Thomas Aspinwall Davis

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Thomas Aspinwall Davis (1798-12-11 – 1845-11-21) was a silversmith and businessman who served as mayor of Boston for nine months in 1845.

[edit] Personal life

Davis was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, the son of Ebenezer Davis III and Lucy Aspinwall. Both the Davis and Aspinwall families were longtime residents of Brookline.[1] Thomas' elder brother Increase Sumner Davis became a Congregational minister.[2] Thomas grew up on Harrison Place (now Kent Street), and began work in a jeweler's shop in Boston aged 14.[3] By 1820, he was in partnership with Thomas N. Morong. He had his own business 1825–34, and was a partner of Julius Palmer and Josiah Bachelder from 1838.[4] The firm was successful, after his death known as Palmer, Bachelder & Co.[5][6] He married Sarah Jackson on 11 November 1824 in Newton, Massachusetts.[4] By 1843 he had acquired, by inheritance and purchase, farmland around his father's house, which he subdivided to create The Lindens, a prestigious suburban residential development designed by Alexander Wadsworth and John F. Edwards.[3] Davis' own house was at the head of Linden Park, until it was moved to 29 Linden Place in 1906.[3] In 1985 it was added to the List of Registered Historic Places in Brookline.

[edit] Mayor and death

There had been seven inconclusive elections for mayor of Boston since December 9 1844, before Davis' victory on February 21 1845.[7] It was Davis' third attempt at the ballot, representing the Native American Party, which had split from the Whigs the previous year. One source lists his opponents as Whig Josiah Quincy, Jr, and Democrat Adam W. Thaxter, Jr;[8] another says Davis received 4,865 votes, ahead of William Parker with 3,341, and others.[9] He was sworn in on February 27. His term of office was uneventful.[8] He tendered his resignation on October 6 owing to ill health,[9] and he died on November 22 1845.[9][10] One source says his resignation was not accepted, and thus he died in office.[8] John Pierce delivered an address at his funeral in Central Church on November 25.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Baker, E. W. (January 24, 1906). "The Old Burying Ground". Proceedings of the Brookline Historical Society: pp.19-36. 
  2. ^ Pierce, John (1846). An Address at the Opening of the Town Hall, in Brookline: On Tuesday, 14 October 1845. Boston, MA: White & Potter, Appendix, p.44 (Notes XXXII to p.24). 
  3. ^ a b c The Lindens. Brookline Historical Society. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
  4. ^ a b American Silversmiths: Thomas Aspinwall Davis. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
  5. ^ King, M. (1885). "The Backbone of the City", King's Handbook of Boston (PDF), 7th ed, helloboston.com, p.352. Retrieved on 2008-02-08. 
  6. ^ Trophies and Treasures. antiquesandthearts.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-08. “Palmer, Bachelder & Co (1817-1888), Shreve's greatest competitors”
  7. ^ (1992) in Melba Porter Hay: Volume 10: Candidate, Compromiser, Elder Statesman: January 1, 1844 – June 29, 1852, Carol Reardon (assoc. ed.), The Papers of Henry Clay, University Press of Kentucky, p.178. ISBN 0813100593. 
  8. ^ a b c Thomas Aspinwall Davis, Boston Mayor 1845. celebrateboston. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
  9. ^ a b c Vrabel, Jim (2004). When in Boston: A Time Line & Almanac. Boston, MA: UPNE, p.145. ISBN 1555536212. 
  10. ^ The Long Election. Bostonia blog (2005-02-21). Retrieved on 2008-02-08.


v • d • e
Mayors of Boston, Massachusetts

Phillips • Quincy III • Otis • Wells • Lyman • Armstrong • Eliot • Chapman • Brimmer • Davis • Quincy, Jr. • Bigelow • Seaver • Smith • Rice • Lincoln • Wightman • Lincoln • Norcross • Sturtleff • Gaston • Pierce • Cutter* • Cobb • Prince • Pierce • Prince • Green • Palmer • Martin • O'Brien • Hart • Matthews • Curtis • Quincy • Hart • Collins • Whelton* • Fitzgerald • Hibbard • Fitzgerald • Curley • Peters • Curley • Nichols • Curley • Mansfield • Tobin • Kerrigan* • Curley • Hynes • Collins • White • Flynn • Menino
* denotes acting