Thomas Handasyd Perkins

Anna Gardner Fish, a devoted employee of Perkins for 44 years, is remembered for her loyalty to the school as well as for her vast knowledge of the people and happenings on campus. Throughout her extended service at Perkins, she wrote for almost every issue of The Lantern, right up until her death in April 1941. Whenever somebody had a question about Perkins' history, they would turn to Miss Fish. So it is perfectly fitting that her writings be included in this museum. The following passage about Thomas Handasyd Perkins was written by Anna Gardner Fish and appeared on pages 3, 8, and 10 of the September 15, 1936 issue of The Lantern.

Col. Thomas Handasyd Perkins' interest in the institution which was later to bear his name was undoubtedly quickened, if not initiated, by the overwhelming tide of public enthusiasm which had inundated Boston and its environs about 1833. In that year the women of Salem, Marblehead and Newburyport managed a fair which netted $3000 and, not to be outdone, Boston women followed with a fair in Faneuil Hall which produced $11,000. These were large amounts for that day and for such an infant enterprise as a school for the blind, lusty though it was to prove itself.

It was just previous to the latter fair that Col. Perkins made his magnificent offer of his mansion on Pearl Street, Boston, to house the growing school, more than doubling his gift by the proviso that it must be accompanied by the sum of $50,000, to be raised by subscription before the end of May. This condition was promptly met, and the school was soon able to establish itself anew and expand its work and service.

Up to this time, or since August, 1832, the few pupils had been gathered in the home of Dr. Howe's parents on Pleasant Street, Boston, but the move to the commodious dwelling, given by Col. Perkins, gave it an assured position among educational institutions. Undoubtedly it was Col. Perkins' plan that this should be a permanent location for the school, but within the next few years it seemed already outgrown. It did not lend itself to the separation and classification of the pupils, and a temporary stay in Cohasset, while repairs were made in the Pearl Street house, showed the desirability of an out-of-town site, if possible near the sea into the title of the well-established institution. It seemed to them then, and perhaps justifiably, that no greater gift could ever be expected to come to the school, and this may be conceded in the light of its timeliness, quite aside from consideration of the large amounts which have since come to the school through gift or legacy.

Col. Thomas Handasyd Perkins was a merchant prince, an eminent man of affairs whose business interests encircled the globe. Born in Boston, December 15, 1764, he lost his father at the age of six years, and thereafter his education, pursuits and position in life reflected the poise and character of his very remarkable and sagacious mother. Although prepared for college, he chose a mercantile career in preference and administered the business of his importing firm so successfully as to amass a fortune during fifty years of participation. His connections with other lands led him to travel extensively in England, France, Holland, Germany, China and Java, and everywhere he was an apt and shrewd observer, his letters and diaries revealing a full comprehension of the manners and customs he encountered and appreciation of their merits and demerits.

In addition to his own business interests he shared in all the public movements of his day, which extended all the way from raising funds for completing the Washington monument to building the first real railroad in this country, a track two miles long for transporting granite from the Quincy quarries to the water's edge. They included the presidency of the Boston Atheneum (to which he gave generously and repeatedly), the establishment of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and many governmental activities. His title of Colonel, by which he was known throughout his later years, was due to his position as commander of a battalion which acted as guard and escort to the governor of Massachusetts on public occasions; his right to the title of Honorable rested upon his election to the Senate of this Commonwealth. He might have gone to Congress but did not care to accept the nomination. His services in public affairs won him recognition from President Washington who invited him to Mount Vernon and entertained him with real cordiality.

Col. Perkins had great personal strength and entire self-reliance, and he was quick and far-sighted in his decisions. His advice could be accepted with confidence, and he was regarded by all his business associates and by the young men who grew up around him as a tower of dependability and a guiding star. It was said that the foundations of wealth and position might be traced by many a young aspirant to civic honors to Col. Perkins' first voyage to China, in 1789.

Upon his retirement from business in 1838, with a large fortune, he devoted himself to the cultivation of his estate in Brookline, the introduction of rare and beautiful trees and shrubs, and the assembling in his residence of art treasures, brought back from the many voyages overseas, which he continued to make. Of all things of beauty he was a true connoisseur.

"One of the noblest specimens of humanity to which our city has ever given birth" was said of him by the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop in a eulogy after his death, January 11, 1854. He was a sincere friend of the school throughout his life, and at his funeral the participation of our choir in the services indicated the esteem and appreciation in which he was held at Perkins Institution.