[p. 4] estate of $800,000. His widow survived him until April 23, 1862, attaining seventy-eight years. Caleb Swan made note soon after of the same, saying-
She left no will and the property which was not divided after Mr. Magoun's death now all goes to the only two surviving children, Thatcher Magoun Jr. merchant of Boston and Medford and Mrs. Revd. Dr. Wm. Adams of New York. The Mansion House of their father built by him about 1835 is already advertised for sale.Of the occupants, or if there were any during the succeeding years prior to 1874, we have no information. Early in 1875 the selectmen of Medford were informed by Mr. Magoun, by letter dated January 22, 1875, of his intention to donate to the town the ‘Mansion House’ of his ‘late honored father’ for a library building. A copy of this letter was published in the Medford Chronicle at the time and may be found in the annual reports of the town. He stated in the letter—
The style of the ‘Mansion House,’ certainly in its exterior, appears to me to be admirably adapted for the purpose proposed; and my idea is, that the front or main building, above and below should all be used for library purposes as it is well arranged for that purpose.He also offered the town the sum of $1,000 for bookcases and furnishing, and after adding suggestions as to the utilization of the rear portion of the building, stated his intention of inserting
in the deed of conveyance that the title therein contained will be forfeited, should the stipulation [of library use] at any time not be strictly complied with.At the annual town meeting next following, Mr. Magoun's gift was duly accepted with thanks and he was asked to sit for his portrait, which he did, and the same is hung in the lower west room of the library. The building was formally opened for its new use on June 20, 1875 (the Usher history says 1873, manifestly an error in proof-reading), three days after the hundredth anniversary of the birth of the first Thatcher Magoun. We do not recall ever hearing the coincidence mentioned,
