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| Esbon Blackmar |
Newspapers of the period in which he died all described his passing in November of 1857 as a suicide due to financial setbacks. The same fate that I believe befell Milo, who died five months before Esbon. Both were quite well to do men who suddenly lost their fortunes, though the newspaper is strangely quiet about Milo's death. Other records tell the story however, of lawsuits and defaults.
I sent a copy of the newspaper article from 1857 to Find A Grave and finally heard back from the individual who maintains Esbon's page-- Declined. General reason: Content submitted does not belong in this data field. What does that even mean? Why doesn't a story from a contemporary, local newspaper belong?
Personally, I believe it's wrong to whitewash history, even if it is that of a relatively unknown person. Part of genealogy today is about context and the everyday details of ancestor's lives. Trying to understand them and their motivations as best we can through our 21st century lens. Besides which, this sad event occurred over 160 years ago. For researchers who might be interested, I'm posting the obituary as it appeared in 1857--
SUICIDE OF HON. ESBON BLACKMAR --The citizens of Newark, Wayne County were thrown into great excitement this morning in consequence of the announcement of the suicide of Hon. Esbon Blackmar, not only a prominent citizen of Wayne County, but well known throughout western New York. On Monday last, Mr. Blackmar was compelled to yield to the pressure of the times and make an assignment. It is supposed that his financial embarrassment so depressed his spirits as to cause him to commit self-destruction. The lifeless body of Mr. Blackmar was found in a spring or shallow well in the cellar of his house. His head was downward and the feet projecting just above the tile surface of the water. He represented his district in congress some ten years since and was widely known and esteemed as a man of ability and integrity. He was largely involved in banking and in produce dealing. -- Rochester Union
Another news article claimed he was "harassed by creditors" the day before his death and the site WikiVisually notes, "according to published accounts his business failed in the Panic of 1857 and he was in debt for more than $150,000, (about $3.7 million in 2014)." I understand that suicide is an unpleasant topic, but I would certainly want to know what had happened were it an ancestor of mine.
Very true Ellie! Some people just prefer to live like an ostrich with their heads in the sand.
ReplyDeleteThose who don't learn from history...
DeleteMe too, Ellie, and it's not as if there is anyone around today that was close to him.
ReplyDeleteRight. And aside from genealogy,this is history, the Panic of 1857 was part of their era and needs to be acknowledged.
DeleteHow sad for Esbon and the rest of his family, too. And also for your Milo. I wonder if a transcription of the newspaper article might be accepted at Find A Grave. It could be the person minding the grave in a descendant who thinks a suicide is too horrible to include. I, too, think it's important to include all the information we find, both positive and negative.
ReplyDeleteVery sad. I feel sympathy for Esbon and Milo, if indeed he was also a suicide, but leaving their families to pick up the pieces seems so cold. Milo's family had to appeal to charity to survive and his daughter died in the poor house. I did send a transcript to Find A Grave, someone doesn't want this on the site however.
ReplyDelete