when the gunfire was followed by the sound of bullets over their heads. For moments they remained seated and strained to see the source of the gunfire, who would intentionally be firing a gun in their direction this July 4?
Anson became very concerned for the safety of his family and started to shout to the group up the hill to stop their gunfire, there were people below in danger. He shouted and shouted but additional rounds were fired in their direction. At that moment Anson decided he must stand up and shout to the intruders, certainly they would see him standing in the field and realize their mistakes.
Moments after standing to ward off the gunfire there were additional rounds fired in the distance, Anson was gravely wounded by a musket ball in his abdomen. His grief-stricken wife screamed for help and soon a group of uniformed soldiers appeared on the horizon to render assistance. Anson was moved to the Tamblyn’s homestead where he had arrived hours earlier, his voice still strong he was wounded badly and a surgeon in Concord was summoned. Within a short period of time word spread about the community and five doctors arrived at Penacook Lake to provide care for Anson, sadly they were in agreement that his wound was fatal, he would not survive the hour.
As the minutes progressed, Anson spoke freely and without fear. He spoke with his wife and gently to his young son, telling him to take care of his mother after his passing. It was with great sadness that Anson Southard Marshall passed away on July 4, 1874, at Penacook Lake.
There was a full investigation by the Concord Police Department and the source of the gunfire with the fatal shot was found to have accidentally originated with the City Guards based out of Concord. They were a newly formed military organization in Concord and had permission to practice firearms training in a pasture near Penacook Lake under the direction of Captain Putney. The troops were armed with rifles firing mini balls and it was thought that one of the mini balls struck a surface and ricocheted toward the Marshall family. A very tragic event, there was much sadness surrounding this accident for years to come.
A service was held the following week for Anson, it is said that it was held at his estate on Pleasant Street and was both honorable and extensive for this respected gentleman.
His life ended as he approached his 52, in a pasture on a hill overlooking beautiful Penacook Lake. He was surrounded by those he loved as he passed.