Franklin Pierce Letterbox

Planted by The Family, specifically HEA, Spunky Spaniel and rtrw on
August 31, 2002

Difficulty - easy
Time - hardly any unless you see the museum, and we think you should.
Directions to starting place - Take Route 9 West from Concord; 9
East from Keene. At the junction of Routes 9 and 31 North, turn onto
Route 31 North. The Pierce Homestead is immediately in view on the
right.

Details you should know -
Informative website -
http://www.conknet.com/~hillsboro/pierce/homestead.html

Details you don't need to know, but might enjoy -

Something Franklin wrote about his life in Hillsborough
"I leave Hillsborough with no ordinary regret. There are a thousand
reasons why it cannot be otherwise - I have hitherto known no other
home. Here have passed many of the happiest days and months of my
life. With these streams and mountains are associated most of the
delightful recollections of buoyant and happy boyhood, and in my
early intercourse with the generous, independent, and intelligent
yeomanry of Hillsborough. I became attached to, and learned how to
highly appreciate this class of community which constitutes the true
nobility of this country. I need hardly say that I shall never cease
to remember my birthplace with pride as well as affection, and with
still more pride shall I recollect the steady, unqualified and
generous confidence which has been reposed in me by its inhabitants."
-Franklin Pierce-

Franklin Pierce was the 14th president of the United States and he
was born and raised in Hillsborough. History tells us that he was
actually a rather ineffectual president, but we still think it's neat
that he was a Hillsborough native. The house was built by Franklin's
father, Benjamin, who was twice governor of New Hampshire and was
postmaster for Hillsborough. Daniel Webster and Nathaniel Hawthorne
were both visitors here. Franklin was the seventh child born to his
family. Franklin Pierce was the only president to affirm the oath of
office rather than to swear it. Interesting.


Clues:
Start in the northernmost driveway near the stonewall. Head NNW in
the grass toward the woods, parallel with the stone wall about 10
feet to your left. Once you enter the woods (there is no trail) you
will quickly find two closeish pines. If you stand next to the first
of the pines, you can see a mailbox on the road at 260 degrees. The
letterbox is at the base of the tree under a pine needle carpet.
Enjoy the box and the town.