Father Lamson

Who is Father Lamson?

Father Silas Lamson was a 19th-century American eccentric who would appear at abolitionist meetings, in a long white beard and white robe, and carrying a large scythe, in the fashion of Death or Father Time. One account of an abolitionist meeting includes this anecdote:

…the regular speaker not having arrived, the venerable Father Lamson entertained the persons present with a speech on things in general, which was frequently interrupted by mingled applause and hisses.

Another account reads:

When Father Lamson appeared in a reform convention, it was a serious matter. He was serenely proof against all blandishments and threats. In a world of free speech he meant to have his say, and at such length and in such phrase as the spirit might move, and the experienced knew what length and what phrase the spirit would move. It was generally necessary to remove Father Lamson. But who would bell the cat? He had great solemnity of visage and a long white beard, and when a pair of the young and stalwart brethren, an impromptu police, approached him to assist his orderly and peaceful departure, he lay down deliberately, and could be voided from the meeting only by being borne out at length. This was among the humors of anniversary week, although Father Lamson’s avatar was usually in Boston. How readily might the wicked reporter, to whom he was a boon, as he muses upon the storms and passions and humors and results of those old days, smile ruefully as he recalls that figure of old Father Time…