Benjamin F. Newhall

Benjamin Franklin Newhall (April 29, 1802 – September 17, 1863) was an American businessman, abolitionist, politician, and writer.

Early life Newhall was born on April 29, 1802, in Saugus, Massachusetts (then part of Lynn) to Jacob and Abigail (Makepeace) Newhall. His grandfather, Jacob Newhall, better known as Landlord Newhall, was a leading supporter of American independence and an organizer of the Saugus Minute Men. His Rising Sun Tavern was visited by Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette and George Washington. Newhall was also a descendant of Thomas Newhall, the first white person born in Lynn.

At age 13 or 14, Newhall began assisting his father at his shoemaking shop. He was the company's secretary and treasurer until he was incapacitated by illness in 1861.

Religion Newhall was very religious during his early years. During the 1820s he was a lay Methodist preacher. His home at 17-19 Ballard Street was a station on the Underground Railroad, where runaway slaves stopped on the journey from Boston to a safe house in South Danvers, where they received medical attention from Dr. Andrew Nichols.

Newhall was also a supporter of the Temperance movement.

In 1842 and 1843, Newhall represented Saugus in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Newhall also served as a selectman, overseer of the poor, member of the school committee, and justice of the peace.

Writing Although he had never received any formal training in grammar beyond common school and his six months at the New Market Academy, Newhall was a prolific writer of both prose and poetry. His most famous work was his "Historical Sketches of Saugus" which first appeared in the Lynn Weekly Reporter in December 1858 and continued for two or three years.

Newhall wrote on a number subjects and adapted his style to the subject at hand, being as grave or lighthearted as they occasion required. Newhall's natural kindness meant that he was rarely severe. His rhymes were usually good and sometimes even showed considerable ingenuity. In some of his works there ran a vein of quiet humor which would break into a flash of satire. His works often contained a religious element, which was conspicuous of Newhall's character.

Later life and death During the final ten years of his life, Newhall suffered from chronic rheumatism. During his last two years he was confined to his bed. Newhall died on September 17, 1863.