438 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 



At his father's death, in 1767, Humphry Marshall came into 

 full possession of a large portion of the patrimonial estate, which 

 he had previously held as a tenant, paying a moderate annual rent. 

 He now erected a grist or merchant mill, and made other con- 

 siderable improvements on the premises, and continued thereon 

 until the year 1774 ; when he removed to his newly-erected dwell- 

 ing, on a tract of land which he had purchased, near the Bradford 

 Meeting-house, adjoining the site of the present village of Mar- 

 shallton. 



The Botanic Garden, at Marshallton, was planned and com- 

 menced in the year 1773, and soon became the recipient of the 

 most interesting trees and shrubs of our country, together with 

 many curious exotics ; and also of a numerous collection of our 

 native herbaceous plants. A large portion of these yet survive, 

 although the garden, from neglect, has become a mere wilderness ; 

 while a number of our noble forest trees, such as Oaks, Pines, and 

 Magnolias (especially the Magnolia acuminata), all planted by the 

 hands of the venerable founder, have now attained to a majestic 

 altitude. 



For several years prior to the establishment of the Marshallton 

 Garden, Humphry had been much engaged in collecting native 

 plants and seeds, and shipping them to Europe ; but after that 

 event, being aided by his nephew, Dr. Moses Marshall, he 

 greatly extended his operations, and directed his attention with 

 enhanced zeal and energy to the business of exploring, and making 

 known abroad, the vegetable treasures of these United States. 

 The present generation of botanists have but an imperfect idea of 

 the services rendered to the science, by the skill and laborious 

 industry of those faithful pioneers ; but the letters here given, will 

 show that they contributed largely to the knowledge of American 

 plants.* 



Those active pursuits, however, did not interfere with the per- 

 formance of his social duties, nor prevent him from attending to 

 the business and interests of the religious Society, of which he 

 was an exemplary and influential member. Neither did they 



* Dr. Fothergill, speaking of his own garden, in a letter to H. Marshall, 

 dated 9th month, 1772, says, "It is acknowledged by the ablest botanists we 

 have, that there is not a richer bit of ground, in curious American plants, in 

 Great Britain ; and for many of the most curious, I am obliged to thy diligence 

 and care." 



