M EMOIR 
OF 
JOHN APPLET O/si, M.D. 
BY CHARLES DEANE. 
The subject of this sketch was born in . Salem, Massachu- 
setts, on the 9th of January, 1809. As a boy, he attended 
school in that town until his fifteenth year (in 1824), 
when his father died. Under the direction of his guardian, 
Major John Prince, clerk of the courts, young Appleton, 
in the interval of his studies, was employed in the clerk’s 
office at Salem. While there, a love for antiquarian and 
genealogical researches seems to have been developed. About 
this time, he chose medicine as his future profession; but, 
owing to some opposition of his guardian, he was not able to 
commence the study of it till he became of age. In February, 
1830, he entered the office of Dr. A. L. Pierson, of Salem ; 
and, in the winter of 1830-31, he attended the medical school 
of Harvard University. During his studies, he also read with 
Dr. William J. Walker, of Charlestown, and Dr. Winslow 
Lewis, of Boston. In February, 1833, he graduated as Doctor 
of Medicine, and took the Boylston prize. He practised in his 
profession for a short time in Boston, and ’subsequently in 
Hamilton, Essex County, 1833-34; Gloucester, 1835-39 ; 
Westfield, Hampden County, 1839-42 ; West Newbury and 
Georgetown, Essex County, 1843-55. He was quite suc- 
cessful in the practice of medicine ; but its duties were 
arduous, and wore upon his constitution. At one period of 
his life, he was a successful lecturer, not onl}7- upon subjects 
relating to his profession, but upon biography, temperance, 
— of which he was an ardent advocate, — and upon music. 
He was an accomplished musician, and an occasional com- 
poser. He painted in oils and water-colors, and sketched 
with considerable skill. 
In 1855, he accepted the invitation of the Historical So- 
ciety— through the solicitation of his friend, Dr. Shurt- 
leff—to fill the place of Assistant Librarian, which position 
he continued to occupy till December, 1868, a few weeks 
before his death, when he resigned. At the time Dr. Apple- 
ton entered upon this service, the Society had resolved to 366 
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 
[Oct. 
print a catalogue of its library; and lie at once devoted the 
hours not employed in the general administration of the library 
to this work. He not only completed the cataloguing of all 
the printed books and pamphlets, but corrected the proof- 
sheets while the work was going through the press. In all 
this he showed ample historical and bibliographical knowl- 
edge for the work. The first volume of the catalogue was 
published in 1859, and the second in the following year. 
Dr. Appleton also rendered important service in copying 
ancient manuscripts for the Society’s publications, and in 
correcting proof; his abundant learning and excellent taste 
being a sufficient guarantee for the trustworthy performance 
of his work. In the preparation of the volumes of Winthrop 
Papers for the press, he not only rendered the aid above men- 
tioned, but he made the drawings of a large number of seals, 
and superintended the printing of them m facsimile. 
Dr. Appleton’s countenance was striking, and his presence 
commanding. Personally, he was the most agreeable of men, 
so simple and modest, so refined and cultivated, so affection- 
ate and eager to serve, that he drew every one toward him. 
His principles were unswerving, and his character was based 
upon a rock. His son, to whom I am indebted for some de- 
tails of his life, writes : “ Under his placid exterior he carried 
one of the most courageous spirits I ever knew, and he was 
one of the bravest men I ever met with.” 
The tributes paid to Dr. Appleton, by Dr. Robbins and by 
the President of the Society, at the meeting following his de- 
cease, in language more appropriate than I can frame, beau- 
tifully delineate his character and worth, and the valuable 
services he rendered this Society. 
On the 22d May, 1831, Dr. Appleton married, at Boston, 
Miss Elizabeth M. Messer. He lived in Cambridge for a 
number of years, and died there on the 4th of February, 1869, 
aged sixty years and twenty-six days, leaving two sons and 
four daughters. The oldest son, John W. M. Appleton, 
served in the war of the Rebellion, and was major in the 
Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Regiment. 
Dr. Appleton was elected a member of the Society in Jan- 
uary, 1869; but he was never able to attend a meeting after 
his election. His acceptance of membership bore date only 
six days before his death.* 
* By a rule of the Society, though never formally voted as such, no member 
receives compensation for services rendered to it. Therefore, Dr. Appleton, 
though he for many years constantly attended the meetings, was not a mem- 
ber while he held the office of Assistant Librarian. 1877.] 
MEMOIR OF DR. APPLETON. 
367 
Dr.'Appleton prepared the following papers, which were 
published in the Proceedings of the Society under the dates 
given: — 
1. On the Great Seal of New England, July, 1862. 
2. On the Portrait of King William in the Society’s gallery, September, 
1862. 
3. On Almanacs in the reign of Queen Anne, June, 1863. 
4. On an Amortissement of Louis, Duke of Orleans, October, 1863. 
5. Sketch of the Contents of the “Journal de Castorland,” February, 
1864/ 
6. On an Order of the Privy Council, on the Petition of William Morton, 
March, 1864. 
7. On Early Charts of the Harbor of Boston, &c., September, 1864. 
8. On the William Winthsop MSS., December, 1864. 
9. On the Portrait of Sebastian Cabot in the Society’s gallery, January, 
1865. 
10. On the Alleged Portrait of Rev. John Wrilson in the Society’s gallery, 
September, 1867. 
He also prepared and printed: — 
1. Pedigree of Appleton, on a broadside. Boston, 1864. 
9. Monumental Memorials of the Appleton Family. 4to, pp. 30. Bos- 
ton, privately printed, 1867.