Damrell was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on November 29, 1809. He attended public schools, learned the art of printing and became the proprietor of a large printing establishment in Boston. He published books, almanacs, and government publications of all types, but was primarily known for printing books, broadsides and pamphlets for temperance and other reform organizations. He also became the city's main supplier of stationery and office supplies.
Damrell was active in the Free Soil Party. In 1854 he was elected to the Thirty-fourth Congress as a Free Soiler with American Party (Know Nothing) support (March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857). He was reelected as a Republican to the Thirty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1859).
Damrell suffered a paralytic stroke before the expiration of his second term, and was not a candidate for renomination in 1858. He resumed his printing business activities.
Damrell was married to Adeline A. Naef (1807-1880). Their children included: Lucius Manlius Sargent Damrell (1833-1872); Catherine Shapley Damrell Gowland (1835-1860); William Shapleigh Damrell (1838-1873); Andrew Naef Damrell (1840-1909); and Horace Sargent Damrell (1842-1862).
References
^"Mayor of Boston". Huron Reflector. December 23, 1845. Retrieved 17 April 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
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