Fitch Poole

Birth: June 13, 1803, South Danvers, MA (called Peabody after 1868)

Death: August 19, 1873, Peabody, MA

Burial Location: Sylvan Ave. Lot 59, Grave 16

Fitch Poole was the son of Fitch Poole, Senior and Elizabeth (Cutler) Poole. He lived and died in the house in which he was born. He was taught in the local public school and then studied for six months at Bradford Academy where he was taught by Benjamin Greenleaf. After leaving school, he followed in his father’s footsteps, working with Morocco bindings.

He changed careers and became the editor of The South Danvers Wizard. He held this position for many years. From 1844 to 1853 he was the president of the Danvers Mechanics Institute, which was part lyceum and part library. Poole was the founder of its library which became the Peabody Institute Library. He held the first position there as its librarian. He served as Post Master during the Lincoln administration, but this was the only political appointment he ever received.

He married Mary Ann Poor; the couple had nine children.

In his spare time, he modeled heads in plaster as well as commemorative medals. He made up games for children.

He was a friend of the philanthropist George Peabody. When Peabody returned from London for a visit to his home in 1853, Fitch Poole was one for the managers of his reception.

Fitch Poole was the author of several satirical ballads; The Old Bell Tavern, The Librarian’s Epitaph, and the most famous of these which was Giles Corey’s Dream. This and his other works gave him his reputation as a humorist. As a member of a committee of the Essex Agricultural Society he wrote reports in 1844 and 1849 concerning swine which were widely quoted. He wrote anniversary hymns, reminiscences of elected officials and addresses for carriers of newspapers.

He was a cousin of Henry Ward Poole, a surveyor, civil engineer and educator. Another cousin was William Frederick Poole, a bibliographer and librarian, who was also buried at Harmony Grove Cemetery. Fitch Poole, Junior was a founding trustee at Harmony Grove.

Poole was a member of the Masons Fraternity and attained a high rank in the organization. His artistry would be carried on in different ways in the future by his grandsons Frank Weston Benson and John Prentiss Benson.

Sources Consulted:

• Famousamericans.net/fitch_poole
• lifefromtherootsblogspot.com/2015/11
• Prabook: World Biographical Encyclopedia, Inc. Version 2.048. 1.1248 2021
• Tombstone-of-author-of-librarians.html
• Wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fitch_Poole&oldid1160135032