George Ashmun
BLANDFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTS…
DID YOU KNOW?
George Ashmun (1804-1870)
George Ashmun was born on Christmas Day in Blandford in 1804. His family was prominent in the town for three generations. His grandfather, Justus Ashmun, was the first of the family to settle in Blandford in 1777. He was a tavern owner and a member of the town’s Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety during the Revolutionary War. Today Justus and other Ashmun descendants are buried in the Old Burying Ground.
George wasn't just a small-town boy; he was a power player who stepped out of the Berkshire hills to navigate the halls of power and change the very tide of American history.
The Architect of Lincoln’s Nomination
As the permanent chairman of the 1860 Republican National Convention in Chicago, Ashmun presided over one of the most volatile and significant political gatherings in American history. Despite not being an original delegate, he was chosen to lead because of his reputation for fairness and a commanding presence that could "still the passions of thousands." Ashmun successfully managed the floor as delegates moved through three ballots to eventually nominate Abraham Lincoln over the favored William H. Seward.
Following the victory, Ashmun led the official notification committee to Springfield, Illinois, to formally offer the nomination to Lincoln. This role cemented his place as a primary architect of the Republican Party’s rise to power, bridging the gap between old-guard Whigs and the new anti-slavery coalition.
A Bridge to War-Time Unity
Ashmun’s influence extended beyond party lines, most notably in his role as a diplomatic mediator during the early days of the Civil War. In April 1861, Ashmun personally facilitated a meeting between President Lincoln and Senator Stephen A. Douglas, Lincoln's longtime political rival. During this private conversation, Douglas pledged his full support for the Union’s war policies, a critical moment that helped unify the North against the rebellion. Ashmun remains the primary historical source for the details of this meeting, which effectively neutralized Democratic opposition to Lincoln's initial military mobilization. His ability to foster high-level cooperation made him one of Lincoln's most trusted unofficial advisors and a key player in maintaining Northern stability during the nation's darkest hours.
The Last Words of a President
One of the most poignant facts of Ashmun’s life is his direct connection to the night of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination on April 14, 1865. Ashmun visited the White House that evening to speak with the President about a legal claim. Because the Lincolns were departing for Ford’s Theatre, the President could not meet with him at length. Instead, Lincoln hastily scribbled a note that read: "Allow Mr. Ashmun & friend to come in at 9 A.M. tomorrow." This brief message is widely considered to be the very last words Lincoln ever wrote. Ashmun’s presence at the White House in those final hours serves as a testament to his enduring proximity to the center of American power. He later served as a director of the Union Pacific Railroad.
George Ashmun died in the summer of 1870 at the age of 65 and is buried in Springfield. He’s yet another example of why Blandford is a small town with a big history.
DID YOU KNOW?
George Ashmun (1804-1870)
George Ashmun was born on Christmas Day in Blandford in 1804. His family was prominent in the town for three generations. His grandfather, Justus Ashmun, was the first of the family to settle in Blandford in 1777. He was a tavern owner and a member of the town’s Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety during the Revolutionary War. Today Justus and other Ashmun descendants are buried in the Old Burying Ground.
George wasn't just a small-town boy; he was a power player who stepped out of the Berkshire hills to navigate the halls of power and change the very tide of American history.
The Architect of Lincoln’s Nomination
As the permanent chairman of the 1860 Republican National Convention in Chicago, Ashmun presided over one of the most volatile and significant political gatherings in American history. Despite not being an original delegate, he was chosen to lead because of his reputation for fairness and a commanding presence that could "still the passions of thousands." Ashmun successfully managed the floor as delegates moved through three ballots to eventually nominate Abraham Lincoln over the favored William H. Seward.
Following the victory, Ashmun led the official notification committee to Springfield, Illinois, to formally offer the nomination to Lincoln. This role cemented his place as a primary architect of the Republican Party’s rise to power, bridging the gap between old-guard Whigs and the new anti-slavery coalition.
A Bridge to War-Time Unity
Ashmun’s influence extended beyond party lines, most notably in his role as a diplomatic mediator during the early days of the Civil War. In April 1861, Ashmun personally facilitated a meeting between President Lincoln and Senator Stephen A. Douglas, Lincoln's longtime political rival. During this private conversation, Douglas pledged his full support for the Union’s war policies, a critical moment that helped unify the North against the rebellion. Ashmun remains the primary historical source for the details of this meeting, which effectively neutralized Democratic opposition to Lincoln's initial military mobilization. His ability to foster high-level cooperation made him one of Lincoln's most trusted unofficial advisors and a key player in maintaining Northern stability during the nation's darkest hours.
The Last Words of a President
One of the most poignant facts of Ashmun’s life is his direct connection to the night of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination on April 14, 1865. Ashmun visited the White House that evening to speak with the President about a legal claim. Because the Lincolns were departing for Ford’s Theatre, the President could not meet with him at length. Instead, Lincoln hastily scribbled a note that read: "Allow Mr. Ashmun & friend to come in at 9 A.M. tomorrow." This brief message is widely considered to be the very last words Lincoln ever wrote. Ashmun’s presence at the White House in those final hours serves as a testament to his enduring proximity to the center of American power. He later served as a director of the Union Pacific Railroad.
George Ashmun died in the summer of 1870 at the age of 65 and is buried in Springfield. He’s yet another example of why Blandford is a small town with a big history.