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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:11:52 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:11:52 -0700 |
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diff --git a/39079-h/39079-h.htm b/39079-h/39079-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8f52ef3 --- /dev/null +++ b/39079-h/39079-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,15044 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Noble Deeds of American Women, by J. (Jesse) Clement</title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + margin: 3em auto 3em auto; + height: 0px; + border-width: 1px 0 0 0; + border-style: solid; + border-color: #dcdcdc; + width: 500px; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +table.toc { + margin: auto; + width: 50%; +} + +td.c1 { + text-align: right; + vertical-align: top; + padding-right: 1em; +} + +td.c2 { + text-align: left; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 2em; + text-indent: -2em; + padding-right: 1em; + vertical-align: top; +} + +td.c3 { + text-align: right; + padding-left: 1em; + vertical-align: bottom; +} + +td { padding: 0em 1em; } +th { padding: 0em 1em; } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + color: #999; +} /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + .center {text-align: center;} + + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .gap { margin-top: 1em; } + +/* Images */ + .figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +p.caption { + margin-top: 0; + font-size: 70%; + text-align: left; +} + +/* Transcriber Notes */ +div.tn { + background-color: #EEE; + border: dashed 1px; + color: #000; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-top: 5em; + margin-bottom: 5em; + padding: 1em; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +div.fn { + background-color: #EEE; + border: dashed 1px; + color: #000; + margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + margin-top: 5em; + margin-bottom: 5em; + padding: 1em; +} + + .footnote { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + font-size: 0.9em; +} + + .footnote .label { + position: absolute; + right: 84%; + text-align: right; +} + + .fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none; +} +/* Poetry */ + +.poem {margin-left:15%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left; font-size: 1.0em;} +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} +.poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i1 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i3 {display: block; margin-left: 3em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i5 {display: block; margin-left: 5em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i6 {display: block; margin-left: 6em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i7 {display: block; margin-left: 7em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i8 {display: block; margin-left: 8em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i9 {display: block; margin-left: 9em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i10 {display: block; margin-left: 10em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i12 {display: block; margin-left: 12em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} +.poem span.i14 {display: block; margin-left: 14em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + + + .signature { + text-align: right; + margin-right: 5%; +} + .signature1 { + text-align: right; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + .signature2 { + text-align: right; + margin-right: 15%; +} + + .signature3 { + text-align: right; + margin-right: 20%; +} + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Noble Deeds of American Women, Edited by J. +(Jesse) Clement</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Noble Deeds of American Women</p> +<p> With Biographical Sketches of Some of the More Prominent</p> +<p>Editor: J. (Jesse) Clement</p> +<p>Release Date: March 8, 2012 [eBook #39079]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOBLE DEEDS OF AMERICAN WOMEN***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Julia Neufeld,<br /> + and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"><br /><br /> +<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="450" height="488" alt="MARTHA WASHINGTON" title="Martha Washington" /> +<span class="caption">Eng<sup>d</sup> by J.C. Buttre.<br /> +MARTHA WASHINGTON.,<br /> + +FROM STUART'S PICTURE</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p class="center"> +SIXTEENTH THOUSAND. +</p> + + +<h1>NOBLE DEEDS<br /> +OF<br /> +AMERICAN WOMEN;</h1> + +<h2>WITH<br /> +BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES</h2> +<h3>OF SOME OF THE MORE PROMINENT.</h3> +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> +<h4>EDITED BY</h4> +<h3>J. CLEMENT.,</h3> + +<h4>WITH AN INTRODUCTION<br /> +BY</h4> +<h3>MRS. L. H. SIGOURNEY.</h3> +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<p class="center"> +Such examples should be set before them as patterns for their daily imitation.</p> +<div class="signature"><span class="smcap">Locke </span></div> +<p class="center">NEW EDITION REVISED.<br /> +<br /> +NEW YORK:<br /> +MILLER, ORTON & CO.,<br /> +<span class="smcap">25 Park Row.</span><br /> +<br /> +1857.</p> +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + + +<p class="center">Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by<br /> +<br /> +GEO. H. DERBY & Co.,<br /> +<br /> +In the Clerk's Office of the Northern District of New York.<br /></p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> +<h2>Editor's Preface.</h2> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 270px;"> +<img src="images/illus004.jpg" width="270" height="600" alt="boy and girl under tree" /> +</div> + +<p>This work was suggested by one of a +similar character, entitled "Noble Deeds +of Woman," an English work, which contains +but three references to American +Women, two of which are of but very +little importance. Only one article is the +same in both works, and that is the letter +written by Mrs. Sigourney to the women +of Greece, in 1828, +in behalf of the ladies +of Hartford.</p> + +<p>This failure to do +justice to American +women, may have +been an oversight; be +that as it may, a work +of the kind here presented, +seemed to be +needed, and we regret +that its preparation +had not been assigned +to an abler pen. Multitudes +of works have +been consulted, and +such anecdotes gleaned +as it is thought will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span> +have a salutary influence on the mind and heart. Should +the records of female courage and virtue herein presented +to the daughters of the land, encourage, even in the slightest +degree, a laudable spirit of emulation, our humble labors +will not have been put forth in vain.</p> + +<p>Facts are more sublime than fictions; and American +women have actually performed all the good, and grand, +and glorious deeds which the honest and judicious novelist +dares ascribe to the female sex; hence we have found no +occasion, in striving to make this work interesting, to deviate +from the path of historical truth.</p> + +<p>The sources whence our materials have been derived, are +largely indicated in the body of the work. Possibly, however, +we may have failed, in some instances, to indicate our +indebtedness to historians and biographers where such reference +was justly demanded; suffice it to say, therefore, once +for all, that, although something like two hundred of these +pages are in our own language, we deserve but little credit +for originality, and would prefer to be regarded as an unpretending +compiler, rather than as an aspirant to the title of +author.</p> + +<div class="signature"> +J. C. +</div> + +<blockquote><p class="center">NOTE TO THE REVISED EDITION.</p> + +<p>The fact that eight thousand copies of this work have been published +in less than a year after its appearance, indicates a degree of +popularity which was not anticipated. In this edition we have thrown +out a few pages of the old matter, and substituted, in most instances, +fresher anecdotes; and this revision, with the illustrations which the +liberal-minded publishers have added, will, it is hoped, render the +work still more acceptable.</p> + +<div class="signature"> +J. C. +</div></blockquote> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></p> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="contents"> +<tr><td align="left"> </td><td align="right"><span class="smcap"><small>PAGE.</small></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Introduction</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_xiii">13</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mother of Washington</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wife of Washington</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wife of John Adams</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_39">39</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ann H. Judson</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Christian Woman in the Hour of Danger</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Humanity of Hartford Ladies</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_69">69</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mother Bailey</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Elizabeth Heard</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ladies of Philadelphia in 1780</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wife of President Reed</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Completion of Bunker Hill Monument</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_85">85</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Lydia Darrah</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Widow Storey</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_93">93</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Hendee</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Patriotic Women of Old Middlesex</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Cacique's Noble Daughter</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_99">99</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Humane Spirit of a Forest Maid</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hannah Dustin</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Heroines of Bryant's Station</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Daviess</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Kentucky Amazon</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Heroism at Innis Settlement</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Bold Exploit at Tampico</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Dicey Langston</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_125">125</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Rebecca Motte</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_129">129</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Another Sacrifice for Freedom</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span>A Patriotic Donation</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_133">133</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Little Black-eyed Rebel</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_134">134</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Benevolent Quakeress</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_136">136</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Pioneer in Sunday Schools</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_140">140</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Women of Wyoming</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_142">142</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mary Gould</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_143">143</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Mother of President Polk</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Trials of a Patriot</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Intrepidity of Mrs. Israel</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_164">164</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Incident in Missionary Life</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Kind-hearted Chippewa</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Humanity of a Cherokee</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_170">170</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Self-sacrificing Spirit of the Missionary</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_171">171</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Daring Exploit of Two Rebels</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_176">176</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Elizabeth Martin</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_178">178</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Mother's Effectual Petition</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_180">180</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Noteworthy Integrity</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Faithful Mother</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_184">184</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Spaulding</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_186">186</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wife of Colonel Thomas</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_188">188</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Exemplary Piety</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_190">190</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Adventure of a Patriotic Girl</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_192">192</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Caldwell and the Tories</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_195">195</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mother of Randolph</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Cornelia Beekman</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_199">199</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mother of West</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_202">202</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Heroic Endurance</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_204">204</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Maternal Heroism</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_211">211</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Modern Dorcas</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_213">213</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Sarah Hoffman</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_218">218</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Heroism of Schoharie Women</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_221">221</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Sterling Patriot</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_223">223</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Heroic Conduct at Monmouth</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_237">237</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Courage of a Country Girl</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_239">239</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Ledyards at Fort Griswold</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_241">241</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Seneca Heroines</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_244">244</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Martha Bratton</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_246">246</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Poor Woman's Offering</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_250">250</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mother of Jackson</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_251">251</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Heroine of Fort Henry</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_253">253</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Benevolent Widow</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_256">256</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Anne Fitzhugh</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_258">258</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Esther Gaston</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_261">261</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Remarkable Presence of Mind</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_263">263</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wife of Governor Griswold</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_265">265</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Bold Exploit of a Young Girl</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_266">266</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Susanna Wright</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_268">268</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Patriotism of 1770</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_270">270</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Spalding</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_272">272</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Dillard</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_275">275</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Phœbe Phillips</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_277">277</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Example of a Poor Widow</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_279">279</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Elizabeth Estaugh</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_284">284</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kate Moore</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_297">297</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Captivity of Mrs. Rowlandson</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_299">299</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Bozarth</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_303">303</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Heroine of Steel Creek</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_305">305</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Benevolence of a Colored Woman</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_308">308</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Rebecca Edwards</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_309">309</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Beautiful Rebel</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_311">311</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Harriet B. Stewart</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_313">313</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Kind and Benevolent Woman</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_316">316</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Noble Example of Pioneers</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_320">320</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Slocumb</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_323">323</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wife of Captain Richardson</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_330">330</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Striking Instance of Patience</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_331">331</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Susannah Elliott</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_336">336</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Anna Elliott</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_338">338</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Patriotic Stratagem</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_340">340</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Influence of a Faithful Teacher</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_341">341</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wife of Thomas Heyward</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_343">343</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Noble Decision</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_345">345</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Tennessee Heroine</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_346">346</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. M'Kay</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_352">352</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Heroic Conduct of a Daughter</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_354">354</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Heroic Decision</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_356">356</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Daughter of Aaron Burr</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_358">358</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Female Intrepidity</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_361">361</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wife of Richard Shubrick</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_362">362</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Retort of Mrs. Ashe</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_365">365</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wife of a Drunkard</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_366">366</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mother of Dr. Dwight</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_370">370</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Happy Results of Maternal Fidelity</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_373">373</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Scott</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_375">375</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Success of Boldness</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_378">378</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mary Knight</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_380">380</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wife of William Gray</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_381">381</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Huntington</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_383">383</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Biddle</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_385">385</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Kindness of Convicts</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_387">387</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Margaret Prior</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_388">388</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Noble Acts of Kindness</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_395">395</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Wife of Dr. Ramsay</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_398">398</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Margaret Schuyler</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_400">400</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Noble Treatment of Enemies</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_402">402</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Humanity Rewarded</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_403">403</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Margaret Winthrop</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_404">404</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Pioneer Settler's Adventure</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_408">408</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. McKenny</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_410">410</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Fisherman's Heroic Wife</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_416">416</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. James K. Polk</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_418">418</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Widow Jenkins</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_421">421</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Faithful Little Girl</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_423">423</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hospitality of California Women</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_424">424</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Sarah Lanman Smith</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_425">425</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brother saved by his Sister</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_429">429</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Borden</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_431">431</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Margaret Corbin</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_432">432</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mrs. Channing</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_433">433</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Commendable Courage</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_434">434</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Heroine of Shell's Bush</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_435">435</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Father Taylor's Widowed Friend</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_437">437</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Revolutionary Mother</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_440">440</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Successful Daring</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_443">443</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Worthy Example of Forgiveness</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_444">444</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Crookshanks saved by a Female</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_445">445</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Patriotic Artist</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_446">446</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Mohawk Women</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_448">448</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Female in the Revolutionary Army</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_450">450</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Elizabeth Brant</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_459">459</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Brief Anecdotes</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_465">465</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Miss D. L. Dix</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_474">474</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus010.jpg" width="450" height="406" alt="Flower vase decoration" /> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[xiii]</a></span></p> +<h2>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + + +<p>The advantages of Biography are obvious and great. +To the weight of precept, it adds the force and efficacy of +example. It presents correct and beautiful models, and +awakens the impulse to imitate what we admire. Other +sciences strengthen the intellect, this influences and amends +the heart. Other subjects interest the imagination, this +modifies conduct and character. By the recorded actions +of the great and good, we regulate our own course, and +steer, star-guided, over life's trackless ocean.</p> + +<p>In remote ages, the department of Female Biography +was almost a void. Here and there on the pages of the +Sacred Volume, a lineament, or a form, is sketched with +graphic power, either as a warning, or bright with the +hues of heaven. Yet uninspired history, though she continued +to utter "her dark sayings upon the harp," was +wont to relapse into silence at the name of woman. Classic +antiquity scarcely presents aught that might be cited +as a sustained example. In the annals of ancient Greece, +the wife of one of its philosophers has obtained a place, +but only through the varied trials, by which she contributed +to perfect his patience. Rome but slightly lifts the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[xiv]</a></span> +household veil from the mother of the Gracchi, as she exultingly +exhibits her heart's jewels. Cleopatra, with her +royal barge, casts a dazzling gleam over the Cydnus, but +her fame is like the poison of the reptile that destroyed +her. Boadicea rushes for a moment in her rude chariot +over the battle field, but the fasces and the chains of +Rome close the scene.</p> + +<p>Modern Paganism disclosed a still deeper abyss of degradation +for woman. The aboriginal lord of the American +forests lays the burden on the shoulder of his weaker companion, +and stalks on in unbowed majesty, with his quiver +and his tomahawk. Beneath the sultry skies of Africa, +she crouches to drink the poison water before her judges, +having no better test of her innocence than the deliverer, +Death. In India, we see her plunging into the Ganges +her female infants, that they may escape her lot of misery, +or wrapped in the flames of the burning pile, turn into +ashes with the corpse of her husband. Under the sway +of the Moslem, her highest condition is a life-long incarceration, +her best treatment, that of a gilded toy—a soulless +slave. Throughout the whole heathen world, woman may +be characterized, as Humanity, in Central Asia has been, +by an elegant French writer, as "always remaining anonymous,—indifferent +to herself,—not believing in her liberty, +having none,—and leaving no trace of her passage upon +earth."</p> + +<p>Christianity has changed the scene. Wherever her pure +and pitying spirit prevails, the sway of brute force is softened, +and the "weaker vessel" upheld. Bearing in her +hand the blessed Gospel, "a light to lighten the Gentiles, +and the glory of the people Israel," she adds to the literature +of the world a new volume, the History of Woman.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[xv]</a></span> +She spreads a page, for which the long, slow ages had +neither looked, nor inquired,—neither waited for, nor imagined, +the page of female biography.</p> + +<p>So liberal have been our own immediate times in supplying +fitting materials, that an extensive and valuable library +might readily be selected in this department alone. +Since knowledge has shed her baptism upon the head of +woman, her legitimate sphere of duty has become extended, +and enriched by incident. We see her not only brought +forward as a teacher, but entering unrebuked the fields of +science and literature; we see her amid the hardships of +colonial life, displaying a martyr's courage, or ascending the +deck of the mission ship to take her part in "perils among +the heathen."</p> + +<p>The venerable moralist of Barley Wood, who so perseveringly +encouraged her sex to reflect, to discriminate, to +choose the good and refuse the evil, who, after attaining +the age of sixty years, presented them with eleven new and +instructive volumes, has not long laid down her pen, for the +rest and reward of the righteous. That high souled apostle +of erring, suffering humanity, to whose dauntless benevolence +crowned heads did honor, whose melodious voice I +almost fancy that I again hear, as in the plain garb of +her order, she stood as a tutelary being among the convicts +at Newgate,—she has but recently arisen to that +congenial society of the just made perfect, who rejoice over +"one sinner that repenteth."</p> + +<p>And the harp of that tuneful one, so recently exchanged +for a purer harmony, still breathes upon our hearts the +echoes of her varied lay, as when touched by her hand it +warbled—</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[xvi]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem">"Fame hath a voice, whose thrilling tone<br /> +<span class="i2">Can bid the life pulse beat,</span> +As when a trumpet's note hath blown,<br /> +<span class="i2">Warning the hosts to meet;</span> +But ah! let mine, a woman's breast,<br /> +With words of home-born love be bless'd." +</div> + +<p>She, too, who sleeps beneath the hopia-tree in Burmah, +whose courage and constancy no hero has transcended, +how rapidly has she been followed in the same self denying +path, by others who "counted not their lives dear +unto them," if they might bear to the perishing heathen +the name and love of a Redeemer.</p> + +<p>And one still lives, the wonderful Scandinavian maiden, +whose melody now holds our own land in enchantment, +and who exhibits, on a scale hitherto unknown in the +world's history, rare endowments, boundless liberality, and +deep humility; God's grace held in subservience to the +good of her fellow creatures. Through the power of song, +which, as the compeer of the nightingale, she possesses, +and with a singular freedom from vanity and selfishness, +she charms and elevates, while with the harvest of her +toils she feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, comforts the +desolate, aids the hallowed temple to uplift its spire, and +the school to spread its brooding wing over the children +of future generations.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +One there lives, who doth inherit<br /> +Angel gifts with angel spirit,<br /> +Bidding streams of gladness flow<br /> +Through the realms of want and woe,<br /> +'Mid lone age and misery's lot,<br /> +Kindling pleasures long forgot,<br /> +Seeking minds oppress'd with night,<br /> +And on darkness shedding light;<br /> +She the seraph's speech doth know,<br /> +She hath learn'd their deeds below<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[xvii]</a></span>So, when o'er this misty strand,<br /> +She shall clasp their waiting hand,<br /> +They will fold her to their breast,<br /> +More a sister than a guest.<br /> +</div> + +<p>If all true greatness should be estimated by its tendencies, +and by the good it performs, it is peculiarly desirable +that woman's claims to distinction should be thus judged +and awarded. In this young western world, especially in +New England, her agency has been admitted, and her capacity +tested, of mingling a healthful leaven with the elements +of a nation's character. Here, her presence has been acknowledged, +and her aid faithfully rendered, from the beginning. +There is a beautiful tradition, that the first foot +which pressed the snow clad rock of Plymouth was that of +Mary Chilton, a fair young maiden, and that the last survivor +of those heroic pioneers was Mary Allerton, who lived +to see the planting of twelve out of the thirteen colonies, +which formed the nucleus of these United States.</p> + +<p>In the May Flower, eighteen wives accompanied their +husbands to a waste land and uninhabited, save by the +wily and vengeful savage. On the unfloored hut, she who +had been nurtured amid the rich carpets and curtains of +the mother land, rocked her new born babe, and complained +not. She, who in the home of her youth had arranged +the gorgeous shades of embroidery, or, perchance, +had compounded the rich venison pasty as her share in the +housekeeping, now pounded the coarse Indian corn for her +children's bread, and bade them ask God's blessing, ere +they took their scanty portion. When the snows sifted +through their miserable roof-trees upon her little ones, she +gathered them closer to her bosom; she taught them the +Bible, and the catechism, and the holy hymn, though the +war-whoop of the Indian rang through the wild. Amid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[xviii]</a></span> +the untold hardships of colonial life, she infused new strength +into her husband by her firmness, and solaced his weary +hours by her love. She was to him,</p> + +<div class="poem"> +"An undergoing spirit, to bear up<br /> +Against whate'er ensued." +</div> + +<p>During the struggle of our Revolution, the privations sustained, +and the efforts made by women, were neither few +nor of short duration. Many of them are delineated in the +present volume, and in other interesting ones of the same +class, which have found favor with the public.</p> + +<p>Yet innumerable instances of faithful toil, and patient +endurance, must have been covered with oblivion. In how +many a lone home, whence the father was long sundered +by a soldier's destiny, did the Mother labor to perform to +their little ones both his duties and her own, having no +witness of the extent of her heavy burdens, and sleepless +anxieties, save the Hearer of Prayer.</p> + +<p>A good and hoary headed man, who had passed the +limits of fourscore, once said to me, "my father was in the +army during the whole eight years of the Revolutionary +war, at first as a common soldier, afterwards as an officer. +My mother had the sole charge of us, four little ones. Our +house was a poor one, and far from neighbors. I have +a keen remembrance of the terrible cold of some of these +winters. The snow lay so deep and long, that it was difficult +to cut or draw fuel from the woods, and to get our +corn to mill, when we had any. My mother was the possessor +of a coffee mill. In that she ground wheat, and +made coarse bread, which we ate, and were thankful. It +was not always that we could be allowed as much, even +of this, as our keen appetites craved. Many is the time +that we have gone to bed, with only a drink of water for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[xix]</a></span> +our supper, in which a little molasses had been mingled. +We patiently received it, for we knew our mother did as +well for us as she could, and hoped to have something +better in the morning. She was never heard to repine; +and young as we were, we tried to make her loving spirit +and heavenly trust, our example.</p> + +<p>"When my father was permitted to come home, his stay +was short, and he had not much to leave us, for the pay +of those who achieved our liberties was slight, and irregularly +rendered. Yet when he went, my mother ever bade +him farewell with a cheerful face, and not to be anxious +about his children, for she would watch over them night +and day, and God would take care of the families of +those who went forth to defend the righteous cause of +their country. Sometimes we wondered that she did not +mention the cold weather, or our short meals, or her hard +work, that we little ones might be clothed, and fed, and +taught. But she would not weaken his hands, or sadden +his heart, for she said a soldier's lot was harder than all. +We saw that she never complained, but always kept in her +heart a sweet hope, like a well of living water. Every +night ere we slept, and every morning when we arose, we +lifted our little hands for God's blessing on our absent father, +and our endangered country."</p> + +<p>How deeply the prayers from such solitary homes, and +faithful hearts, were mingled with the infant liberties of +our dear native land, we may not know until we enter +where we see no more "through a glass darkly, but face +to face."</p> + +<p>Incidents repeatedly occurred during this contest of eight +years, between the feeble colonies and the strong motherland,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xx" id="Page_xx">[xx]</a></span> +of a courage that ancient Sparta would have applauded.</p> + +<p>In a thinly settled part of Virginia, the quiet of the Sabbath +eve was once broken by the loud, hurried roll of the +drum. Volunteers were invoked to go forth and prevent +the British troops, under the pitiless Tarleton, from forcing +their way through an important mountain pass. In an old +fort resided a family, all of whose elder sons were absent +with our army, which at the North opposed the foe. The +father lay enfeebled and sick. Around his bedside the +Mother called their three sons, of the ages of thirteen, fifteen, +and seventeen.</p> + +<p>"Go forth, children," said she, "to the defence of your +native clime. Go, each and all of you. I spare not my +youngest, my fair-haired boy, the light of my declining +years.</p> + +<p>"Go forth, my sons. Repel the foot of the invader, or +see my face no more."</p> + +<p>It has been recorded in the annals of other climes, as +well as our own, that Woman, under the pressure of unusual +circumstances, has revealed unwonted and unexpected +energies. It is fitting that she should prove herself equal +to every emergency, nor shrink from any duty that dangers +or reverses may impose.</p> + +<p>Still, her best happiness and true glory are doubtless +found in her own peculiar sphere. Rescued, as she has +been, from long darkness, by the precepts of the religion of +Jesus, brought forth into the broad sunlight of knowledge +and responsibility, she is naturally anxious to know how to +discharge her debt to the age, and to her own land. Her +patriotism is, to labor in the sanctuary of home, and in every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxi" id="Page_xxi">[xxi]</a></span> +allotted department of education, to form and train a race +that shall bless their country, and serve their God.</p> + +<p>There has been sometimes claimed for her, under the +name of "<i>rights</i>," a wider participation in the pursuits, exposures, +and honors appertaining to men. Were these somewhat +indefinite claims conceded, would the change promote +her welfare? Would she be a gainer by any added power +or sounding title, which should require the sacrifice of that +delicacy which is the life-blood of her sex?</p> + +<p>Would it be better for man to have no exercise for those +energies, which the state of a gentle, trustful being calls +forth; those protecting energies which reveal his peculiar +strength, and liken him to a god-like nature? Would it +add either to her attractions or his happiness, to confront +her in the arena of political strife, or enable her to bear her part +in fierce collision with the bold and unprincipled? Might +it not endanger or obliterate that enthusiasm of love, which +she so much prizes, to meet the tutelary spirit of his home +delights, on the steep unsheltered heights of ambition, as a +competitor or a rival?</p> + +<p>Would it be as well for the rising generation, who are +given into the arms of Woman for their earliest guidance, +that the ardor of her nature should be drawn into different +and contradictory channels? When a traveler in those lands +where she goes forth to manual toil in the fields, I have +mourned to see her neglected little ones, deprived of maternal +care, unsoftened by the blandishments of its tenderness, +growing up like animals, groveling, unimpressible, unconscientious. +Whatever detaches her thoughts or divides +her heart from home duties and affections, is especially a +loss to the young plants that depend on her nurture and +supervision.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxii" id="Page_xxii">[xxii]</a></span>If, therefore, the proposed change should profit neither +man, woman, nor the rising race, how can it benefit the +world at large? Is it not the province of true wisdom to +select such measures as promote the greatest good of the +greatest number?</p> + +<p>A moralist has well said, that "in contentions for power, +both the philosophy and poetry of life are dropped and trodden +down." A still heavier loss would accrue to domestic +happiness, and the interests of well balanced society, should +the innate delicacy and prerogative of woman, <i>as woman</i>, +be sacrificed or transmuted.</p> + +<p>"I have given her as a help-meet," said the Voice that +cannot err, when it spake unto Adam "in the cool of the +day," amid the trees of Paradise. Not as a slave, a clog, +a toy, a wrestler, a prize-fighter, a ruler. No. A <i>helper</i>, +such as was meet for man to desire, and for her to become.</p> + +<p>If the unerring Creator has assigned different spheres +of action to the sexes, it is to be presumed that some adaptation +exists to their respective sphere, that there is work +enough in each to employ them, and that the faithful performance +of that work will be for the welfare of both. If He +hath constituted one as the priestess of the "inner temple," +committing to her charge its veiled shrine and sacred harmonies, +why should she covet to rage amid the warfare at +its gates, or to ride on the whirlwind that may rock its +turrets? Rushing, uncalled, to the strife, or the tumult, +or the conflict, will there not linger in her heart the upbraiding +question, "with whom didst thou leave thy few +sheep in the wilderness?" Why need she be again tempted +by pride, or curiosity, or glozing words, to forfeit her own +Eden?</p> + +<p>The true nobility of Woman is to keep her own sphere,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xxiii" id="Page_xxiii">[xxiii]</a></span> +and adorn it, not as the comet, daunting and perplexing +other systems, but like the star, which is the first to light +the day and the last to leave it. If she win not the laurel +of the conqueror and the blood-shedder, her noble deeds may +leave "footprints on the sands of time," and her good works, +"such as become those that profess godliness," find record +in the Book of Life.</p> + +<p>Sisters, are not our rights sufficiently comprehensive, the +sanctuary of home, the throne of the heart, the moulding +of the whole mass of mind, in its first formation? Have +we not power enough in all realms of sorrow and suffering, +over all forms of want and ignorance, amid all ministries +of love, from the cradle-dream to the sealing of the sepulchre?</p> + +<p>Let us be content and faithful, aye, more,—grateful and +joyful,—making this brief life a hymn of praise, until admitted +to that choir which knows no discord, and where +melody is eternal.</p> + +<div class="signature"> +L. HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY. +</div> +<p> +<span class="smcap">Hartford, Conn.</span><br /> +</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus024.jpg" width="450" height="577" alt="Woman with plaque "Noble Deeds"" title="Woman with plaque "Noble Deeds"" /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE MOTHER OF WASHINGTON</h2> + + +<p>As the "mother" of our nation's "chief," it seems +appropriate that Mary Washington should stand at +the head of American females whose deeds are herein +recorded. Her life was one unbroken series of praiseworthy +actions—a drama of many scenes, none blood-chilling, +none tragic, but all noble, all inspiring, and +many even magnanimous. She was uniformly so +gentle, so amiable, so dignified, that it is difficult to fix +the eye on any one act more strikingly grand than the +rest. Stretching the eye along a series of mountain +peaks, all, seemingly, of the same height, a solitary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +one cannot be singled out and called more sublime +than the others.</p> + +<p>It is impossible to contemplate any one trait of her +character without admiration. In republican simplicity, +as her life will show, she was a model; and her +piety was of such an exalted nature that the daughters +of the land might make it their study. Though proud +of her son, as we may suppose she must have been, +she was sensible enough not to be betrayed into weakness +and folly on that account. The honors that clustered +around her name as associated with his, only +humbled her and made her apparently more devout. +She never forgot that she was a Christian mother, and +that her son, herself, and, in perilous times especially, +her country, needed her prayers. She was wholly +destitute of aristocratic feelings, which are degrading +to human beings; and never believed that sounding +titles and high honors could confer lasting distinctions, +without moral worth. The greatness which +Byron, with so much justness and beauty, ascribes +to Washington, was one portion of the inestimable +riches which the son inherited from the mother:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +"Where may the weary eye repose,<br /> +<span class="i2">When gazing on the great,</span> +Where neither guilty glory glows,<br /> +<span class="i2">Nor despicable state?</span> +Yes, one—the first—the last—the best—<br /> +The Cincinnatus of the West,<br /> +<span class="i2">Whom envy dared not hate—</span> +Bequeathed the name of Washington,<br /> +To make men blush there was but one."<br /> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span>Moulding, as she did, to a large extent, the character +of the great Hero, Statesman and Sage of the +Western World; instilling into his young heart the +virtues that warmed her own, and fitting him to become +the man of unbending integrity and heroic +courage, and the father of a great and expanding republic, +she may well claim the veneration, not of the +lovers of freedom merely, but of all who can appreciate +moral beauty and thereby estimate the true +wealth of woman's heart. A few data and incidents +of such a person's life should be treasured in every +American mind.</p> + +<p>The maiden name of Mrs. Washington was Mary +Bell. She was born in the Colony of Virginia, which +is fertile in great names, towards the close of the year +1706. She became the second wife of Mr. Augustine +Washington, a planter of the "Old Dominion," on the +sixth of March, 1730. He was at that time a resident +of Westmoreland county. There, two years after this +union, George, their oldest child, was born. While +the "father of his country" was an infant, the parents +removed to Stafford county, on the Rappahannock +river, opposite Fredericksburg.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Washington had five more children, and lost +the youngest in its infancy. Soon after this affliction, +she was visited, in 1743, with a greater—the death of +her husband. Thus, at the age of thirty-seven, Mrs. +Washington became a widow, with five small children. +Fortunately, her husband left a valuable property for +their maintenance. It was mostly in land, and each +son inherited a plantation. The one daughter was also<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +suitably provided for. "It was thus," writes Mr. +Sparks, "that Augustine Washington, although suddenly +cut off in the vigor of manhood, left all his children +in a state of comparative independence. Confiding +in the prudence of the mother, he directed that +the proceeds of all the property of her children should +be at her disposal, till they should respectively come +of age."</p> + +<p>The same writer adds that, "this weighty charge of +five young children, the eldest of whom was eleven +years old, the superintendence of their education, and +the management of complicated affairs, demanded no +common share of resolution, resource of mind, and +strength of character. In these important duties Mrs. +Washington acquitted herself with fidelity to her trust, +and with entire success. Her good sense, assiduity, +tenderness and vigilance, overcame every obstacle; +and, as the richest reward of a mother's solicitude and +toil, she had the happiness of seeing all her children +come forward with a fair promise into life, filling the +sphere allotted to them in a manner equally honorable +to themselves, and to the parent who had been the only +guide of their principles, conduct and habits. She +lived to witness the noble career of her eldest son, till, +by his own rare merits, he was raised to the head of +a nation, and applauded and revered by the whole +world."</p> + +<p>Two years after the death of his father, George +Washington obtained a midshipman's warrant, and +had not his mother opposed the plan, he would have +entered the naval service, been removed from her influence,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +acted a different part on the theatre of life, +and possibly changed the subsequent aspect of American +affairs.</p> + +<p>Just before Washington's departure to the north, to +assume the command of the American army, he persuaded +his mother to leave her country residence, and +assisted in effecting her removal to Fredericksburg. +There she took up a permanent abode, and there died +of a lingering and painful disease, a cancer in the +breast, on the twenty-fifth of August, 1789.</p> + +<p>A few of the many lovely traits of Mrs. Washington's +character, are happily exhibited in two or three +incidents in her long, but not remarkably eventful life.</p> + +<p>She who looked to God in hours of darkness for +light, in her country's peril, for Divine succor, was +equally as ready to acknowledge the hand and to see +the smiles of the "God of battles" in the victories that +crowned our arms; hence, when she was informed of +the surrender of Cornwallis, her heart instantly filled +with gratitude, and raising her hands, with reverence +and pious fervor, she exclaimed: "Thank God! war +will now be ended, and peace, independence and happiness +bless our country!"</p> + +<p>When she received the news of her son's successful +passage of the Delaware—December 7th, 1776—with +much self-possession she expressed her joy that the +prospects of the country were brightening; but when +she came to those portions of the dispatches which +were panegyrical of her son, she modestly and coolly +observed to the bearers of the good tidings, that +"George appeared to have deserved well of his country<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +for such signal services. But, my good sirs," she +added, "here is too much flattery!—Still, <i>George will +not forget the lessons I have taught him</i>—he will not +forget <i>himself</i>, though he is the subject of so much +praise."</p> + +<p>In like manner, when, on the return of the combined +armies from Yorktown, Washington visited her at +Fredericksburg, she inquired after his health and +talked long and with much warmth of feeling of the +scenes of former years, of early and mutual friends, of +all, in short, that the past hallows; but to the theme +of the ransomed millions of the land, the theme that +for three quarters of a century has, in all lands, +prompted the highest flights of eloquence, and awakened +the noblest strains of song, to the deathless +fame of her son, she made not the slightest allusion.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1784, just before returning to his native +land, General Lafayette went to Fredericksburg, "to +pay his parting respects" to Mrs. Washington. "Conducted +by one of her grandsons, he approached the +house, when the young gentleman observed: 'There, +sir, is my grandmother!' Lafayette beheld—working +in the garden, clad in domestic-made clothes, and +her gray head covered with a plain straw hat—the +mother of 'his hero, his friend and a country's preserver!' +The lady saluted him kindly, observing: +'Ah, Marquis! you see an old woman; but come, I +can make you welcome to my poor dwelling without +the parade of changing my dress.'" During the interview, +Lafayette, referring to her son, could not withhold +his encomiums, which drew from the mother this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +beautifully simple remark: "I am not surprised at +what George has done, for he was always a good +boy."</p> + +<p>The remains of Mrs. Washington were interred at +Fredericksburg. On the seventh of May, 1833, the +corner-stone of a monument to her memory was laid +under the direction of a Committee who represented +the citizens of Virginia. General Jackson, then President +of the United States, very appropriately took +the leading and most honorable part in the ceremony. +With the following extracts from the closing part of +his chaste and elegant Address, our humble sketch +may fittingly close:</p> + +<p>"In tracing the few recollections which can be gathered, +of her principles and conduct, it is impossible +to avoid the conviction, that these were closely interwoven +with the destiny of her son. The great points +of his character are before the world. He who runs +may read them in his whole career, as a citizen, a soldier, +a magistrate. He possessed unerring judgment, +if that term can be applied to human nature; great +probity of purpose, high moral principles, perfect self-possession, +untiring application, and an inquiring +mind, seeking information from every quarter, and +arriving at its conclusions with a full knowledge of the +subject; and he added to these an inflexibility of resolution, +which nothing could change but a conviction +of error. Look back at the life and conduct of his +mother, and at her domestic government, as they +have this day been delineated by the Chairman of +the Monumental Committee, and as they were known<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +to her contemporaries, and have been described by +them, and they will be found admirably adapted to +form and develop, the elements of such a character. +The power of greatness was there; but had it not been +guided and directed by maternal solicitude and judgment, +its possessor, instead of presenting to the world +examples of virtue, patriotism and wisdom, which +will be precious in all succeeding ages, might have +added to the number of those master-spirits, whose +fame rests upon the faculties they have abused, and +the injuries they have committed....</p> + +<p>"Fellow citizens, at your request, and in your name, +I now deposit this plate in the spot destined for it; +and when the American pilgrim shall, in after ages, +come up to this high and holy place, and lay his hand +upon this sacred column, may he recall the virtues of +her who sleeps beneath, and depart with his affections +purified, and his piety strengthened, while he invokes +blessings upon the Mother of Washington."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE WIFE OF WASHINGTON.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +A woman's noblest station is retreat:<br /> +Her fairest virtues fly from public sight;<br /> +Domestic worth—that shuns too strong a light.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i9 smcap">Lord Lyttleton.</span><br /> +<br /> +The drying up a single tear has more<br /> +Of honest fame than shedding seas of gore.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Byron.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Woman may possess an equal share of the elements +of greatness with man, but she has not an equal opportunity +to display them in such a manner as to call forth +the admiration and applause of the world. She was +not made to pour the tide of eloquence in the Senate +chamber, or lead on to victory the brave and heroic +spirits of the land. Her course leads mainly through +the quiet valley of domestic retirement, where the +stream can rarely leap from dizzy heights with a thundering +plunge, whose echoes shall go booming on to fill +the ear of coming generations: her movements and +influence are more like those of springs, which, flowing +noiselessly and unseen, are widely scattered, and every +where diffuse incalculable blessings.</p> + +<p>The wife of Washington could not be the hero of a +seven-years' war, or the chief magistrate of a republic; +but, as the companion of such a man, she could shine,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +in her own proper sphere, with a lustre as mild, as +steady, as serene, as his. And thus she did. Prompt +to obey the calls of duty, when the voice of humanity +beckoned her to the camp, she hastened away, at the +sacrifice of ease and comfort, to relieve the wants of +the suffering; and when forced to leave her "paradise" +at Mount Vernon, to preside, as the matron of the nation, +at the President's house, she did it with a dignity +and propriety perhaps never equalled, certainly never +excelled. But let us not anticipate.</p> + +<p>Martha Dandridge was born in New Kent county, +Virginia, in May, 1732. She was endowed with good +sense, a strong mind, sound ideas of feminine proprieties, +and correct views of woman's practical duties: +and these had to answer measurably as a substitute for +the discipline of female seminaries, which were rare in +the "Old Dominion," and in the Colonies generally, +in her younger days. The advantages to be derived +from domestic instruction, she enjoyed, and those +only. They, however, were cut off at the age of seventeen, +by her union in marriage with Colonel Daniel P. +Custis, a gentleman of many excellent parts. They +settled on his plantation in her native county. Beautiful, +lovely in disposition, and fascinating in manners, +the young wife was warmly admired by her neighbors +and all with whom she came in contact; and her residence, +known as the "<i>White House</i>," was the centre +of strong attractions, and the scene of much genuine +or—which is the same thing—<i>Virginian</i>, hospitality. +Colonel Custis became the father of three children, and +then died. Previous to this solemn event, however,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +the White House had been veiled in weeds for the loss +of his oldest child.</p> + +<p>With two small children, a son and daughter, Mrs. +Custis early found herself a widow, with the disposition +and management of all pecuniary interests left by +her confiding husband, at her control. As sole executrix, +it is said that she "managed the extensive +landed and pecuniary concerns of the estate with surprising +ability, making loans on mortgages, of money, +and through her stewards and agents, conducting the +sales or exportation of the crops to the best possible +advantage."</p> + +<p>But from the cares of an extensive estate she was +shortly relieved. On the sixth of January, 1759, she +gave her hand, with upwards of a hundred thousand +dollars, to Colonel George Washington, another planter +of her native Colony. At the same time, she relinquished +into his hands the guardianship of her children—the +son six, and the daughter four years old—together +with the care of their property. From the +White House, Mrs. Washington now removed to +Mount Vernon, which remained her home till her +death, and became the final resting place of her +remains.</p> + +<p>In her new home, as in the White House, she superintended +the affairs of the household, exercising continual +control over all culinary matters; carefully +educating her offspring, and aiming to rear them up +for usefulness. These duties she discharged with the +utmost assiduity and faithfulness, in spite of the many +social obligations which a woman in her position must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +necessarily encounter.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> Nor did the demands of +courtesy and of her family debar her from habitual and +systematic charities, dispensed in her neighborhood, or +from those most important of all daily duties, the calls +of the "closet." In the language of Miss Conkling, +in her Memoir: "It is recorded of this devout Christian, +that never during her life, whether in prosperity +or in adversity, did she omit that daily self-communion +and self-examination, and those private devotional +exercises, which would best prepare her for the self-control +and self-denial by which she was, for more than +half a century, so eminently distinguished. It was her +habit to retire to her own apartment every morning +after breakfast, there to devote an hour to solitary +prayer and meditation."</p> + +<p>In 1770, she lost a child of many prayers, of bright +hopes, and of much promise, her blooming daughter. +She looked upon this affliction as a visitation from +Him who doeth all things well, and bore it with +becoming resignation, which the Christian only is prepared +to do.</p> + +<p>During the Revolution, Mrs. Washington was accustomed +to pass the winters with her husband at the +head quarters of the army and the summers at Mount +Vernon; and it was in the camp that she shone with +the lustre of the true woman. "She was at Valley<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +Forge in that dreadful winter of 1777-8, her presence +and submission to privation strengthening the fortitude +of those who might have complained, and giving hope +and confidence to the desponding. She soothed the +distresses of many sufferers, seeking out the poor and +afflicted with benevolent kindness, extending relief +wherever it was in her power, and with graceful deportment +presiding in the Chief's humble dwelling."<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p> + +<p>In 1781, she lost her last surviving child, John +Custis, aged twenty seven. Her widowed daughter-in-law +and the four children, she took to her own +home, and thenceforward they were the objects of her +untiring solicitude.</p> + +<p>The life of Mrs. Washington, after her husband +took the Presidential chair, was marked by no striking +incidents, and affords scanty material of the nature +marked out for this work. During the eight years +that he was Chief Magistrate, she presided in his +mansion with the same unaffected ease, equanimity +and dignified simplicity that had marked her previous +course in more retired circles. Visitors were +received on all days <i>except the Sabbath</i>, and, irrespective +of rank, shared in her courtesies and hospitalities. +A portion of each summer, at that period, +was passed in the quiet and seclusion of Mount +Vernon, she rarely, if ever, accompanying her husband +on his tours through the land. She expressed +regret when he was chosen President, because she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +preferred "to grow old" with him "in solitude and +tranquillity;" hence it is not surprising that she found +a luxury in retiring for a season from the scenes of +public life, and in attending to the education of her +grand-children and to other self-imposed tasks and +important duties, in the performance of which she +could bless her friends and honor God.</p> + +<p>After the death of her illustrious companion, which +occurred in December, 1799, she remained at Mount +Vernon; where she spent seventeen months mourning +her loss; receiving the visits of the great from +all parts of our land, and from various parts of the +earth; attending, as heretofore, to her domestic concerns; +perfecting in the Christian graces, and ripening +for the joys of a holier state of being. On the +twenty-second of May, 1801, she who, while on earth, +could be placed in no station which she did not +dignify and honor, was welcomed to the glories of +another world.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE WIFE OF JOHN ADAMS.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +The mother in her office holds the key<br /> +Of the soul; and she it is who stamps the coin<br /> +Of character, and makes the being who would be a savage,<br /> +But for her gentle cares, a Christian man.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Old Play.</span> +<br /> +——O we will walk this world,<br /> +Yoked in all exercise of noble aim.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Tennyson.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Abigail Smith was a daughter of the Rev. William +Smith, a Congregational minister of Weymouth, Massachusetts, +where she was born on the eleventh of +November, 1744, O. S. "It was fashionable to ridicule +female learning," in her day; and she says of +herself in one of her letters, "I was never sent to any +school." She adds, "I was always sick. Female education, +in the best families, went no further than writing +and arithmetic." But notwithstanding her educational +disadvantages, she read and studied in private, +and kept up a brisk correspondence with relatives, and +by these means expanded and fed her mind, and cultivated +an easy and graceful style of writing.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-fifth of October, 1764, Miss Smith became +the wife of John Adams, a lawyer of Braintree.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p><p>Her grandson, Charles Francis Adams, to whose Memoir +of her we are indebted for these statistics, says, +that "the ten years immediately following, present +little that is worth recording."</p> + +<p>Prior to 1778, Mr. and Mrs. Adams had been separated +at sundry times, in all, more than three years, +which was a severe trial to her fortitude. The strength +of her conjugal affection may be gathered from an extract +from one of her letters: "I very well remember," +she writes, "when the eastern circuits of the courts, +which lasted a month, were thought an age, and an +absence of three months, intolerable; but we are carried +from step to step, and from one degree to another, +to endure that which at first we think impossible." +Thus she was schooled for separation from her husband, +when, in 1778, he went to France as a joint commissioner. +While he was absent from his country +on that occasion, faithful to the calls of duty, she +remained at home, and managed, as she had done +before, the affairs of the household and farm. And +<i>there</i> let the reader look at her and see a picture of +a true mother of the Revolution. "She is a farmer +cultivating the land, and discussing the weather and +crops; a merchant reporting prices-current and the +rates of exchange, and directing the making up of +invoices; a politician, speculating upon the probabilities +of peace or war; and a mother, writing the +most exalted sentiments to her son."</p> + +<p>What nobler deed could the mother, thus situated, +do with her son, John Quincy Adams, in a foreign +land, than to write to him in a tone like that of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +extracts which follow, and which are taken from +letters dated 1778-80:</p> + +<p>"'Tis almost four months since you left your native +land, and embarked upon the mighty waters, in quest +of a foreign country. Although I have not particularly +written to you since, yet you may be assured you have +constantly been upon my heart and mind.</p> + +<p>"It is a very difficult task, my dear son, for a tender +parent to bring her mind to part with a child of +your years going to a distant land; nor could I have +acquiesced in such a separation under any other care +than that of the most excellent parent and guardian +who accompanied you. You have arrived at years capable +of improving under the advantages you will be +likely to have, if you do but properly attend to them. +They are talents put into your hands, of which an +account will be required of you hereafter; and being +possessed of one, two, or four, see to it that you +double your numbers.</p> + +<p>"The most amiable and most useful disposition in +a young mind is diffidence of itself; and this should +lead you to seek advice and instruction from him, who +is your natural guardian, and will always counsel and +direct you in the best manner, both for your present +and future happiness. You are in possession of a natural +good understanding, and of spirits unbroken by +adversity and untamed with care. Improve your understanding +by acquiring useful knowledge and virtue, +such as will render you an ornament to society, an +honor to your country, and a blessing to your parents. +Great learning and superior abilities, should you ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +possess them, will be of little value and small estimation, +unless virtue, honor, truth, and integrity are +added to them. Adhere to those religious sentiments +and principles which were early instilled into your +mind, and remember that you are accountable to your +Maker for all your words and actions.</p> + +<p>"Let me enjoin it upon you to attend constantly +and steadfastly to the precepts and instructions of your +father, as you value the happiness of your mother and +your own welfare. His care and attention to you render +many things unnecessary for me to write, which I +might otherwise do; but the inadvertency and heedlessness +of youth require line upon line and precept +upon precept, and, when enforced by the joint efforts +of both parents, will, I hope, have a due influence upon +your conduct; for, dear as you are to me, I would +much rather you should have found your grave in the +ocean you have crossed, or that any untimely death +crop you in your infant years, than see you an immoral, +profligate, or graceless child.</p> + +<p>"You have entered early in life upon the great +theatre of the world, which is full of temptations and +vice of every kind. You are not wholly unacquainted +with history, in which you have read of crimes which +your inexperienced mind could scarcely believe credible. +You have been taught to think of them with +horror, and to view vice as</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i2">'a monster of so frightful mien,<br /></span> +That, to be hated, needs but to be seen.' +</div> + +<p>"Yet you must keep a strict guard upon yourself, or +the odious monster will soon lose its terror by becoming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +familiar to you. The modern history of our own +times, furnishes as black a list of crimes, as can be +paralleled in ancient times, even if we go back to +Nero, Caligula, or Cæsar Borgia. Young as you are, +the cruel war into which we have been compelled by +the haughty tyrant of Britain and the bloody emissaries +of his vengeance, may stamp upon your mind this +certain truth, that the welfare and prosperity of all +countries, communities, and, I may add, individuals, +depend upon their morals. That nation to which we +were once united, as it has departed from justice, +eluded and subverted the wise laws which formerly +governed it, and suffered the worst of crimes to go +unpunished, has lost its valor, wisdom and humanity, +and, from being the dread and terror of Europe, has +sunk into derision and infamy....</p> + +<p>"Some author, that I have met with, compares a +judicious traveler to a river, that increases its stream +the further it flows from its source; or to certain +springs, which, running through rich veins of minerals, +improve their qualities as they pass along. It will be +expected of you, my son, that, as you are favored with +superior advantages under the instructive eye of a +tender parent, your improvement should bear some +proportion to your advantages. Nothing is wanting +with you but attention, diligence, and steady application. +Nature has not been deficient.</p> + +<p>"These are times in which a genius would wish to +live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose +of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. +Would Cicero have shone so distinguished an orator<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +if he had not been roused, kindled, and inflamed by +the tyranny of Catiline, Verres, and Mark Anthony? +The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending +with difficulties. All history will convince you of +this, and that wisdom and penetration are the fruit of +experience, not the lessons of retirement and leisure. +Great necessities call out great virtues. When a mind +is raised and animated by scenes that engage the +heart, then those qualities, which would otherwise lie +dormant, wake into life and form the character of the +hero and the statesman. War, tyranny, and desolation +are the scourges of the Almighty, and ought no +doubt to be deprecated. Yet it is your lot, my son, +to be an eye witness of these calamities in your own +native land, and, at the same time, to owe your +existence among a people who have made a glorious +defence of their invaded liberties, and who, aided +by a generous and powerful ally, with the blessing +of Heaven, will transmit this inheritance to ages +yet unborn.</p> + +<p>"Nor ought it to be one of the least of your incitements +towards exerting every power and faculty of +your mind, that you have a parent who has taken so +large and active a share in this contest, and discharged +the trust reposed in him with so much satisfaction as +to be honored with the important embassy which at +present calls him abroad.</p> + +<p>"The strict and inviolable regard you have ever +paid to truth, gives me pleasing hopes that you will +not swerve from her dictates, but add justice, fortitude, +and every manly virtue which can adorn a good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +citizen, do honor to your country, and render your +parents supremely happy, particularly your ever affectionate +mother.</p> + +<p>... "The only sure and permanent foundation +of virtue is religion. Let this important truth be +engraven upon your heart. And also, that the foundation +of religion is the belief of the one only God, +and a just sense of his attributes, as a being infinitely +wise, just, and good, to whom you owe the +highest reverence, gratitude, and adoration; who +superintends and governs all nature, even to clothing +the lilies of the field, and hearing the young ravens +when they cry; but more particularly regards man, +whom he created after his own image, and breathed +into him an immortal spirit, capable of a happiness +beyond the grave; for the attainment of which he is +bound to the performance of certain duties, which all +tend to the happiness and welfare of society, and are +comprised in one short sentence, expressive of universal +benevolence, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as +thyself.'...</p> + +<p>"Justice, humanity, and benevolence, are the duties +you owe to society in general. To your country the +same duties are incumbent upon you, with the additional +obligation of sacrificing ease, pleasure, wealth, +and life itself for its defence and security. To your +parents you owe love, reverence, and obedience to all +just and equitable commands. To yourself,—here, +indeed, is a wide field to expatiate upon. To become +what you ought to be, and what a fond mother wishes +to see you, attend to some precepts and instructions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +from the pen of one, who can have no motive but your +welfare and happiness, and who wishes in this way to +supply to you the personal watchfulness and care, +which a separation from you deprived you of at a +period of life, when habits are easiest acquired and +fixed; and though the advice may not be new, yet +suffer it to obtain a place in your memory, for +occasions may offer, and perhaps some concurring +circumstances unite, to give it weight and force.</p> + +<p>"Suffer me to recommend to you one of the most +useful lessons of life, the knowledge and study of yourself. +There you run the greatest hazard of being deceived. +Self-love and partiality cast a mist before the +eyes, and there is no knowledge so hard to be acquired, +nor of more benefit when once thoroughly understood. +Ungoverned passions have aptly been compared to the +boisterous ocean, which is known to produce the most +terrible effects. 'Passions are the elements of life,' +but elements which are subject to the control of reason. +Whoever will candidly examine themselves, +will find some degree of passion, peevishness, or +obstinacy in their natural tempers. You will seldom +find these disagreeable ingredients all united in one; +but the uncontrolled indulgence of either is sufficient +to render the possessor unhappy in himself, and disagreeable +to all who are so unhappy as to be witnesses +of it, or suffer from its effects.</p> + +<p>"You, my dear son, are formed with a constitution +feelingly alive; your passions are strong and impetuous; +and, though I have sometimes seen them +hurry you into excesses, yet with pleasure I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +observed a frankness and generosity accompany your +efforts to govern and subdue them. Few persons are +so subject to passion, but that they can command themselves, +when they have a motive sufficiently strong; +and those who are most apt to transgress will restrain +themselves through respect and reverence to superiors, +and even, where they wish to recommend themselves, +to their equals. The due government of the passions, +has been considered in all ages as a most valuable +acquisition. Hence an inspired writer observes, 'He +that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and +he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.' +This passion, coöperating with power, and unrestrained +by reason, has produced the subversion of +cities, the desolation of countries, the massacre of +nations, and filled the world with injustice and +oppression. Behold your own country, your native +land, suffering from the effects of lawless power and +malignant passions, and learn betimes, from your own +observation and experience, to govern and control +yourself. Having once obtained this self-government, +you will find a foundation laid for happiness to yourself +and usefulness to mankind. 'Virtue alone is +happiness below;' and consists in cultivating and improving +every good inclination, and in checking and +subduing every propensity to evil. I have been particular +upon the passion of anger, as it is generally +the most predominant passion at your age, the soonest +excited, and the least pains are taken to subdue it;</p> + +<div class="poem"> +'what composes man, can man destroy.'" +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>With such a mother to counsel him, one is led to +ask, how could John Quincy Adams <i>help</i> becoming a +noble-minded and great man? Who wonders that, +with good natural endowments and his excellent privileges, +coupled with maternal training, he fitted himself +to fill the highest office in the gift of a free people?</p> + +<p>In June, 1784, Mrs. Adams sailed for London to join +her husband, who was then our Minister at the Court +of St. James. While absent, she visited France and +Netherlands; resided for a time in the former country; +and returned with her knowledge of human nature, of +men, manners, &c., enlarged; disgusted with the splendor +and sophistications of royalty, and well prepared to +appreciate the republican simplicity and frankness +of which she was herself a model. While Mr. +Adams was Vice-President and President, she never +laid aside her singleness of heart, and that sincerity +and unaffected dignity which had won for her many +friends before her elevation, and which, in spite of national +animosity, conquered the prejudices and gained +the hearts of the aristocracy of Great Britain. But her +crowning virtue was her Christian humility, which is +beautifully exemplified in a letter which she wrote to +Mr. Adams, on the 8th of February, 1797, "the day +on which the votes for President were counted, and +Mr. Adams, as Vice-President, was required by law to +announce himself the President elect for the ensuing +term:"</p> + +<div class="poem"> +"'The sun is dressed in brightest beams,<br /> +To give thy honors to the day.'<br /> +</div> + +<p>"And may it prove an auspicious prelude to each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +ensuing season. You have this day to declare yourself +head of a nation. 'And now, O Lord, my +God, thou hast made thy servant ruler over the +people. Give unto him an understanding heart, +that he may know how to go out and come in +before this great people; that he may discern between +good and bad. For who is able to judge this thy so +great a people?' were the words of a royal sovereign; +and not less applicable to him who is invested with +the chief magistracy of a nation, though he wear +not a crown, nor the robes of royalty.</p> + +<p>"My thoughts and my meditations are with you, +though personally absent; and my petitions to Heaven +are, that 'the things which make for peace may not +be hidden from your eyes.' My feelings are not those +of pride or ostentation, upon the occasion. They are +solemnized by a sense of the obligations, the important +trusts, and numerous duties connected with it. That +you may be enabled to discharge them with honor to +yourself, with justice and impartiality to your country, +and with satisfaction to this great people, shall be the +daily prayer of your</p> + +<div class="signature"> +"A. A." +</div> + +<p>From her husband's retirement from the Presidency, +in 1801, to the close of her life, in 1818, Mrs. +Adams remained constantly at Quincy. Cheerful, +contented, and happy, she devoted her last years, in +that rural seclusion, to the reciprocities of friendship +and love, to offices of kindness and charity, and, in +short, to all those duties which tend to ripen the +Christian for an exchange of worlds.</p> + +<p>But it would be doing injustice to her character<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +and leaving one of her noblest deeds unrecorded, to +close without mentioning the influence for good +which she exerted over Mr. Adams, and her part in +the work of making him what he was. That he was +sensible of the benignant influence of wives, may +be gathered from the following letter which was +addressed to Mrs. Adams from Philadelphia, on the +eleventh of August, 1777:</p> + +<p>"I think I have some times observed to you in +conversation, that upon examining the biography of +illustrious men, you will generally find some female +about them, in the relation of mother, or wife, or +sister, to whose instigation a great part of their merit +is to be ascribed. You will find a curious example +of this in the case of Aspasia, the wife of Pericles. +She was a woman of the greatest beauty, and the +first genius. She taught him, it is said, his refined +maxims of policy, his lofty imperial eloquence, nay, +even composed the speeches on which so great a +share of his reputation was founded.</p> + +<p>"I wish some of our great men had such wives. +By the account in your last letter, it seems the +women in Boston begin to think themselves able to +serve their country. What a pity it is that our +generals in the northern districts had not Aspasias +to their wives.</p> + +<p>"I believe the two Howes have not very great +women to their wives. If they had, we should suffer +more from their exertions than we do. This is our +good fortune. A smart wife would have put Howe +in possession of Philadelphia a long time ago."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>While Mr. Adams was wishing that some of our +great men had such wives as Aspasia, he had such +a wife, was himself such a man, and owed half his +greatness to <i>his</i> Aspasia. The exalted patriotism and +the cheerful piety infused into the letters she addressed +to him during the long night of political uncertainty +that hung over these Colonies, strengthened +his courage, fired his nobler feelings, nerved his +higher purposes and, doubtless, greatly contributed +to make him the right hand man of Washington.</p> + +<p>The diligent and faithful Andromaches, the gifted +and patriotic <i>Aspasias</i> of the Revolution, did their portion +of the great work silently and unseen. Secretly +they urged their husbands and sons to the battle-field, +secretly spoke to them by letter in the camp or +convention, and secretly prayed for wisdom to guide +our statesmen and victory to crown our arms. Thus +privately acting, how little of their labor or their +worth is known. How few of their names are treasured +in our annals. With rare exceptions, like the +builders of the pyramids, their initials are lost. +Then, while we have the name and the noble example +of Mrs. Adams, with a few of her patriotic +compeers, let us pledge our unswerving devotion to +Freedom over the <i>unknown</i> names of the wives and +mothers who secretly assisted in nerving the arm +that broke the sceptre of British dominion on these +shores, and gave the eagle of Liberty a safe and +abiding home on our mountain tops.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> +<h2>ANN H. JUDSON.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +God has a bright example made of thee,<br /> +To show that womankind may be<br /> +Above that sex which her superior seems.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Cowley.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>About the commencement of the present century, +a new field was opened for the display of Christian +heroism. The despairing wail of the pagan millions +of the East, had reached the ears of a few of the +most devoted people of God on these Western shores, +and the question arisen, Who shall lead the way to +heathen realms, who among us first encounter the +perils of an attempt to plant the standard of the +Cross beside the pagodas of Buddhism? He who +would then go forth, must leave his native land with +the parting benediction of but few friends; must +be accompanied with few and faint prayers; must +make his own path through the tiger-haunted jungles, +and face alone the untried dangers of a dubious +assault on the strong-holds of pagan superstition. +But, notwithstanding the discouragements inwoven +with the contemplation of the undertaking, and the +great peril that must attend its completion, it was +magnanimous and sublime, and there were hearts in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +the land philanthropic enough to embark in it and +brave enough to face its terrors without fainting.</p> + +<p>Among the foremost Americans who offered their +services in this work, were the Rev. Adoniram +Judson and his wife. They embarked from Salem, +Massachusetts, for Calcutta, with Samuel Newell and +lady, on the nineteenth of February, 1812: and five +days afterwards Messrs. Hall and Nott, with their +wives, and Mr. Rice, sailed from Philadelphia for +the same place. The names of these pioneer missionaries +are sacred to the memory of all living +Christians, and, being embodied in the history of +the grandest enterprise of the age, are to be handed +down to all future generations.</p> + +<p>While all the female portion of this little band, +exhibited many excellent traits of character, and +worked well while their day lasted, no other one +endured so many and so great hardships and trials, +encountered such fearful perils, and had such an +opportunity to test the strength of the higher virtues, +as Mrs. Judson.</p> + +<p>Ann Hasseltine was born at Bradford, in Essex +county, Massachusetts, on the twenty-second day of +December, 1789. She was an active and enthusiastic +child; of a gay disposition, yet thoughtful at times; +and before she was seventeen, gave religion that +attention which its importance demands.</p> + +<p>She became acquainted with Mr. Judson in 1810. +He was then a student in the Andover Theological +Seminary, preparing for the work of foreign missions. +A mutual and strong attachment sprang up, and they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +were married in February, 1812, two weeks before +their embarkation for India.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Judson first halted at Serampore. +There, soon after their arrival, they were immersed +by an English missionary, having changed their views +of the ordinance of baptism on the long voyage +across the Atlantic and Indian oceans. From that +place they were soon driven by the Directors and +Agents of the British East India Company, who were +at that time opposed to the introduction of the Christian +religion into those parts. They sailed from +Madras for Rangoon, on the twenty-second of June, +1813, and settled at the latter place.</p> + +<p>From the commencement of missionary toil, Mrs. +Judson had many inconveniences to encounter, but +they were met with patience and served to strengthen +that energy which, it will be seen, was afterwards so +much needed and so strikingly displayed. Four or +five years after settling at Rangoon, Mr. Judson went +to Chittagong, in a neighboring province, to secure +help, some Arracanese converts being there, who +spoke the Burman language. He expected to return +within three months. "At the expiration of this +period, however, when his return was daily expected, +a vessel from Chittagong arrived at Rangoon, bringing +the distressing intelligence that neither he nor +the vessel in which he had embarked had been +heard of at that port. Similar tidings were also +contained in letters which Mrs. Judson received +from Bengal.</p> + +<p>"While the missionaries were in this state of fearful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +suspense, an incident occurred which was well +calculated to increase the perplexity and dismay in +which they were plunged. Mr. Hough,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> who had +continued quietly studying the language, at the mission +house, was suddenly summoned to appear +immediately at the court house, and it was rumored +among the affrighted domestics and neighbors who +followed the officers that came for Mr. Hough, that +the king had issued a decree for the banishment of +all the foreign teachers. It was late in the afternoon +when he made his appearance before the despotic +tribunal that was charged with the execution of the +imperial decree, and he was merely required to give +security for his appearance the following morning; +when, as the unfeeling magistrates declared, 'if he +did not tell all the truth relative to his situation in +the country, they would write with his heart's blood.' +Mr. Hough was detained from day to day on the +most flimsy pretences, himself unable to speak the +language, and with no one near him who would +attempt to explain his situation or vindicate his +objects and his conduct. The viceroy whom Mr. and +Mrs. Judson had known, had recently been recalled +to Ava, and he who now held the reins of the +government was a stranger, and, as his family were +not with him, Mrs. Judson, according to the etiquette +of the court, could not be admitted to his presence. +The order which had led to the arrest was found to +relate to some Portuguese priests whom the king had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +banished, and Mr. Hough was at first summoned to +give assurance that he was not one of the number, +and then detained by the officers in order to extort +money for his ransom. He was at length released by +order of the viceroy, to whom Mrs. Judson boldly +carried the cause and presented a petition which she +had caused her teacher to draw up for the purpose.</p> + +<p>"The anxiety occasioned by this arrest and its +train of petty annoyances, and still more by the protracted +and mysterious absence of Mr. Judson, was +at this time greatly increased by rumors which +reached Rangoon, of an impending war between the +English and the Burman governments. There were +but few English vessels lying in the river, and the +English traders who were in the country were +closing their business and preparing to hasten away, +at any new indications of hostilities that should be +presented. The condition of the missionaries was +rendered still more distressing by the ravages of +the cholera, which now, for the first time made its +appearance in Burmah, and was sending its terrors +throughout the empire. The poor people of Rangoon +fell in hundreds before its frightful progress. The +dismal death-drum continually gave forth its warning +sound as new names were added to the melancholy +list of victims to the desolating malady. In these +gloomy circumstances, they saw ship after ship leave +the river, bearing away all the foreigners who were +in the province, until at length the only one remaining +was on the eve of sailing. Harassed with doubts +concerning the uncertain fate of Mr. Judson, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +surrounded with perils, they saw before them what +appeared the last opportunity of leaving the country, +before the threatened hostilities should begin, and +they should be exposed to all the merciless cruelties +of barbarian-warfare.</p> + +<p>"Mr. and Mrs. Hough decided to go on board and +escape to Bengal, while escape was still in their +power, and they urged Mrs. Judson to accompany +them. She at length reluctantly yielded to their +advice, and with a heart burdened with sorrows she +embarked with her companions, on the fifth of July, +in the only ship that remained to carry them from +the country. The ship, however, was delayed for +several days in the river, and was likely to be subjected +to still further detention. Mrs. Judson, who +had gone on board rather in obedience to the entreaties +of her associates, and the dictates of prudence, +than from the suggestions of that truer instinct +which often serves to guide the noblest natures in +great emergencies, now decided to leave the ship +and return alone to the mission house, there to await +either the return of her husband, or the confirmation +of her worst fears respecting his fate. It was a noble +exhibition of heroic courage, and gave assurance of +all the distinguished qualities which, at a later +period and amid dangers still more appalling, shone +with unfailing brightness around the character of +this remarkable woman. The event justified her +determination; and, within a week after her decision +was taken, Mr. Judson arrived at Rangoon, having +been driven from place to place by contrary winds,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +and having entirely failed of the object for which he +undertook the voyage."<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p> + +<p>In the summer of 1820, Mrs. Judson's health had +become so far undermined by the deleterious influences +of the climate, that it was deemed necessary +that she should go to Calcutta for medical advice, +better physicians being located there than in Rangoon. +She was so feeble that her husband was +obliged to accompany her. She was soon removed +to Serampore, where were eminently skillful physicians +and a purer atmosphere. Her health so +improved in six months that she returned with +her husband to Rangoon. The malady which had +afflicted her was the chronic liver complaint. It +was not entirely removed at Serampore, and a few +months after her return, it began to distress her +more than ever. It was now thought that nothing +but a visit to her native land could save her. Accordingly, +on the twenty-first of August, 1821, she +started for Calcutta, where, after some delay, she +found a ship bound to England, by which route she +returned, reaching New York on the twenty-fifth of +September, 1822.</p> + +<p>She remained in this country nine months. During +that short period, aside from paying a visit to +her relations, she attended the Triennial Convention +at Washington, held in May, 1823; visited the larger +cities North and South; attended numerous meetings +of female associations; and prepared a history of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +the Burman mission which was so ably written that +even the London Quarterly Review, and, if we mistake +not, other English periodicals of high critical +character, noticed it in commendatory terms.</p> + +<p>The following extracts from letters written to Dr. +Wayland while in this country, show the interest +she took in the affairs of Burmah while absent from +that land of her adoption. Under date of "Baltimore, +January twenty-second, 1823," she says, "I +want the Baptists throughout the United States to +feel, that Burmah <i>must be converted</i> through their +instrumentality. They must do more than they +have ever yet done. They must <i>pray</i> more, they +must <i>give</i> more, and make greater efforts to prevent +the Missionary flame from becoming extinct. Every +Christian in the United States should feel as deeply +impressed with the importance of making continual +efforts for the salvation of the heathen, as though +their conversion depended solely on himself. Every +individual Christian should feel himself guilty if he +has not done and does not continue to do <i>all</i> in his +power for the spread of the gospel and the enlightening +of the heathen world. But I need not write +thus to you. You see, you feel the misery of the +heathen world. Try to awaken Christians around +you. Preach frequently on the subject of Missions. +I have remarked it to be the case, when a minister +feels <i>much</i> engaged for the heathen, his people generally +partake of his spirit."</p> + +<p>Writing from Washington in the following March, +she says, "I long to be in Rangoon, and am anxiously<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +hoping to get away in the spring. Do make inquiries +relative to the sailing of ships from Boston and +Salem. I must not miss one good opportunity."</p> + +<p>With her health much improved though not fully +restored, she sailed for her Burman home on the +twenty-second of June, 1823, and reached Rangoon +on the fifth of the following December. She found +the work of the mission prospering. The next year, +however, a war broke out between the Burman government +and the English in Bengal, and, not only +suspended the operations of the missionaries, but +jeopardised their lives. They were supposed to be +spies employed by the English government. Mr. and +Mrs. Judson, with Dr. Price, another of the missionaries, +were at that time at Ava, where the imperial +government of the Burman Empire had just been +removed.</p> + +<p>"It was on the eighth of June, 1824, that a company +of Burmans, headed by an officer, and attended +by a 'spotted-faced son of the prison,' came to the +mission house, and, in the presence of Mrs. Judson +seized her husband and Dr. Price, and after binding +them tight with cords, drove them away to the court +house. From this place they were hurried, by order of +the king, without examination, to a loathsome dungeon, +known as 'the death prison,' where along with +the other foreigners they were confined, each loaded +with three pairs of fetters and fastened to a long pole, +so as to be incapable of moving. Meanwhile, Mrs. +Judson was shut up in her house, deprived of her furniture +and of most of her articles of property, and +watched for several days by an unfeeling guard, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +whose rapacious extortions and brutal annoyances +she was constantly exposed, without being able to +make any exertion for the liberation of the prisoners, +or the mitigation of their cruel sentence. She +however, at length succeeded in addressing a petition +to the governor of the city, who had the prisoners in +charge. By a present of one hundred dollars to his +subordinate officer, their condition was somewhat +meliorated, and by the unwearied perseverance of +Mrs. Judson, and her affecting appeals to the sympathies +of the governor, he was induced to grant her +occasional permission to go to the prison, and at +length to build for herself a bamboo shed in the +prison yard, where she took up her abode, in order +that she might prepare food for the prisoners, +and otherwise minister to their necessities.</p> + +<p>"At the end of nine months they were suddenly +removed from Ava to Amarapura, and thence to +a wretched place several miles beyond, called +Oung-pen-la, where it was arranged that they should +be put to death in presence of the pakah-woon, as a +kind of sacrifice in honor of his taking command of +a new army of fifty thousand men about to march +against the English. This sanguinary chief had +been raised from a low condition to the rank of +woongyee; but in the height of his power, just as +he was about to march at the head of the army +he had mustered, he fell into disgrace, was charged +with treason, and executed, at an hour's notice, +with the unqualified approbation of all classes +of people at Ava. His timely execution saved the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +missionaries from the fate which hung over them, +and they were left uncared for in the miserable +cells of Oung-pen-la, till the near approach of +the English to the capitol induced the king to +send for Mr. Judson, to accompany the embassy +that was about to start for the English camp, for +the purpose of averting the destruction that now +threatened the Golden City.</p> + +<p>"During this period of a year and a half Mrs. +Judson followed them from prison to prison, beneath +the darkness of night and the burning sun of noon-day, +bearing in her arms her infant daughter,—the +child of sorrow and misfortune, who was born after +the imprisonment of its father,—procuring for them +food which Burman policy never supplies to prisoners, +and perpetually interceding for them with +their successive keepers, with the governor of the +city, with the kinsmen of the monarch, and the +members of the royal household. More than once +the queen's brother gave orders that they should be +privately put to death; but such was the influence +which Mrs. Judson possessed over the mind of the +governor, that he evaded the order each time it was +given, and assured her that for her sake he would +not execute her husband, even though he was obliged +to execute all the others. And when at last they +were to be taken from his jurisdiction and driven +to the horrid prison-house of Oung-pen-la, at the +command of the pakah-woon, the old man humanely +summoned Mrs. Judson from the prison where he +had permitted her to go and sit with her husband,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +in order that she might be spared the pangs of a +separation which he had not the power to prevent. +Her own pen has traced, in lines that will never be +forgotten by those who read them, the affecting +history of the dismal days and nights of her +husband's captivity. We follow her alike with +admiration and the deepest sympathy as she takes +her solitary way from Ava, at first in a boat upon +the river, and then in a Burman cart, in search of +the unknown place to which the prisoners have +been carried. At length, overcome with fatigue, +with exposure, and the bitter pangs of hope +deferred, we see her in a comfortless cabin, prostrate +with disease and brought to the very gates +of death,—while her infant is carried about the +village by its father in the hours of his occasional +liberation, to be nourished by such Burman mothers +as might have compassion on its helpless necessities.</p> + +<p>"Such is a single scene from this melancholy +record of missionary suffering. History has not +recorded; poetry itself has seldom portrayed, a more +affecting exhibition of Christian fortitude, of female +heroism, and all the noble and generous qualities +which constitute the dignity and glory of woman. +In the midst of sickness and danger, and every +calamity which can crush the human heart, she +presented a character equal to the sternest trial, +and an address and fertility of resources which +gave her an ascendency over the minds of her +most cruel enemies, and alone saved the missionaries +and their fellow captives from the terrible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +doom which constantly awaited them. Day after +day and amid the lonely hours of night was she +employed in conciliating the favor of their keepers, +and in devising plans for their release, or the alleviation +of their captivity. Sometimes, she confesses, +her thoughts would wander for a brief interval to +America and the beloved friends of her better days; +'but for nearly a year and a half, so entirely +engrossed was every thought with present scenes +and sufferings, that she seldom reflected on a single +occurrence of her former life, or recollected that +she had a friend in existence out of Ava.'"<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> + +<p>When peace was declared between the two powers, +by the terms of negotiation, the European prisoners +were all released; and thus closed the long and brutal +incarceration of the missionaries. Mr. and Mrs. Judson +immediately departed for Rangoon. They soon +removed to Amherst, a new town on the Salwen or +Martaban river. After having established a mission +there, Mr. Judson had occasion to visit Ava. He +started on the fifth of July, 1826, leaving his wife +and infant daughter in the care of kind friends. +He was detained at the Capital longer than he had +anticipated; and before he returned he received the +painful intelligence that his wife was dead. "A +remittent fever had settled on her constitution, +already enfeebled by suffering and disease, and she +died on the twenty-fourth of October, 1826, amid +the universal sorrow, alike of the English residents<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +at Amherst and of the native Christians who had +gathered around her at her new home. Her infant +daughter died a few weeks afterwards, and side +by side they were laid to rest, under a large hopia +tree a few rods from the house where she had +resided. Two marble stones, procured by the contributions +of several female friends in her native +land, are the humble memorial that marks the +spot where sleeps one whose "name will be remembered +in the churches of Burmah, in future times, +when the pagodas of Gaudama shall have fallen; +when the spires of Christian temples shall gleam +along the waters of the Irrawaddy and the Salwen: +and when the 'Golden City' shall have lifted up +her gates to let the King of Glory in."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> +<h2>A CHRISTIAN WOMAN IN THE HOUR<br /> +OF DANGER.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +O rainbow of the battle-storm!<br /> +<span class="i2">Methinks thou'rt gleaming on my sight;</span> +I see thy fair and fragile form<br /> +<span class="i2">Amid the thick cloud of the fight.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Sara J. Clarke.</span><br /> +<br /> +One grain of incense with devotion offered,<br /> +Is beyond all perfumes or Sabæan spices.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i14 smcap">Massinger.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>The following incident, we are informed by Mrs. +Ellet, was communicated to a minister—Rev. J. H. +Saye—by two officers in the Revolutionary war. +One of them was in the skirmish referred to; the +other lived near the scene of action; hence, it may +be relied on as authentic. The name of the heroine +is unknown, which is greatly to be regretted:</p> + +<p>"Early in the war, the inhabitants on the frontier +of Burke county, North Carolina, being apprehensive +of an attack by the Indians, it was determined +to seek protection in a fort in a more densely populated +neighborhood in an interior settlement. A +party of soldiers was sent to protect them on their +retreat. The families assembled, the line of march<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +was taken towards their place of destination, and +they proceeded some miles unmolested—the soldiers +marching in a hollow square, with the refugee families +in the centre. The Indians who had watched +these movements, had laid a plan for their destruction. +The road to be traveled lay through a dense +forest in the fork of a river, where the Indians +concealed themselves, and waited till the travelers +were in the desired spot. Suddenly the war-whoop +sounded in front, and on either side; a large body +of painted warriors rushed in, filling the gap by +which the whites had entered, and an appalling +crash of fire-arms followed. The soldiers, however, +were prepared; such as chanced to be near the trees +darted behind them, and began to ply the deadly +rifle; the others prostrated themselves upon the +earth, among the tall grass, and crawled to trees. +The families screened themselves as best they could. +The onset was long and fiercely urged; ever and +anon amid the din and smoke, the warriors would +rush, tomahawk in hand, towards the centre; but +they were repulsed by the cool intrepidity of the +back-woods riflemen. Still they fought on, determined +on the destruction of the victims who offered +such desperate resistance. All at once an appalling +sound greeted the ears of the women and children +in the centre; it was a cry from their defenders—a +cry for powder! 'Our powder is giving out,' they +exclaimed. 'Have you any? Bring us some, or we +can fight no longer!' A woman of the party had a +good supply. She spread her apron on the ground,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +poured her powder into it, and going round, from +soldier to soldier, as they stood behind the trees, +bade each who needed powder put down his hat, +and poured a quantity upon it. Thus she went +round the line of defence, till her whole stock, and +all she could obtain from others, was distributed. +At last the savages gave way, and, pressed by their +foes, were driven off the ground. The victorious +whites returned to those for whose safety they had +ventured into the wilderness. Inquiries were made +as to who had been killed, and one running up, +cried, 'Where is the woman that gave us the powder? +I want to see her!' 'Yes!—yes!—let us see +her!' responded another and another; 'without her +we should have been all lost!' The soldiers ran +about among the women and children, looking for +her and making inquiries. Directly came in others +from the pursuit, one of whom observing the commotion, +asked the cause, and was told. 'You are +looking in the wrong place,' he replied. 'Is she +killed? Ah, we were afraid of that!' exclaimed +many voices. 'Not when I saw her,' answered the +soldier. 'When the Indians ran off, she was on <i>her +knees in prayer</i> at the root of yonder tree, and there +I left her.' There was a simultaneous rush to the +tree—and there, to their great joy, they found the +woman safe, and still on her knees in prayer. +Thinking not of herself, she received their applause +without manifesting any other feeling than gratitude +to Heaven for their great deliverance."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> +<h2>HUMANITY OF HARTFORD LADIES.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +As the rivers farthest flowing,<br /> +<span class="i1">In the highest hills have birth;</span> +As the banyan broadest growing,<br /> +<span class="i1">Oftenest bows its head to earth,</span> +So the noblest minds press onward,<br /> +<span class="i1">Channels far of good to trace;</span> +So the largest hearts bend downward,<br /> +<span class="i1">Circling all the human race.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. Hale.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The sympathies of a free people are always +aroused when a nation is struggling for freedom. +Hence the war between the Turks and Greeks not +only called forth the eloquence of American orators, +but the mothers and daughters of the land, reminded +of the long struggle of their husbands and +fathers for liberty, were alive to the interests, and +prayed much for the ransom of the latter people. +Nor was this all; the sufferings to which the war +reduced the Greeks, so much moved the hearts of +females that, in one instance at least, they made +a demonstration of their sympathy worthy of record. +The ladies of Hartford, Connecticut, sent out a ship +to the women of Greece, containing money, and +articles of wearing apparel, wrought by themselves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +expressly for an offering to suffering humanity. +Mrs. Sigourney, the Secretary of the Ladies' Committee, +wrote the following letter to accompany the +contribution:</p> + +<p> +"<i>United States of America, March 12th, 1828.</i><br /> + <i>The Ladies of Hartford, in Connecticut, to the +Ladies of Greece.</i> +</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Sisters and Friends</span>,—From the years of childhood +your native clime has been the theme of our +admiration: together with our brothers and our +husbands, we early learned to love the country of +Homer, of Aristides, of Solon, and of Socrates. +That enthusiasm which the glory of ancient Greece +enkindled in our bosoms, has preserved a fervent +friendship for her descendants: we have beheld with +deep sympathy the horrors of Turkish domination, +and the struggles so long and nobly sustained by +them for existence and for liberty.</p> + +<p>"The communications of Dr. Howe, since his +return from your land, have made us more intimately +acquainted with your personal sufferings. +He has presented many of you to us in his vivid +descriptions, as seeking refuge in caves, and, under +the branches of olive trees, listening for the footsteps +of the destroyer, and mourning over your +dearest ones slain in battle.</p> + +<p>"Sisters and friends, our hearts bleed for you. +Deprived of your protectors by the fortune of war, +and continually in fear of evils worse than death, +our prayers are with you, in all your wanderings, +your wants and your griefs. In this vessel (which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +may God send in safety to your shores!) you will +receive a portion of that bounty wherewith He +hath blessed us. The poor among us have given +according to their ability, and our little children +have cheerfully aided, that some of you and your +children might have bread to eat and raiment to +put on. Could you but behold the faces of our +little ones brighten, and their eyes sparkle with +joy, while they give up their holidays, that they +might work with their needles for Greece; could +you see those females who earn a subsistence by +labor, gladly casting their mite into our treasury, +and taking hours from their repose that an additional +garment might be furnished for you; could +you witness the active spirit that pervades all classes +of our community, it would cheer for a moment +the darkness and misery of your lot.</p> + +<p>"We are the inhabitants of a part of one of the +smallest of the United States, and our donations +must therefore, of necessity, be more limited than +those from the larger and more wealthy cities; yet +such as we have, we give in the name of our dear +Saviour, with our blessings and our prayers.</p> + +<p>"We know the value of sympathy—how it arms +the heart to endure—how it plucks the sting from +sorrow—therefore we have written these few lines +to assure you, that in the remoter parts of our country, +as well as in her high places, you are remembered +with pity and with affection.</p> + +<p>"Sisters and friends, we extend across the ocean +our hands to you in the fellowship of Christ. We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +pray that His Cross and the banner of your land +may rise together over the Crescent and the Minaret—that +your sons may hail the freedom of ancient +Greece restored, and build again the waste places +which the oppressor hath trodden down; and that +you, admitted once more to the felicities of home, +may gather from past perils and adversities a +brighter wreath for the kingdom of Heaven.</p> + +<div class="signature"> +"<span class="smcap">Lydia H. Sigourney</span>,<br /> +"<i>Secretary of the Greek Committee of<br /> +Hartford, Connecticut.</i>"</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> +<h2>"MOTHER BAILEY."</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +No braver dames had Sparta,<br /> +No nobler matrons Rome.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i9 smcap">W. D. Gallagher.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Anna Warner was born in Groton, Connecticut, +on the eleventh of October, 1758, and married +Captain Elijah Bailey of the same town, in 1774. +He participated in the hardships and dangers, and +she in the trials of the struggle for Independence. +He is dead; she is still living.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p> + +<p>She was a witness of the terrible massacre at +Fort Griswold, in Groton, on the sixth of September; +and the following morning she hurried off to the +scene of carnage, a distance of three miles, to +search for an uncle who was among the brave defenders. +She found him among the fatally wounded: +at his request that he might see his wife and +child before he died, she ran home, caught and +saddled a horse for the feeble mother, and taking +the child in her arms, carried it the whole distance, +that it might receive the kisses and benediction of +its dying father!</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>In the month of July, 1813 a blockading fleet +appeared off the harbor of New London; and on +the thirteenth, demonstrations were noticed of an +intention to attack the place. Intense excitement +now prevailed not only in New London, but in +all the adjacent towns. Fort Griswold was once +more occupied; small cannon—all to be had—were +planted, and every preparation possible was +made for a vigorous defence. The greatest deficiency +was in flannel for cartridges; and in the +emergency a messenger was dispatched to the +village to consult with Mrs. Bailey on the most +expeditious method of obtaining a supply. She +promptly offered to see that each family was +visited, and the wants of the soldiery made known. +This was done, and each individual in the neighborhood +cheerfully presented her and her co-laborers +whatever of the desired articles could be spared, +some in garments and some in the raw material. +When these were delivered to the messenger, and +there was still found a deficiency, she slyly slipped +an under garment from her own person and charged +him to give <i>that</i> to the British. As the enemy +did not deem it expedient to make an attack, it +is difficult to tell what aid that garment rendered; +nor does it matter: its patriotic surrender showed +the noble spirit which has always actuated +"mother Bailey," and was an appropriation for +her country which never caused her a blush.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus074.jpg" width="450" height="330" alt="Flowery decoration" /> + +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> +<h2>ELIZABETH HEARD.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Kindness has resistless charms.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Rochester.</span><br /> +<br /> +Why should'st thou faint? Heaven smiles above,<br /> +Though storm and vapor intervene.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Park Benjamin.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Heard, "a widow of good estate, +a mother of many children and a daughter of Mr. +Hull, a revered minister formerly living at Pisquataqua," +was among the sufferers from captivity by the +Indians in the latter part of the seventeenth century. +She was taken at the destruction of Major Waldron's +garrison in Dover, New Hampshire, about 1689. She +was permitted to escape on account of a favor which +she had shown a young Indian thirteen years before—she +having secreted him in her house on the "calamitous +day," in 1676, when four hundred savages were +surprised in Dover.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p> + +<p>Having been suffered to escape, writes the Rev. +John Pike, minister at Dover, to Dr. Cotton Mather, +"she soon after safely arrived at Captain Gerish's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +garrison, where she found a refuge from the storm. +Here she also had the satisfaction to understand that +her own garrison, though one of the first that was +assaulted, had been bravely defended and successfully +maintained against the enemy. This gentlewoman's +garrison was on the most extreme frontier +of the province, and more obnoxious than any +other, and therefore incapable of being relieved. +Nevertheless, by her presence and courage it held +out all the war, even for ten years together; and the +persons in it have enjoyed very eminent preservations. +It would have been deserted if she had accepted +offers that were made her by her friends to +abandon it and retire to Portsmouth among them, +which would have been a damage to the town and +land."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE LADIES OF PHILADELPHIA IN 1780.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +I have not shut mine ears to their demands,<br /> +Nor posted off their suits with slow delays.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>During the long war which resulted in the Independence +of the American Colonies, the women all +over the land were warmly interested in the condition +of the soldiers, and prompt to relieve their +wants when suffering. There was, at times, a sad +deficiency of wearing apparel; and many are the +instances in which a noble sacrifice of ease and a +liberal expenditure of time and strength, were made +by the ladies that this comfort might be restored +to the self-sacrificing soldiers.</p> + +<p>In 1780, the ladies of Philadelphia city and +county, learning that the soldiers were in great +need of clothing, sold their jewelry and converted +<i>other</i> trinkets into something more serviceable; collected +by solicitation large sums of money; purchased +the raw material, plied the needle "with +all diligence;" and in a short time the aggregate +amount of their contributions was $7,500.<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>The number of shirts made by the ladies of Philadelphia +during that patriotic movement, was twenty-two +hundred! These were cut out at the house +of Mrs. Sarah Bache, daughter of Dr. Franklin. +This lady writing to a Mrs. Meredith, of Trenton, +New Jersey, at that time, says, "I am happy to +have it in my power to tell you that the sums +given by the good women of Philadelphia for the +benefit of the army, have been much greater than +could be expected, and given with so much cheerfulness +and so many blessings, that it was rather a +pleasing than a painful task to call for them. I +write to claim you as a Philadelphian, and shall +think myself honored in your donation."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE WIFE OF PRESIDENT REED.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i12">Mightier far</span> +Than strength of nerve or sinew, or the sway<br /> +Of magic potent over sun and star,<br /> +Is love, though oft to agony distrest,<br /> +And though his favorite seat be feeble woman's breast.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Wordsworth.</span><br /> + +Undaunted by the tempest, wild and chill,<br /> +That pours its restless and disastrous roll,<br /> +O'er all that blooms below.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Sands' Yamoyden.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Prominent among the ladies of Philadelphia who, +in the summer and fall of 1780, were active in +assisting the sufferers in the American army, was +Esther Reed, the wife of President Reed. She stood +at the head of the Association till her death, which +occurred on the eighteenth of September of that +year. She was succeeded by Mrs. Sarah Bache, +Mrs. Francis, Mrs. Clarkson, Mrs. Blair and Mrs. +Hillegas, who were constituted an Executive Committee.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span>The maiden name of Mrs. Reed was De Berdt. +She was born in London on the twenty-second of +October, 1746. There, about the year 1763, she +became acquainted with Mr. Joseph Reed, of New +Jersey, then a student at the Temple. She had fond +parents and lived in affluence, but from these she at +length turned, and, being married in May, 1770, +"followed the lover of her youth to these wild Colonies." +Philadelphia became the home of the happy +couple. The wife of an American, she imbibed the +sentiments and manifested the spirit of an American, +and to the day of her death showed herself worthy +to be the wife of an American soldier. "During +five years of war, more than half the time her family +was broken up, and for a long period the young +wife, with her little children and an aged mother, +was driven to seek a distant and precarious refuge." +Her husband was an Adjutant-General, and was in +the camp much of the time, till he was chosen +President—or, as we now say, Governor—of Pennsylvania, +in 1778. Her letters written to him, +breathe a patriotic and submissive spirit, and a cheerful +trust in that "presiding Power" from whom all +solace is derived in seasons of danger, disappointment +and affliction.</p> + +<p>She was placed at the head of the voluntary association +of Philadelphia ladies at its formation in +May, and as early as the twentieth of the following +month, it will be seen, by an extract from a +letter written by Mr. Reed to General Washington, +the business of the society was progressing admirably:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +"The ladies have caught the happy contagion, +and in a few days Mrs. Reed will have the honor +of writing to you on the subject. It is expected +she will have a sum equal to £100,000, to be laid +out according to your Excellency's direction, in +such a way as may be thought most honorable and +gratifying to the brave old soldiers who have borne +so great a share of the burden of this war. I +thought it best to mention it in this way to your +Excellency for your consideration, as it may tend to +forward the benevolent scheme of the donors with +dispatch. I must observe that the ladies have +excepted such articles of necessity, as clothing, +which the states are bound to provide."</p> + +<p>The following letter, written the next month, explains +itself:</p> + +<div class="signature"> +"ESTHER REED TO WASHINGTON.<br /> +"Philadelphia, July 4th, 1780. +</div> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—The subscription set on foot by the ladies +of this city for the use of the soldiery, is so far +completed as to induce me to transmit to your Excellency +an account of the money I have received, +and which, although it has answered our expectations, +does not equal our wishes, but I am persuaded +will be received as a proof of our zeal for +the great cause of America, and our esteem and +gratitude for those who so bravely defend it.</p> + +<p>"The amount of the subscription is 200,580 dollars, +and £625 6<i>s.</i> 8<i>d.</i> in specie, which makes in +the whole, in paper money, 300,634 dollars.</p> + +<p>"The ladies are anxious for the soldiers to receive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +the benefit of it, and wait your directions how it +can best be disposed of. We expect some considerable +addition from the country, and have also +wrote to the other States in hopes the ladies there +will adopt similar plans, to render it more general +and beneficial.</p> + +<p>"With the utmost pleasure I offer any further +attention and care in my power to complete the +execution of the design, and shall be happy to accomplish +it agreeable to the intention of the donors +and your wishes on the subject.</p> + +<p>"The ladies of my family join me in their respectful +compliments and sincerest prayer for your +health, safety, and success.</p> + +<div class="signature3">"I have the honor to be,</div> +<div class="signature2">"With the highest respect,</div> +<div class="signature1">"Your obedient humble servant,</div> +<div class="signature">"<span class="smcap">E. Reed.</span>" +</div> + +<p>During the months of July and August, though +in feeble health, Mrs. Reed held frequent correspondence +with General Washington on the best +mode of administering relief to the destitute soldiers. +Her desire to make herself useful may be +inferred from the tone of a letter addressed to her +husband from the banks of the Schuylkill, on the +twenty-second of August. Among other things, she +says, "I received this morning a letter from the +General, and he still continues his opinion that the +money in my hands should be laid out in linen; he +says, no supplies he has at present or has a prospect +of are any way adequate to the wants of the army.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +His letter is, I think, a little formal, as if he was +hurt by our asking his opinion a second time, and +our not following his directions, after desiring him +to give them. The letter is very complaisant, and I +shall now endeavor to get the shirts made as soon +as possible. <i>This is another circumstance to urge +my return to town, as I can do little towards it +here.</i>"</p> + +<p>The responsible and onerous duties of Mrs. Reed +during the summer of 1780, were no doubt injurious +to her already poor health, and hastened the +approach of death. Early in September she was +laid upon a bed of fatal illness, and before the +month had closed, as before mentioned, she was in +the "mysterious realm." The Council and Assembly +adjourned to pay their last respect to her exalted +virtues. Her remains were deposited in the +Presbyterian burying-ground in Arch Street, and the +following epitaph was inscribed on her tomb:</p> + +<div class="center"> +"In memory of <span class="smcap">Esther</span>, the beloved wife of Joseph Reed,<br /> +President of this State, who departed this life<br /> +On the 18th of September, <small>A. D.</small> 1780, aged 34 years.<br /> +Reader! If the possession of those virtues of the heart<br /> +Which make life valuable, or those personal endowments which<br /> +Command esteem and love, may claim respectful and affectionate<br /> +Remembrance, venerate the ashes here entombed.<br /> +If to have the cup of temporal blessings dashed<br /> +In the period and station of life in which temporal blessings<br /> +May be best enjoyed, demands our sorrow, drop a tear, and<br /> +Think how slender is that thread on which the joys<br /> +And hopes of life depend."<br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> +<h2>COMPLETION OF BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +The tardy pile, slow rising there,<br /> +With tongueless eloquence shall tell<br /> +Of them who for their country fell.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Sprague.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="i9">Ladies, you deserve</span> +To have a temple built <i>you</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12">Shakspeare.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>The Bunker Hill Monument Association was incorporated +in June, 1823. Nothing further was done +that year. At the second annual meeting, which +was held on the seventeenth of June, efficient plans +were devised to carry forward the enterprise; and +at the end of another year, just half a century after +the battle, the corner stone was laid. General Lafayette +was then on a visit to the United States, and +was appropriately chosen to take a leading part in +this interesting ceremony. The monument did not +get fairly under way till the spring of 1827. This +apparent tardiness was owing to the circumstance +that the material was to be brought from a granite +quarry in Quincy, and a rail road—the first in the +United States—had to be built from the quarry to +the wharf in Quincy to convey the stone.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span>In 1828, the funds were exhausted, and the work +was not resumed till 1834. Within a year the work +was again suspended for the same cause. Nothing +further was done, and but little said, till 1839, when +it was announced that two gentlemen—Amos Lawrence, +Esq., of Boston, and Judah Truro, Esq., of +New Orleans—would give ten thousand each, provided +a sum sufficient to complete the monument +could be raised. This liberal offer caused some momentary +stimulation; but no proposal immediately +made was deemed expedient.</p> + +<p>The affairs of the Association now wore, as they +had done once or twice before, a gloomy aspect. In +the annual report, made on the seventeenth of June, +1840, doubts were expressed whether the present generation +would see the monument completed. The +same discouraging remark was made soon after, in +one of the sewing circles of Boston, when, instead of +depressing the spirits, it raised the ambition and +quickened the thoughts of the ladies, and several of +them proposed to get up a Fair. It was a happy +suggestion; was forthwith sanctioned by the board +of directors; prompted the issuing of a circular by +a sub-committee of the same; raised the stentorian +voice of a free and patriotic press, and met with +immediate favor all over the land.</p> + +<p>The ladies had moved in the matter—<i>had taken +the work into their own hands</i>—and all doubts in +regard to its speedy completion seemed to vanish. +The Fair was announced to be held in Quincy Hall, +Boston, to commence on the fifth of September, 1840<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +Every female in the land was invited to contribute +some article of her own hands' production, to the +exhibition. The patriotic spirit of the <i>mothers</i> of the +Revolution was now warm in the hearts of their +<i>daughters</i>, and ten thousand hands, engaged in the +work of preparation, were "plying the needle with +exquisite art."</p> + +<p>The ladies were to have the complete management +of the Fair; and, all things in readiness, it commenced. +The product of so much industry and +ingenuity, dispensed at the hands of the ladies, +presented a scene to the thousands who gathered +around the numerous well-stored tables, that is described +by a writer—doubtless an eye-witness—as +"brilliant and inspiring."<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></p> + +<p>The Fair continued till the fifteenth of the month. +Its success was chronicled from day to day in a +journal called "The Monument," printed in the +Hall. It was the grandest movement of the kind +ever made in the country; was conducted throughout +in the most admirable manner, and wound +up in triumph. Its net proceeds were $30,035 50. +To this sum and the $20,000 pledged by the two +gentlemen before mentioned, was soon added enough, +from other sources, to make the fund $55,153 27; +and the work went on to its completion.<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> Thus,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +at length, a "duty had been performed;" this imperishable +offering to Freedom, "which had its commencement +in manly patriotism," was "crowned by +garlands of grace and beauty."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> +<h2>LYDIA DARRAH.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +The brave man is not he who feels no fear,<br /> +For that were stupid and irrational;<br /> +But he whose noble soul its fear subdues,<br /> +And bravely dares the danger nature shrinks from.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Joanna Baillie.</span> +</div> + + +<p>We find the following anecdote of the amiable +and heroic Quakeress, Lydia Darrah, in the first +number of the American Quarterly Review:</p> + +<p>When the British army held possession of Philadelphia, +General Howe's head quarters were in +Second street, the fourth door below Spruce, in a +house which was before occupied by General Cadwalader. +Directly opposite, resided William and +Lydia Darrah, members of the Society of Friends. +A superior officer of the British army, believed to +be the Adjutant General, fixed upon one of their +chambers, a back room, for private conference; +and two of them frequently met there, with fire +and candles, in close consultation. About the second +of December, the Adjutant General told Lydia +that they would be in the room at seven o'clock, +and remain late; and that they wished the family +to retire early to bed; adding, that when they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +were going away, they would call her to let them +out, and extinguish their fire and candles. She +accordingly sent all the family to bed; but, as the +officer had been so particular, her curiosity was +excited. She took off her shoes, and put her ear +to the key-hole of the conclave. She overheard an +order read for all the British troops to march out, +late in the evening of the fourth, and attack General +Washington's army, then encamped at White +Marsh. On hearing this, she returned to her +chamber and laid herself down. Soon after, the +officers knocked at her door, but she rose only at +the third summons, having feigned to be asleep. +Her mind was so much agitated that, from this +moment, she could neither eat nor sleep; supposing +it to be in her power to save the lives of +thousands of her countrymen; but not knowing +how she was to convey the necessary information +to General Washington, nor daring to confide it +even to her husband. The time left, was, however, +short; she quickly determined to make her way, +as soon as possible, to the American outposts. +She informed her family, that, as they were in +want of flour, she would go to Frankfort for some; +her husband insisted that she should take with her +the servant maid; but, to his surprise, she positively +refused. She got access to General Howe, and solicited—what +he readily granted,—a pass through +the British troops on the lines. Leaving her bag +at the mill, she hastened towards the American +lines, and encountered on her way an American,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +Lieutenant Colonel Craig, of the light horse, who, +with some of his men, was on the look-out for +information. He knew her, and inquired whither she +was going. She answered, in quest of her son, an +officer in the American army; and prayed the +Colonel to alight and walk with her. He did so, +ordering his troops to keep in sight. To him she +disclosed her momentous secret, after having obtained +from him the most solemn promise never to +betray her individually, since her life might be at +stake, with the British. He conducted her to a +house near at hand, directed a female in it to give +her something to eat, and he speeded for head +quarters, where he brought General Washington +acquainted with what he had heard. Washington +made, of course, all preparation for baffling the +meditated surprise. Lydia returned home with her +flour; sat up alone to watch the movement of the +British troops; heard their footsteps; but when +they returned, in a few days after, did not dare +to ask a question, though solicitous to learn the +event. The next evening, the Adjutant General +came in, and requested her to walk up to his +room, as he wished to put some questions. She +followed him in terror; and when he locked the +door, and begged her, with an air of mystery to be +seated, she was sure that she was either suspected, +or had been betrayed. He inquired earnestly whether +any of her family were up the last night he and +the other officer met:—she told him that they all +retired at eight o'clock. He observed—"I know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +<i>you</i> were asleep, for I knocked at your chamber door +three times before you heard me;—I am entirely at +a loss to imagine who gave General Washington information +of our intended attack, unless the walls of +the house could speak. When we arrived near White +Marsh, we found all their cannon mounted, and the +troops prepared to receive us; and we have marched +back like a parcel of fools."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/illus091.jpg" width="300" height="239" alt="Bunch of Flowers" /> + +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> +<h2>WIDOW STOREY.<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Stick to your aim; the mongrel's hold will slip,<br /> +But only crow-bars loose the bull-dog's lip;<br /> +Small as he looks, the jaw that never yields,<br /> +Drags down the bellowing monarch of the fields.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Holmes.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The first man who commenced a settlement in +the town of Salisbury, Vermont, on the Otter creek, +was Amos Storey, who, in making an opening in +the heart of the wilderness on the right of land to +which the first settler was entitled, was killed by +the fall of a tree. His widow, who had been left +in Connecticut, immediately resolved to push into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +the wilderness, with her ten small children, to take +his place and preserve and clear up his farm. And +this bold resolution she carried out to the letter, in +spite of every difficulty, hardship and danger which +for years constantly beset her in her solitary location +in the woods. Acre after acre of the dense +and dark forest melted away before her axe, which +she handled with the dexterity of the most experienced +chopper. The logs and bushes were piled +and burnt by her own strong and untiring hand: +crops were raised, by which, with the fruits of her +fishing and unerring rifle, she supported herself and +her hardy brood of children. As a place of refuge +from the assaults of Indians or dangerous wild +beasts, she dug out an underground room, into +which, through a small entrance made to open under +an overhanging thicket in the bank of the +stream, she nightly retreated with her children. +And here she continued to reside, thus living and +thus laboring, unassisted, till, by her own hand and +the help which her boys soon began to afford her, +she cleared up a valuable farm and placed herself +in independent circumstances in life.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> +<h2>MRS. HENDEE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +I am their mother, who shall bar me from them.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>On the burning of Royalton, Vermont, by the +Indians, in 1776, Mrs. Hendee, of that place, exhibited +a praiseworthy and heroic character. The +attack was sudden, and her husband being absent +in the Vermont regiment, and she being in the field, +the Indians seized her children, carried them across +White river, at that place perhaps an hundred +yards wide and quite deep for fording, and placed +them under the keepers having the other persons +they had collected, thirty or forty in number, in +charge. On discovering the fate of her children, +Mrs. Hendee resolutely dashed into the river, waded +through, and fearlessly entering the Indian +camp, regardless of their tomahawks menacingly +flourished round her head, boldly demanded the +release of her little ones, and persevered in her +alternate upbraidings and supplications, till her request +was granted. She then carried her children +back through the river and landed them in safety +on the other bank. But not content with what she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +had done, like a patriot, as she was, she immediately +returned, begged for the release of the children +of others; again was rewarded with success, +and brought two or three more away; again returned +and again succeeded, till she had rescued the +whole fifteen of her neighbors' children who had +been thus snatched away from their distracted parents. +On her last return to the camp of the +enemy, the Indians were so struck with her conduct +that one of them declared that so brave a squaw +deserved to be carried across the river, and offered +to take her on his back and carry her over. She, +in the same spirit, accepted the offer, mounted the +back of the gallant savage, was carried to the opposite +bank, where she collected her rescued troop of +children, and hastened away to restore them to their +over-joyed parents.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> +<h2>PATRIOTIC WOMEN OF OLD MIDDLESEX.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +In the radiant front superior shines<br /> +That first paternal virtue, public zeal,<br /> +Who throws o'er all an equal wide survey,<br /> +And, ever musing on the common weal,<br /> +Still labors glorious with some great design.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Thomson.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>"Old Middlesex" being our native county, with +peculiar pleasure and some local pride, we record +the following anecdote. Should the historical ploughshare +be driven through the other towns in the +county, and the towns generally of Massachusetts, +it would turn up similar gems in abundance, "of +purest ray serene." We quote from Butler's History +of Groton:</p> + +<p>"After the departure of Colonel Prescott's regiment +of 'minute-men,' Mrs. David Wright, of Pepperell, +Mrs. Job Shattuck, of Groton, and the neighboring +women, collected at what is now Jewett's +Bridge, over the Nashua, between Pepperell and +Groton, clothed in their absent husbands' apparel, +and armed with muskets, pitchforks, and such other +weapons as they could find; and having elected +Mrs. Wright their commander, resolutely determined +that no foe to freedom, foreign or domestic, should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +pass that bridge. For rumors were rife, that the +regulars were approaching and frightful stories of +slaughter flew rapidly from place to place, and from +house to house.</p> + +<p>"Soon there appeared one<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> on horseback, supposed +to be treasonably engaged in conveying intelligence +to the enemy. By the implicit command of +Sergeant Wright, he is immediately arrested, unhorsed, +searched, and the treasonable correspondence +found concealed in his boots. He was detained prisoner, +and sent to Oliver Prescott, Esq., of Groton, +and his dispatches were sent to the Committee of +Safety."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE CACIQUE'S NOBLE DAUGHTER.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +I think of thee, sweet lady, as of one<br /> +<span class="i1">Too pure to mix with others, like some star,</span> +Shining in pensive beauty all alone,<br /> +<span class="i1">Kindred with those around, yet brighter far.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. Welby.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>In his history of the Conquest of Florida, Mr. +Theodore Irving repeats, very interestingly, the story +of Juan Ortiz who, with three other Spaniards, fell into +the hands of the Indians by stratagem. The four captives +were taken to the village of Hirrihigua, the cacique, +who ordered them to be executed on a day of +religious festival. Three were shot with arrows; and +then "Juan Ortiz, a youth, scarce eighteen years of +age, of a noble family of Seville, was the fourth victim. +As they were leading him forth, his extreme youth +touched with compassion the hearts of the wife and +daughters of the cacique, who interceded in his favor.</p> + +<p>"The cacique listened to their importunities, and +granted for the present the life of Ortiz;—but a +wretched life did he lead. From morning until evening +he was employed in bringing wood and water,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +and was allowed but little sleep and scanty food. +Not a day passed that he was not beaten. On festivals +he was an object of barbarous amusement to the +cacique, who would oblige him to run, from sunrise +until sunset, in the public square of the village, where +his companions had met their untimely end, Indians +being stationed with bows and arrows, to shoot him, +should he halt one moment. When the day was +spent, the unfortunate youth lay stretched on the hard +floor of the hut, more dead than alive. At such times +the wife and daughters of the cacique would come to +him privately with food and clothing, and by their +kind treatment his life was preserved.</p> + +<p>"At length the cacique, determining to put an end +to his victim's existence, ordered that he should be +bound down upon a wooden frame, in the form of a +huge gridiron, placed in the public square, over a bed +of live coals, and roasted alive.</p> + +<p>"The cries and shrieks of the poor youth reached +his female protectors, and their entreaties were once +more successful with the cacique. They unbound +Ortiz, dragged him from the fire, and took him to +their dwelling, where they bathed him with the juice +of herbs, and tended him with assiduous care. After +many days he recovered from his wounds, though +marked with many a scar.</p> + +<p>"His employment was now to guard the cemetery +of the village. This was in a lonely field in the bosom +of a forest. The bodies of the dead were deposited +in wooden boxes, covered with boards, without any +fastening except a stone or a log of wood laid upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +the top; so that the bodies were often carried away +by wild beasts.</p> + +<p>"In this cemetery was Ortiz stationed, with a bow +and arrows, to watch day and night, and was told that +should a single body be carried away, he would be +burnt alive. He returned thanks to God for having +freed him from the dreaded presence of the cacique, +hoping to lead a better life with the dead than he +had done with the living.</p> + +<p>"While watching thus one long wearisome night, +sleep overpowered him towards morning. He was +awakened by the falling lid of one of the chests, and +running to it, found it empty. It had contained the +body of an infant recently deceased, the child of an +Indian of great note.</p> + +<p>"Ortiz doubted not some animal had dragged it +away, and immediately set out in pursuit. After +wandering for some time, he heard, at a short distance +within the woods, a noise like that of a dog gnawing +bones. Warily drawing near to the spot, he dimly +perceived an animal among the bushes, and invoking +succor from on high, let fly an arrow at it. The thick +and tangled underwood prevented his seeing the effect +of his shot, but as the animal did not stir, he flattered +himself that it had been fatal: with this hope he waited +until the day dawned, when he beheld his victim, a +huge animal of the panther kind, lying dead, the +arrow having passed through his entrails and cleft +his heart.</p> + +<p>"Gathering together the mangled remains of the +infant, and replacing them in the coffin, Ortiz dragged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +his victim in triumph to the village, with the arrow +still in his body. The exploit gained him credit with +the old hunters, and for some time softened even the +ferocity of the cacique. The resentment of the latter, +however, from the wrongs he had suffered from white +men, was too bitter to be appeased. Some time after, +his eldest daughter came to Ortiz, and warned him +that her father had determined to sacrifice him at the +next festival, which was just at hand, and that the +influence of her mother, her sisters, and herself would +no longer avail him. She wished him, therefore, to +take refuge with a neighboring cacique named Mucozo, +who loved her and sought her in marriage, and who, +for her sake, would befriend him. 'This very night +at midnight,' said the kind-hearted maiden, 'at the +northern extremity of the village you will find a trusty +friend who will guide you to a bridge, about two +leagues hence; on arriving there, you must send him +back, that he may reach home before the morning +dawn, to avoid suspicion—for well he knows that this +bold act, in daring to assist you, may bring down destruction +upon us both. Six leagues further on, you +will come to the village of Mucozo—tell him I have +sent you, and expect him to befriend you in your extremity—I +know he will do it—go, and may your +God protect you!' Ortiz threw himself at the feet of +his generous protectress, and poured out his acknowledgments +for the kindness she had always shown him. +The Indian guide was at the place appointed, and they +left the village without alarming the warlike savages. +When they came to the bridge, Ortiz sent back the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +guide, in obedience to the injunction of his mistress, +and, continuing his flight, found himself, by break of +day, on the banks of a small stream near the village +of Mucozo.</p> + +<p>"Looking cautiously around, he espied two Indians +fishing. As he was unacquainted with their language, +and could not explain the cause of his coming, he was +in dread lest they should take him for an enemy and +kill him. He, therefore, ran to the place where they +had deposited their weapons and seized upon them. +The savages fled to the village without heeding his +assurances of friendly intention. The inhabitants sallied +out with bows and arrows, as though they would +attack him. Ortiz fixed an arrow in his bow, but cried +out at the same moment, that he came not as an enemy +but as an ambassador from a female cacique to their +chief. Fortunately one present understood him, and +interpreted his words. On this the Indians unbent +their bows, and returning with him to their village, +presented him to Mucozo. The latter, a youthful chieftain, +of a graceful form and handsome countenance, +received Ortiz kindly for the sake of her who had sent +him; but, on further acquaintance, became attached to +him for his own merits, treating him with the affection +of a brother."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> +<h2>HUMANE SPIRIT OF A FOREST MAID.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i12">"Beneath the gloom</span> +Of overshadowing forests, sweetly springs<br /> +The unexpected flower."<br /> +</div> + + +<p>Some of the noblest attributes of humanity are +sometimes exhibited by the wild children of the +forest. These attributes, in such cases, seem, like +trees in the remotest wilderness, to have gained, by +their spontaneous growth, surprising height, symmetry +and beauty.</p> + +<p>A lovelier character than Pocahontas, daughter +of Powhatan, king of the country where the first +white settlement in Virginia was made, is rarely +found among any people. She was lovely in the +broadest as well as noblest sense of that word—lovely +in features, lovely in disposition, lovely in +the highest adornments of Christian grace. She +was, in 1607, "a girl of ten or twelve years of age, +who, not only for feature, countenance and expression, +much exceeded any of the rest of her people, +but for wit and spirit was the only nonpareil of +the country." Such was Pocahontas, as described<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +by the first white man, probably, who ever saw +her, and in whose behalf, at the above date, she +displayed the tenderness and true grandeur of her +nature.</p> + +<p>The colonists, writes Mr. Hildreth, in his new +History of the United States, "were specially instructed +to seek for a passage to the South Sea; +and it was thought that possibly the Chickahoming +might lead thither. Having ascended as +high as he could in his barge, Captain Smith followed +up the stream in a canoe, with two colonists +and two Indians for companions; and when the canoe +would float no longer, he left the two colonists +to guard it, and struck inland with a single Indian +as a guide. Set upon unexpectedly by a large party +of natives, who had already surprised and killed +the two men left to guard the canoe, Smith bound +his Indian guide to his arm as a buckler, and made +a vigorous defence, killing three of the assailants; +but as he retreated backward, he presently sank +into a miry swamp, and was taken prisoner. His +captors would have killed him, but he amused +them with a pocket compass. Carried in a sort of +triumph through several villages, he was taken before +Powhatan, the same chief whom he had visited +in company with Newport. An attempt was made +to engage his services—at least so Smith understood +it—in surprising the colonists at Jamestown. +Having failed in this, after much consultation, it +was resolved to put him to death. He was dragged +to the ground and his head placed upon a stone;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +Powhatan raised a club to dash out his brains"—and +now view the highly dramatic scene which follows, +as pictured by Mrs. Sigourney in a few lines +of masterly coloring:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">The sentenced captive see—his brow how white!</span> +Stretched on the turf, his manly form lies low,<br /> +The war club poises for its fatal blow,<br /> +<span class="i2">The death-mist swims before his darkened sight;</span> +Forth springs the child, in tearful pity bold,<br /> +Her head on his reclines, her arms his neck enfold,<br /> +</div> + + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"The child! what madness fires her? Hence! Depart!</span> +<span class="i2">Fly, daughter, fly! before the death-stroke rings;</span> +Divide her, warriors! from that English heart."<br /> +<span class="i2">In vain, for with convulsive grasp she clings:</span> +She claims a pardon from her frowning sire;<br /> +Her pleading tones subdue his gathered ire,<br /> +<span class="i2">And so, uplifting high his feathery dart,</span> +That doting father gave the child her will,<br /> +And bade the victim live and be his servant still.<br /> +</div></div> + +<p>After Smith had been an inmate of Powhatan's +wigwam awhile, he was permitted to leave the Indians. +Sometime after this the savages, becoming +alarmed by witnessing Smith's wonderful feats, "laid +a plan to get him into their power under the pretence +of wishing an interview with him in their territory. +But Pocahontas, knowing the desire of the +warriors, left the wigwam after her father had gone +to sleep, and ran more than nine miles through the +woods to inform her friend Captain Smith of the +danger that awaited him, either by stratagem or +attack."</p> + +<p>Subsequently the colony at Jamestown was threatened +with famine, when, accompanied by a few +companions, she was accustomed to go to the fort<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +every day or two with baskets of corn, and thus +her</p> + +<div class="poem"> +——"generous hand vouchsafed its tireless aid<br /> +To guard a nation's germ." +</div> + +<p>At the age of seventeen or eighteen, Pocahontas +married a pious young English officer, named Thomas +Rolfe, and went with him to England, where she was +baptized and called Rebecca, and where she soon +died. Well may it be said of her, in the language of +the poet, slightly altered,</p> + +<div class="poem"> +It is not meet such names should moulder in the grave.<br /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;"> +<img src="images/illus106.jpg" width="350" height="311" alt="Lady relaxing on grass" /> + +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> +<h2>HANNAH DUSTIN.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i6">Experience teaches us</span> +That resolution 's a sole help at need;<br /> +And this, my lord, our honor teacheth us,<br /> +That we be bold in every enterprise.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>On the fifteenth of March, 1697, a band of Indian +prowlers broke into the house of Mr. Dustin, +of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and captured his wife, +her nurse,<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> and a babe about one week old. The +last was killed before leaving the town. The other +two were marched through the wilderness for several +days till they came to a halt on an island in +the Merrimac river about six miles above Concord, +New Hampshire. There they were placed in a wigwam +occupied by two men, three women, seven +children of theirs, and an English boy who had +been captured about a year previous at Worcester, +Massachusetts. The captives remained there till the +thirtieth of that month before they planned escape. +On that day the boy was requested by Mrs. Dustin +to ask his master where to strike "to kill instantly;"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +and the savage was simple enough to tell, and also +instructed him in the art of scalping. "At night," +to use the concise language of Mr. Bancroft, "while +the household slumbers, the captives, each with a +tomahawk, strike vigorously, and fleetly, and with +division of labor,—and of the twelve sleepers, ten +lie dead; of one squaw the wound was not mortal; +one child was spared from design. The love of +glory next asserted its power; and the gun and +tomahawk of the murderer of her infant, and a bag +heaped full of scalps were choicely kept as trophies +of the heroine.—The streams are the guides which +God has set for the stranger in the wilderness: in a +bark canoe, the three descend the Merrimac to the +English settlements, astonishing their friends by +their escape, and filling the land with wonder at +their successful daring."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Dustin had the happiness of meeting her husband +and seven children, who had escaped from the +house before the savages entered, and the honor of +a very handsome present from Colonel Nicholson, +governor of Maryland, as a reward for her heroism.<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></p> + + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE HEROINES OF BRYANT'S STATION.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i2">The brave example cannot perish<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Of courage.<br /></span> +<br /> +<span class="i14 smcap">Hosmer.</span><br /> +<br /> +Nor could the boldest of our youth have dared<br /> +To pass our outworks.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Pope's Homer.</span> +</div> + + +<p>At the siege of Bryant's station near Lexington, +Kentucky, in August, 1782, the water in the fort was +exhausted; and as the nearest place to obtain a +supply was a spring several rods off, it would require +no small risk and, consequently, no common +intrepidity to undertake to bring it. A body of +Indians in plain sight, were trying to entice the +soldiers to attack them without the walls, while +another party was concealed near the spring, waiting, +it was supposed, to storm one of the gates, should +the besieged venture out. It was thought probable +that the Indians in ambush would remain so until +they saw indications that the other party had succeeded +in enticing the soldiers to open engagement.</p> + +<p>The position of things was explained to the women, +and they were invited to each take a bucket and +march to the spring in a body. "Some, as was natural,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +had no relish for the undertaking, and asked +why the men could not bring water as well +as themselves, observing that they were not bullet-proof, +and the Indians made no distinction between +male and female scalps. To this it was answered, that +the women were in the habit of bringing water every +morning to the fort; and that if the Indians saw +them engaged as usual, it would induce them to +think that their ambuscade was undiscovered; and +that they would not unmask themselves for the sake +of firing at a few women, when they hoped, by +remaining concealed a few moments longer, to obtain +complete possession of the fort: that if men should +go down to the spring, the Indians would immediately +suspect something was wrong, would despair +of succeeding by ambuscade, and would instantly +rush upon them, follow them into the fort, or shoot +them down at the spring.</p> + +<p>"The decision was soon made. A few of the +boldest declared their readiness to brave the danger, +and the younger and more timid rallying in the +rear of these veterans, they all marched down in a +body to the spring, within point blank shot of more +than five hundred Indian warriors! Some of the +girls could not help betraying symptoms of terror; +but the married women, in general, moved with a +steadiness and composure that completely deceived +the Indians. Not a shot was fired. The party were +permitted to fill their buckets, one after another, +without interruption; and although their steps became +quicker and quicker, on their return, and when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +near the fort, degenerated into a rather unmilitary +celerity, with some little crowding in passing the +gate, yet not more than one-fifth of the water was +spilled, and the eyes of the youngest had not dilated +to more than double their ordinary size."<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;"> +<img src="images/illus112.jpg" width="350" height="253" alt="decoration" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> +<h2>MRS. DAVIESS.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i6">'Tis late before</span> +The brave despair.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Thomson.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>Samuel Daviess was an early settler at a place +called Gilmer's Lick, in Lincoln county, Kentucky. +In the month of August, 1782, while a few rods +from his house, he was attacked early one morning +by an Indian; and attempting to get within doors, +he found that his house was already occupied by +other Indians. Pursued by his foe, he ran into a +cornfield and lay concealed till the savage gave up +the chase and returned to the house. He then ran +to his brother's station, five miles off, gave the alarm, +and was soon returning with five stout, well armed +men.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus114.jpg" width="450" height="510" alt="THE INDIAN HORSE THIEF." title="THE INDIAN HORSE THIEF." /> +<span class="caption">THE INDIAN HORSE THIEF.</span> +</div> + +<p>Meanwhile the Indians—four in number—who +had entered the house while the fifth was in pursuit +of Mr. Daviess, routed Mrs. Daviess and the children +from their beds, and they soon understood +that they must take up a line of march—they knew +not whither. As soon as she was dressed, Mrs. +Daviess "commenced showing the Indians one article +of clothing and then another, which pleased them +very much; and in that way delayed them at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +house nearly two hours. In the mean time, the Indian +who had been in pursuit of her husband +returned, with his hands stained with poke berries, +which he held up, and with some violent gestures +and waving of his tomahawk, attempted to induce +the belief, that the stain on his hands was the blood +of her husband, and that he had killed him. She +was enabled at once to discover the deception, and +instead of producing any alarm on her part, she +was satisfied that her husband had escaped uninjured.</p> + +<p>"After the savages had plundered the house of +every thing that they could conveniently carry off +with them, they started, taking Mrs. Daviess and +her children—seven in number—as prisoners, +along with them. Some of the children were too +young to travel as fast as the Indians wished, and +discovering, as she believed, their intention to kill +such of them as could not conveniently travel, she +made the two oldest boys carry them on their backs. +The Indians, in starting from the house, were very +careful to leave no signs of the direction they had +taken, not even permitting the children to break a +twig or weed as they passed along. They had not +gone far before an Indian drew his knife and cut +off a few inches of Mrs. Daviess' dress, so that +she would not be interrupted in traveling.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Daviess was a woman of cool, deliberate +courage, and accustomed to handle the gun, so that +she could shoot well, as many of the women were +in the habit of doing in those days. She had contemplated,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +as a last resort, that if not rescued in +the course of the day, when night came on and +the Indians had fallen asleep, she would deliver +herself and children by killing as many of the Indians +as she could—thinking that in a night attack +as many of them as remained would most probably +run off."<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a></p> + +<p>Mr. Daviess and his comrades reaching the house +and finding it empty, hastened on in pursuit of +the Indians. They had gone but a few miles before +they overtook the retreating party. Two Indian +spies in the rear, first discovered the pursuers, and +running on, overtook the three others, with the +prisoners, and knocked down and scalped, though +they did not kill, the oldest boy. At that moment +the pursuers fired at the Indians, but missed. The +latter were now alarmed and confused, and Mrs. +Daviess, taking advantage of this circumstance, +jumped into a sink hole with her infant in her +arms; and the Indians fleeing, every child was +saved.</p> + +<p>"Kentucky, in its early days, like most new countries, +was occasionally troubled by men of abandoned +character, who lived by stealing the property of +others, and, after committing their depredations, +retired to their hiding places, thereby eluding the +operation of the law. One of these marauders, a +man of desperate character, who had committed extensive +thefts from Mr. Daviess, as well as from his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +neighbors, was pursued by Daviess and a party +whose property he had taken, in order to bring +him to justice. While the party were in pursuit, +the suspected individual, not knowing any one was +pursuing him, came to the house of Daviess, armed +with his gun and tomahawk—no person being at +home but Mrs. Daviess and her children. After he +had stepped into the house, Mrs. Daviess asked him +if he would drink something—and having set a +bottle of whiskey upon the table, requested him to +help himself. The fellow, not suspecting any danger, +set his gun up by the door, and while drinking, +Mrs. Daviess picked up his gun, and placing herself +in the door, had the gun cocked and leveled upon +him by the time he turned around, and in a peremptory +manner ordered him to take a seat, or she +would shoot him. Struck with terror and alarm, he +asked what he had done. She told him he had +stolen her husband's property and that she intended +to take care of him herself. In that condition she +held him a prisoner, until the party of men returned +and took him into their possession."<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> +<h2>A KENTUCKY AMAZON.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +This is true courage.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i9 smcap">Whitehead's Roman Father.<br /></span> +</div> + + +<p>During the summer of 1787, writes Mr. McClung, +in his Sketches of Western Adventure, "The house +of Mr. John Merrill, of Nelson county, Kentucky, +was attacked by the Indians, and defended with singular +address and good fortune. Merrill was alarmed +by the barking of a dog about midnight, and upon +opening the door in order to ascertain the cause of +the disturbance, he received the fire of six or seven +Indians, by which one arm and one thigh were broken. +He instantly sank upon the floor, and called +upon his wife to close the door. This had scarcely +been done when it was violently assailed by the +tomahawks of the enemy, and a large breach soon +effected. Mrs. Merrill, however, being a perfect amazon, +both in strength and courage, guarded it with +an axe, and successively killed or badly wounded +four of the enemy as they attempted to force their +way into the cabin.</p> + +<p>"The Indians ascended the roof, and attempted +to enter by way of the chimney; but here again<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +they were met by the same determined enemy. Mrs. +Merrill seized the only feather bed which the cabin +afforded, and hastily ripping it open, poured its contents +upon the fire. A furious blaze and stifling +smoke instantly ascended the chimney, and brought +down two of the enemy, who lay for a few moments +at the mercy of the lady. Seizing the axe, she +quickly dispatched them, and was instantly afterwards +summoned to the door, where the only remaining +savage now appeared, endeavoring to effect +an entrance, while Mrs. Merrill was engaged at the +chimney. He soon received a gash in the cheek, +which compelled him, with a loud yell, to relinquish +his purpose, and return hastily to Chillicothe, where, +from the report of a prisoner, he gave an exaggerated +account of the fierceness, strength, and courage +of the 'long knife squaw!'"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> +<h2>HEROISM AT INNIS SETTLEMENT.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Courage alone can save us.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i9 smcap">Southey.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>The account of the Indians' attack on the Innis +settlement, near Frankfort, Kentucky, in April, 1792, +has been differently related by different writers. The +most reliable account is doubtless that given by the +Rev. Abraham Cook, a minister of the Baptist denomination +and the brother of Jesse and Hosea Cook, +whose wives were the heroines of the settlement. +The attack was made on the twenty-eighth of the +month, by about one hundred Indians, and at three +points almost simultaneously. The first onset was +upon the Cooks who lived in cabins close together, +and where was displayed a degree of intrepidity +rarely matched.</p> + +<p>"The brothers were near their cabins, one engaged +in shearing sheep, the other looking on. The sharp +crack of rifles was the first intimation of the proximity +of the Indians; and that fire was fatal to the +brothers—the elder fell dead, and the younger was +mortally wounded, but enabled to reach the cabin.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +The two Mrs. Cook, with three children—two whites +and one black—were instantly collected in the house, +and the door, a very strong one, made secure. The +Indians, unable to enter, discharged their rifles at the +door, but without injury, as the balls did not penetrate +through the thick boards of which it was constructed. +They then attempted to cut it down with +their tomahawks, but with no better success. While +these things occurred without, there was deep sorrow, +mingled with fearless determination and high +resolve within. The younger Cook, mortally wounded, +immediately the door was barred, sank down on the +floor, and breathed his last; and the two Mrs. Cook +were left the sole defenders of the cabin, with the +three children. There was a rifle in the house, but +no balls could be found. In this extremity, one of +the women got hold of a musket ball, and placing +it between her teeth, actually bit it into two pieces. +With one she instantly loaded the rifle. The Indians, +failing in their attempts to cut down the door, had +retired a few paces in front, doubtless to consult +upon their future operations. One seated himself +upon a log, apparently apprehending no danger from +within. Observing him, Mrs. Cook took aim from a +narrow aperture and fired, when the Indian gave a +loud yell, bounded high in the air, and fell dead. +This infuriated the savages, who threatened—for +they could speak English—to burn the house and +all the inmates. Several speedily climbed to the top +of the cabin, and kindled a fire on the boards of +the roof. The devouring element began to take effect,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +and with less determined and resolute courage +within, the certain destruction of the cabin and the +death of the inmates, must have been the consequence. +But the self possession and intrepidity of these Spartan +females were equal to the occasion. One of them +instantly ascended to the loft, and the other handed +her water, with which she extinguished the fire. +Again and again the roof was fired, and as often +extinguished. The water failing, the undaunted women +called for some eggs, which were broken and +the contents thrown upon the fire, for a time holding +the flames at bay. Their next resource was the +bloody waistcoat of the husband and brother-in-law, +who lay dead upon the floor. The blood with +which this was profusely saturated, checked the progress +of the flames—but, as they appeared speedily +to be gathering strength, another, and the last expedient ... +proved successful. The savage foe +yielded, and the fruitful expedients of female courage +triumphed. One Indian, in bitter disappointment, +fired at his unseen enemy through the boards, but +did not injure her, when the whole immediately descended +from the roof.</p> + +<p>"About the time the attack commenced, a young +man named McAndre, escaped on horseback, in view +of the Indians, who, it was supposed, would give the +alarm to the older neighboring settlements. As soon +as they descended from the house top, a few climbed +some contiguous trees, and instituted a sharp look +out. While in the trees, one of them fired a second +ball into the loft of the cabin, which cut to pieces<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +a bundle of yarn hanging near the head of Mrs. +Cook, but without doing further injury. Soon after, +they threw the body of the dead Indian into the adjacent +creek, and precipitately fled."</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;"> +<img src="images/illus124.jpg" width="350" height="246" alt="decoration" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> +<h2>BOLD EXPLOIT AT TAMPICO.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +A thousand hearts are great within my bosom;<br /> +Advance our standards.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span><br /> +<br /> +Rocks have been shaken from their solid base;<br /> +But what shall move a dauntless soul?<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Joanna Baillie.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>At the capture of Tampico, which took place on +the fourteenth of November, 1846, a noteworthy act +was performed by a lady, whose patriotism and daring +should not be forgotten. She not only gave +Commodore Connor full information in regard to the +defence of the place, with a plan of the harbor, +town and forts, but when the squadron was approaching, +though opposed by the city council and even +menaced, she hoisted the American flag and persisted +in waving it beneath the very eye of the +<i>ayuntamiento</i>! This intrepid woman was Mrs. Ann +Chase, wife of the American Consul.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus127.jpg" width="450" height="592" alt="THE COLONEL AND HIS DAUGHTER." title="THE COLONEL AND HIS DAUGHTER." /> +<span class="caption">THE COLONEL AND HIS DAUGHTER.</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> +<h2>DICEY LANGSTON.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Thou soul of love and bravery!<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i9 smcap">Moore</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>Dicey Langston was the daughter of Solomon +Langston, of Laurens district, South Carolina. She +possessed an intrepid spirit, which is highly serviceable +in times of emergency, and which, as she +lived in the days of the Revolution, she had more +than one opportunity to display. Situated in the +midst of tories, and being patriotically inquisitive, +she often learned by accident, or discovered by +strategy, the plottings so common in those days, +against the whigs. Such intelligence she was accustomed +to communicate to the friends of freedom +on the opposite side of the Ennoree river.</p> + +<p>Learning one time that a band of loyalists—known +in those parts as the "Bloody scout"—were +about to fall upon the "Elder settlement," a place +where a brother of hers and other friends were residing, +she resolved to warn them of their danger. +To do this she must hazard her own life. But off +she started, alone, in the darkness of the night; +traveled several miles through the woods, and over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +marshes and across creeks, through a country where +foot-logs and bridges were then unknown; came to +the Tyger, a rapid and deep stream, into which she +plunged and waded till the water was up to her +neck; she then became bewildered, and zigzagged +the channel for some time; reached the opposite +shore at length—for a helping Hand was beneath, +a kind Providence guiding her:—hastened on; +reached the settlement, and her brother and the +whole community were safe!</p> + +<p>She was returning one day from another settlement +of whigs—in the Spartanburg district, when +a company of tories met her and questioned her +in regard to the neighborhood she had just left; +but she refused to communicate the desired information. +The leader of the band then held a pistol +to her breast, and threatened to shoot her if she +did not make the wished for disclosure. "Shoot me +if you dare! I will not tell you!" was her dauntless +reply, as she opened a long handkerchief that +covered her neck and bosom, thus manifesting a +willingness to receive the contents of the pistol, if +the officer insisted on disclosures or life. The dastard, +enraged at her defying movement, was in the +act of firing, at which moment one of the soldiers +threw up the hand holding the weapon, and the +cowerless heart of the girl was permitted to beat +on.</p> + +<p>The brothers of Dicey were no less patriotic than +she; and they having, by their active services on +the side of freedom, greatly displeased the loyalists,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +these latter were determined to be revenged. A +desperate band accordingly went to the house of +their father, and finding the sons absent, they were +about to wreak their vengeance on the old man, +whom they hated for the sons' sake. With this intent +one of the party drew a pistol; but just as it +was aimed at the breast of her aged and infirm +father, Dicey rushed between the two, and though +the ruffian bade her get out of his way or receive +in her own breast the contents of the pistol, she +regarded not his threats, but flung her arms around +her father's neck and declared she would receive +the ball first, if the weapon must be discharged. +Such fearlessness and willingness to offer her own +life for the sake of her parent, softened the heart +of the "bloody scout," and Mr. Langston lived +to see his noble daughter perform other heroic +deeds.</p> + +<p>One time her brother James, in his absence, sent +to the house for a gun which he had left in her +care, with orders for her to deliver it to no one +except by his direction. On reaching the house +one of the company who where directed to call for +it, made known their errand, whereupon she brought +and was about to deliver the weapon. At this +moment it occurred to her that she had not demanded +the countersign agreed on between herself and +brother. With the gun still in her hand, she looked +the company sternly in the face, and remarking that +they wore a suspicious look, called for the countersign. +Hereupon one of them, in jest, told her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +she was too tardy in her requirements; that both +the gun and its holder were in their possession. +"Do you think so," she boldly asked, as she +cocked the disputed weapon and aimed it at the +speaker. "If the gun is in your possession," she +added, "take charge of it!" Her appearance indicated +that she was in earnest, and the countersign +was given without further delay. A hearty laugh +on the part of the "liberty men," ended the ceremony.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> +<h2>REBECCA MOTTE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +We can make our lives sublime.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i9 smcap">Longfellow.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>During the Revolutionary war, while Fort Motte, +situated on Congaree river, in South Carolina, was +in the hands of the British, in order to effect its +surrender, it became necessary to burn a large +mansion standing near the centre of the trench. +The house was the property of Mrs. Motte. Lieut. +Colonel Lee communicated to her the contemplated +work of destruction with painful reluctance, but her +smiles, half anticipating his proposal, showed, at +once, that she was willing to sacrifice her property +if she could thereby aid in the least degree towards +the expulsion of the enemy and the salvation of +the land. The reply she made to the proposal was +that she was "gratified with the opportunity of +contributing to the good of her country, and should +view the approaching scene with delight!" + +<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> + + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> + +<p>The husband of this noble-hearted widow had so +involved himself by securities for friends, that after +the struggle for Independence was over, it was +impossible for her to immediately meet all demands +against the estate. She, however, resolved that +they should some day be liquidated—that, life +and health being continued long enough, all obligations +of her husband's contracting should be good +against herself. She purchased a large tract of rice +land on credit, and by industry and economy was +able, in a short time, to pay the old demands, and +lived to accumulate a handsome property. She reminds +us of Solomon's picture of the virtuous woman: +"She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with +the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard."... +"She looketh well to the ways of her +household, and eateth not of the bread of idleness."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> +<h2>ANOTHER SACRIFICE FOR FREEDOM.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +A patriot's birth-right thou may'st claim.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shelley.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>The subject of the following anecdote was a sister +of General Woodhull, and was born at Brookhaven, +Long Island, in December, 1740. Her husband was +a member of the Provincial Convention which met in +May, 1775, and of the Convention which was called +two years after, to frame the first state constitution.</p> + +<p>While Judge William Smith was in the Provincial +Congress, his lady was met, at a place called Middle +Island, by Major Benjamin Tallmadge, who was then +on his march across Long Island. He told her he was +on his way to her house to capture the force then possessing +Fort St. George, and that he might be obliged +to burn or otherwise destroy her dwelling-house and +other buildings in accomplishing this object. Ready +to make any sacrifice for the good of her bleeding +country, she promptly assured the Major that the +buildings were at his disposal, to destroy or not, as +efforts to dislodge the enemy might require.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> +<h2>A PATRIOTIC DONATION.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Large charity doth never soil,<br /> +But only whitens soft white hands.—<span class="smcap">Lowell</span>.<br /> +</div> + + +<p>When General Greene was retreating through the +Carolinas, after the battle of the Cowpens, and while +at Salisbury, North Carolina, he put up at a hotel, the +landlady of which was Mrs. Elizabeth Steele. A detachment +of Americans had just had a skirmish with +the British under Cornwallis at the Catawba ford, and +were defeated and dispersed; and when the wounded +were brought to the hotel, the General no doubt felt +somewhat discouraged, for the fate of the south and +perhaps of the country seemed to hang on the result +of this memorable retreat. Added to his other +troubles was that of being penniless; and Mrs. Steele, +learning this fact by accident, and ready to do any +thing in her power to further the cause of freedom, +took him aside and drew from under her apron two +bags of specie. Presenting them to him she generously +said, "Take these, for you will want them, and +I can do without them."<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> +<h2>"THE LITTLE BLACK-EYED REBEL."</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i5">Some there are</span> +By their good deeds exalted<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i9 smcap">Wordsworth.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>Mary Redmond, the daughter of a patriot of Philadelphia +of some local distinction, had many relatives +who were loyalists. These were accustomed to call +her "the little black-eyed rebel," so ready was she to +assist women whose husbands were fighting for freedom, +in procuring intelligence. "The dispatches +were usually sent from their friends by a boy who +carried them stitched in the back of his coat. He +came into the city bringing provisions to market. +One morning when there was some reason to fear he +was suspected, and his movements were watched by +the enemy, Mary undertook to get the papers from +him in safety. She went, as usual, to the market, and +in a pretended game of romps, threw her shawl over +the boy's head and secured the prize. She hastened +with the papers to her anxious friends, who read them +by stealth, after the windows had been carefully +closed."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span>When the whig women in her neighborhood heard +of Burgoyne's surrender, and were exulting in secret, +the cunning little "rebel," prudently refraining from +any open demonstration of joy, "put her head up the +chimney and gave a shout for Gates!"</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"> +<img src="images/illus138.jpg" width="150" height="222" alt="decoration" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> +<h2>A BENEVOLENT QUAKERESS.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a></h2> + +<div class="poem"> +How few, like thee, inquire the wretched out,<br /> +And court the offices of soft humanity!<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i14 smcap">Rowe.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>Charity Rodman was born in Newport, Rhode +Island, in the year 1765. Her father was a sea-captain, +and died at Honduras while she was in infancy. +She married Thomas Rotch, of Nantucket, Massachusetts, +on the sixth of June, 1790. Soon afterwards +the Rotch family removed to New Bedford, where +they have since distinguished themselves by their +energy and uprightness of character, and their success +in the mercantile business, being extensively engaged +in the whale-fishery. Of some of them, as traffickers, +it may be said, as it was of the merchants of Tyre in +the days of her glory: "they are among the honorable +of the earth."</p> + +<p>About the year 1801, Mrs. Rotch removed with her +husband to Hartford, Connecticut, where she remained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +till 1811. She then, in a feeble state of health, and +for its improvement, accompanied her husband on a +journey through Ohio, and other parts of the West. +The mildness of the winter was favorable to her constitution, +and, restored to comfortable health, she +returned to Hartford in the early part of the next +summer. The following November she removed to +Kendol, in Stark county, Ohio, near the site of the +present village of Massillon.</p> + +<p>There the mind of Mrs. Rotch, coöperating with the +long-cherished wishes of her heart, originated and +matured plans for the establishment of a "school for +orphan and destitute children." Having traveled +much, she had made extensive observations; and with +an eye always open to the condition and wants of +human kind, she early and often felt the force of a +remark once made to her by an English friend: "That +there were a great many children <i>wasted</i> in this country"—a +painful truth, but no less applicable to Great +Britain than to the United States.</p> + +<p>Her husband died in 1823, and bequeathed to her, +during life, his large and entire estate. His personal +property was left in her hands to be disposed of as her +philanthropic heart might dictate. This formed the +basis of the school-fund which she left, and which, +four or five years after her death, which occurred on +the sixth of August, 1824, amounted to twenty thousand +dollars. The interest of this sum has since purchased +a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, +one and a half miles from the village of Massillon, and +erected, at a cost of five thousand dollars, a large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +brick edifice for educational and dwelling purposes, +which has been open seven years and which sustains +forty pupils. The real and personal estate of the institution, +is now estimated at thirty-five thousand dollars.</p> + +<p>A class of ten pupils enter annually and remain +four years. The school is established on the manual +labor plan; and the boys are thoroughly instructed +in the art of husbandry, and the girls in culinary duties +and the manufacture of their own wearing apparel. +Children enter between the ages of ten and fourteen, +hence the youngest leave as advanced in life as their +fifteenth year, a period when their habits of industry +and their moral principles usually become too well +established to be easily changed.</p> + +<p>This school, founded by the benevolence of a single +individual—a devout, yet modest and quiet member +of the Society of Friends—is destined to become a +source of inestimable blessings. Every half century, +five hundred otherwise neglected plants in the garden +of humanity, will there be pruned and nurtured, and +strengthened for the storms of life; and many of them +will doubtless be fitted to bear fruit here to the glory +of God, and be finally transplanted to bloom in eternal +youth in the gardens above.</p> + +<p>The offspring of Christian philanthropy, the school +will stand as a lasting memorial of woman's worth. +The highest ambition of its founder was to be a blessing +to those who should come after her; and it may +be said that while she did not live in vain, neither did +she die in vain. Her death threw a legacy into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +lap of orphanage, the benignant influence of which +will long be felt.</p> + +<p>The grave of Mrs. Rotch is overlooked by the monument +of her munificence, but no marble nor enduring +object marks the spot. Virtues like hers neither crave +nor need <i>chiseled</i> words of praise; they are engraved +on the hearts of the succored, to be remembered while +those hearts continue to beat; and the feet of befriended +children will keep a path open to the grave +of their foster-mother, for ages.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> +<h2>A PIONEER IN SUNDAY SCHOOLS.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a></h2> + +<div class="poem"> +—Doubtless unto thee is given<br /> +A life that bears immortal fruit<br /> +In such great offices as suit<br /> +The full-grown energies of heaven.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Tennyson's In Memoriam.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>The Ohio Company, which was organized in Boston +in the year 1787, built a stockade fort during +the next two years, at Marietta, and named it +<i>Campus Martius</i>. The year it was completed, the +Rev. Daniel Storey, a preacher at Worcester, Massachusetts, +was sent out as a chaplain. He acted as +an evangelist till 1797, when he became the pastor +of a Congregational church which he had been instrumental +in collecting in Marietta and the adjoining +towns, and which was organized the preceding year. +He held that relation till the spring of 1804. Probably +he was the first Protestant minister whose voice +was heard in the vast wilderness lying to the north-west +of the Ohio river.</p> + +<p>In the garrison at Marietta was witnessed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +formation and successful operation of one of the +first Sunday schools in the United States. Its originator, +superintendent and sole teacher, was Mrs. +Andrew Lake, an estimable lady from New York. +Every Sabbath, after "Parson Storey" had finished +his public services, she collected as many of the +children at her house as would attend, and heard +them recite verses from the Scriptures, and taught +them the Westminster catechism. Simple in her +manner of teaching and affable and kind in her +disposition, she was able to interest her pupils—usually +about twenty in number—and to win their affections +to herself, to the school, and, subsequently, +in some instances, to the Saviour. A few, at least, +of the little children that used to sit on rude +benches, low stools and the tops of meal bags, and +listen to her sacred instructions and earnest admonitions, +have doubtless ere this became pupils, +with her, in the "school of Christ" above.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE WOMEN OF WYOMING.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +The guardians of the land.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i9 smcap">Holmes.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>Justice and gratitude, writes Miner,<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> "demand +a tribute to the praiseworthy spirit of the wives and +daughters of Wyoming. While their husbands and +fathers were on public duty, they cheerfully assumed +a large portion of the labor which females could +do. They assisted to plant, made hay, husked and +garnered the corn. As the settlement was mainly +dependent on its own resources for powder, Mr. +Hollenback caused to be brought up the river a +pounder; and the women took up their floors, dug +out the earth, put it in casks, and run water through +it,—as ashes are bleached:—then took ashes, in +another cask, and made ley—mixed the water from +the earth with weak ley, boiled it, set it to cool, +and the saltpetre rose to the top. Charcoal and +sulphur were then used, and powder was produced +for the public defence."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> +<h2>MARY GOULD.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Far rung the groves and gleamed the midnight grass,<br /> +With flambeau, javelin and naked arm;<br /> +As warriors wheeled their culverins of brass,<br /> +Sprung from the woods a bold athletic mass,<br /> +Whom virtue fires and liberty combines.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Campbell.</span><br /> +<br /> +Such is the power of mighty love.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Dryden.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>Early in the evening of the third day of July, +1778—the date of the memorable Wyoming massacre—Mrs. +Mary Gould, wife of James Gould, +with the other females remaining in the village of +Wyoming, sought safety in the fort. In the haste +and confusion attending this act, she left a boy of +hers about four years old, behind. Obeying the instincts +of a mother, and turning a deaf ear to the +admonitions of friends, she started off on a perilous +search for the missing one. It was dark; she was +alone, and the foe was lurking around; but the +agonies of death could not exceed her agonies of +suspense; so she hastened on. She traversed the +fields which, but a few hours before,</p> + +<div class="poem"> +"Were trampled by the hurrying crowd;"<br /> +</div> + +<p>where</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> +<div class="poem"> +"—fiery hearts and armed hands<br /> +Encountered in the battle cloud,"<br /> +</div> + +<p>and where unarmed hands were now resting on cold +and motionless hearts. After a search of between +one and two hours, she found her child on the +bank of the river, sporting with a little band of +playmates. Clasping the jewel in her arms, she +hurried back and reached the fort in safety.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE MOTHER OF PRESIDENT POLK.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Holy as heaven a mother's tender love!<br /> +The love of many prayers, and many tears,<br /> +Which changes not with dim, declining years.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. Norton.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>The late President Folk's mother, who died at +Columbia, Tennessee, in the winter of 1851-2, was a +member of the Presbyterian church, a highly exemplary +Christian, and a faithful mother. The lessons +which she taught her son in youth, were not forgotten +when he had arrived at manhood, and risen to the +highest office in the gift of a free and sovereign people. +A single anecdote will show the abiding recollection +and influence of her teachings.</p> + +<p>A gentleman, who once visited Mr. Polk at the +White House, remarked to him that his respect for +the Sabbath was highly gratifying to the religious +sentiment of the country; whereupon he made the following +reply: "I was taught by a pious mother to +fear God, and keep his commandments, and I trust +that no cares of a government of my own, will ever +tempt me to forget what I owe to the government +of God."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> +<h2>TRIALS OF A PATRIOT.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Press on! if fortune play thee false<br /> +To-day, to-morrow she 'll be true.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Park Benjamin.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>During the latter part of the Revolution, Thomas +McCalla lived in Chester district, South Carolina. +He removed thither from Pennsylvania, with his +young wife, in 1778. He was a whole-hearted whig; +served in the American army before moving to the +south, and again enlisted soon after reaching his new +home. He was in all the engagements attending +Sumter's operations against the enemy, till the seventeenth +of August, 1780, when, by permission, he went +to visit his family. A short time afterwards he again +joined the fighting men, but was almost immediately +taken prisoner, sent to Camden, thrown into jail and +threatened daily with hanging. The persevering and +heroic endeavors of his affectionate and patriotic wife, +to obtain his release, are detailed in the following interesting +manner by the author of the Women of the +Revolution:</p> + +<p>While this brave man was languishing in prison, +expecting death from day to day, his wife remained +in the most unhappy state of suspense. For about a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +month she was unable to obtain any tidings of him. +The rumor of Sumter's surprise, and that of Steel, +came to her ears; she visited the places where those +disasters had occurred, and sought for some trace of +him, but without success. She inquired, in an agony +of anxiety, of the women who had been to Charlotte +for the purpose of carrying clothes or provisions to +their husbands, brothers, or fathers, not knowing but +that he had gone thither with the soldiers; but none +could give her the least information. Imagination +may depict the harrowing scenes that must have +passed, when females returning to their homes and +children after carrying aid to the soldiers, were met by +such inquiries from those who were uncertain as to +the fate of their kindred. To these hapless sufferers +no consolation availed, and too often was their suspense +terminated by more afflicting certainty.</p> + +<p>In the midst of Mrs. McCalla's distress, and before +she had gained any information, she was called to +another claim on her anxiety; her children took the +small-pox. John was very ill for nine days with the +disease, and his mother thought every day would be +his last. During this terrible season of alarm, while +her mind was distracted by cares, she had to depend +altogether upon herself, for she saw but one among her +neighbors. All the families in the vicinity were visited +with the disease, and to many it proved fatal. As +soon as her child was so far recovered as to be considered +out of danger, Mrs. McCalla made preparations +to go to Camden. She felt convinced that it was her +duty to do so, for she clung to the hope that she might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +there learn something of her husband, or even find +him among the prisoners.</p> + +<p>With her to resolve was to act, and having set her +house in order, she was in the saddle long before day, +taking the old Charleston road leading down on the +west side of the Catawba river. The mountain gap +on Wateree creek was passed ere the sun rose, and by +two o'clock she had crossed the river, passing the +guard there stationed, and entered Camden. Pressing +on with fearless determination, she passed the guard, +and desiring to be conducted to the presence of Lord +Rawdon, was escorted by Major Doyle to the head-quarters +of that commander. His Lordship then +occupied a large, ancient looking house on the east +side of the main street. The old site of the town is +now in part deserted, and that building left standing +alone some four hundred yards from any other, as if +the memories associated with it had rendered the +neighborhood undesirable. It was here that haughty +and luxurious nobleman fixed his temporary residence, +"sitting as a monarch," while so many true-hearted +unfortunates, whose fate hung on his will, were languishing +out their lives in prison, or atoning for their +patriotism on the scaffold.</p> + +<p>Into the presence of this august personage Mrs. +McCalla was conducted by the British major. Her +impression at first sight was favorable; he was a fine +looking young man, with a countenance not unprepossessing, +which we may suppose was eagerly searched +for the traces of human sympathy by one who felt that +all her hopes depended on him. His aspect gave her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +some encouragement, and being desired to explain the +object of her visit, she pleaded her cause with the eloquence +of nature and feeling; making known the distressed +situation of her family at home, the fearful +anxiety of mind she had suffered on account of the +prolonged absence of her husband and her ignorance +of his fate, and her children's urgent need of his care +and protection. From Major Doyle she had at length +learned that he was held a prisoner by his lordship's +orders. She had come, therefore, to entreat mercy for +him; to pray that he might be released and permitted +to go home with her. This appeal to compassion she +made with all the address in her power, nor was the +untaught language of distress wanting in power to +excite pity in any feeling heart.</p> + +<p>Lord Rawdon heard her to the end. His reply was +characteristic. "I would rather hang such —— rebels +than eat my breakfast." This insulting speech was +addressed to his suppliant while her eyes were fixed +on him in the agony of her entreaty, and the tears +were streaming down her cheeks. His words dried +up the fountain at once, and the spirit of the American +matron was roused. "Would you?" was her answer, +while she turned on him a look of the deepest scorn. +A moment after, with a struggle to control her feelings, +for she well knew how much depended on that—she +said, "I crave of your lordship permission to see my +husband."</p> + +<p>The haughty chief felt the look of scorn his cruel +language had called up in her face, for his own conscience +bore testimony against him, but pride forbade<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +his yielding to the dictates of better feeling. "You +should consider, madam," he answered, "in whose +presence you now stand. Your husband is a rebel——"</p> + +<p>Mrs. McCalla was about to reply—but her companion, +the Major, gave her a look warning her to be +silent, and in truth the words that sprang to her lips +would have ill pleased the Briton. Doyle now interposed, +and requested his lordship to step aside with +him for a moment. They left the apartment, and +shortly afterwards returned. Rawdon then said to his +visitor, with a stately coldness that precluded all hope +of softening his determination: "Major Doyle, madam, +has my permission to let you go into the prison. You +may continue in the prison <i>ten minutes only</i>. Major, +you have my orders." So saying, he bowed politely +both to her and the officer, as intimating that the +business was ended, and they were dismissed. They +accordingly quitted the room.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The sight of the prison-pen almost overcame the +fortitude of the resolute wife. An enclosure like that +constructed for animals, guarded by soldiers, was the +habitation of the unfortunate prisoners, who sate +within on the bare earth, many of them suffering with +the prevalent distemper, and stretched helpless on the +ground, with no shelter from the burning sun of September. +"Is it possible," cried the matron, turning +to Doyle, "that you shut up men in this manner, as +you would a parcel of hogs!" She was then admitted +into the jail, and welcome indeed was the sight of her +familiar face to McCalla. The time allotted for the +interview was too short to be wasted in condolement<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +or complaint; she told him she must depart in a few +minutes, informed him of the state of his family—inquired +carefully what were his wants, and promised +speedy relief. When the ten minutes had expired, +she again shook hands with him, assuring him she +would shortly return with clothes for his use, and +what provisions she could bring, then turning walked +away with a firm step, stopping to shake hands with +young John Adair and the other captives with whom +she was acquainted. The word of encouragement was +not wanting, and as she bade the prisoners adieu, she +said: "Have no fear; the women are doing their +part of the service." "I admire your spirit, madam," +Doyle observed to her, "but must request you to be a +little more cautious."</p> + +<p>Mrs. McCalla was furnished by the Major with a +pass, which she showed to the officer on duty as she +passed the guard on her return, and to the officer at +the ferry. She rode with all speed, and was at home +before midnight; having had less than twenty-four +hours for the accomplishment of her whole enterprise; +in that time riding one hundred miles, crossing the +river twice, and passing the guard four times—visiting +her husband, and having the interview with Lord +Rawdon, in which probably for the first time in his +life he felt uneasiness from a woman's rebuke. It +convinced him that even in the breast of woman a +spirit of independence might dwell, which no oppression +could subdue, and before which brute force must +quail, as something of superior nature. How must +the unexpected outbreaking of this spirit, from time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +to time, have dismayed those who imagined it was +crushed forever throughout the conquered province!</p> + +<p>It is proper to say that Mrs. McCalla met with +kinder treatment from the other British officers to +whom she had occasion to apply at this time, for +they were favorably impressed by the courage and +strength of affection evinced by her. Even the soldiers, +as she passed them, paid her marks of respect. +The tories alone showed no sympathy nor pity for +her trials; it being constantly observed that there +was deeper hostility towards the whigs on the part +of their countrymen of different politics, than those +of English birth.</p> + +<p>Mrs. McCalla began her work immediately after +her arrival at home; making new clothes, altering +and mending others, and preparing provisions. Her +preparations being completed, she again set out for +Camden. This time she had the company of one of +her neighbors, Mrs. Mary Nixon. Each of the women +drove before her a pack-horse, laden with the +articles provided for the use of their suffering friends. +They were again admitted to the presence of Lord +Rawdon to petition for leave to visit the prisoners, but +nothing particular occurred at the interview. His +lordship treated the matron who had offended him with +much haughtiness, and she on her part felt for him +a contempt not the less strong that it was not openly +expressed. From this time she made her journeys +about once a month to Camden, carrying clean clothes +and provisions; being often accompanied by other +women bound on similar errands, and conveying articles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +of food and clothing to their captive fathers, husbands, +or brothers. They rode without escort, fearless +of peril by the way, and regardless of fatigue, though +the journey was usually performed in haste, and under +the pressure of anxiety for those at home as well +as those to whose relief they were going. On one +occasion, when Mrs. McCalla was just about setting +off alone upon her journey, news of a glorious event +was brought to her; the news of the battle of King's +Mountain, which took place on the seventh of October. +She did not stop to rejoice in the victory of her countrymen, +but went on with a lightened heart, longing, +no doubt, to share the joy with him who might hope, +from the changed aspect of affairs, some mitigation +of his imprisonment.</p> + +<p>... About the first of December, Mrs. McCalla +went again to Camden. On the preceding trip she +had met with Lord Cornwallis, by whom she was +treated with kindness. Whatever hopes she had +grounded on this, however, were doomed to disappointment; +he was this time reserved and silent. She +was afterwards informed by the Major that a considerable +reverse had befallen his majesty's troops at +Clermont, and the annoyance felt on this account—Doyle +said—was the cause of his not showing as +much courtesy as he usually did to ladies. "You +must excuse him," observed the good-natured officer, +who seems to have always acted the part of a peacemaker +on these occasions; and he added that Cornwallis +had never approved of the cruelties heretofore +practised.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span>Towards the last of December the indefatigable +wife again performed the weary journey to Camden. +McCalla's health had been impaired for some months, +and was now declining; it was therefore necessary +to make a strenuous effort to move the compassion of +his enemies, and procure his release. Rawdon was +in command, and she once more applied to him +to obtain permission for her husband to go home with +her. As might have been anticipated, her petition +was refused: his lordship informed her that he could +do nothing in the premises; but that if she would go +to Winnsboro' and present her request to Lord Cornwallis, +he might possibly be induced to give her an +order for the liberation of the prisoner.</p> + +<p>To Winnsboro', accordingly, she made her way, +determined to lose no time in presenting her application. +It was on New Year's morning that she entered +the village. The troops were under parade, and his +lordship was engaged in reviewing them; there could +be no admission, therefore, to his presence for some +time, and she had nothing to do but remain a silent +spectator of the imposing scene. A woman less +energetic, and less desirous of improving every opportunity +for the good of others, might have sought rest +after the fatigues of her journey, during the hours +her business had to wait; Sarah McCalla was one of +heroic stamp, whose private troubles never caused her +to forget what she might do for her country. She +passed the time in noticing particularly every thing +she saw, not knowing but that her report might do +service. After the lapse of several hours, the interview<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +she craved with Cornwallis was granted. He received +her with courtesy and kindness, listened attentively +to all she had to say, and appeared to feel pity +for her distresses. But his polished expression of +sympathy, to which her hopes clung with desperation, +was accompanied with regret that he could not, consistently +with the duties of his Majesty's service, +comply unconditionally with her request. He expressed, +nevertheless, entire willingness to enter into +an exchange with General Sumter, releasing McCalla +for any prisoner he had in his possession. Or he +would accept the pledge of General Sumter that McCalla +should not again serve until exchanged, and +would liberate him on that security. "But, madam," +he added, "it is Sumter himself who must +stand pledged for the keeping of the parole. We +have been too lenient heretofore, and have let men +go who immediately made use of their liberty to +take up arms against us."</p> + +<p>With this the long-tried wife was forced to be +content, and she now saw the way clear to the accomplishment +of her enterprise. She lost no time in +returning home, and immediately set out for Charlotte +to seek aid from the American general. She +found Sumter at this place, nearly recovered of the +wounds he had received in the action at Blackstock's, +in November. Her appeal to him was at +once favorably received. He gave her a few lines, +stating that he would stand pledged for McCalla's +continuance at home peaceably until he should be +regularly exchanged. This paper was more precious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +than gold to the matron whose perseverance had +obtained it; but it was destined to do her little +good. She now made the best of her way homeward. +After crossing the Catawba, she encountered +the army of General Morgan, was stopped, being suspected +to be a tory, and taken into his presence +for examination. The idea that she could be thus +suspected afforded her no little amusement, and +she permitted the mistake to continue for some +time, before she produced the paper in Sumter's +hand-writing which she well knew would remove +every difficulty. She then informed the General of +her visit to Winnsboro' on the first of January, +and her sight of the review of the troops. Morgan +thanked her for the information and dismissed +her, and without further adventure she arrived at +her own house.</p> + +<p>A few days after her return, the British army, +being on its march from Winnsboro', encamped on +the plantation of John Service, in Chester district, +and afterwards at Turkey creek. Mrs. McCalla +went to one of those camps in the hope of seeing +Lord Cornwallis. She succeeded in obtaining this +privilege; his lordship recognised her as soon as +she entered the camp, and greeted her courteously, +questioning her as to her movements, and making +many inquiries about Sumter and Morgan. On this +last point she was on her guard, communicating no +more information than she felt certain could give +the enemy no manner of advantage, nor subject +her friends to inconvenience. At length she presented<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +to the noble Briton the paper which she +imagined would secure her husband's freedom. +What was her disappointment when he referred her +to Lord Rawdon, as the proper person to take cognizance +of the affair! The very name was a death-blow +to her hopes, for she well knew she could +expect nothing from his clemency. Remonstrance +and entreaty were alike in vain; Cornwallis was a +courteous man, but he knew how, with a bland smile +and well-turned phrase of compliment, to refuse compliance +even with a request that appealed so strongly +to every feeling of humanity, as that of an anxious +wife pleading for the suffering and imprisoned father +of her children. She must submit, however, to the +will of those in power; there was no resource but +another journey to Camden, in worse than doubt +of the success she had fancied just within her reach.</p> + +<p>It was a day or two after the battle of the Cowpens +that she crossed the ferry on her way to +Camden. She had not yet heard of that bloody +action, but, observing that the guard was doubled at +the ferry, concluded that something unusual had occurred. +As she entered the village, she met her +old friend Major Doyle, who stopped to speak to +her. His first inquiry was if she had heard the +news; and when she answered in the negative, +he told her of the "melancholy affair" that had +occurred at the Cowpens. The time, he observed, +was most inauspicious for the business on which he +knew she had come. "I fear, madam," he said, +"that his lordship will not treat you well."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>"I have no hope," was her answer, "that he will +let Thomas go home; but, sir, it is my duty to +make efforts to save my husband. I will thank you +to go with me to Lord Rawdon's quarters."</p> + +<p>Her reception was such as she had expected. +As soon as Rawdon saw her, he cried angrily, "You +here again, madam! Well—you want your husband—I +dare say! Do you not know what the +—— rebels have been doing?"</p> + +<p>"I do not, sir," replied the dejected matron, for +she saw that his mood was one of fury.</p> + +<p>"If we had hung them," he continued, "we should +have been saved this. Madam! I order you most +positively never to come into my presence again!"</p> + +<p>It was useless, Mrs. McCalla knew, to attempt +to stem the tide; she did not therefore produce, +nor even mention the paper given her by Sumter, +nor apologise for the intrusion by saying that Lord +Cornwallis had directed her to apply to him; but +merely answered in a subdued and respectful tone +by asking what she had done.</p> + +<p>"Enough!" exclaimed the irritated noble. "You +go from one army to another, and Heaven only +knows what mischief you do! Begone."</p> + +<p>She waited for no second dismissal, but could not +refrain from saying, as she went out, in an audible +voice, "My countrymen must right me." Lord +Rawdon called her back and demanded what she +was saying. She had learned by this time some +lessons in policy, and answered, with a smile, "We +are but simple country folk." His lordship probably<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> +saw through the deceit, for turning to his officer, +he said, "Upon my life, Doyle, she is a wretch of a +woman!" And thus she left him.</p> + +<p>That great event—the battle of the Cowpens—revived +the spirits of the patriots throughout the +country. Every where, as the news spread, men who +had before been discouraged flew to arms. The action +took place on the seventeenth of January, +1781; on the twenty-second of the same month, six +wagons were loaded with corn at Wade's island, +sixty miles down the Catawba for the use of General +Davison's division. The whole whig country +of Chester, York and Lancaster may be said to +have risen in mass, and was rallying to arms. +Mecklenburg, North Carolina, was again the scene +of warlike preparation; for the whigs hoped to give +the enemy another defeat at Cowans or Batisford +on the Catawba. On the twenty-fourth of January, +General Sumter crossed this river at Landsford, and +received a supply of corn from Wade's island. +His object was to cross the districts to the west, +in the rear of the advancing British army, to +arouse the country and gather forces as he went, +threaten the English posts at Ninety-Six and Granby, +and go on to recover the State. While Cornwallis +marched from his encampment on Service's plantation, +the whigs of Chester, under the gallant +Captains John Mills and James Johnston, were +hovering near, watching the movements of the hostile +army as keenly as the eagle watches his intended +prey. Choosing a fit opportunity, as they followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +in the rear, they pounced upon a couple of British +officers, one of whom was Major McCarter, at a +moment when they had not the least suspicion of +danger, took them prisoners in sight of the enemy, +and made good their retreat. By means of this +bold exploit the liberation of McCalla was brought +about, at a time when his wife was wholly disheartened +by her repeated and grievous disappointments. +When General Sumter passed through +the country, a cartel of exchange was effected, +giving the two British officers in exchange for the +prisoners of Chester district in Camden and Charleston.</p> + +<p>The person sent with the flag to accomplish this +exchange in Camden, was Samuel Neely of Fishing +creek. As he passed through the town to the quarters +of Lord Rawdon, he was seen and recognized +by the prisoners, and it may be supposed their +hearts beat with joy at the prospect of speedy release. +But in consequence of some mismanagement +of the business, the unfortunate men were detained +in jail several weeks longer. Neely was in haste +to proceed to Charleston, being anxious, in the +accomplishment of his mission in that city, to get +his son Thomas out of the prison-ship, and in his +hurry probably neglected some necessary formalities. +His countrymen in Camden were kept in confinement +after his return from Charleston with his son. +Captain Mills was informed of this, and indignant +at the supposed disrespect shown by Lord Rawdon +to the cartel of General Sumter, wrote a letter of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +remonstrance to Rawdon, which he entrusted to Mrs. +McCalla to be conveyed to him.</p> + +<p>Our heroine was accompanied on this journey by +Mrs. Mary Nixon, for she judged it impolitic that +the letter should be delivered by one so obnoxious +to his lordship as herself. Still she deemed it her +duty to be on the spot to welcome her liberated +husband, supply all his wants, and conduct him +home. The distance was traversed this time with +lighter heart than before, for now she had no reason +to fear disappointment. When they arrived at Camden, +they went to the jail. John Adair was standing +at a window; they saw and greeted each other, the +women standing in the yard below. Perhaps in +consequence of his advice, or prudential considerations +on their part, they determined not to avail +themselves of the good offices of Major Doyle on +this occasion. Adair directed them to send the +jailor up to him, and wrote a note introducing his +sister to the acquaintance of Lord Rawdon. The +two women then proceeded to the quarters of that +nobleman. When they arrived at the gate, Mrs. +McCalla stopped, saying she would wait there, and +her companion proceeded by herself. She was admitted +into the presence of Lord Rawdon, who read +the note of introduction she handed to him, and +observed, referring to the writer—that the small-pox +had almost finished him; still, he had come very +near escaping from the jail; that he was "a grand +'scape-gallows." On reading the letter of Captain +Mills his color changed, and when he had finished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +it, turning to Mrs. Nixon, he said in an altered +tone: "I am sorry these men have not been dismissed, +as of right they ought." He immediately +wrote a discharge for eleven of the prisoners, and +put it into her hands, saying: "You can get them +out, madam. I am very sorry they have been confined +so many weeks longer than they should have +been." At the same time he gave Mrs. Nixon a +guinea. "This," he said, "will bear your expenses."</p> + +<p>His lordship accompanied her on her way out, +and as she passed through the gate his eye fell +on Mrs. McCalla, whom he instantly recognized. +Walking to the spot where she stood near the gate, +he said fiercely: "Did I not order you, madam, +to keep out of my presence?" The matron's independent +spirit flashed from her eyes, as she answered: +"I had no wish, sir, to intrude myself on your +presence; I stopped at the gate on purpose to avoid +you." Unable to resist the temptation of speaking +her mind for once, now that she had a last opportunity, +she added: "I might turn the tables on you, +sir, and ask, why did <i>you</i> come out to the gate to +insult a woman? I have received from you nothing +but abuse. My distresses you have made sport of, +and I ceased long since to expect anything from +you but ill-treatment. I am now not your supplicant; +I came to <i>demand</i>, as a right, the release of my +husband!" So saying, she bowed to him contemptuously, +wheeled about, and deliberately walked off, +without stopping to see how her bold language was +received. Mrs. Nixon hastened after her, pale as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +death, and at first too much frightened to speak. +As soon as she found voice, she exclaimed: "Sally, +you have ruined us, I am afraid! Why, he may +put us both in jail!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. McCalla laughed outright. "It is not the +first time, Mary," she replied, "that I have given +him to understand I thought him a villain!" The +two made their way back to the prison, but even +after they got there Mrs. Nixon had not recovered +from her terror. She was informed that it would +be some time before the prisoners could be released. +The blacksmith was then sent for, and came with +his tools. The sound of the hammering in the +apartments of the jail, gave the first intimation +to the women who waited to greet their friends, +that the helpless captives were chained to the floor. +This precaution had been adopted not long before, +in consequence of some of the prisoners having +attempted an escape. They were then put in handcuffs +or chained by the ankle. These men left the +place of their long imprisonment and suffering +in company with the two women, and as they +marched through the streets of Camden, passing the +British guard, they sang at the top of their voices +the songs of the "liberty-men."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> +<h2>INTREPIDITY OF MRS. ISRAEL.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +He is not worthy of the honey comb,<br /> +That shuns the hive because the bees have stings.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>During the Revolution, Israel Israel, a true whig +and a worthy farmer, residing on the banks of the +Delaware, near Wilmington, was, for a short time, +a prisoner on board the frigate Roebuck, directly +opposite his own house and land. While thus situated, +it was reported by some loyalists by whose +treachery he had been betrayed into the hands of +the enemy, that he had said repeatedly that "he +would sooner drive his cattle as a present to George +Washington, than receive thousands of dollars in +British gold for them." The commander hearing +the report, to be revenged on the rebel, sent a small +detachment of soldiers to drive his cattle, which +were in plain sight of the frigate, down to the Delaware, +and have them slaughtered before their +owner's eyes. Mrs. Israel,<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> + + + who was young and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +sprightly, and brave as a Spartan, seeing the movements +of the soldiers as she stood in her doorway, +and divining their purpose as they marched towards +the meadow where the cattle were grazing, called a +boy about eight years old, and started off in great +haste, to defeat, if possible, their marauding project. +They threatened and she defied, till at last they fired +at her. The cattle, more terrified than she, scattered +over the fields; and as the balls flew thicker she called +on the little boy "Joe" the louder and more +earnestly to help, determined that the assailants +should not have one of the cattle. <i>They did not.</i> +She drove them all into the barn-yard, when the +soldiers, out of respect to her courage, or for some +other cause, ceased their molestations and returned +to the frigate. +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> +<h2>AN INCIDENT IN MISSIONARY LIFE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Love's holy flame for ever burneth;<br /> +From heaven it came, to heaven returneth;<br /> +Too oft on earth a troubled guest,<br /> +... at times oppressed.<br /> +It here is tried and purified,<br /> +Then hath in heaven its perfect rest.<br /> +It soweth here with toil and care,<br /> +But the harvest time of love is there.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Southey.</span> +</div> + + +<p>No class of laborers in the broad harvest field of +the world endure so many sacrifices of comfort and +of home felicities as the missionaries to foreign +countries. Of the trials peculiar to <i>mothers</i> who go +forth on such an errand of humanity, the keenest must +be their separation from their children. The pernicious +habits and influences of a pagan community, +often render it absolutely necessary that their offspring +should be sent to a civilized land to be educated. +This duty, however painful, is imperative, and they +who accuse the mother of hardness because she does +it, are either grossly ignorant, or haters of truth. +Many instances of heroic firmness and almost superhuman +calmness under such trials, are on record, but +one may stand as a type of the whole.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>Mrs. Comstock<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> of the Burmah Baptist mission +felt called upon to part with her two children, whom +God had given her while on the field of labor. +The hour for separation came, and taking them by +the hand, she led them down to the ship that was +to bear them for ever from her sight. Having invoked +the blessing of Heaven upon them, she gave +each the parting kiss and, with streaming eyes, +lifted her hands towards heaven and exclaimed: +"My Saviour! I do this for thee."</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +Amid the jungles of the East,<br /> +<span class="i2">Where gloomiest forms of sin are rife,</span> +Like flowerets in a desert drear,<br /> +<span class="i2">Her treasured ones had sprung to life.</span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +And smiling round her, day by day,<br /> +<span class="i2">Though cares unnumbered weigh her heart,</span> +Their prattle, full of music tones,<br /> +<span class="i2">Unceasing joy and hope impart.</span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +Their little minds, like tender buds<br /> +<span class="i2">In vernal hours, she sees unfold,</span> +And young affection in their eyes<br /> +<span class="i2">Is gleaming like a gem of gold.</span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +But 'mid the toils that press her sore—<br /> +<span class="i2">The spirit-wants of 'wildered ones—</span> +These buds must often miss the dew,<br /> +<span class="i2">And plead in vain for constant suns.</span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +She sees their smiles, their music hears,<br /> +<span class="i2">And feels affection's holy thrall;</span> +But duty's voice, from out the skies,<br /> +<span class="i2">In sweeter tones, is heard o'er all.</span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>To Western climes, illumed by truth,<br /> +<span class="i2">And blest with learning's sacred flowers,</span> +These blossoms of her heart must go,<br /> +<span class="i2">To bloom henceforth in stranger bowers.</span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +She leads them to the waiting ship;<br /> +<span class="i2">She kneels in anguish on the deck,</span> +And while she breathes a silent prayer,<br /> +<span class="i2">Their arms like tendrils twine her neck.</span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +She tears her from the loved away,<br /> +<span class="i2">Whom she on earth no more may see,</span> +And looking up to heaven, exclaims,<br /> +<span class="i2">"<i>My Saviour, I do this for thee!</i>"</span> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +Then hastens to her task again,<br /> +<span class="i2">The pleasant task her Saviour's given,</span> +That, finished all, she may ascend,<br /> +<span class="i2">And lure the distant ones to heaven.</span> +</div></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> +<h2>A KIND-HEARTED CHIPPEWA.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Both men and women belie their nature<br /> +When they are not kind.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Bailey's Festus.</span> +</div> + + +<p>In the early settlement of Ohio, Daniel Convers +was captured by the savages; but he had the good +fortune to be purchased by a noble-hearted Indian +whose wife possessed a kindred spirit. His condition, +we are informed in the Pioneer History of +Ohio, "was not that of a slave, but rather an +adoption into the family as a son. The Indian's +wife, whom he was directed to call mother, was a +model of all that is excellent in woman, being +patient, kind-hearted, humane and considerate to +the wants and comfort of all around her, and especially +so to their newly adopted son. To sum +up all her excellences in a brief sentence of the +captive's own language, she was 'as good a woman +as ever lived.'"<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> +<h2>HUMANITY OF A CHEROKEE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i5">How poor an instrument</span> +May do a noble deed.<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>During the Revolution, a young Shawanese Indian +was captured by the Cherokees and sentenced +to die at the stake. He was tied, and the usual +preparations were made for his execution, when a +Cherokee woman went to the warrior to whom the +prisoner belonged, and throwing a parcel of goods +at his feet, said she was a widow and would +adopt the captive as her son, and earnestly plead +for his deliverance. Her prayer was granted, and +the prisoner taken under her care. He rewarded +her by his fidelity, for, in spite of the entreaties of +his friends, whom he was allowed to visit, he never +left her.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> +<h2>SELF-SACRIFICING SPIRIT OF THE MISSIONARY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i2">Thou know 'st not, Afric! sad of heart and blind,</span> +<span class="i3">Unskilled the precious Book of God to read;</span> +<span class="i2">Thou canst not know, what moved that soul refined,</span> +<span class="i3">Thy lot of wretchedness to heed,</span> +<span class="i2">And from her fireside, bright with hallowed glee,</span> +To dare the boisterous surge and deadly clime for thee.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. Sigourney.</span> +</div> + + +<p>We know not how one may exhibit greater benevolence +than to offer life for the spiritual good of the +heathen; and he virtually does this who goes to +some, at least, of the missionary stations. Those in +Africa are the most unhealthy, and their history +presents a frightful bill of mortality. In his journal +of January, 1846, Dr. Savage, of the Protestant Episcopal +mission in Africa, states that during the nine +years previous to that date, the whole number of missionaries +under the patronage of the different Boards, +in Africa, had been sixty-one, and of that number +forty were then dead. American Baptists alone lost +eleven between 1826 and 1848. Five of them were +buried in the single town of Monrovia. With such +facts as these, touching African missions, staring the +disciple of Christ in the face, it must require no common<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +degree of moral courage for him to embark in +the enterprise.</p> + +<p>The following letter, by Miss Maria V. Chapin, +of Vermont, was written prior to her leaving this +country for West Africa, and breathes the sentiments +of a self-sacrificing and heroic Christian. Multitudes +of like examples, equally as noble, might be +pointed out, but it seems to be needless: this letter +may stand as a type of the spirit usually exhibited +under similar circumstances. It was addressed to the +Rev. Dr. Vaughan, then Secretary of the Foreign +Committee of the Protestant Episcopal church:</p> + +<p>"The question of my personally engaging in a +mission to the heathen, has long been before my +mind, and received, as it claimed, my most serious +and prayerful consideration. This great work is now +brought nearer to my mind than I could ever before +regard it, and I trust it does not appear the less desirable. +I have considered the subject in every light, +so far as I am able from the information I have respecting +it, and I can never take up the question +again, to find reasons for going. My mind is now +settled as to the duty, should no unforeseen providence +prevent, of leaving home and country for a heathen +land. A long adieu to my kindred and friends will +rend the heart; I feel already that it will; but at the +same time, the prospect of doing good to some poor +heathen soul will fill it with joy, and the hope of advancing, +in ever so small a degree, the cause of my +Redeemer, will be a constant feast to the soul. The +silent tear of parental affection and solicitude would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +indeed overpower me, had I not confidence that He +who thus afflicts, will support, my beloved parents. +Neither, in the present case, can I think it proper to +follow, altogether, the opinion of friends. With the +smiles of my heavenly Father, I must be happy, +though friends forsake me. I feel an inexpressible +pleasure in commending them to God, assured that +they will be enabled to give up their child without regret, +in the hope that she will do good to perishing +souls. And I have, also, that blessed hope, that, +should we never again meet in this world, we shall be +a happy family circle at the right hand of God. +Still, I feel my own insufficiency to decide a question +of such importance as that of leaving all that the +heart holds most dear on earth, to encounter the toils +and hardships of a missionary life. Indeed, I would +not decide for myself. I trust solely to Him who has +promised grace and strength. Though, at times, great +weakness has constrained me to shrink at the prospect +before me, I have been consoled and supported +in the assurance that God will perfect strength in my +weakness. I feel a desire to act in accordance with +the will of God; to do nothing which would be displeasing +in His sight. I think I am willing to be, and +to do, anything for the sake of the glory of God; and +if I can only be sure that I am wholly under the guidance +of His spirit, I shall be fully satisfied. It is +difficult, I know, to analyze one's feelings, and ascertain +the real character of the motives by which we are +actuated; I feel my liability to be deceived, and my +need of Divine assistance. The only question which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +concerns me, is, are my motives pure and holy? +Never would I bear the missionary standard, without +having in my heart the missionary spirit. I have +calmly and deliberately weighed the subject, and feel +that no attraction from its novelty, no impulse from +its moral dignity, can bear up, and carry forward any +one, amidst the long continued labors of almost uniform +sameness which you represented to me; nothing +but a thorough conviction of being in the path of duty, +nothing but the approving smile of Heaven, can keep +one from despondency, from sinking into hopeless inactivity; +but I have calmly and deliberately weighed +the subject, and feel a willingness to give up comforts, +and submit to privations, to forsake ease and endure +toil, to assemble no more 'with the great congregation,' +but seek the Lord in the wilderness, or in the +desert—in short, to make every sacrifice of personal +ease and gratification, for the one great object of making +known a crucified Saviour to those who are perishing +in ignorance and sin. Indeed, what sacrifice +can be too great, if what is done for Him who bought +us with his own blood can be called a sacrifice, for +those to make, who have themselves experienced the +efficacy of a Saviour's blood? I have reflected, that +should I go out, cheered by the smiles of friends, and +encouraged by the approbation of the churches, yet +soon, amidst a people of strange speech, I shall see +these smiles only in remembrance, and hear the voice +of encouragement only in dying whispers across the +ocean. Yet, when I have considered the command of +Christ, 'Go ye and teach all nations,'—and when,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +in pouring out my soul on this subject to the Father +of light, I have realized more of that sweet 'peace +which passeth all understanding;' objections have +all dwindled to a point; I have been enabled, by +the eye of faith, to discover the finger of God, +pointing me to the benighted African, and have +heard his voice saying, with the affection of a Father +and the authority of a Sovereign, 'Come, follow me'—'He +that loveth father or mother more than me, +is not worthy of me;' and adding, for my encouragement, +'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' +I do feel that God calls me to become a missionary, +and do, with this belief, resolve to consider myself +as devoted to that service, hoping that God will +qualify me, and make me a faithful servant for +Christ's sake."<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> +<h2>DARING EXPLOIT OF "TWO REBELS."</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Think'st thou there dwells no courage but in breasts<br /> +That set their mail against the ringing spears,<br /> +When helmets are struck down? Thou little knowest<br /> +Of nature's marvels.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. Hemans.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>During the sieges of Augusta and Cambridge, two +young men of the name of Martin, belonging to +Ninety-Six district, South Carolina, were in the +army. Meanwhile their wives, who remained at +home with their mother-in-law, displayed as much +courage, on a certain occasion, as was exhibited, +perhaps, by any female during the struggle for Independence.</p> + +<p>Receiving intelligence one evening that a courier, +under guard of two British officers, would pass their +house that night with important dispatches, Grace +and Rachel Martin resolved to surprise the party +and obtain the papers. Disguising themselves in +their husbands' outer garments and providing themselves +with arms, they waylaid the enemy. Soon +after they took their station by the road-side, the +courier and his escort made their appearance. At +the proper moment, the disguised ladies sprang from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +their bushy covert, and presenting their pistols, ordered +the party to surrender their papers. Surprised +and alarmed, they obeyed without hesitation or the +least resistance. The brave women having put them +on parole, hastened home by the nearest route, which +was a by-path through the woods, and dispatched the +documents to General Greene by a single messenger, +who probably had more courage than the trio that +lately bore them.</p> + +<p>Strange to say, a few minutes after the ladies +reached home, and just as they had doffed their +male attire, the officers, retracing their steps, rode up +to the house and craved accommodations for the +night. The mother of the heroines asked them the +cause of their so speedy return after passing her +house, when they exhibited their paroles and said that +"two rebels" had taken them prisoners. Here the +young ladies, in a rallying mood, asked them if they +had no arms, to which query they replied, that, +although they had, they were arrested so suddenly +that they had no time to use them. We have only +to add that they were hospitably entertained, and +the next morning took their leave of the women as +ignorant of the residence of their captors as when +first arrested.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> +<h2>ELIZABETH MARTIN.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +The mothers of our Forest-land!<br /> +Their bosoms pillowed <i>men</i>.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">W. D. Gallagher.</span><br /> + +—A fine family is a fine thing.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Byron.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The mother-in-law of the two patriotic women +spoken of in the preceding article, was a native of +Caroline county, Virginia. Her maiden name was +Marshall. On marrying Mr. Abram Martin, she removed +to South Carolina.</p> + +<p>When the Revolutionary war broke out, she had +seven sons old enough to enlist in their country's +service; and as soon as the call to arms was heard, +she said to them, "Go, boys, and fight for your +country! fight till death, if you must, but never +let your country be dishonored. Were I a man I +would go with you."</p> + +<p>Several British officers once called at her house, +and while receiving some refreshments, one of them +asked her how many sons she had. She told him, +eight; and when asked where they were, she boldly +replied, "Seven of them are engaged in the service<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +of their country." The officer sneeringly observed +that she had enough of them. "No, sir, I wish I +had fifty!" was her prompt and proud reply.</p> + +<p>Only one of those seven sons was killed during +the war. He was a captain of artillery, served in +the sieges of Savannah and Charleston, and was +slain at the siege of Augusta. Soon after his death +a British officer called on the mother, and in +speaking of this son, inhumanly told her that he saw +his brains blown out on the battle field. The reply +she made to the monster's observation was: "He +could not have died in a nobler cause."</p> + +<p>When Charleston was besieged, she had three +sons in the place. She heard the report of cannon +on the occasion, though nearly a hundred miles +west of the besieged city. The wives of the sons +were with her, and manifested great uneasiness +while listening to the reports; nor could the mother +control her feelings any better. While they were +indulging in silent and, as we may suppose, painful +reflections, the mother suddenly broke the silence +by exclaiming, as she raised her hands: "Thank +God! they are the children of the republic!"<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE MOTHER'S EFFECTUAL PETITION.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i4">What rhetoric didst thou use</span> +To gain this mighty boon?<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Addison.</span> +</div> + + +<p>James M. Wilson was one of the unfortunate young +men who engaged in the Cuban invasion, in 1851; and +he was taken prisoner and sent to Spain. His mother +petitioned for his release through President Fillmore, +and so earnest, so full of the beauty of maternal love, +and so touching was her appeal, that her request was +granted, and the erring son was permitted to return to +his mother's embrace. The following is a copy of the +letter which she addressed to the President. It is said +to have called forth flattering commendation from the +heads of State and the highest encomiums from the +Majesty of Spain.</p> + +<div class="signature"> +<span class="smcap">New Orleans</span>, Sept. 25, 1851. +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Father of Our Country</span>:—To you I look for +help. My dear son is one of the unfortunate prisoners +to Spain. He is all the child I have; is only nineteen +years old, not twenty-two, as stated. He was innocent +and unsuspecting, and the more easily duped. He saw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +no means of making a support for himself and me, we +being poor: he could get no employment; my health +was bad; he therefore hoped to do something by going +to Cuba. But, alas! I am worse than poor! Death +would have been more welcome. His father died, +when he was very young, in Texas, which makes him +more dear to me. Oh! cruel fate, why have I lived to +see this? Perhaps to suit some wise design. God's +will be done, not mine! I have prayed for his life +from the time he left; it was spared. Dear President, +will it be possible for you to do any thing? Can you +comfort me? I am wearing away. Methinks I cannot +bear up under the idea of ten years; perhaps executed, +or detained for life, or the climate cause his death. I +feel for all of them, and pray for all. It was not my +will that he should go; he was seduced into it by +others. Dear father of the land of my birth, can you +do any thing? Will you ask for their release? Methinks +you will, and it would be granted. Will you feel +offended with me for appealing to you for comfort? +If so, I beg pardon. My distress has stimulated me +to venture to dare to address the President. To whom +else could I look for comfort? If you could but see +me, I know you would pity me. If any one knew I +had approached you, they might think I presumed +much. Perhaps I do. Yet methinks you will view +it in charity.</p> + +<p> +With all due respect to your Excellency.</p> +<div class="signature">OPHELIA P. TALBOT.<br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> +<h2>NOTEWORTHY INTEGRITY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Honesty, even by itself, though making many adversaries<br /> +Whom prudence might have set aside, or charity have softened,<br /> +Evermore will prosper at the last.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i14 smcap">Tupper.</span> +</div> + + +<p>We have often read an interesting story of a stockbroker +who, just before his death, laid a wager on parole +with a Parisian capitalist; and a few weeks after +his death, the latter visited the widow and gave her to +understand that her late husband had lost a bet of +sixteen thousand francs. She went to her secretary, +took out her pocket-book, and counted bank notes to +the stated amount, when the capitalist thus addressed +her: "Madame, as you give such convincing proof +that you consider the wager binding, <i>I</i> have to pay +you sixteen thousand francs. Here is the sum, for <i>I</i> +am the loser, and not your husband."</p> + +<p>An act that, in principle, matches the above, came +to light not long since in Philadelphia. During the +speculations of 1837-38, Mr. C., a young merchant of +that city, possessed of a handsome fortune, caught the +mania, entered largely into its operations, and for a +time was considered immensely rich. But when the +great revulsion occurred he was suddenly reduced to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +bankruptcy. His young wife immediately withdrew +from the circles of wealth and fashion, and adapted +her expenses, family and personal, to her altered circumstances.</p> + +<p>At the time of Mr. C.'s failure, his wife was in debt +to Messrs. Stewart and Company, merchants of Philadelphia, +about two hundred dollars for articles which +she had used personally. This debt, she had no +means of liquidating. It became barred by the statute +of limitation, before Mr. C. became solvent, +though his circumstances gradually improved. After +the lapse of twelve years, and when the creditors had +looked upon the debt as lost, Mrs. C. was able to take +the principle, add to it twelve years' interest, enclose +the whole in a note and address it to Messrs. Stewart +and Company.<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> +</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> +<h2>A FAITHFUL MOTHER.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +—Her pure and holy spirit now<br /> +Doth intercede at the eternal throne.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Miss Landon.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The following anecdote strikingly illustrates the +strength of maternal love, the beauty of faith, and +the efficacy of prayer. It was related by a blind +preacher:</p> + +<p>"When I was about eighteen years of age, there +was a dancing party in Middleboro, Massachusetts, +which I was solicited to attend, and act, as usual, in +the capacity of musician. I was fond of such scenes +of amusements then, and I readily assented to the +request. I had a pious mother; and she earnestly +remonstrated against my going. But, at length, when +all her expostulations and entreaties failed in changing +my purpose, she said: 'Well, my son, I shall +not forbid your going, but remember, that all the +time you spend in that gay company, I shall spend +in praying for you at home.' I went to the ball, +but I was like the stricken deer, carrying an arrow +in his side. I began to play; but my convictions +sank deeper and deeper, and I felt miserable indeed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +I thought I would have given the world to have +been rid of that mother's prayers. At one time I +felt so wretched and so overwhelmed with my feelings, +that I ceased playing and dropped my musical +instrument from my hand. There was another young +person there who refused to dance; and, as I learned, +her refusal was owing to feelings similar to my own, +and perhaps they arose from a similar cause. My +mother's prayers were not lost. That was the last +ball I ever attended, except <i>one</i>, where I was invited +to play again, but went and prayed and preached +<i>instead</i>, till the place was converted into a Bochim, +a place of weeping. The convictions of that wretched +night never wholly left me, till they left me at the +feet of Christ, and several of my young companions +in sin ere long were led to believe and obey the +gospel also."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> +<h2>ANECDOTE OF MRS. SPAULDING OF<br /> +NEW HAMPSHIRE.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Through the deep wilderness, where scarce the sun<br /> +Can cast his darts, along the winding path<br /> +The pioneer is treading.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Street.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="i9">An energy</span> +A spirit that will not be shaken.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Willis.</span> +</div> + + +<p>One of the first two settlers of Northumberland, +New Hampshire, was Daniel Spaulding, who removed +thither in the summer of 1767. On the way to his +new home, with his wife and child, the last burnt +himself so badly at Plymouth that the mother was +obliged to remain and take care of him, while Mr. +Spaulding proceeded to the end of the journey. +She soon became uneasy, and, anxious to join her +husband, started off with her child, twenty-one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +months old, to travel twenty-six miles through the +wilderness. A friend who had agreed to accompany +her the whole distance with a horse, returned after +traveling about one third of the way. Undaunted +and persevering, she pushed on, alone and on foot; +waded through Baker's river with her child in her +arms; was overtaken by a heavy "thunder gust" +in the afternoon, and thoroughly drenched; seated +herself beside a tree when darkness appeared, and +held her child in her lap through a long and sleepless +night; resumed her journey early the next +morning; waded through a small pond, with the +water waist-high; pushed on to another river, which, +though swollen by the rain of the preceding day +and looking rapid and terrifying, she forded in safety; +and at eleven o'clock that day, the second of her +journey, she met her husband, who was on his +way back with a horse for her accommodation.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE WIFE OF COLONEL THOMAS.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Then since there is no other way but fight or die,<br /> +Be resolute, my lord, for victory.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Jane Thomas, wife of John Thomas, Colonel of the +Spartan regiment of South Carolina, was a native of +Chester county, Pennsylvania. She was a woman of +remarkable coolness and intrepidity, as a single act +of hers, in the times that tried <i>women's</i> souls, +plainly indicates.</p> + +<p>Governor Rutledge having stored a quantity of +arms and ammunition in the house of Colonel +Thomas, under a guard of twenty-five men, the +tories were determined to obtain these munitions. +To this end they sent a large party under Colonel +More of North Carolina. Apprised of their approach +and not daring to engage with a force so +superior, Colonel Thomas fled with his twenty-five +soldiers, taking along as much ammunition as +could be conveniently carried. Two young men and +the women were now the sole occupants of the +house. The tories marched up to the door, but +instead of being invited by the ladies to enter, they +were ordered off the premises. Not choosing to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +obey the commands of the mistress, they commenced +firing into the logs of the house. The compliment +was instantly returned from the upper story; and +the women now loading the guns for the older of +the two young men to discharge, a constant and +perilous firing was kept up from the chamber, which +soon made the assailants desperate. They forthwith +attempted to demolish the "batten door," but it +was too strongly barricaded. Finding that themselves +were likely to share a worse fate then the +door, they finally obeyed the original orders of the +intrepid mistress; withdrew from the premises and +fled. Mrs. Thomas soon afterwards descended, and +opening the door, there met her returning husband.—The +ammunition saved on that occasion by the +courage of a woman, was the main supply, it is +said, of Sumter's army in the skirmishes at Rocky +Mount and Hanging Rock.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> +<h2>EXEMPLARY PIETY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +I've pored o'er many a yellow page<br /> +<span class="i1">Of ancient wisdom, and have won,</span> +Perchance, a scholar's name—but sage<br /> +<span class="i1">Or bard have never taught thy son</span> +Lessons so dear, so fraught with holy truth,<br /> +As those his mother's faith shed on his youth.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">George W. Bethune.</span> +</div> + + +<p>A lady in the district of Beaufort, South Carolina, +at the age of seventy-six, anxious once more to +enjoy the society of all her children and grandchildren, +invited them to spend a day with her. +The interview was permitted and was very affecting. +It "was conducted just as we should suppose piety +and the relation sustained by the parties would dictate. +She acknowledged God in this, as well as in +every other way. Her eldest son, who is a minister +of the Gospel in the Baptist denomination, commenced +the exercises of the day, by reading the +Scriptures and prayer. The whole family then joined +in the song of praise to the Giver of every good +and perfect gift. This service was concluded by a +suitable exhortation from the same person. Eighty-five +of her regular descendants were present. Forty-four<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +children and grandchildren, arrived at maturity, +sat at the same table at dinner. Of that number, +forty-three professed faith in Jesus Christ; of the +four surviving sons of this excellent lady, two were +preachers of the Gospel, and the other two deacons +in the Baptist church.</p> + +<p>"Two of her grandsons were also ministers of the +same church. When the day was drawing to a close +the matron called her numerous children around her, +gave them each salutary advice and counsel, and +bestowed upon all her parting blessing. The day +was closed by her youngest son, with exercises similar +to those with which it commenced.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. —— lived eight years after this event, leaving, +at her death, one hundred and fifteen lineal +descendants, in which large number not a swearer +nor drunkard is to be found."<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> +<h2>BOLD ADVENTURE OF A PATRIOTIC GIRL.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i12">Stand</span> +Firm for your country: * *<br /> +<span class="i2">* * it were a noble life,</span> +To be found dead embracing her.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Johnson.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12">There is strength</span> +Deep bedded in our hearts, of which we reck<br /> +But little.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. Hemans.</span> +</div> + + +<p>We find the following incident in the first volume +of American Anecdotes, "original and select." The +young heroine of the adventure afterwards married +a rich planter named Threrwits, who lived on the +Congaree. She has been dead more than half a +century, but her name should be remembered while +this republic is permitted to stand.</p> + +<p>"At the time General Greene retreated before +Lord Rawdon from Ninety-Six, when he had passed +Broad river, he was very desirous to send an order +to General Sumter, who was on the Wateree, to +join him, that they might attack Rawdon, who had +divided his force. But the General could find no +man in that part of the state who was bold enough<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +to undertake so dangerous a mission. The country +to be passed through for many miles was full of +blood thirsty tories, who, on every occasion that offered, +imbrued their hands in the blood of the whigs. +At length Emily Geiger presented herself to General +Greene, and proposed to act as his messenger: and +the General, both surprised and delighted, closed with +her proposal. He accordingly wrote a letter and +delivered it, and at the same time communicated +the contents of it verbally, to be told to Sumter in +case of accidents.</p> + +<p>"Emily was young, but as to her person or adventures +on the way, we have no further information, +except that she was mounted on horseback, +upon a side-saddle, and on the second day of her +journey she was intercepted by Lord Rawdon's +scouts. Coming from the direction of Greene's army, +and not being able to tell an untruth without +blushing, Emily was suspected and confined to a +room; and as the officer in command had the modesty +not to search her at the time, he sent for an +old tory matron as more fitting for that purpose. +Emily was not wanting in expedient, and as soon +as the door was closed and the bustle a little subsided, +she <i>ate up the letter</i>, piece by piece. After +a while the matron arrived, and upon searching +carefully, nothing was to be found of a suspicious +nature about the prisoner, and she would disclose +nothing. Suspicion being thus allayed, the officer +commanding the scouts suffered Emily to depart +whither she said she was bound; but she took<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +a route somewhat circuitous to avoid further detention, +and soon after struck into the road to Sumter's +camp, where she arrived in safety. Emily told her +adventure, and delivered Greene's verbal message to +Sumter, who, in consequence, soon after joined the +main army at Orangeburgh."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus197.jpg" width="450" height="509" alt="Stately Building" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> +<h2>MRS. CALDWELL AND THE TORIES.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i3">—The spell is thine that reaches</span> +The heart.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Halleck.</span> +<br /> +Prudence protects and guides us.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Young.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Rachel Caldwell was the daughter of the Rev. +Alexander Craighead and the wife of David Caldwell, +D. D., whose history is somewhat identified +with that of North Carolina. For several years he +was at the head of a classical school at Guilford +in that state, and in the vocation of teacher he +had, at times, the efficient aid of his faithful and +talented companion. She was a woman of exalted +piety; and such a degree of success attended her +"labor of love" in the school, that it became a +common saying that "Dr. Caldwell makes the scholars, +and Mrs. Caldwell makes the preachers."</p> + +<p>More than once during the Revolution, the house +of Dr. Caldwell, who was a stanch friend of his +country, was assailed by tories:<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> and on one occasion,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +while his wife was alone and the marauders +were collecting plunder, they broke open a chest or +drawer and took therefrom a table-cloth which was +the gift of her mother. She seized it the moment +the soldier had it fairly in his hand, and made an +effort to wrest it from him. Finding she would be +the loser in a trial of physical strength, she instinctively +resorted to the power of rhetoric. With her +grasp still firm on the precious article, she turned +to the rest of the plunderers, who stood awaiting +the issue of the contest, and in a beseeching tone +and with words warm with eloquence, asked if +some of their number had not wives for the love of +whom they would assist her, and spare the one dear +memorial of a mother's affection! Her plea, though +short, was powerful, and actually moved one man +to tears. With rills of sympathy running down +his cheeks, he assured her he had a wife—a wife +that he loved—and that for her sake the table-cloth +should be given up. This was accordingly +done, and no further rudeness was offered.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1780, a "way-worn and weary" +stranger, bearing dispatches from Washington to +Greene, stopped at her house and asked for supper +and lodgings. Before he had eaten, the house began +to be surrounded by tories, who were in pursuit of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +him. Mrs. Caldwell led him out at a back-door, +unseen in the darkness, and ordered him to climb +a large locust tree, and there remain till the house +was plundered and the pursuers had departed. +He did so. Mrs. Caldwell lost her property, but +her calmness and prudence saved the express, +and that was what most concerned the patriotic +woman.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE MOTHER OF RANDOLPH</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i2">She led me first to God;</span> +Her words and prayers were my young spirit's dew;<br /> +<span class="i2">For when she used to leave</span> +<span class="i2">The fireside every eve,</span> +I knew it was for prayer that she withdrew.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Pierpont.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The biographers of John Randolph mention the +interesting fact that his mother taught him to pray. +This all-important maternal duty made an impression +on his heart. He lived at a period when +skepticism was popular, particularly in some political +circles in which he had occasion to mingle; and +he has left on record his testimony in regard to +the influence of his mother's religious instruction. +Speaking of the subject of infidelity to an intimate +friend, he once made the following acknowledgment:</p> + +<p>"I believe I should have been swept away by the +flood of French infidelity if it had not been for +one thing—the remembrance of the time when my +sainted mother used to make me kneel by her side, +taking my little hands folded in hers, and cause me +to repeat the Lord's Prayer."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> +<h2>CORNELIA BEEKMAN.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +The smallest worm will turn when trodden on,<br /> +And doves will peck, in safeguard of their brood.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakespeare.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span class="i8">The vaunts</span> +And menace of the vengeful enemy<br /> +Pass like the gust, that roared and died away<br /> +In the distant tree.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Coleridge.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Mrs. Cornelia Beekman was a daughter of Pierre +Van Cortlandt, Lieutenant Governor of New York +from 1777 to 1795; and she seems to have inherited +her father's zeal for the rights of his country. +She was born at the Cortlandt manor house, "an +old fashioned stone mansion situated on the banks +of the Croton river," in 1752; was married when +about seventeen or eighteen, to Gerard G. Beekman; +and died on the fourteenth of March, 1847. +A few anecdotes will illustrate the noble characteristics +of her nature.<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></p> + +<p>When the British were near her residence, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> +was a short distance from Peekskill, a soldier entered +the house one day and went directly to the +closet, saying, in reply to a question she put to him, +that he wanted some brandy. She reproved him +for his boldness and want of courtesy, when he +threatened to stab her with a bayonet. Unalarmed +by his oath-charged threats—although an old, infirm +negro was the only aid at hand—she in turn threatened +him, declaring that she would call her husband +and have his conduct reported to his commander. +Her sterness and intrepidity, coupled with her threats, +subdued the insolent coward, and, obeying her orders, +he marched out of the house.</p> + +<p>A party of tories, under command of Colonels +Bayard and Fleming, once entered her house, and, +with a great deal of impudence and in the most +insulting tone, asked if she was not "the daughter +of that old rebel, Pierre Van Cortlandt?" "I am +the daughter of Pierre Van Cortlandt, but it becomes +not such as you to call my father a rebel," was her +dauntless reply. The person who put the question +now raised his musket, at which menacing act, she +coolly reprimanded him and ordered him out of +doors. His heart melted beneath the fire of her eye, +and, abashed, he sneaked away.</p> + +<p>In one instance, a man named John Webb, better +known at that time as "Lieutenant Jack," left in +her charge a valise which contained a new suit +of uniform and some gold. He stated he would +send for it when he wanted it, and gave her particular +directions not to deliver it to any one without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +a written order from himself or his brother Samuel. +About two weeks afterwards, a man named Smith +rode up to the door in haste, and asked her husband, +who was without, for Lieutenant Jack's valise. She +knew Smith, and had little confidence in his <i>professed</i> +whig principles; so she stepped to the door +and reminded her husband that it would be necessary +for the messenger to show his order before +the valise could be given up.</p> + +<p>"You know me very well, Mrs. Beekman; and +when I assure you that Lieutenant Jack sent me +for the valise, you will not refuse to deliver it to +me, as he is greatly in want of his uniform."</p> + +<p>"I do know you very well—<i>too well</i> to give you +the valise without a written order from the owner +or the Colonel."</p> + +<p>Soon after this brief colloquy, Smith went away +without the valise, and it was afterwards ascertained +that he was a rank tory, and at that very hour in +league with the British. Indeed Major Andre was +concealed in his house that day, and had Smith got +possession of Webb's uniform, as the latter and +Andre were about the same size, it is likely the +celebrated spy would have escaped and changed +the reading of a brief chapter of American history. +Who can tell how much this republic is indebted +to the prudence, integrity, courage and patriotism +of Cornelia Beekman?</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus206.jpg" width="450" height="584" alt="WEST AND HIS MOTHER." title="WEST AND HIS MOTHER." /> +<span class="caption">WEST AND HIS MOTHER.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE MOTHER OF WEST.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +O wondrous power! how little understood—<br /> +<span class="i1">Entrusted to the mother's mind alone—</span> +To fashion genius, form the soul for good,<br /> +<span class="i1">Inspire a West, or train a Washington.</span> + +<span class="i14 smcap">Mrs. Hale.</span> +</div> + +<p>When Benjamin West was seven years old, he was +left, one summer day, with the charge of an infant +niece. As it lay in the cradle and he was engaged in +fanning away the flies, the motion of the fan pleased +the child, and caused it to smile. Attracted by the +charms thus created, young West felt his instinctive +passion aroused; and seeing paper, pen and some red +and black ink on a table, he eagerly seized them and +made his first attempt at portrait painting. Just as +he had finished his maiden task, his mother and sister +entered. He tried to conceal what he had done, +but his confusion arrested his mother's attention and +she asked him what he had been doing. With reluctance +and timidity, he handed her the paper, begging, +at the same time, that she would not be offended. +Examining the drawing for a short time, she turned to +her daughter and, with a smile, said, "I declare, he +has made a likeness of Sally." She then gave him a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +fond kiss, which so encouraged him that he promised +her some drawings of the flowers which she was then +holding, if she wished to have them.</p> + +<p>The next year a cousin sent him a box of colors and +pencils, with large quantities of canvas prepared for +the easel, and half a dozen engravings. Early in the +morning after their reception, he took all his materials +into the garret, and for several days forgot all about +school. His mother suspected that the box was the +cause of his neglect of his books, and going into the +garret and finding him busy at a picture, she was +about to reprimand him; but her eye fell on some of +his compositions, and her anger cooled at once. She +was so pleased with them that she loaded him with +kisses and promised to secure his father's pardon for +his neglect of school.</p> + +<p>How much the world is indebted to Mrs. West for +her early and constant encouragement of the immortal +artist. He often used to say, after his reputation +was established, "<i>My mother's kiss made me a +painter!</i>"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> +<h2>HEROIC ENDURANCE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +'Tis not now who is stout and bold,<br /> +But who bears hunger best and cold.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Butler.</span> +</div> + + +<p>On the twenty-seventh of July, 1755, Mrs. Howe, +of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, with seven children +and two other women and their children, was taken +captive by the Indians, and marched through the +wilderness to Crown Point. There Mrs. Howe, with +some of the other prisoners, remained several days. +The rest were conducted to Montreal to be sold, but +the French refusing to buy them, they were all +brought back, except Mrs. Howe's youngest daughter, +who was presented to Governor De Vaudreuil.</p> + +<p>Ere long the whole party started for St. Johns +by water. Night soon came on; a storm arose; +the darkness became intense; the canoes separated, +and just before day Mrs. Howe was landed on the +beach, ignorant of the destiny of her children. +Raising a pillow of earth with her hands, she laid +herself down to rest with her infant on her bosom. +A toilsome day's journey brought her and her captors +to St. Johns, and pressing onward they soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +reached St. Francis, the home of the latter. A +council having been called and the customary ceremonies +performed, Mrs. Howe, with her infant left +to her care, was put in the charge of a squaw, +whom she was ordered to call mother.</p> + +<p>"At the approach of winter, the squaw, yielding +to her earnest solicitations, set out with Mrs. Howe +and her child, for Montreal, to sell them to the +French. On the journey both she and her infant +were in danger of perishing from hunger and cold; +the lips of the child being at times so benumbed, +as to be incapable of imbibing its proper nourishment. +After her arrival in the city, she was offered +to a French lady; who, seeing the child in her +arms, exclaimed, 'I will not buy a woman, who +has a child to look after.' I shall not attempt +to describe the feelings with which this rebuff was +received by a person who had no higher ambition +than to become a slave. Few of our race have +hearts made of such unyielding materials, as not +to be broken by long-continued abuse; and Mrs. +Howe was not one of this number. Chilled with +cold, and pinched with hunger, she saw in the kitchen +of this inhospitable house some small pieces of bread, +floating in a pail amid other fragments, destined to +feed swine; and eagerly skimmed them for herself. +When her Indian mother found that she could not +dispose of her, she returned by water to St. Francis, +where she soon died of small pox, which she had +caught at Montreal. Speedily after, the Indians +commenced their winter hunting. Mrs. Howe was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +then ordered to return her child to the captors. +The babe clung to her bosom; and she was obliged +to force it away. They carried it to a place called +'Messiskow,' on the borders of the river Missiscoui, +near the north end of lake Champlain upon the +eastern shore. The mother soon followed, and found +it neglected, lean, and almost perishing with hunger. +As she pressed its face to her cheek, the eager, +half-starved infant bit her with violence. For three +nights she was permitted to cherish it in her bosom; +but in the day-time she was confined to a neighboring +wigwam, where she was compelled to hear its unceasing +cries of distress, without a possibility of +contributing to its relief.</p> + +<p>"The third day the Indians carried her several +miles up the lake. The following night she was +alarmed by what is usually called the great earthquake, +which shook the region around her with violent +concussions. Here, also, she was deserted for two +nights in an absolute wilderness; and, when her +Indian connections returned, was told by them that +two of her children were dead. Very soon after, +she received certain information of the death of +her infant. Amid the anguish awakened by these +melancholy tidings, she saw a distant volume of +smoke; and was strongly inclined to make her +way to the wigwam from which it ascended. As +she entered the door, she met one of the children, +reported to be dead; and to her great consolation +found that he was in comfortable circumstances. A +good-natured Indian soon after informed her, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +the other was alive on the opposite side of the +lake, at the distance of a few miles only. Upon +this information she obtained leave to be absent +for a single day; and, with the necessary directions +from her informant, set out for the place. +On her way she found her child, lean and hungry, +and proceeded with it to the wigwam. A small +piece of bread, presented to her by the Indian family +in which she lived, she had carefully preserved for +this unfortunate boy; but, to avoid offending the +family in which he lived, was obliged to distribute +it in equal shares to all the children. The little +creature had been transported at the sight of his +mother; and, when she announced her departure, +fell at her feet, as if he had been dead. Yet she +was compelled to leave him; and satisfied herself, +as far as she was able, by commending him to +the protection of God. The family in which she +lived, passed the following summer at St. Johns. +It was composed of the daughter and son-in-law of +her late mother. The son-in-law went out early in +the season on an expedition against the English settlements. +At their return, the party had a drinking +frolic, their usual festival after excursions of this +nature. Drunkenness regularly enhances the bodily +strength of a savage, and stimulates his mind to +madness. In this situation he will insult, abuse, +and not unfrequently murder, his nearest friends. +The wife of this man had often been a sufferer by +his intemperance. She therefore proposed to Mrs. +Howe that they should withdraw themselves from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +the wigwam until the effects of his present intoxication +were over. They accordingly withdrew. Mrs. +Howe returned first, and found him surly and ill-natured, +because his wife was absent. In the +violence of his resentment he took Mrs. Howe, +hurried her to St. Johns, and sold her for a trifling +sum to a French gentleman, named Saccapee.</p> + +<p>"Upon a little reflection, however, the Indian +perceived that he had made a foolish bargain. In +a spirit of resentment he threatened to assassinate +Mrs. Howe; and declared that if he could not +accomplish his design, he would set fire to the +fort. She was therefore carefully secreted, and the +fort watchfully guarded, until the violence of his +passion was over. When her alarm was ended, +she found her situation as happy in the family, as +a state of servitude would permit. Her new master +and mistress were kind, liberal, and so indulgent +as rarely to refuse anything that she requested. In +this manner they enabled her frequently to befriend +other English prisoners, who, from time to time, were +brought to St. Johns.</p> + +<p>"Yet even in this humane family she met with +new trials. Monsieur Saccapee, and his son, an +officer in the French army, became at the same time +passionately attached to her. This singular fact is +a forcible proof that her person, mind, and manners, +were unusually agreeable. Nor was her situation +less perplexing than singular. The good will +of the whole family was indispensable to her comfort, +if not to her safety; and her purity she was determined +to preserve at the hazard of her life. In the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +house where both her lovers resided, conversed with +her every day, and, together with herself, were +continually under the eye of her mistress, the lovers +a father and a son, herself a slave, and one of +them her master, it will be easily believed that +she met with very serious embarrassments in accomplishing +her determination. In this situation she +made known her misfortunes to Colonel Peter +Schuyler of Albany, then a prisoner at St. Johns. +As soon as he had learned her situation he represented +it to the Governor De Vaudreuil. The +Governor immediately ordered young Saccapee into +the army; and enjoined on his father a just and +kind treatment of Mrs. Howe. His humanity did +not stop here. Being informed that one of her +daughters was in danger of being married to an +Indian of St. Francis, he rescued her from this +miserable destiny, and placed her in a nunnery +with her sister. Here they were both educated as +his adopted children.</p> + +<p>"By the good offices of Colonel Schuyler, also, +who advanced twenty-seven hundred livres for that +purpose, and by the assistance of several other +gentlemen, she was enabled to ransom herself, and +her four sons. With these children she set out for +New England in the autumn of 1758, under the +protection of Colonel Schuyler, leaving her two +daughters behind.<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> As she was crossing lake Champlain,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +young Saccapee came on board the boat, in +which she was conveyed; gave her a handsome +present; and bade her adieu. Colonel Schuyler +being obliged to proceed to Albany with more expedition +than was convenient for his fellow travelers, +left them in the care of Major Putnam, afterwards +Major-General Putnam. From this gentleman she +received every kind office, which his well known +humanity could furnish; and arrived without any +considerable misfortune at the place of their destination."<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> +<h2>MATERNAL HEROISM</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Is there a man, into the lion's den<br /> +Who dares intrude to snatch his young away?<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Thomson.</span> +</div> + + +<p>During the campaign of 1777, a soldier of the +Fifty-fifth regiment was sitting with his wife at +breakfast, when a bomb entered the tent, and fell +between the table and a bed where their infant +was sleeping. The mother urged her husband to go +round the bomb and seize the child, his dress being, +from the position of things, more favorable than hers +for the prosecution of the dangerous task: but he +refused, and running out of the tent, begged his +wife to follow, saying that the fusee was just ready +to communicate with the deadly combustibles. The +fond mother, instead of obeying, hastily tucked up +her garments to prevent their coming in contact +with the bomb; leaped past it; caught the child, +and in a moment was out of danger.</p> + +<p>In December, 1850, the house of Peter Knight, +of Bath, Maine, caught fire, and a small child, asleep +in the room where the flames burst out, would have +perished but for the self-possession and daring of its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +mother. One or two unsuccessful attempts had been +made by others to rescue it, when the mother, always +the last to despair, made a desperate effort, and secured +the prize. When the two were taken from +the window of the second story, the dress of Mrs. +Knight was in flames!</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/illus217.jpg" width="300" height="214" alt="birds" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> + +<h2>A MODERN DORCAS.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +'Tis truth divine, exhibited on earth,<br /> +Gives charity her being.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Cowper.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Isabella, the wife of Dr. John Graham, was born +in Scotland, on the twenty-ninth of July, 1742. At +the age of seventeen she became a member of the +church in Paisley of which the Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, +afterwards President of Princeton college, was the +pastor. Dr. Graham was a physician of the same +town. Her marriage took place in 1765. The next +year Dr. Graham was ordered to join his regiment +then stationed in Canada. After spending a few +months at Montreal, he removed to Fort Niagara, +where he remained in the garrison four years.</p> + +<p>Just before the Revolutionary war the sixteenth +regiment of Royal Americans was ordered to the +island of Antigua. Thither Dr. Graham removed +with his family, and there he died in 1774. Mrs. +Graham then returned to her native land.</p> + +<p>In 1789 she came to this country, and permanently +settled in the city of New York. She there opened +a school for young ladies, and gained a high reputation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +in her profession. She united with the Presbyterian +church of which John Mason, D. D., was +pastor, and was noted, through all the latter years +of her life, for the depth of her piety and her +Christian benevolence. She made it a rule to give +a tenth part of her earnings to religious and +charitable purposes. In 1795 she received, at one +time, an advance of a thousand pounds on the sale +of a lease which she held on some building lots; +and not being used to such large profits, she said, +on receiving the money, "Quick, quick, let me appropriate +the tenth before my heart grows hard."</p> + +<p>Two years afterwards, a society was organized and +chartered, for the relief of poor widows; and +Mrs. Graham was appointed first directress. Each +of the managers had a separate district, and she +had the superintendence of the whole. A house was +purchased by the society, where work was received +for the employment of the widows; and a school +was opened for the instruction of their children. +"Besides establishing this school, Mrs. Graham selected +some of the widows, best qualified for the +task, and engaged them, for a small compensation, +to open day schools for the instruction of the children +of widows, in distant parts of the city: she +also established two Sabbath schools, one of which +she superintended herself, and the other she placed +under the care of her daughter. Wherever she met +with Christians sick and in poverty, she visited and +comforted them; and in some instances opened +small subscription lists to provide for their support.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +She attended occasionally for some years at the +Alms House for the instruction of the children there, +in religious knowledge: in this work she was much +assisted by a humble and pious female friend, who +was seldom absent from it on the Lord's day.</p> + +<p>"It was often her custom to leave home after +breakfast, to take with her a few rolls of bread, +and return in the evening about eight o'clock. Her +only dinner on such days was her bread, and perhaps +some soup at the Soup House, established by +the Humane Society for the poor, over which one +of her widows had been, at her recommendation, +appointed."<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a></p> + +<p>In the winter of 1804-5, before a Tract or Bible +Society had been formed in New York, she visited +between two and three hundred of the poorer families, +and supplied them with a Bible where they were +destitute. She also distributed tracts which were +written, at her request, by a friend, "and lest it +might be said it was cheap to give advice, she +usually gave a small sum of money along with +the tracts."</p> + +<p>On the fifteenth of March, 1806, a society was +organized in New York for providing an Asylum +for Orphan Children; and Mrs. Graham occupied +the chair on the occasion. Her sympathies were +strongly enlisted in this organization, and she was +one of the trustees at the time of her death.</p> + +<p>"In the winter of 1807-8, when the suspension<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +of commerce by the embargo, rendered the situation +of the poor more destitute than ever, Mrs. +Graham adopted a plan best calculated in her view +to detect the idle applicant for charity, and at the +same time to furnish employment for the more worthy +amongst the female poor. She purchased flax, +and lent wheels where applicants had none. Such +as were industrious took the work with thankfulness, +and were paid for it; those who were beggars +by profession, never kept their word to return for +the flax or the wheel. The flax thus spun was afterwards +woven, bleached, and made into table-cloths +and towels for family use."<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a></p> + +<p>When the Magdalen Society was established by +some gentlemen, in 1811, a board of ladies was elected +for the purpose of superintending the internal +management of the house; and Mrs. Graham was +chosen President. This office she continued to hold +till her death. The next year the trustees of the +Lancasterian School solicited the services of several +women to instruct the pupils in the catechism. Mrs. +Graham cheerfully assisted in this task, instruction +being given one afternoon in each week.</p> + +<p>"In the spring of 1814 she was requested to unite +with some ladies, in forming a Society for the Promotion +of Industry amongst the poor. The Corporation +of the city having returned a favorable answer +to their petition for assistance, and provided a house, +a meeting of the Society was held, and Mrs. Graham +once more was called to the chair. It was the last<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +time she was to preside at the formation of a new +society. Her articulation, once strong and clear, was +now observed to have become more feeble. The +ladies present listened to her with affectionate attention; +her voice broke upon the ear as a pleasant +sound that was passing away. She consented to have +her name inserted in the list of managers, to give +what assistance her age would permit in forwarding +so beneficent a work. Although it pleased God to +make her cease from her labors, before the House +of Industry was opened, yet the work was carried +on by others, and prospered. Between four and five +hundred women were employed and paid during the +following winter. The Corporation declared in strong +terms their approbation of the result, and enlarged +their donation, with a view to promote the same +undertaking for the succeeding winter."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Graham died on the twenty-seventh of July, +1814. Of no woman of the age may it be said with +more propriety, as it was of Dorcas: "This woman +was full of good works and alms-deeds, which she +did." Yet few women are more humble than was +Mrs. Graham, or think less of their benevolent deeds. +Her daughter, Mrs. Bethune, writing of her decease, +says that she departed in peace, not trusting in her +wisdom or virtue, like the philosophers of Greece and +Rome; not even, like Addison, calling on the profligate +to see a good man die; but, like Howard, afraid +that her good works might have a wrong place in the +estimate of her hope, her chief glory was that of a +"sinner saved by grace."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> +<h2>SARAH HOFFMAN.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Still to a stricken brother turn.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Whittier.</span> +</div> + + +<p>In the act of incorporation of the Widow's Society, +established in the city of New York, in 1797, with +the name of Mrs. Graham, is associated that of Mrs. +Sarah Hoffman. This lady was the daughter of +David Ogden, one of the judges of the Supreme +Court of New Jersey, before the elevation of the +provinces into states. She was born at Newark, on +the eighth of September, 1742; and married Nicholas +Hoffman, in 1762. She early took delight in +doing good, being thus prompted by deep religious +principle. Cautious and discriminating, her charities +were bestowed judiciously, and she was able to +do much good without the largest means. In her +benevolent operations, however, she usually acted in +an associated capacity.</p> + +<p>As already intimated, she was a member of the +society formed "for the relief of poor widows with +small children." That this institution prospered under +the control of such women as Mrs. Hoffman and +Mrs. Graham, may be inferred from their report<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +made in April, 1803. "Ninety-eight widows and +two hundred and twenty-three children," this document +states, "were brought through the severity of +the winter with a considerable degree of comfort."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hoffman, Mrs. Graham and their associates, +often perambulated the districts of poverty and disease, +from morning till night, entering the huts of +want and desolation, and carrying comfort and consolation +to many a despairing heart. They clambered +to the highest and meanest garrets, and descended +to the lowest, darkest and dankest cellars, to administer +to the wants of the destitute, the sick, and the +dying. They took with them medicine as well as +food; and were accustomed to administer Christian +counsel or consolation, as the case required, to the +infirm in body and the wretched in heart. They +even taught many poor creatures, who seemed to +doubt the existence of an overruling Providence, to +pray to Him whose laws they had broken and +thereby rendered themselves miserable.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a></p> + +<p>In Mrs. Hoffman's character, to tenderness of feeling +were added great firmness, strength of mind, +and moral courage. She was often seen in the midst +of contagion and suffering where the cheek of the +warrior would blanch with fear. She exposed her +own life, however, not like the warrior, to destroy, +but to save; and hundreds <i>were</i> saved by her humane +efforts, combined with those of her co-workers. Her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +life beautifully exemplified the truth of what Crabbe +says of woman:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +——In extremes of cold and heat,<br /> +<span class="i1">Where wandering man may trace his kind;</span> +Wherever grief and want retreat,<br /> +<span class="i1">In woman they compassion find.</span> +</div> + +<p>And if, as the poet Grainger asserts,</p> + +<div class="poem"> +The height of virtue is to serve mankind,<br /> +</div> + +<p>Mrs. Hoffman reached a point towards which many +aspire, but above which few ascend.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> +<h2>HEROISM OF SCHOHARIE WOMEN.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Invaders! vain your battles' steel and fire.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Halleck.</span> +</div> + + +<p>During the struggle for Independence, there were +three noted forts in the Schoharie settlement, called +the Upper, Middle and Lower; and when, in the +autumn of 1780, Sir John Johnson sallied forth from +Niagara, with his five hundred or more British, tory +and German troops, and made an attack on these +forts, an opportunity was given for the display of +patriotism and courage, as well by the women of the +settlement as by the men.</p> + +<p>When the Middle fort was invested, an heroic and +noted ranger named Murphy, used his rifle balls so +fast as to need an additional supply; and, anticipating +his wants, Mrs. Angelica Vrooman caught his +bullet mould, some lead and an iron spoon, ran to her +father's tent, and there moulded a quantity of bullets +amid</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i14">"the shout</span> +Of battle, the barbarian yell, the bray<br /> +Of dissonant instruments, the clang of arms,<br /> +The shriek of agony, the groan of death."<br /> +</div> + +<p>While the firing was kept up at the Middle fort,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +great anxiety prevailed at the Upper; and during +this time Captain Hager, who commanded the latter, +gave orders that the women and children should +retire to a long cellar, which he specified, should the +enemy attack him. A young lady named Mary Haggidorn, +on hearing these orders, went to Captain +Hager and addressed him as follows:—"Captain, I +shall not go into that cellar. Should the enemy +come, I will take a spear, which I can use as well as +any <i>man</i>, and help defend the fort." The Captain, +seeing her determination, made the following reply:—"Then +take a spear, Mary, and be ready at the +pickets to repel an attack." She cheerfully obeyed, +and held the spear at the picket, till "huzzas for +the American flag" burst on her ear, and told that +all was safe.<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> +<h2>A STERLING PATRIOT.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +With nerve to wield the battle-brand,<br /> +<span class="i1">And join the border-fray,</span> +They shrank not from the foeman,<br /> +<span class="i1">They quailed not in the fight,</span> +But cheered their husbands through the day,<br /> +<span class="i1">And soothed them through the night.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">W. D. Gallagher.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The most noted heroine of the Mohawk valley, and +one of the bravest and noblest mothers of the Revolution, +was Nancy Van Alstine. Her maiden name +was Quackinbush. She was born near Canajoharie, +about the year 1733, and was married to Martin J. +Van Alstine, at the age of eighteen. He settled in +the valley of the Mohawk, and occupied the Van +Alstine family mansion. Mrs. Van Alstine was the +mother of fifteen children. She died at Wampsville, +Madison county, in 1831.</p> + +<p>In the month of August, 1780, an army of Indians +and tories, led on by Brant, rushed into the Mohawk +valley, devastated several settlements, and killed +many of the inhabitants: and during the two following +months, Sir John Johnson, made a descent and +finished the work which Brant had begun. The two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> +almost completely destroyed the settlements throughout +the valley. It was during those trying times +that Mrs. Van Alstine performed a portion of her +heroic exploits which are so interestingly related by +Mrs. Ellet.</p> + +<p>"While the enemy, stationed at Johnstown, were +laying waste the country, parties continually going +about to murder the inhabitants and burn their +dwellings, the neighborhood in which Mrs. Van Alstine +lived remained in comparative quiet, though +the settlers trembled as each sun arose, lest his setting +beams should fall on their ruined homes. Most +of the men were absent, and when, at length, intelligence +came that the destroyers were approaching, the +people were almost distracted with terror. Mrs. Van +Alstine called her neighbors together, endeavored to +calm their fears, and advised them to make immediate +arrangements for removing to an island, belonging +to her husband, near the opposite side of the +river. She knew that the spoilers would be in too +great haste to make any attempt to cross, and +thought if some articles were removed, they might +be induced to suppose the inhabitants gone to a +greater distance. The seven families in the neighborhood +were in a few hours upon the island, +having taken with them many things necessary for +their comfort during a short stay. Mrs. Van Alstine +remained herself to the last, then crossed in +the boat, helping to draw it far up on the beach. +Scarcely had they secreted themselves before they +heard the dreaded warwhoop, and descried the Indians<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +in the distance. It was not long before one and another +saw the homes they loved in flames. When the +savages came to Van Alstine's house, they were about +to fire that also, but the chief, interfering, informed +them that Sir John would not be pleased if that +house were burned—the owner having extended civilities +to the baronet before the commencement of +hostilities. 'Let the old wolf keep his den,' he said, +and the house was left unmolested. The talking of +the Indians could be distinctly heard from the island, +and Mrs. Van Alstine rejoiced that she was thus +enabled to give shelter to the houseless families who +had fled with her. The fugitives, however, did not +deem it prudent to leave their place of concealment +for several days, the smoke seen in different directions +too plainly indicating that the work of devastation +was going on.</p> + +<p>"The destitute families remained at Van Alstine's +house till it was deemed prudent to rebuild their +homes. Later in the following autumn an incident +occurred which brought much trouble upon them. +Three men from the neighborhood of Canajoharie, +who had deserted the whig cause and joined the +British, came back from Canada as spies, and were +detected and apprehended. Their execution followed; +two were shot, and one, a bold, adventurous fellow, +named Harry Harr, was hung in Mr. Van Alstine's +orchard. Their prolonged absence causing some +uneasiness to their friends in Canada, some Indians +were sent to reconnoitre and learn something of them. +It happened that they arrived on the day of Harr's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +execution, which they witnessed from a neighboring +hill. They returned immediately with the information, +and a party was dispatched—it is said by +Brant—to revenge the death of the spies upon the +inhabitants. Their continued shouts of 'Aha, Harry +Harr!' while engaged in pillaging and destroying, +showed that such was their purpose. In their progress +of devastation, they came to the house of Van +Alstine, where no preparations had been made for +defence, the family not expecting an attack, or not +being aware of the near approach of the enemy. +Mrs. Van Alstine was personally acquainted with +Brant, and it may have been owing to this circumstance +that the members of the family were not +killed or carried away as prisoners. The Indians +came upon them by surprise, entered the house +without ceremony, and plundered and destroyed +everything in their way. Mrs. Van Alstine saw her +most valued articles, brought from Holland, broken +one after another, till the house was strewed with +fragments. As they passed a large mirror without +demolishing it, she hoped it might be saved; but +presently two of the savages led in a colt from the +stable, and the glass being laid in the hall, compelled +the animal to walk over it. The beds which +they could not carry away, they ripped open, shaking +out the feathers and taking the ticks with them. +They also took all the clothing. One young Indian, +attracted by the brilliancy of a pair of inlaid buckles +on the shoes of the aged grandmother seated in the +corner, rudely snatched them from her feet, tore off<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +the buckles, and flung the shoes in her face. Another +took her shawl from her neck, threatening to +kill her if resistance were offered. The eldest +daughter, seeing a young savage carrying off a basket +containing a hat and cap her father had brought +her from Philadelphia, and which she highly prized, +followed him, snatched her basket, and after a +struggle succeeded in pushing him down. She then +fled to a pile of hemp and hid herself, throwing +the basket into it as far as she could. The other +Indians gathered round, and as the young one rose +clapped their hands, shouting 'Brave girl!' while +he skulked away to escape their derision. During +the struggle Mrs. Van Alstine had called to her +daughter to give up the contest; but she insisted +that her basket should not be taken. Having gone +through the house, the intruders went up to the +kitchen chamber, where a quantity of cream in large +jars had been brought from the dairy, and threw +the jars down stairs, covering the floor with their +contents. They then broke the window glass throughout +the house, and unsatisfied with the plunder they +had collected, bribed a man servant by the promise +of his clothes and a portion of the booty to show +them where some articles had been hastily secreted. +Mrs. Van Alstine had just finished cutting out winter +clothing for her family—which consisted of her +mother-in-law, her husband and twelve children, with +two black servants—and had stowed it away in +barrels. The servant treacherously disclosed the hiding +place, and the clothing was soon added to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +rest of the booty. Mrs. Van Alstine reproached the +man for his perfidy, which she assured him would be +punished, not rewarded by the savages, and her words +were verified; for after they had forced him to assist +in securing their plunder, they bound him and put +him in one of their wagons, telling him his treachery +to the palefaces deserved no better treatment. +The provisions having been carried away, the family +subsisted on corn, which they pounded and made +into cakes. They felt much the want of clothing, +and Mrs. Van Alstine gathered the silk of milkweed, +of which, mixed with flax, she spun and wove +garments. The inclement season was now approaching, +and they suffered severely from the want of +window glass, as well as their bedding, woolen +clothes, and the various articles, including cooking +utensils, taken from them. Mrs. Van Alstine's most +arduous labors could do little towards providing for +so many destitute persons; their neighbors were in +no condition to help them, the roads were almost +impassable, besides being infested by Indians, and +their finest horses had been taken. In this deplorable +situation, she proposed to her husband to join +with others who had been robbed in like manner, +and make an attempt to recover their property from +the Indian castle, eighteen or twenty miles distant, +where it had been carried. But the idea of such +an enterprise against an enemy superior in numbers +and well prepared for defence, was soon abandoned. +As the cold became more intolerable and +the necessity for doing something more urgent,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +Mrs. Van Alstine, unable to witness longer the sufferings +of those dependent on her, resolved to venture +herself on the expedition. Her husband and +children endeavored to dissuade her, but firm for +their sake, she left home, accompanied by her son, +about sixteen years of age. The snow was deep +and the roads in a wretched condition, yet she persevered +through all difficulties, and by good fortune +arrived at the castle at a time when the Indians +were all absent on a hunting excursion, the women +and children only being left at home. She went +to the principal house, where she supposed the +most valuable articles must have been deposited, +and on entering, was met by the old squaw who +had the superintendence, who demanded what she +wanted. She asked for food; the squaw hesitated; +but on her visitor saying she had never turned an +Indian away hungry, sullenly commenced preparations +for a meal. The matron saw her bright copper +tea-kettle, with other cooking utensils, brought +forth for use. While the squaw was gone for +water, she began a search for her property, and +finding several articles gave them to her son to +put into the sleigh. When the squaw, returning, +asked by whose order she was taking those things, +Mrs. Van Alstine replied, that they belonged to her; +and seeing that the woman was not disposed to give +them up peaceably, took from her pocket-book a +paper, and handed it to the squaw, who she knew +could not read. The woman asked whose name was +affixed to the supposed order, and being told it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +that of 'Yankee Peter'—a man who had great +influence among the savages, dared not refuse submission. +By this stratagem Mrs. Van Alstine secured, +without opposition, all the articles she could +find belonging to her, and put them into the sleigh. +She then asked where the horses were kept. The +squaw refused to show her, but she went to the stable, +and there found those belonging to her husband, +in fine order—for the savages were careful of their +best horses. The animals recognised their mistress, +and greeted her by a simultaneous neighing. She +bade her son cut the halters, and finding themselves +at liberty they bounded off and went homeward +at full speed. The mother and son now drove +back as fast as possible, for she knew their fate +would be sealed if the Indians should return. They +reached home late in the evening, and passed a +sleepless night, dreading instant pursuit and a night +attack from the irritated savages. Soon after daylight +the alarm was given that the Indians were +within view, and coming towards the house, painted +and in their war costume, and armed with tomahawks +and rifles. Mr. Van Alstine saw no course +to escape their vengeance but to give up whatever +they wished to take back; but his intrepid +wife was determined on an effort, at least, to retain +her property. As they came near she begged +her husband not to show himself—for she +knew they would immediately fall upon him—but to +leave the matter in her hands. The intruders took +their course first to the stable, and bidding all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +rest remain within doors, the matron went out alone, +followed to the door by her family, weeping and +entreating her not to expose herself. Going to the +stable she enquired in the Indian language what +the men wanted. The reply was 'our horses.' She +said boldly—'They are ours; you came and took +them without right; they are ours, and we mean +to keep them.' The chief now came forward threateningly, +and approached the door. Mrs. Van Alstine +placed herself against it, telling him she would +not give up the animals they had raised and were +attached to. He succeeded in pulling her from the +door, and drew out the plug that fastened it, which +she snatched from his hand, pushing him away. +He then stepped back and presented his rifle, threatening +to shoot her if she did not move; but she +kept her position, opening her neckhandkerchief and +bidding him shoot if he dared. It might be that +the Indian feared punishment from his allies for +any such act of violence, or that he was moved +with admiration of her intrepidity; he hesitated, +looked at her for a moment, and then slowly dropped +his gun, uttering in his native language expressions +implying his conviction that the evil one +must help her, and saying to his companions that +she was a brave woman and they would not molest +her. Giving a shout, by way of expressing their +approbation, they departed from the premises. On +their way they called at the house of Col. Frey, and +related their adventure, saying that the white woman's +courage had saved her and her property, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +were there fifty such brave women as the wife of +'Big Tree,' the Indians would never have troubled +the inhabitants of the Mohawk valley. She experienced +afterwards the good effects of the impression +made at this time....</p> + +<p>"It was not long after this occurrence that several +Indians came upon some children left in the field +while the men went to dinner, and took them prisoners, +tomahawking a young man who rushed from +an adjoining field to their assistance. Two of these—six +and eight years of age—were Mrs. Van +Alstine's children. The savages passed on towards +the Susquehanna, plundering and destroying as they +went. They were three weeks upon the journey, +and the poor little captives suffered much from +hunger and exposure to the night air, being in a +deplorable condition by the time they returned to +Canada. On their arrival, according to custom, +each prisoner was required to run the gauntlet, +two Indian boys being stationed on either side, +armed with clubs and sticks to beat him as he +ran. The eldest was cruelly bruised, and when +the younger, pale and exhausted, was led forward, +a squaw of the tribe, taking pity on the helpless +child, said she would go in his place, or if that +could not be permitted, would carry him. She +accordingly took him in her arms, and wrapping +her blanket around him, got through with some +severe blows. The children were then washed and +clothed by order of the chief, and supper was +given them. Their uncle—then also a prisoner—heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +of the arrival of children from the Mohawk, +and was permitted to visit them. The little creatures +were sleeping soundly when aroused by a +familiar voice, and joyfully exclaiming, 'Uncle +Quackinbush!' were clasped in his arms. In the +following spring the captives were ransomed, and +returned home in fine spirits."<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a></p> + +<p>Prior to the commencement of hostilities, Mr. +Van Alstine had purchased a tract of land on +the Susquehanna, eighteen miles below Cooperstown; +and thither removed in 1785. There as at +her former home, Mrs. Van Alstine had an opportunity +to exhibit the heroic qualities of her nature. +We subjoin two anecdotes illustrative of forest life +in the midst of savages.</p> + +<p>"On one occasion an Indian whom Mr. Van +Alstine had offended, came to his house with the +intention of revenging himself. He was not at +home, and the men were out at work, but his wife +and family were within, when the intruder entered. +Mrs. Van Alstine saw his purpose in his countenance. +When she inquired his business, he pointed to his +rifle, saying, he meant 'to show Big Tree which was +the best man.' She well knew that if her husband +presented himself he would probably fall a victim +unless she could reconcile the difficulty. With this +view she commenced a conversation upon subjects +in which she knew the savage would take an interest, +and admiring his dress, asked permission<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +to examine his rifle, which, after praising, she set +down, and while managing to fix his attention on +something else poured water into the barrel. She +then gave him back the weapon, and assuming a +more earnest manner, spoke to him of the Good +Spirit, his kindness to men, and their duty to be +kind to each other. By her admirable tact she so +far succeeded in pacifying him, that when her husband +returned he was ready to extend to him the +hand of reconciliation and fellowship. He partook +of some refreshment, and before leaving informed +them that one of their neighbors had lent him the +rifle for his deadly purpose. They had for some +time suspected this neighbor, who had coveted a +piece of land, of unkind feelings towards them because +he could not obtain it, yet could scarcely +believe him so depraved. The Indian, to confirm +his story, offered to accompany Mrs. Van Alstine +to the man's house, and although it was evening +she went with him, made him repeat what he had +said, and so convinced her neighbor of the wickedness +of his conduct, that he was ever afterwards +one of their best friends. Thus by her prudence +and address she preserved, in all probability, the +lives of her husband and family; for she learned +afterwards that a number of savages had been concealed +near, to rush upon them in case of danger to +their companion.</p> + +<p>"At another time a young Indian came in and +asked the loan of a drawing knife. As soon as he +had it in his hand he walked up to the table, on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +which there was a loaf of bread, and unceremoniously +cut several slices from it. One of Mrs. Van +Alstine's sons had a deerskin in his hand, and +indignantly struck the savage with it. He turned +and darted out of the door, giving a loud whoop as +he fled. The mother just then came in, and hearing +what had passed expressed her sorrow and fears +that there would be trouble, for she knew the Indian +character too well to suppose they would allow the +matter to rest. Her apprehensions were soon realized +by the approach of a party of savages, headed by +the brother of the youth who had been struck. +He entered alone, and inquired for the boy who +had given the blow. Mr. Van Alstine, starting up +in surprise, asked impatiently, 'What the devilish +Indian wanted?' The savage, understanding the +expression applied to his appearance to be anything +but complimentary, uttered a sharp cry, and raising +his rifle, aimed at Van Alstine's breast. His wife +sprang forward in time to throw up the weapon, +the contents of which were discharged into the wall, +and pushing out the Indian, who stood just at the +entrance, she quickly closed the door. He was +much enraged, but she at length succeeded in persuading +him to listen to a calm account of the +matter, and asked why the quarrel of two lads +should break their friendship. She finally invited +him to come in and settle the difficulty in an amicable +way. To his objection that they had no rum, +she answered—'But we have tea;' and at length +the party was called in, and a speech made by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +leader in favor of the 'white squaw,' after which +the tea was passed round. The Indian then took +the grounds, and emptying them into a hole made +in the ashes, declared that the enmity was buried +forever. After this, whenever the family was molested, +the ready tact of Mrs. Van Alstine, and her +acquaintance with Indian nature, enabled her to prevent +any serious difficulty. They had few advantages +for religious worship, but whenever the weather would +permit, the neighbors assembled at Van Alstine's +house to hear the word preached. His wife, by her +influence over the Indians, persuaded many of them +to attend, and would interpret to them what was +said by the minister. Often their rude hearts were +touched, and they would weep bitterly while she +went over the affecting narrative of our Redeemer's +life and death, and explained the truths of the Gospel. +Much good did she in this way, and in after +years many a savage converted to Christianity blessed +her as his benefactress."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> +<h2>HEROIC CONDUCT AT MONMOUTH.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Proud were they by such to stand,<br /> +<span class="i1">In hammock, fort or glen;</span> +To load the sure old rifle—<br /> +<span class="i1">To run the leaden ball—</span> +To watch a battling husband's place,<br /> +<span class="i1">And fill it should he fall.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">W. D. Gallagher.</span> +</div> + + +<p>During the battle of Monmouth, a gunner named +Pitcher was killed; and when the call was made for +some one to take the place of her fallen husband, +his wife, who had followed him to the camp, and +thence to the field of conflict, unhesitatingly stepped +forward, and offered her services. The gun was so +well managed as to draw the attention of General +Washington to the circumstance, and to call forth an +expression of his admiration of her bravery and her +fidelity to her country. To show his appreciation of +her virtues and her highly valuable services, he conferred +on her a lieutenant's commission. She afterwards +went by the name of <i>Captain Molly</i>.</p> + +<p>The poet Glover tells us, in his Leonidas, that +Xerxes boasted</p> + +<div class="poem"> +"His ablest, bravest counselor and chief<br /> +In Artemisia, Caria's matchless queen;" +</div> + +<p>and Herodotus also very justly eulogizes the same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +character. Yet Artemisia was scarcely more serviceable +to Xerxes in the battle of Salamis, than "Captain +Molly" to Washington in the battle of Monmouth. +One served in a Grecian expedition, to +gratify her great spirit, vigor of mind and love of +glory; the other fought, partly, it may be, to revenge +the death of her husband, but more, doubtless, for +the love she bore for an injured country, "bleeding +at every vein." One was rewarded with a complete +suit of Grecian armor; the other with a lieutenant's +commission, and both for their bravery. If the queen +of Caria is deserving of praise for her martial valor, +the name of the heroic wife of the gunner, should be +woven with hers in a fadeless wreath of song.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span></p> +<h2>COURAGE OF A COUNTRY GIRL.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Honor and shame from no condition rise,<br /> +Act well your part, there all the honor lies.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Pope</span> +</div> + + +<p>In December, 1777, while Washington was at +Valley Forge and the enemy was in Philadelphia, +Major Tallmadge was stationed between the two +places with a detachment of cavalry, to make observations +and to limit the range of British foragers. +On one occasion, while performing this duty, he was +informed that a country girl had gone into Philadelphia—perhaps +by Washington's instigation—ostensibly +to sell eggs, but really and especially to +obtain information respecting the enemy; and curiosity +led him to move his detachment to Germantown. +There the main body halted while he advanced with +a small party towards the British lines. Dismounting +at a tavern in plain sight of their outposts, he soon +saw a young girl coming out of the city. He watched +her till she came up to the tavern; made himself +known to her, and was about to receive some valuable +intelligence, when he was informed that the British +light horse were advancing. Stepping to the door he +saw them in full pursuit of his patroles. He hastily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +mounted, but before he had started his charger, the +girl was at his side begging for protection. Quick as +thought, he ordered her to mount behind him. She +obeyed, and in that way rode to Germantown, a distance +of three miles. During the whole ride, writes +the Major in his Journal, where we find these details, +"although there was considerable firing of pistols, +and not a little wheeling and charging, she remained +unmoved, and never once complained of fear."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE LEDYARDS AT FORT GRISWOLD</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Ah never shall the land forget<br /> +<span class="i1">How gushed the life-blood of the brave;</span> +Gushed warm with hope and courage yet,<br /> +<span class="i1">Upon the soil they fought to save.</span><br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Bryant</span><br /> +<br /> +How few like thee enquire the wretched out,<br /> +And court the offices of soft humanity.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Rowe.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>"It will be remembered that at the time of the +burning of New London, Connecticut, a detachment +of the army of the traitor Arnold, under whose personal +direction that feat of vandalism was performed, +was directed to attack and carry Fort Griswold at +Groton, on the opposite side of the river. It was +then under the command of Colonel Ledyard, a brave +and meritorious officer, whose memory will live in +the warm affections of his country, as that of one of +the early martyrs to her liberty, whilst the granite +pile which now lifts its summit above the spot where +he was sacrificed, shall long remain to bear the record +of his death. The fort was, in truth, little more than +an embankment of earth, thrown up as a breast-work +for the handful of troops it surrounded, and with a +strong log-house in the center. The force which +attacked it was altogether superior to that of its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +defenders, even when the difference in their position +is taken into view. The case was so hopeless, that +the slightest share of prudence would have suggested +retreat. But the chafed and gallant spirits of Ledyard +and his men would not permit them to retire +before a marauding enemy, however powerful, without +making at least one effort to beat him back. With a +boldness and heroism scarcely ever surpassed, they +stood their ground, until overwhelming numbers of +the enemy were in the fort, and engaged hand to +hand with its heroic defenders. Fierce and terrible, +for a few moments, was the encounter, and it was not +until the last ray of hope was gone, and nothing but +a useless effusion of blood would have resulted from +further resistance, that they at length yielded. In +doing so, however, they were inclined to believe that +the gallantry displayed by their little band, would at +least shelter them from indignity. Ledyard had +turned the handle of his sword to the commander of +the assailants, and in answer to the question, 'who +commands this fort,' replied, 'I did, sir, but you do +now,' when he was pierced to the heart with his own +weapon, and by the dastardly hand in which he had +just placed it. An almost indiscriminate butchery +now commenced; many falling instantly dead and +some being desperately wounded. The fort was then +entirely at the disposal of the enemy. The barbarity, +however, did not end there. When it was found that +several of the prisoners were still alive, the British +soldiers piled their mangled bodies in an old cart and +started it down the steep and rugged hill, towards the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +river, in order that they might be there drowned. +But stumps and stones obstructed the passage of the +cart; and when the enemy had retreated—for the +aroused inhabitants of that region soon compelled +them to the step—the friends of the wounded came +to their aid and thus several lives were saved."<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a></p> + +<p>One of the "ministering angels" who came the next +morning to the aid of the thirty-five wounded men, +who lay all night freezing in their own blood, was +Miss Mary Ledyard, a near relative of the Colonel. +"She brought warm chocolate, wine, and other refreshments, +and while Dr. Downer of Preston was +dressing their wounds, she went from one to another, +administering her cordials, and breathing into their +ears gentle words of sympathy and encouragement. +In these labors of kindness she was assisted by another +relative of the lamented Colonel Ledyard—Mrs. +John Ledyard—who had also brought her household +stores to refresh the sufferers, and lavished on them +the most soothing personal attentions. The soldiers +who recovered from their wounds, were accustomed, +to the day of their death, to speak of these ladies in +terms of fervent gratitude and praise."<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p> +<h2>SENECA HEROINES.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +They fought like brave <i>men</i>, long and well.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Halleck.</span> +</div> + + +<p>In the celebrated battle between the French and +Indians, which occurred near Victor, in the western +part of New York, in 1687, five Seneca women +took an active part in the bloody conflict. Mr. +Hosmer, the poet, alludes to the circumstance in +one of his celebrated "Lectures on the Iroquois," +from the manuscript of which we have been permitted +to copy, as follows:</p> + +<p>"The memory of illustrious women who have +watched in defence of altar and hearth, the deeds +of the sterner sex, has been enshrined in song, and +honored by the Historic Muse. Joan of Arc, and +the dark-eyed maid of Saragossa in all coming +time will be chivalric watch-words of France and +Spain, but not less worthy of record, and poetic +embalmment, were the <i>five</i><a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> devoted heroines who +followed their red lords to the battle-field near +ancient Ganagarro, and fought with unflinching resolution<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +by their sides. Children of such wives +could not be otherwise than valiant. Bring back +your shield, or be brought upon it, was the Spartan +mother's stern injunction to her son: but roused +to a higher pitch of courage, the wild daughters of +the Genesee stood in the perilous pass, and in the +defence of their forest homes, turned not back from +the spear, 'the thunder of the captains, and the +shouting.'"</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span></p> +<h2>MARTHA BRATTON.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Not to the ensanguined field of death alone<br /> +Is valor limited.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Smollet.</span> +<br /> +Our country first, their glory and their pride.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">J. T. Fields.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Martha Bratton was the wife of William Bratton +a native of Pennsylvania. She was born in Rowan +county, North Carolina. They settled near York +ville, in South Carolina, where she died in 1816. +Two or three anecdotes will suffice to illustrate her +character.</p> + +<p>In June, 1780, a party of British and tory marauders, +were attacked by a company of whigs +under Colonel Bratton, at Mobley Meeting House, +in Fairfield district, South Carolina, and defeated. +Advertised of this disaster, Colonel Turnbull, commander +of a detachment of British troops at Rocky +Mount, Chester county, ordered Captain Huck to +proceed with his cavalry to the frontier of the +province, collecting all the royal army on his march, +and if possible to subdue the rebels. An engagement +soon took place between Captain Huck and Colonel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +Bratton; but before the battle, the Colonel's wife +had an opportunity to display her character in a +truly heroic manner. The evening preceding, Huck +arrived at the Colonel's house, and entering in an +uncivil manner, demanded of his wife where her +husband was. She boldly replied "He is in Sumter's +army!" Huck then tried to persuade her +to induce her husband to join the British, and +even went so far as to promise him a commission, +in case he would do so. But neither persuasion +nor argument availed any thing. With the firmness +of a true patriot, she assured him that she would +rather see him—faithful to his country—perish in +Sumter's army, than clothed with any power or +graced with any honor royalty could bestow! At +this point, a soldier, exasperated at her bold and +fearless manner, seized a reaping hook that hung +in the piazza and threatened to kill her if she did +not give particular and full information in regard to +her husband. But with the weapon still at her +throat, she promptly refused; and, but for the interference +of the officer second in command, she would +have lost her life.</p> + +<p>Huck now ordered her to prepare supper for +himself and the whole band. With this request she +complied, and then retired to an upper apartment +with her children. Supper over, Huck posted his +sentinels along the road and went with his officers +to another house, half a mile off, to pass the night.</p> + +<p>Convinced that the royalists would seek revenge +for their late defeat at Mobley's Meeting House,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +and naturally fearing that his own family might +be among the victims, Colonel Bratton had that +day marched from Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, +with seventy-five men. Late in the evening +he drew near his house, and learning that the enemy +were there, and ascertaining their number, he made +speedy preparations for an attack. The guard +of the royalists was neglected, and he found no +trouble in reconnoitering the encampment. All +things ready, the attack was made before Huck +had finished his morning nap. He awoke only to +attempt to rally his men and then lie down again +to sleep for ever! The tories seeing their leader +fall, fled, or made the attempt. Some <i>did</i> escape, +others were killed, others taken prisoners. The +firing ceased about day light, when Mrs. Bratton +made her appearance. She received the wounded on +both sides, and showed them impartial attention, +setting herself to work immediately, dressing their +wounds and trying to relieve their pains. She who +was so brave in the hour of danger, was no less +humane in a time of suffering.<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a></p> + +<p>Prior to the fall of Charleston at a period when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +ammunition was very scarce, Governor Rutledge +intrusted to her a small stock of powder. This +fact some tory ascertained, and communicated to +the British at a station not far off. A detachment +was forthwith sent out to secure the treasure, of +which movement Mrs. Bratton received early intimation. +Resolving that the red coats should not +have the prize, she laid a train of powder from +the depot to the spot she chose to occupy; and +when they came in sight, she blew it up. "Who +has dared to do this atrocious act? Speak quickly, +that they may meet the punishment they deserve," +was the demand of the officer in command. "Know +then, 'twas <i>I</i>," was the dauntless reply of Mrs. +Bratton, "and let the consequences be what they +will," she added, "I glory in having frustrated the +mischief contemplated by the merciless enemies of +my country."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p> +<h2>A POOR WOMAN'S OFFERING.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i5">The world is but a word;</span> +Were it all yours, to give it in a breath,<br /> +How quickly were it gone!<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The following anecdote was related, a few years +ago, by the Rev. W. S. Plumer, while addressing +the Virginia Baptist Education Society. We regret +that he did not give the name of the good woman +who possessed such commendable zeal for the missionary +cause.</p> + +<p>"A poor woman had attended a missionary meeting +a few years since. Her heart was moved with +pity. She looked around on her house and furniture +to see what she could spare for the mission. She +could think of nothing that would be of any use. +At length she thought of her five children, three +daughters and two sons. She entered her closet, and +consecrated them to the mission. Two of her daughters +are now in heathen lands, and the other is preparing +to go. Of her sons, one is on his way to +India, and the other is preparing for the ministry, +and inquiring on the subject of a missionary life."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE MOTHER OF PRESIDENT JACKSON.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i3">How often has the thought</span> +<span class="i3">Of my mourn'd mother brought</span> +Peace to my troubled spirit, and new power<br /> +<span class="i3">The tempter to repel.</span> +<span class="i3">Mother, thou knowest well</span> +That thou has bless'd me since my natal hour.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Pierpont.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>The mother of General Jackson had three children. +Their names were Hugh, Robert and Andrew. +The last was the youngest and lost his father when +an infant. Like the mother of Washington, she was +a very pious woman, and strove to glorify God as +much in the rearing of her children as in the performance +of any other duty. She taught Andrew the +leading doctrines of the Bible, in the form of question +and answer, from the Westminster catechism; and +those lessons he never forgot. In conversation with +him some years since, says a writer, "General Jackson +spoke of his mother in a manner that convinced +me that she never ceased to exert a secret power +over him, until his heart was brought into reconciliation +with God." This change, however, he did not +experience till very late in life—after he had retired +from the Presidency. He united with the Presbyterian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +church near the close of the year 1839, then +in his seventy-third year. Just before his death, +which occurred in June, 1845, he said to a clergyman, +"My lamp of life is nearly out, and the last +glimmer is come. I am ready to depart when called. +The Bible is true.... Upon that sacred volume +I rest my hope of eternal salvation, through the +merits and blood of our blessed Lord and Saviour, +Jesus Christ."</p> + +<p>If departed spirits, the saintly and ascended, are +permitted to look from their high habitation, upon +the scenes of earth, with what holy transport must +the mother of Andrew Jackson have beheld the +death-bed triumph of her son. The lad whom she +early sent to an academy at the Waxhaw meeting-house, +hoping to fit him for the ministry, had become +a man, and led the hosts of the land through many a +scene of conflict and on to a glorious and decisive +victory; had filled the highest office in the world, +and was now an old man, able, in his last earthly +hour, <i>by the grace of God attending her early, pious +instruction</i>, to challenge death for his sting and to +shout "victory" over his opening grave.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE YOUNG HEROINE OF FORT HENRY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i3">Judge me not ungentle,</span> +Of manner's rude, and insolent of speech,<br /> +If, when the public safety is in question,<br /> +My zeal flows warm and eager from my tongue.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i14 smcap">Rowe's Jane Shore.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The siege of Fort Henry, at the mouth of Wheeling +creek, in Ohio county, Virginia, occurred in +September, 1777. Of the historical <i>fact</i> most people +are aware; yet but few, comparatively, knew how +much the little band in the garrison, who held out +against thirty or forty times their number of savage +assailants, were indebted, for their success, to the +courage and self-devotion of a single female.</p> + +<p>The Indians kept up a brisk firing from about +sunrise till past noon, when they ceased and retired +a short distance to the foot of a hill. During the +forenoon the little company in the fort had not been +idle. Among their number were a few sharp shooters, +who had burnt most of the powder on hand to the +best advantage. Almost every charge had taken +effect; and probably the savages began to see that +they were losing numbers at fearful odds, and had +doubtless retired for consultation. But they had less<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +occasion for anxiety, just at that time, than the men, +women and children in the garrison. As already +hinted, the stock of powder was nearly exhausted. +There was a keg in a house ten or twelve rods +from the gate of the fort, and as soon as the hostilities +of the Indians were suspended, the question +arose, who shall attempt to seize this prize? Strange +to say, every soldier proffered his services, and there +was an ardent contention among them for the honor. +In the weak state of the garrison, Colonel Shepard, +the commander, deemed it advisable that only one +person should be spared; and in the midst of the confusion, +before any one could be designated, a girl +named Elizabeth Zane,<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> interrupted the debate, +saying that her life was not so important, at that +time, as any one of the soldier's, and claiming the +privilege of performing the contested service. The +Colonel would not, at first, listen to her proposal; +but she was so resolute, so persevering in her plea, +and her argument was so powerful, that he finally +suffered the gate to be opened, and she passed out. +The Indians saw her before she reached her brother's +house, where the keg was deposited; but, for +some unknown cause, they did not molest her, until +she re-appeared with the article under her arm. +Probably divining the nature of her burden, they +discharged a volley as she was running towards the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +gate; but the whizzing balls only gave agility to +her feet, and herself and the prize were quickly safe +within the gate. The result was that the soldiers +inspired with enthusiasm by this heroic adventure, +fought with renewed courage, and, before the keg +of powder was exhausted, the enemy raised the siege.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus260.jpg" width="450" height="544" alt="decoration" /> + +</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span></p> +<h2>A BENEVOLENT WIDOW</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i7">Charity ever</span> +Finds in the act reward.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i8 smcap">Beaumont and Fletcher.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Several years ago, a poor widow had placed a smoked +herring,—the last morsel of food she had in the +house—on the table for herself and children, when a +stranger entered and solicited food, saying that he had +had nothing to eat for twenty-four hours. The widow +unhesitatingly offered to share the herring with him, +remarking, at the same time, "We shall not be forsaken, +or suffer deeper for an act of charity."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus262.jpg" width="450" height="547" alt="THE WIDOW AND HER SON." title="THE WIDOW AND HER SON." /> +<span class="caption">THE WIDOW AND HER SON.</span> +</div> + +<p>As the stranger drew near the table and saw the +scantiness of the fare, he asked, "And is this all your +store? Do you offer a share to one you do not know? +Then I never saw charity before. But, madam, do +you not wrong your children by giving a part of your +morsel to a stranger?" "Ah," said she, with tears in +her eyes, "I have a boy, a darling son, somewhere on +the face of the wide world, unless Heaven has taken +him away; and I only act towards you as I would +that others should act towards him. God, who sent +manna from heaven, can provide for us as he did +for Israel; and how should I this night offend him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +if my son should be a wanderer, destitute as you, +and he should have provided for him a home, even +as poor as this, were I to turn you unrelieved away!"</p> + +<p>The stranger whom she thus addressed, was the long +absent son to whom she referred; and when she stopped +speaking, he sprang from his feet, clasped her +in his arms, and exclaimed, "God, indeed, has provided +just such a home for your wandering son, <i>and +has given him wealth to reward the goodness of +his benefactress</i>. My mother! O, my mother!"<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span></p> +<h2>ANNE FITZHUGH.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Who shall find a valiant woman?<br /> +The price of her is as things brought from afar.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Proverbs.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i9">'T is the last</span> +Duty that I can pay to my dear lord.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Fletcher.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The wife of Colonel William Fitzhugh, of Maryland, +while he was absent at one time during the +Revolution, was surprised by the news that a party +of British soldiers was approaching her house. +She instantly collected her slaves; furnished them +with such weapons of defence as were at hand; +took a quantity of cartridges in her apron, and, +herself forming the van, urged her sable subalterns +on to meet the foe. Not looking for resistance, the +advancing party, on beholding the amazon with her +sooty invincibles, hastily turned on their heels and +fled.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus267.jpg" width="450" height="561" alt="THE HEROIC MOTHER." title="THE HEROIC MOTHER." /> +<span class="caption">THE HEROIC MOTHER.</span> +</div> + +<p>On a subsequent occasion, a detachment of soldiers +marched at midnight to Colonel Fitzhugh's house, +which was half a mile from the shore, and near the +mouth of the Patuxent river, and knocked at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +door. The Colonel demanding who was there, and +receiving for reply that the visitants were "friends +to King George," told the unwelcome intruders that +he was blind and unable to wait upon them, but +that his wife would admit them forthwith. Lighting +a candle and merely putting on her slippers, she +descended, awoke her sons, put pistols in their +hands, and, pointing to the back door, told them +to flee. She then let the soldiers in at the front +door. They inquired for Colonel Fitzhugh, and said +he must come down stairs at once and go as a +prisoner to New York. She accordingly dressed her +husband—forgetting meanwhile, to do as much for +herself—and when he had descended, he assured +the soldiers that his blindness, and the infirmities +of age unfitted him to take care of himself, and +that it could hardly be desirable for them to take +in charge so decrepit and inoffensive a person. +They thought otherwise; and his wife, seeing he +must go, took his arm and said she would go too. +The officer told her she would be exposed and +must suffer, but she persisted in accompanying him, +saying that he could not take care of himself, nor, +if he could, would she permit a separation.</p> + +<p>It was a cold and rainy night, and with the +mere protection of a cloak, which the officer took +down and threw over her shoulders before leaving +the house, she sallied forth with the party. While +on the way to their boat, the report of a gun was +heard, which the soldiers supposed was the signal +of a rebel gathering. They hastened to the boat,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +where a parole was written out with trembling +hand, and placed in the old gentleman's possession. +Without even a benediction, he was left on shore +with his faithful and fearless companion, who thought +but little of her wet feet as she stood and saw the +cowardly detachment of British soldiers push off +and row away with all their might for safety.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> +<h2>ESTHER GASTON.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +True fortitude is seen in great exploits<br /> +That justice warrants and that wisdom guides.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Addison.</span> +<br /> +The good alone are great.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Beattie.</span> +</div> + + +<p>On the morning of July thirtieth, 1770, Esther +Gaston, afterwards the wife of Alexander Walker, +hearing the firing at the battle of Rocky Mount, took +with her a sister-in-law, and, well mounted, pushed on +towards the scene of conflict. They soon met two or +three cowardly men, hastening from the field of action. +Esther hailed and rebuked them, and finding +entreaties would not cause them to retrace their steps, +she seized the gun from the hands of one of them, +exclaiming, "Give <i>us</i> your guns, then, and we will +stand in your places." The cowards, abashed, now +wheeled, and, in company with the females, hurried +on to face the cannon's mouth.</p> + +<p>While the strife was still raging, Esther and her +companion busied themselves in dressing the wounded +and quenching the thirst of the dying. Even +their helpless enemies shared in their humane services.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p> + +<p>During the battle of Hanging Rock, which occurred +the next week, Esther might be seen at Waxhaw +church, which was converted for the time into a hospital, +administering to the wants of the wounded.</p> + +<p>As kind as patriotic, with her hands filled with +soothing cordials, she was seen, through all her life, +knocking at the door of suffering humanity.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span></p> +<h2>REMARKABLE PRESENCE OF MIND AND<br /> +SELF-POSSESSION.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Were I the monarch of the earth,<br /> +<span class="i2">And master of the swelling sea,</span> +I would not estimate their worth,<br /> +<span class="i2">Dear woman, half the price of thee.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i10 smcap">Geo. P. Morris.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Mr. Ralph Izard, a true "liberty man," resided, +during the struggle for Independence, near Dorchester, +in South Carolina. He was for awhile aid-de-camp +to the commander of the Light Troops, and +was an especial object of British hatred. On one +occasion, while at home, he came very near falling +into the hands of the enemy. A number of British +soldiers surrounded his house, and on discovering +them he hid himself in the clothes-press. They +were confident he was in the house, and having +instituted a thorough but ineffectual search, threatened +to burn the building, unless his wife would +point out his place of concealment. She adroitly +evaded answering directly all queries respecting his +quarters. They next robbed his wardrobe; seized +all the better articles they could find in the house, +and even tried to force off her finger-rings. She<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +still remained composed and courageous, yet courteous +and urbane, knowing that much, every thing, +in fact, depended on her self-control. Her calmness +and apparent unconcern led the marauders to conclude +that they had been misled in supposing Mr. +Izard was in the house; and at length they departed. +He then sprang from his covert, and, rushing out +by a back door, crossed the Ashley river and notified +the Americans on the opposite side, of the +state of things.</p> + +<p>Meantime, the ruffians returned to the house, and, +strange to say, went directly to the clothes-press. +Again disappointed, they retired; but they were +soon met by a body of cavalry, handsomely whipped, +and all the fine articles belonging to Mr. Izard's +wardrobe and house were restored.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE WIFE OF GOVERNOR GRISWOLD.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Happy the man, and happy sure he was,<br /> +So wedded.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Hurdis.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The residence of the first Governor of Connecticut, +was at Blackhall, near Long Island Sound. While +British ships were lying at anchor in these waters on +a certain occasion, a party of marines in pursuit of +his Excellency, presented themselves at the door. It +being impossible for him to escape by flight, his affectionate +and thoughtful wife secreted him in a large +new meat barrel or tierce—for although he was somewhat +corpulent, he could not vie in physical rotundity +with the early and honored Knickerbocker magistrates. +He was cleverly packed away in the future +home of doomed porkers, just as the soldiers entered +and commenced their search. Not finding him readily, +they asked his quick-witted wife one or two hard +questions, but received no very enlightening answer. +The Legislature had convened a day or two before +at Hartford, and she intimated that he was or ought +to be at the capital. Unsuccessful in their search, +the soldiers took their boat and returned to the ship. +Before they had reached the latter, his unpacked +Honor was on a swift steed, galloping to Gubernatorial +head-quarters.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p> +<h2>BOLD EXPLOIT OF A YOUNG GIRL.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Some god impels with courage not thy own.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Pope's Homer.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Robert Gibbes was the owner of a splendid mansion +on John's Island, a few miles from Charleston, +South Carolina, known, during the Revolution, as the +"Peaceful Retreat." On his plantation the British +encamped on a certain occasion; and the American +authorities sent two galleys up the Stono river, on +which the mansion stood, to dislodge them. Strict +injunctions had been given to the men not to fire on +the house, but Mr. Gibbes not being aware of this +fact, when the firing commenced, thought it advisable +to take his family to some remote place for shelter. +They accordingly started in a cold and drizzly rain +and in a direction ranging with the fire of the American +guns. Shot struck the trees and cut the bushes +beside their path for some distance. When about a +mile from the mansion, and out of danger, reaching +the huts occupied by the negroes on the plantation, +Mrs. Gibbes, being chilled and exhausted, was obliged +to lie down. Here, when they supposed all were +safe, and began to rejoice over their fortunate escape, +to their great astonishment, they discovered that a +boy named Fenwick, a member of the family, had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> +been left behind.<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> It was still raining, was very +dark, and imminent danger must attend an effort to +rescue the lad. And who would risk life in attempting +it? The servants refused. Mr. Gibbes was gouty +and feeble, and prudence forbade him to again venture +out. At length, the oldest daughter of the family, +Mary Ann, only thirteen years old, offers to go +alone. She hastens off; reaches the house, still in +possession of the British; begs the sentinel to let her +enter; and though repeatedly repulsed, she doubles +the earnestness of her entreaties, and finally gains +admittance. She finds the child in the third story; +clasps him in her arms; hastens down stairs, and, +passing the sentry, flees with the shot whizzing past +her head; and herself and the child are soon with +the rest of the family.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></p> +<h2>SUSANNA WRIGHT.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Work for some good, be it ever so slowly;<br /> +Cherish some flower, be it ever so lowly;<br /> +Labor—all labor is noble and holy.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. Osgood.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Susanna Wright removed to this country with her +parents from Warrington, in Great Britain, in the +year 1714. The family settled in Lancaster county, +Pennsylvania. Susanna was then about seventeen. +"She never married; but after the death of her +father, became the head of her own family, who +looked up to her for advice and direction as a parent, +for her heart was replete with every kind affection."</p> + +<p>She was a remarkable economist of time, for +although she had the constant management of a large +family, and, at times, of a profitable establishment, +she mastered many of the sciences; was a good +French, Latin and Italian scholar; assisted neighbors +in the settlement of estates, and was frequently consulted +as a physician.</p> + +<p>"She took great delight in domestic manufacture, +and had constantly much of it produced in her family. +For many years she attended to the rearing of silk +worms, and with the silk, which she reeled and prepared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +herself, made many articles both of beauty +and utility, dying the silk of various colors with indigenous +materials. She had at one time upwards of +sixty yards of excellent mantua returned to her from +Great Britain, where she had sent the raw silk to be +manufactured."</p> + +<p>This industrious and pious Quakeress, who seems +to have possessed all the excellencies defined in Solomon's +inventory of the virtuous woman, lived more +than four score years, an ornament to her sex and a +blessing to the race.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i10">"There was no need,</span> +In those good times, of trim callisthenics,—<br /> +And there was less of gadding, and far more<br /> +Of home-bred, heart-felt comfort, rooted strong<br /> +In industry, and bearing such rare fruit<br /> +As wealth may never purchase." +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></p> +<h2>PATRIOTISM OF 1770.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +In conduct, as in courage, you excel,<br /> +Still first to act what you advise so well.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Pope's Homer.</span> +</div> + + +<p>In the early part of February, 1770, the women of +Boston publicly pledged themselves to abstain from +the use of tea, "as a practical execution of the non-importation +agreement of their fathers, husbands and +brothers." We are credibly informed, writes the +editor of the Boston Gazette of February ninth, "that +upwards of one hundred ladies at the north part of +the town, have, of their own free will and accord, +come into and signed an agreement, not to drink any +tea till the Revenue Acts are passed." At that date +three hundred matrons had become members of the +league.</p> + +<p>Three days after the above date, the young women +followed the example of their mothers, multitudes +signing a document which read as follows: "We, the +daughters of those patriots who have and do now +appear for the public interest, and, in that, principally +regard their posterity,—as such do with pleasure +engage with them in denying ourselves the drinking +of foreign tea, in hopes to frustrate a plan which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> +tends to deprive the whole community of all that is +valuable in life."</p> + +<p>Multitudes of females in New York and Virginia, +and, if we mistake not, some in other states, made +similar movements; and it is easy to perceive, in the +tone of those early pledges of self-denial for honor, +liberty, country's sake, the infancy of that spirit which, +quickly reaching its manhood, planned schemes of +resistance to oppression on a more magnanimous +scale, and flagged not till a work was done which +filled half the world with admiration and the whole +with astonishment.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span></p> +<h2>MRS. SPALDING OF GEORGIA.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Through trials hard as these, how oft are seen<br /> +The tender sex, in fortitude serene.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Ann Seward.</span><br /> +</div> + + +<p>Mrs. Spalding was the niece of General Lachlan +McIntosh, daughter of Colonel William McIntosh and +mother of Major Spalding, of Georgia.</p> + +<p>In 1778, after Colonel Campbell took possession +of Savannah, Georgia, that section of the country was +infested with reckless marauders, and many families +fled to avoid their ruthlessness. Mr. Spalding retired +with his wife and child to Florida; and twice +during the Revolution, she traversed "the two hundred +miles between Savannah and St. John's river, +in an open boat, with only black servants on board, +when the whole country was a desert, without a house +to shelter her and her infant son."</p> + +<p>The part she bore in the dangers of the Revolution +and the anxieties to which she was necessarily subjected, +so impaired her health that "many years afterwards +it was deemed necessary that she should +try the climate of Europe. In January, 1800, she, +with her son and his wife, left Savannah in a British<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +ship of twenty guns, with fifty men, built in all points +to resemble a sloop of war, without the appearance +of a cargo. When they had been out about fifteen +days, the captain sent one morning at daylight, to +request the presence of two of his gentlemen passengers +on deck. A large ship, painted black and showing +twelve guns on a side, was seen to windward, +running across their course. She was obviously a +French privateer. The captain announced that there +was no hope of out-sailing her, should their course +be altered; nor would there be hope in a conflict, +as those ships usually carried one hundred and fifty +men. Yet he judged that if no effort were made +to shun the privateer, the appearance of his ship +might deter from an attack. The gentlemen were +of the same opinion. Mr. Spalding, heart-sick at +thought of the perilous situation of his wife and mother, +and unwilling to trust himself with an interview +till the crisis was over, requested the captain to go +below and make what preparation he could for their +security. After a few minutes' absence the captain +returned to describe a most touching scene. Mrs. +Spalding had placed her daughter-in-law and the +other inmates of the cabin for safety in the two state-rooms, +filling the berths with the cots and bedding +from the outer cabin. She had then taken her station +beside the scuttle, which led from the outer cabin +to the magazine, with two buckets of water. Having +noticed that the two cabin boys were heedless, she had +determined herself to keep watch over the magazine. +She did so till the danger was past. The captain took<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> +in his light sails, hoisted his boarding nettings, opened +his ports, and stood on upon his course. The privateer +waited till the ship was within a mile, then fired +a gun to windward, and stood on her way. This ruse +preserved the ship."<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span></p> +<h2>COURAGEOUS ACT OF MRS. DILLARD.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Thy country, glorious, brave and fair,<br /> +Thine all of life—<br /> +Her name alone thy heart's depths stirred,<br /> +And filled thy soul with war-like pride.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Sara J. Clarke.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The day before the battle at the Green Spring, in +the Spartanburg district, South Carolina, Colonel +Clarke, of the Georgia volunteers, with about two +hundred men, stopped at the house of Captain Dillard +and were cordially welcomed to a good supply of refreshments. +In the evening of the same day, Colonel +Ferguson and another officer named Dunlap, with +a party of tories, arrived at the same house and inquired +of the mistress, if Colonel Clarke had been there, +to which question she gave a direct and honest answer. +He then inquired in regard to the time of +Clarke's departure and the number of his men. She +could not guess their number, but said they had been +gone a long time. She was then ordered to get supper, +which she did, though in a less hospitable spirit +than she had prepared the previous meal. While at +work, she overheard some of the conversation of the +officers, by which she learned that they were bent on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +surprising Colonel Clarke, and would start for that +purpose when supper was dispatched. As soon as the +food was on the table, Mrs. Dillard hurried out at the +back door, bridled a horse that stood in the stable, +and mounting without saddle, rode till nearly daylight +before reaching the Green Spring where Clarke +had encamped, and where he was to be attacked by +Ferguson, at the break of day or sooner, as she had +learned before starting.</p> + +<p>She had just aroused the whigs and notified them +of their danger, when a detachment of two hundred +picked, mounted men, commanded by Dunlap, rushed +into the camp. They found their intended victims +ready for the charge; were quickly driven out of the +camp, and glad to escape by flight. Thus, fortunately +for the friends of freedom, ended this battle, which, +but for the daring of a single patriotic woman, would +doubtless have resulted in the annihilation of the little +band of Georgia volunteers.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span></p> +<h2>PHOEBE PHILLIPS.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +The secret pleasure of a generous act<br /> +Is the great mind's great bribe.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Dryden.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Phoebe Foxcroft, afterwards the wife of Samuel +Phillips, the joint founder, with his uncle, of the academy +at Andover, Massachusetts, was a native of +Cambridge, in the same state. Reared beneath the +shades of "Old Harvard" and being the daughter of +a man of wealth and high respectability, it is almost +needless to say that she was well educated and highly +refined. To mental attainments she added the finishing +charm of female character, glowing piety. The +last forty years or more of her life were passed at Andover, +where, after the death of her husband, she +assisted in founding the celebrated Theological seminary. +She died in 1818.</p> + +<p>It is said that she was accustomed, for years, to +make the health of every pupil in the academy a subject +of personal interest. Her attentions to their +wants were impartial and incalculably beneficial. To +those that came from remote towns, and were thus +deprived of parental oversight, she acted the part +of a faithful mother.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span></p> + +<p>Affectionate, kind, generous, watchful, as a christian +guardian; she was unbending, self-sacrificing and +"zealous, yet modest," as a patriot. During the seven +years' struggle for freedom, she frequently sat up till +midnight or past, preparing bandages and scraping +lint for the hospitals and making garments for the ragged +soldiers.</p> + +<p>An offender of justice was once passing her house +on his way to the whipping-post, when a boy, who observed +him from her window, could not withhold a +tear. He tried to conceal his emotion, but Mrs. Phillips +saw the pearl drop of pity, and while a kindred +drop fell from her own eyes, she said to him, with +much emphasis and as though laying down some golden +maxim—"When you become a law maker, examine +the subject of corporeal punishment, and see +if it is not unnatural, vindictive and productive of +much evil." She was very discriminating, and could +detect talent as well as tears; and addressed the lad +with a premonition that he was destined to become a +legislator—which was indeed the case. Elected to the +assembly of the state, with the sacred command of his +early and revered mentor impressed on his memory, +he early called the attention of that body to the subject +of corporeal punishment; had the statute book +revised and the odious law, save in capital offences, +expunged, and the pleasure of announcing the fact to +the original suggestor of the movement.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> +<h2>WORTHY EXAMPLE OF A POOR WIDOW.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Howe'er it be, it seems to me<br /> +<span class="i1">'Tis only noble to be good;</span> +Kind hearts are more than coronets,<br /> +<span class="i1">And simple faith than Norman blood.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Tennyson.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The following article was communicated to the +Christian Watchman and Reflector, of Boston, for +January thirtieth, 1851. The facts are given without +coloring or embellishment. The subject of the article +has gone to the grave, but the influence of her exemplary +life has not ceased to be felt. Her</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i7">"Speaking dust</span> +Has more of life than half its breathing moulds."<br /> +</div> + +<p>Some twenty years since, the writer became pastor +of a church in the town of B. A few weeks after +my settlement, I called at the humble dwelling of a +poor widow, with whom I had already become somewhat +acquainted. Having been apprised of the high +estimation in which she was held by the church of +which she was a member, for her cheerful and consistent +piety, an interesting and profitable interview +was anticipated. I had been seated but a few moments +when she placed in my hand one dollar, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> +proceeded, by way of explanation, to make the following +statements, which I give as nearly as possible +in her own language:</p> + +<p>"Before you came among us, our church and people +where in a very depressed and disheartened condition. +For two or three Sabbaths we had no religious +services during the day. How sad to be as +sheep without a shepherd, and to have the house of +God closed on his holy day! If the Lord would only +send us a pastor, I felt willing to do any thing in +my power to aid in sustaining him. But then the +thought occurred to me, What can <i>you</i> do, a poor +widow, with four small children to support, and your +house rent to pay? It is quite as much as you +can do to meet necessary expenses. For a moment +I was sad; but my mind still dwelt upon the subject, +until finally this plan occurred to me: 'God +has blessed you with excellent health, and you can +sit up and work between the hours of nine and +eleven or twelve o'clock at night; and what you +thus earn you can give for that object.' I was at +once relieved, and resolved before the Lord that, +if he would send us a pastor, I would immediately +commence my labors, and do what I could to aid +in sustaining and encouraging him. I felt that now +I could pray consistently, as I was willing to do +my duty. With a faith and fervor to which I had +before been a stranger, I besought the Lord speedily +to favor us with an under-shepherd; and soon you +came here to preach for us. I believed God sent +you; and although at first you had no idea of remaining,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +I never doubted that you would become +our pastor. As soon as you had accepted the call of +the church, I began to work in accordance with +my vow, and that dollar is the result of my earning, +the last four weeks. And O, you would rejoice +with me, could you know how much I have enjoyed +these silent hours of night, when my children around +me are wrapt in slumber, and all is as the stillness +of the grave. The Lord has been with me continually, +and I have had uninterrupted communion with him. +When God had given us a pastor, I felt I must pray +for a blessing to attend his labors among us; and, +often have I been so impressed with the importance +of a revival of religion, and the conversion of my +children, and the people of this place, that I have +been obliged to leave my work, and kneel down before +my Maker, and earnestly plead with him that +his Spirit may accomplish this work. Even after I +had retired to rest, I have sometimes been obliged +to arise and pray that he would save the souls of +this people. And, blessed be his holy name, he has +listened to prayer for this object also. When I +heard of the numbers who attended the religious +inquiry meeting, and the hopeful conversion of some +to God, I felt I could say, 'This is the Lord, I have +waited for him;' and I believe he will do greater +things than these in our midst. Thus has God blessed +one of the most unworthy of all his creatures; +and I have often been led to sing, while I have +been laboring here, lowly as is my condition,</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span></p> +<div class="poem">'I would not change my blest estate,<br /> +With all that earth calls rich or great;<br /> +And, while my faith can keep her hold,<br /> +I envy not the sinner's gold.'"<br /> +</div> + +<p>My attention had been absorbed with this interesting +and affecting narrative; nor had I any inclination +to interrupt it with remarks of my own. +I now thought I could read the secret of the apparent +success which had attended my labors in so +short a time. As soon as I could recover from my +emotions, I said to her, I am grateful for your prayers +and this proffered donation; but, as my parish +affords me a competent support, I can on no account +feel at liberty to appropriate to my own private use +the money thus earned. No; you shall have the additional +satisfaction, while you are toiling at these +unseasonable hours of night, of knowing that what +you place in my hands shall be sacredly devoted +to the cause of Christian benevolence, which I am +sure you ardently love. With this she expressed +herself satisfied; and continued her toils and prayers.</p> + +<p>It may be asked, What was the result? The answer +is recorded with pleasure, and, I trust, with +gratitude to God. Besides punctually attending all +the meetings of the church, and laboring much in +private for the eternal welfare of souls; besides supporting +her family with more ease than formerly, +as she stated to her pastor, at the close of the first +year, and paying her assessments in several charitable +societies to which she belonged, and also contributing +something whenever a public collection<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> +was taken for benevolent objects; in addition to all +this, she had placed in my hands ten dollars and a +half, which was appropriated as stated above. Her +donations for objects of religious charity must have +amounted to at least <i>twelve dollars</i> during that year, +which, it is presumed, exceeded the amount given for +similar objects by any other member of the church, +although quite a number possessed a comfortable +share of wealth. It may be thought that she was +engaged in some business which yielded a handsome +profit to reward her toils. But no; her business +was shoe-binding, not then by any means very profitable. +And who, with her disposition and spirit, could +not do something to aid the cause of God? But +what she earned and gave was not all. Her prayers, +it is believed, had secured for the church a pastor, +and been the means, with others, of the commencement +of a revival of religion, which continued to +prevail to a greater or less extent, for three successive +years, during which time a large number were hopefully +converted and added to the church: and among +them several of her older children, who were away +from home.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span></p> +<h2>ELIZABETH ESTAUGH.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +A perfect woman, nobly planned,<br /> +To warn, to comfort and command;<br /> +And yet a spirit still, and bright<br /> +With something of an angel light.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Wordsworth.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Elizabeth Haddon was the oldest daughter of John +Haddon, a well educated and wealthy, yet humble, +Quaker, of London. She had two sisters, both of +whom, with herself, received the highest finish of a +practical education. Elizabeth possessed uncommon +strength of mind, earnestness, energy and originality +of character, and a heart overflowing with the +kindest and warmest feelings. A single anecdote of +her childhood, told by Mrs. Child, will illustrate the +nobleness of nature which characterized her life:</p> + +<p>"At one time, she asked to have a large cake +baked, because she wanted to invite some little girls. +All her small funds were expended for oranges and +candy on this occasion. When the time arrived, her +father and mother were much surprised to see her +lead in six little ragged beggars. They were, however, +too sincerely humble and religious to <i>express</i> +any surprise. They treated the forlorn little ones<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> +very tenderly, and freely granted their daughter's request +to give them some of her books and playthings +at parting. When they had gone, the good mother +quietly said, 'Elizabeth, why didst thou invite strangers, +instead of thy schoolmates?' There was a heavenly +expression in her eye, as she looked up earnestly, +and answered, 'Mother, I wanted to invite <i>them</i>, +they looked <i>so</i> poor.'"</p> + +<p>When eleven years of age, she accompanied her +parents to the Yearly Meeting of the Friends, where +she heard, among other preachers, a very young man +named John Estaugh, with whose manner of presenting +divine truth she was particularly pleased. Many +of his words were treasured in her memory. At the +age of seventeen she made a profession of religion, +uniting herself with the Quakers.</p> + +<p>During her early youth, William Penn visited the +house of her father, and greatly amused her by describing +his adventures with the Indians. From that +time she became interested in the emigrant Quakers, +and early began to talk of coming to America. Her +father at length purchased a tract of land in New +Jersey, with the view of emigrating, but his affairs +took a new turn, and he made up his mind to remain +in his native land. This decision disappointed Elizabeth. +She had cherished the conviction that it was +her duty to come to this country; and when, at +length, her father, who was unwilling that any of his +property should lie unimproved, offered the tract of +land in New Jersey to any relative who would settle +upon it, she promptly agreed to accept of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> +proffered estate. Willing that their child should follow +in the path of duty, at the end of three months, +and after much prayer, the parents consented to let +Elizabeth join "the Lord's people in the New +World."</p> + +<p>Accordingly, early in the spring of 1700, writes +Mrs. Child, in whose sweet language, slightly condensed, +the rest of the narrative is told, arrangements +were made for her departure, and all things +were provided that the abundance of wealth, or the +ingenuity of affection, could devise.</p> + +<p>A poor widow of good sense and discretion accompanied +her, as friend and housekeeper, and two trusty +men servants, members of the Society of Friends. +Among the many singular manifestations of strong +faith and religious zeal, connected with the settlement +of this country, few are more remarkable than +the voluntary separation of this girl of eighteen years +old from a wealthy home and all the pleasant associations +of childhood, to go to a distant and thinly +inhabited country, to fulfill what she considered a +religious duty. And the humble, self-sacrificing faith +of the parents, in giving up their child, with such +reverend tenderness for the promptings of her own +conscience, has in it something sublimely beautiful, +if we look at it in its own pure light. The parting +took place with more love than words can express, +and yet without a tear on either side. Even during +the long and tedious voyage, Elizabeth never wept. +She preserved a martyr-like cheerfulness and serenity +to the end.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span></p> + +<p>The house prepared for her reception stood in a +clearing of the forest, three miles from any other +dwelling. She arrived in June, when the landscape +was smiling in youthful beauty; and it seemed to her +as if the arch of heaven was never before so clear and +bright, the carpet of the earth never so verdant. As +she sat at her window and saw evening close in upon +her in that broad forest home, and heard, for the +first time, the mournful notes of the whippo-wil and +the harsh scream of the jay in the distant woods, +she was oppressed with a sense of vastness, of infinity, +which she never before experienced, not even +on the ocean. She remained long in prayer, and +when she lay down to sleep beside her matron friend, +no words were spoken between them. The elder, +overcome with fatigue, soon sank into a peaceful +slumber; but the young enthusiast lay long awake, +listening to the lone voice of the whippo-wil complaining +to the night. Yet, notwithstanding this prolonged +wakefulness, she arose early and looked out +upon the lovely landscape. The rising sun pointed +to the tallest trees with his golden finger, and was +welcomed with a gush of song from a thousand warblers. +The poetry in Elizabeth's soul, repressed by +the severe plainness of her education, gushed up like +a fountain. She dropped on her knees, and, with +an outburst of prayer, exclaimed fervently, "Oh, Father, +very beautiful hast thou made this earth! How +bountiful are thy gifts, O Lord!"</p> + +<p>To a spirit less meek and brave, the darker shades +of the picture would have obscured these cheerful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> +gleams; for the situation was lonely and the inconveniences +innumerable. But Elizabeth easily triumphed +over all obstacles, by practical good sense +and the quick promptings of her ingenuity. She +was one of those clear strong natures, who always +have a definite aim in view, and who see at once +the means best suited to the end. Her first inquiry +was what grain was best adapted to the soil of her +farm; and being informed that rye would yield best, +"Then I shall eat rye bread," was her answer. But +when winter came, and the gleaming snow spread +its unbroken silence over hill and plain, was it not +dreary then? It would have been dreary indeed to +one who entered upon this mode of life from mere +love of novelty, or a vain desire to do something extraordinary. +But the idea of extended usefulness, +which had first lured this remarkable girl into a +path so unusual, sustained her through all trials. She +was too busy to be sad, and leaned too trustingly +on her Father's hand to be doubtful of her way. The +neighboring Indians soon loved her as a friend, for +they found her always truthful, just, and kind. From +their teachings, she added much to her knowledge +of simple medicines. So efficient was her skill and +so prompt her sympathy, that for many miles round, +if man, woman, or child were alarmingly ill, they +were sure to send for Elizabeth Haddon; and wherever +she went, her observing mind gathered some +hint for the improvement of farm or dairy. Her +house and heart were both large; and as her residence +was on the way to the Quaker meeting-house<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> +in Newtown, it became a place of universal resort to +Friends from all parts of the country traveling that +road, as well as an asylum for benighted wanderers.</p> + +<p>The winter was drawing to a close, when late one +evening, the sound of sleigh-bells was heard, and +the crunching of snow beneath the hoofs of horses, +as they passed into the barn-yard gate. The arrival +of travelers was too common an occurrence to excite +or disturb the well-ordered family.</p> + +<p>Great logs were piled in the capacious chimney, +and the flames blazed up with a crackling warmth, +when two strangers entered. In the younger, Elizabeth +instantly recognized John Estaugh, whose preaching +had so deeply impressed her at eleven years +of age. This was almost like a glimpse of home—her +dear old English home! She stepped forward +with more than usual cordiality, saying:</p> + +<p>"Thou art welcome, Friend Estaugh; the more so +for being entirely unexpected."</p> + +<p>"And I am glad to see thee, Elizabeth," he replied +with a friendly shake of the hand. "It was not until +after I landed in America, that I heard the Lord +had called thee hither before me; but I remember +thy father told me how often thou hadst played the +settler in the woods, when thou wast quite a little +girl."</p> + +<p>"I am but a child still," she replied, smiling.</p> + +<p>"I trust thou art," he rejoined; "and as for +these strong impressions in childhood, I have heard +of many cases where they seemed to be prophecies +sent of the Lord. When I saw thy father in London,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> +I had even then an indistinct idea that I +might sometime be sent to America on a religious +visit."</p> + +<p>"And hast thou forgotten, Friend John, the ear of +Indian corn which my father begged of thee for me? +I can show it to thee now. Since then I have seen +this grain in perfect growth; and a goodly plant it +is, I assure thee. See," she continued, pointing to +many bunches of ripe corn, which hung in their +braided husks against the walls of the ample kitchen: +"all that, and more, came from a single ear, no +bigger than the one thou didst give my father. +May the seed sown by thy ministry be as fruitful!" +"Amen," replied both the guests.</p> + +<p>The next morning, it was discovered that snow +had fallen during the night in heavy drifts, and the +roads were impassable. Elizabeth, according to her +usual custom, sent out men, oxen and sledges, to +open pathways for several poor families, and for +households whose inmates were visited by illness. +In this duty, John Estaugh and his friend joined +heartily and none of the laborers worked harder +than they. When he returned, glowing from this +exercise, she could not but observe that the excellent +youth had a goodly countenance. It was not +physical beauty; for of that he had little. It was +that cheerful, child-like, out-beaming honesty of expression, +which we not unfrequently see in Germans, +who, above all nations, look as if they carried +a crystal heart within their manly bosoms.</p> + +<p>Two days after, when Elizabeth went to visit her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> +patients, with a sled-load of medicines and provisions, +John asked permission to accompany her. +There, by the bedside of the aged and the suffering, +she saw the clear sincerity of his countenance +warmed with rays of love, while he spoke to them +words of kindness and consolation; and there she +heard his pleasant voice modulate itself into deeper +tenderness of expression, when he took little children +in his arms.</p> + +<p>The next First day, which we call the Sabbath, +the whole family attended Newtown meeting; and +there John Estaugh was gifted with an out-pouring +of the spirit in his ministry, which sank deep into +the hearts of those who listened to him. Elizabeth +found it so marvellously applicable to the trials and +temptations of her own soul, that she almost deemed +it was spoken on purpose for her. She said nothing +of this, but she pondered upon it deeply. +Thus did a few days of united duties make them +more thoroughly acquainted with each other, than +they could have been by years of fashionable intercourse.</p> + +<p>The young preacher soon after bade farewell, to +visit other meetings in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. +Elizabeth saw him no more until the May +following, when he stopped at her house to lodge, +with numerous other Friends, on their way to the +Quarterly Meeting at Salem. In the morning, quite +a cavalcade started from her hospitable door, on +horseback; for wagons were then unknown in Jersey. +John Estaugh, always kindly in his impulses,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> +busied himself with helping a lame and very ugly +old woman, and left his hostess to mount her horse +as she could. Most young women would have felt +slighted; but in Elizabeth's noble soul the quiet +deep tide of feeling rippled with an inward joy. "He +is always kindest to the poor and the neglected," +thought she; "verily he <i>is</i> a good youth." She was +leaning over the side of her horse, to adjust the +buckle of the girth, when he came up on horseback, +and inquired if anything was out of order. She +thanked him, with slight confusion of manner, and +a voice less calm than her usual utterance. He assisted +her to mount, and they trotted along leisurely +behind the procession of guests, speaking of the soil +and climate of this new country, and how wonderfully +the Lord had here provided a home for his +chosen people. Presently the girth began to slip, +and the saddle turned so much on one side, that +Elizabeth was obliged to dismount. It took some +time to re-adjust it, and when they again started, +the company were out of sight. There was brighter +color than usual in the maiden's cheeks, and unwonted +radiance in her mild deep eyes. After a short +silence, she said, in a voice slightly tremulous, +"Friend John, I have a subject of importance on my +mind, and one which nearly interests thee. I am +strongly impressed that the Lord has sent thee to +me as a partner for life. I tell thee my impression +frankly, but not without calm and deep reflection; +for matrimony is a holy relation, and should be entered +into with all sobriety. If thou hast no light<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span> +on the subject, wilt thou gather into the stillness, +and reverently listen to thy own inward revealings? +Thou art to leave this part of the country to-morrow, +and not knowing when I should see thee again, +I felt moved to tell thee what lay upon my mind."</p> + +<p>The young man was taken by surprise. Though +accustomed to that suppression of emotion which +characterizes his religious sect, the color went and +came rapidly in his face, for a moment; but he soon +became calmer, and replied, "This thought is new +to me, Elizabeth; and I have no light thereon. Thy +company has been right pleasant to me, and thy +countenance ever reminds me of William Penn's +title page, 'Innocency with her open face.' I have +seen thy kindness to the poor, and the wise management +of thy household. I have observed, too, +that thy warm-heartedness is tempered by a most +excellent discretion, and that thy speech is ever +sincere. Assuredly, such is the maiden I would ask +of the Lord, as a most precious gift; but I never +thought of this connexion with thee. I came to +this country solely on a religious visit, and it might +distract my mind to entertain this subject at present. +When I have discharged the duties of my +mission, we will speak further."</p> + +<p>"It is best so," rejoined the maiden; "but there +is one thing disturbs my conscience. Thou hast +spoken of my true speech; and yet, Friend John, I +have deceived thee a little, even now, while we conferred +together on a subject so serious. I know not +from what weakness the temptation came; but I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> +will not hide it from thee. I allowed thee to suppose, +just now, that I was fastening the girth of my +horse securely; but, in plain truth, I was loosening +the girth, John, that the saddle might slip, and give +me an excuse to fall behind our friends; for I +thought thou wouldst be kind enough to come and +ask if I needed thy services."</p> + +<p>They spoke no further concerning their union; but +when he returned to England, in July, he pressed her +hand affectionately, as he said, "Farewell, Elizabeth. +If it be the Lord's will, I shall return to thee soon."</p> + +<p>In October, he returned to America, and they +were soon married, at Newtown meeting, according +to the simple form of the Society of Friends. +Neither of them made any change of dress for the +occasion, and there was no wedding feast. Without +the aid of priest or magistrate, they took each +other by the hand, and, in the presence of witnesses, +calmly and solemnly promised to be kind and +faithful to each other. The wedded pair quietly returned +to their happy home, with none to intrude +upon those sacred hours of human life, when the +heart most needs to be left alone with its own deep +emotions.</p> + +<p>During the long period of their union, she three +times crossed the Atlantic, to visit her aged parents, +and he occasionally left her for a season, +when called abroad to preach. These temporary +separations were felt as a cross, but the strong-hearted +woman always cheerfully gave him up to follow +his own convictions of duty. In 1742, he parted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span> +from her, to go on a religious visit to Tortola, in +the West Indies. He died there, in the sixty-seventh +year of his age. She published a religious +tract of his, to which is prefixed a preface entitled +"Elizabeth Estaugh's testimony concerning her beloved +husband, John Estaugh." In this preface, she +says, "Since it pleased Divine Providence so highly +to favor me, with being the near companion of +this dear worthy, I must give some small account +of him. Few, if any, in a married state, ever lived +in sweeter harmony than we did. He was a pattern +of moderation in all things; not lifted up with +any enjoyments, nor cast down at disappointments; +a man endowed with many good gifts, which rendered +him very agreeable to his friends, and much +more to me, his wife, to whom his memory is most +dear and precious."</p> + +<p>Elizabeth survived her excellent husband twenty +years, useful and honored to the last. The monthly +Meeting of Haddonfield, in a published testimonial, +speak of her thus: "She was endowed with +great natural abilities, which, being sanctified by +the spirit of Christ, were much improved; whereby +she became qualified to act in the affairs of the +church, and was a serviceable member, having been +clerk to the women's meeting nearly fifty years, +greatly to their satisfaction. She was a sincere sympathizer +with the afflicted, of a benevolent disposition, +and in distributing to the poor, was desirous +to do it in a way most profitable and durable to +them, and, if possible, not to let the right hand know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span> +what the left did. Though in a state of affluence +as to this world's wealth, she was an example of +plainness and moderation. Her heart and house +were open to her friends, whom to entertain seemed +one of her greatest pleasures. Prudently cheerful, +and well knowing the value of friendship, she +was careful not to wound it herself, nor to encourage +others in whispering supposed failings or weaknesses. +Her last illness brought great bodily pain, +which she bore with much calmness of mind and +sweetness of spirit. She departed this life as one +falling asleep, full of days, like unto a shock of +corn, fully ripe."</p> + +<p>The town of Haddonfield, in New Jersey, took its +name from her; and the tradition concerning her +courtship is often repeated by some patriarch among +the Quakers.</p> + +<p>Her medical skill is so well remembered, that the +old nurses of New Jersey still recommend Elizabeth +Estaugh's salve as the "sovereignest thing on +earth."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span></p> +<h2>KATE MOORE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +From lowest place when virtuous things proceed,<br /> +The place is dignified by the doer's deed.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Kate Moore is the daughter of Captain Moore, +keeper of the Light House on Fairweather Island, +sixty miles north of the city of New York, and about +half way between the harbors of Black Rock and +Bridgeport, Connecticut. The island is about half a +mile from shore and contains five acres of land. On +that little, secluded spot Captain Moore has resided +nearly a quarter of a century, and has reared a family +of five children, of whom Kate is the heroine.</p> + +<p>Disasters frequently occur to vessels which are +driven round Montauk Point, and sometimes in the +Sound, when they are homeward bound; and at such +times she is always on the alert. She has so thoroughly +cultivated the sense of hearing, that she can distinguish +amid the howling storm, the shrieks of the +drowning mariners, and thus direct a boat, which she +has learned to manage most dexterously, in the darkest +night, to the spot where a fellow mortal is perishing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span> +Though well educated and refined, she possesses none +of the affected delicacy which characterizes too many +town-bred misses; but, adapting herself to the peculiar +exigences of her father's humble yet honorable calling, +she is ever ready to lend a helping hand, and shrinks +from no danger, if duty points that way. In the gloom +and terror of the stormy night, amid perils at all hours +of the day, and all seasons of the year, she has launched +her barque on the threatening waves; and has assisted +her aged and feeble father in saving the lives of twenty-one +persons during the last fifteen years! Such conduct, +like that of Grace Darling, to whom Kate Moore +has been justly compared, needs no comment; it stamps +its moral at once and indelibly upon the heart of every +reader.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span></p> +<h2>CAPTIVITY OF MRS. ROWLANDSON.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Through sorrowing and suffering thou hast pass'd,<br /> +To show us what a woman true may be.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i14 smcap">Lowell.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, the wife of the Rev. +Joseph Rowlandson, was taken prisoner by the Indians +at Lancaster, Massachusetts, on the tenth of +February, 1676, and remained in captivity till the +third of the following May. The details of her +sufferings, as related by herself, are too painful for +many persons to read; but she bore them with such +Christian fortitude, that nothing short of a brief account +of her captivity would seem to be excusable +in a work like this.</p> + +<p>The day after the destruction of Lancaster, the +Indians began their march; and Mrs. Rowlandson +carried her infant till her strength failed and she +fell. She was then furnished with a horse, without +a saddle. Attempting to ride, she again fell. +Towards night it began to snow; and gathering a +few sticks, she made a fire. Sitting beside it on the +snow, she held her child in her arms through the +long and dismal night. For three or four days she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span> +had no sustenance but water; nor did her child share +any better for nine days. During this time it was +constantly in her arms or lap. At the end of that +period, the frost of death crept into its eyes, and +she was forced to relinquish it to be disposed of +by the unfeeling sextons of the forest.</p> + +<p>After its burial, Mrs. Rowlandson was sold by her +Narraganset captor to a Sagamore named Quanopin, +by which transfer she found in her new master's +wife "a most uncomfortable mistress." Soon afterwards +the Indians went on an expedition to Medfield, +and on their return one of them gave her a +Bible—her best friend and great support during +her sufferings and trials. She retained it during +her captivity.</p> + +<p>The party of Indians with whom she continued, +remained for some time near Petersham, in Worcester +county. At length, hearing a report that the +pale faces were in pursuit of them, they hastily +decamped and continued their march till they crossed +the Connecticut river, in the neighborhood of +Gill or Bernardston. There Mrs. Rowlandson came +in contact with the great chief, Philip, who treated +her civilly and even politely. Ere long the Indians +re-crossed the Connecticut, and returned into Worcester +county. During this part of her pilgrimage, +writes President Dwight, whose concise narrative we +have followed, "Mrs. Rowlandson went through +almost every suffering but death. She was beaten, +kicked, turned out of doors, refused food, insulted +in the grossest manner, and at times almost starved.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> +Nothing but experience can enable us to conceive +what must be the hunger of a person, by whom +the discovery of six acorns, and two chestnuts, was +regarded as a rich prize. At times, in order to +make her miserable, they announced to her the death +of her husband and her children. One of the +savages, of whom she enquired concerning her son, +told her that his master had, at a time which he +specified, killed and roasted him; that himself had +eaten a piece of him, as big as his two fingers, and +that it was delicious meat. On various occasions +they threatened to kill her. Occasionally, but for +short intervals only, she was permitted to see her +children; and suffered her own anguish over again +in their miseries. She was also obliged, while hardly +able to walk, to carry a heavy burden over hills, +and through rivers, swamps, and marshes; and that +in the most inclement seasons. These evils were +repeated daily; and, to crown them all, she was +daily saluted with the most barbarous and insolent +accounts of the burning and slaughter, the tortures +and agonies, inflicted by them upon her countrymen. +It is to be remembered that Mrs. Rowlandson was +tenderly and delicately educated, and as ill fitted to +encounter these distresses as persons who have received +such an education, now are in this and other +countries.</p> + +<p>"There was, however, among the savages a marked +difference of character. Some of them, both men +and women, treated her with kindness. None of +them exhibited so much insolence to her as her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> +mistress. This woman felt all the haughtiness of +rank, as much as if she had been a European or +Asiatic princess; and spent almost as much time +in powdering her hair, painting her face, and adorning +herself with ear-rings, bracelets, and other +ornaments, a part of their plunder from the English."</p> + +<p>The captivity of Mrs. Rowlandson was terminated +through the agency of Mr. Hoar, of Concord, Massachusetts. +Under a commission from the Government +he redeemed her for about eighty dollars, which +sum was contributed by a Mr. Usher and some +female friends in Boston.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span></p> +<h2>MRS. BOZARTH.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +To weakness strength succeeds, and power<br /> +From frailty springs.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Park Benjamin.</span> +<br /> +There's no impossibility to him<br /> +Who stands prepared to conquer every hazard.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. Hale.</span> +</div> + + +<p>In the spring of 1779, while two or three neighboring +families, had, from fear, collected at the house of +Mrs. Bozarth, in Green county, Pennsylvania, the +little company was one day attacked by Indians. +The children, who were playing without, first discovered +the foe, and, giving the alarm, had not time +to get within doors before they were overtaken, and +began to fall beneath the tomahawk. The first man +who stepped to the door when the alarm was heard, +was shot, and fell back; and before the door could +be closed, an Indian leaped over him into the house. +The other man in the house caught the savage and +threw him on the bed. He then called for a knife, +but Mrs. Bozarth, being unable to find one, seized +an axe and instantly dispatched the bold assailant. +Another Indian now rushed in, and shot at and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span> +wounded the man before he was off the bed. Mrs. +Bozarth gave this second intruder several blows, +when his cries brought a third to the door. Him +she killed as he entered. The wounded savage was +then dragged out; the door again closed and fastened; +and, through the assistance of the wounded +man, Mrs. Bozarth was able to keep out the rest +of the murderous assailants until relieved by the +arrival of friends.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE HEROINE OF STEEL CREEK</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Here and there some stern, high patriot stood.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Byron.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The subject of the following anecdote was the +mother of eleven sons. Most of them were soldiers +and some were officers in the war of the Revolution. +Her residence was in Mechlenburg county, near Steel +creek, North Carolina.</p> + +<p>When Lord Cornwallis heard of the defeat of Ferguson +at King's Mountain,<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> fearing an attack of +his rear at Camden, he collected his forces and retreated +towards Winnsboro. While on this march, +his whole army halted for the night on the plantation +of Robert Wilson. Cornwallis and his staff +took possession of the house, and made an unstinted +levy on the hospitality of the good lady. By asking +such questions as a British lord would, under the +circumstances, feel at liberty to propound, the General +learned, in the course of the evening, that the +husband of Mrs. Wilson, and some of her sons, were +then his prisoners in Camden jail. Her kindness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> +and urbanity led him to think that perhaps she +was a friend to the Crown; and, after some preliminary +remarks, intended to prepare her mind +for the leading consideration which he wished to +enforce upon it, he at length addressed her as follows:</p> + +<p>"Madam, your husband and your son are my prisoners; +the fortune of war may soon place others of +your sons—perhaps all your kinsmen, in my power. +Your sons are young, aspiring and brave. In a good +cause, fighting for a generous and powerful king, such +as George III, they might hope for rank, honor and +wealth. If you could but induce your husband and +sons to leave the rebels, and take up arms for their +lawful sovereign, I would almost pledge myself that +they shall have rank and consideration in the British +army. If you, madam, will pledge yourself to induce +them to do so, I will immediately order their +discharge."</p> + +<p>"I have seven sons," Mrs. Wilson replied, "who are +now, or have been, bearing arms—indeed my seventh +son, Zaccheus, who is only fifteen years old, I yesterday +assisted to get ready to go and join his brothers +in Sumter's army. Now, sooner than see one of my +family turn back from the glorious enterprise, I +would take these boys—pointing to three or four +small sons—and with them would myself enlist, +under Sumter's standard, and show my husband and +sons how to fight, and, if necessary, to die for their +country!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span></p> + +<p>Colonel Tarleton was one of the listeners to this +colloquy, and when Mrs. Wilson had finished her +reply, he said to Cornwallis: "Ah! General! I +think you've got into a hornet's nest! Never mind, +when we get to Camden, I'll take good care that old +Robin Wilson never comes back again!" We may +add that Tarleton's threat was never executed. Mr. +Wilson and his worthy companion lived to old age, +and died at Steel creek just before the war of 1812.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span></p> +<h2>BENEVOLENCE OF A COLORED WOMAN.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Great minds, like Heaven, are pleased in doing good.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i14 smcap">Rowe.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The following anecdote is obtained from a reliable +source. Did the spirit which pervaded the heart of +its subject, thoroughly permeate the churches, the +great work of carrying the Gospel to every nation, +would soon be accomplished.</p> + +<p>"In one of the eastern counties of New York lived +a colored female, who was born a slave, but she was +made free by the act gradually abolishing slavery +in that state. She had no resources except such as +she obtained by her own labor. On one occasion she +carried to her pastor <i>forty dollars</i>: she told him that +she wished him, with two dollars of this sum to procure +for her a seat in his church; eighteen dollars she +desired to be given to the American Board; and the +remaining twenty dollars she requested him to divide +among other benevolent societies according to his +discretion."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span></p> +<h2>REBECCA EDWARDS.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Honor being then above life, dishonor must<br /> +Be worse than death; for fate can strike but one.<br /> +Reproach doth reach whole families.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Cartwright's Siege.</span> +</div> + + +<p>At the celebration of our national Independence, +in 1797, the orator of the society of the Cincinnati +of South Carolina, paid the following tribute to the +magnanimity of Mrs. Rebecca Edwards:—"The +Spartan mother, on delivering his shield to her son +departing for the army, nobly bade him 'return with +it or on it.' The sentiment was highly patriotic, but +surely not superior to that which animated the bosom +of the distinguished female of our own state, who, +when the British officer presented the mandate which +arrested her sons as objects of retaliation, less sensible +of private affection than attached to her honor +and the interest of her country, stifled the tender +feelings of the mother, and heroically bade them +despise the threats of their enemies, and steadfastly +persist to support the glorious cause in which they +had engaged—that if the threatened sacrifice should +follow, they would carry a parent's blessing, and the +good opinion of every virtuous citizen along with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span> +them to the grave: but if from the frailty of human +nature—of the possibility of which she would not +suffer an idea to enter her mind—they were disposed +to temporize, and exchange their liberty for safety, +they must forget her as a mother, nor subject her +to the misery of ever beholding them again."<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/illus319.jpg" width="400" height="138" alt="Decoration" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span></p> +<h2>"THE BEAUTIFUL REBEL."</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i6">Trembling and fear</span> +Are to her unknown.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i9 smcap">Sir Walter Scott.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The maiden name of Mrs. Lewis Morris was Ann +Elliott. She was born at Maccabee, in 1762, and +died in New York, in 1848. She was a firm and +fearless patriot, and when the city of Charleston, +South Carolina, was in possession of the red coats, +she wore thirteen small plumes in her bonnet. She +had so fair a face, so graceful a form and so patriotic +a spirit, as to be called "the beautiful rebel." +An English officer fell in love with her and offered +to join the Americans, if she would favor his proposals. +She ordered the friend who interceded for +him to say to him, "that to her former want of +esteem, was added scorn for a man capable of betraying +his sovereign for selfish interest."</p> + +<p>While she was engaged to Colonel Morris and +he was on a visit one time at Maccabee, the house +was suddenly surrounded by Black Dragoons. They +were in pursuit of the Colonel, and it was impossible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span> +for him to escape by flight. What to do he +knew not, but, quick as thought, she ran to the +window, opened it, and, fearlessly putting her head +out, in a composed yet firm manner, demanded what +was wanted. The reply was, "We want the —— +rebel." "Then go," said she, "and look for him +in the American army," adding "How dare you +disturb a family under the protection of both +armies!" She was so cool, self-possessed, firm and +resolute as to triumph over the dragoons, who left +without entering the house.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span></p> +<h2>HARRIET B. STEWART.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Men sacrifice others—women themselves.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. S. C. Hall.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Harriet Bradford Tiffany, afterwards the wife of +the Rev. Charles S. Stewart, was born near Stamford, +Connecticut, on the fourth of June, 1798. She lost +her father when she was a small child, and till +1815, passed most of her time with an uncle, in +Albany. At this date, an older sister married and +settled in Cooperstown, and consequently Harriet +took up her abode in that place. She became the +subject of renewing grace in the summer of 1819; +was married on the third of June, 1822, and sailed +with her husband and nearly thirty other missionaries, +all bound to the same field, on the nineteenth +of November following. This little, heroic band, that, +by the help of God, have since been mainly instrumental +in making the Sandwich islands blossom like +a rose, arrived at Honolulu, in Oahu, on the twenty-seventh +of April, 1823.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stewart left a beautiful town in a thriving +part of the Empire State; tempting luxuries; a brilliant +circle, and many endearing friends; but she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span> +had embarked in a glorious enterprise for Christ's +sake, and, hence, she settled down in a little log hut, +in the town of Lahaiua, three days' sail from Oahu, +contented and happy. On the first day of January, +1824, she wrote as follows: "It is now fifteen months +since I bade adieu to the dear valley which contains +much, very much, that is most dear to me; but +since the day I parted from it, my spirits have been +uniformly good. Sometimes, it is true, a cloud of +tender recollections passes over me, obscuring, for +a moment, my mental vision, and threatening a day +of darkness; but it is seldom. And as the returning +sun, after a summer shower, spreads his beams +over the retiring gloom of the heavens, and stretches +abroad the shining arch of promise to cheer the +face of nature, so, at such times, do the rays of the +Sun of Righteousness speedily illumine the hopes +of my soul, and fill my bosom with joy and +peace."</p> + +<p>A few months after the above date, writing to a +friend, she says: "We are most contented and most +happy, and rejoice that God has seen fit to honor +and bless us by permitting us to be the bearers of +his light and truth to this dark corner of the earth. +Could you feel the same gladness that often fills +our bosoms, in witnessing the happy influence of +the Gospel on the minds and hearts of many of +these interesting creatures, you would be satisfied, +yes more than satisfied, that we should be <i>what we +are, and where we are, poor missionaries in the +distant islands of the sea</i>."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span>In these brief extracts from her letters, shines, in +its serenest lustre, the character of the Christian +heroine:<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> and it would be an easy task to compile +a volume of letters written on the field of moral +conflict by American female missionaries, breathing +a spirit equally as unselfish, cheerful and brave. +All pioneer women in this enterprise are heroines, +and if the conflicts and sublime victories of all +claiming American citizenship, are not herein recorded, +it is because, in a work of unambitious pretensions +as it regards size, a few characters must +stand as representatives of a class.</p> + +<p>So pernicious was the influence of a tropical +climate that, in the spring of 1825, the health of +Mrs. Stewart began to fail; and at the end of a +year, she was forced to leave the country. She +sailed, with her husband, for London; and after +tarrying three months in England, they embarked +for home. They reached the valley of the Otsego +in September, 1826. For three or four years, it was +the prayer of Mrs. Stewart that she might be restored +to health and permitted to return to the mission +station; but in January, 1830, she was laid on +a bed of declension and suffering, and in the following +autumn, fully ripe, was gathered into the +heavenly garner.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span></p> +<h2>A KIND AND BENEVOLENT WOMAN.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Ah! woman—in this world of ours,<br /> +What gift can be compared to thee.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">George P. Morris.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Mrs. Margaret Morris, of Burlington, New Jersey, +kept a journal during the Revolution, for the amusement, +it is said, of a sister, the wife of Dr. Charles +Moore, of Philadelphia. A few copies were printed +several years ago, for private circulation, supplying +friends with a mirror which reflects the image of +expanded benevolence and exalted piety. Belonging +to the Society of Friends, she was not partial to</p> + +<p class="center"> +"The shot, the shout, the groan of war;" +</p> + +<p>yet her principles were patriotic, and she no doubt +rejoiced over all the victories and in the final and +complete success of the "rebel" army. She became +a widow at an early age, and died at Burlington, in +1816, aged seventy-nine years.</p> + +<p>A single extract from her journal will illustrate +the most prominent feature of her character:</p> + +<p>"June 14th, 1777. By a person from Bordentown, +we hear twelve expresses came in there to-day from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span> +camp. Some of the gondola-men and their wives +being sick, and no doctor in town to apply to, they +were told Mrs. Morris was a skillful woman, and +kept medicines to give to the poor; and notwithstanding +their late attempts to shoot my poor boy, +they ventured to come to me, and in a very humble +manner begged me to come and do something for +them. At first I thought they designed to put a +trick on me, get me aboard their gondola, and then +pillage my house, as they had done some others; +but on asking where the sick folks were, I was told +they were lodged in the Governor's house. So I +went to see them; there were several, both men and +women, very ill with fever; some said, the camp or +putrid fever. They were broken out in blotches; +and on close examination, it appeared to be the +itch fever. I treated them according to art, and +they all got well. I thought I had received all my +pay when they thankfully acknowledged my kindness; +but lo! in a short time afterwards a very +rough, ill-looking man came to the door and asked +for me. When I went to him he drew me aside, +and asked if I had any friends in Philadelphia. +The question alarmed me, supposing there was +some mischief meditated against that poor city; +however, I calmly said—'I have an ancient father, +some sisters, and other near friends there.'</p> + +<p>"'Well,' said the man, 'do you wish to hear from +them, or send any thing by way of refreshment to +them? If you do, I will take charge of it, and bring +you back any thing you may send for.'</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span>"I was very much surprised, and thought, to be +sure, he only wanted to get provisions to take to the +gondolas; but when he told me his wife was one of +those I had given medicine to, and this was the only +thing he could do to pay me for my kindness, my +heart leaped with joy, and I set about preparing +something for my dear, absent friends. A quarter +of beef, some veal, fowls and flour, were soon put up; +and about midnight the man called and took them +aboard his boat. He left them at Robert Hopkins'—at +the point—whence my beloved friends took +them to town.</p> + +<p>"Two nights afterwards, a loud knocking at our +front door greatly alarmed us, and opening the chamber +window, we heard a man's voice, saying, 'Come +down softly and open the door, but bring no light.'</p> + +<p>"There was something mysterious in such a call; +but we concluded to go down and set the candle in +the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"When we got to the front door, we asked, 'Who +are you?'</p> + +<p>"The man replied, 'A friend; open quickly.' So +the door was opened; and who should it be but our +honest gondola-man, with a letter, a bushel of salt, a +jug of molasses, a bag of rice, some tea, coffee, and +sugar, and some cloth for a coat for my poor boys; +all sent by my kind sisters!</p> + +<p>"How did our hearts and eyes overflow with love +to them, and thanks to our Heavenly Father for such +seasonable supplies! May we never forget it! Being +now so rich, we thought it our duty to hand out a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span> +little to the poor around us, who were mourning for +want of salt; so we divided the bushel, and gave a +pint to every poor person who came for it—having +abundance left for our own use. Indeed, it seemed +to us as if our little store was increased by distribution, +like the bread broken by our Saviour to the +multitude."</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;"> +<img src="images/illus328.jpg" width="350" height="275" alt="decoration" /> + +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span></p> +<h2>NOBLE EXAMPLE OF PIONEERS.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +In every rank, or great or small,<br /> +'Tis industry supports us all.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Gay.</span> +<br /> +Count life by virtues—these will last<br /> +When life's lame-footed race is o'er.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i8 smcap">Mrs. Hale.</span> +</div> + + +<p>In the year 1843, the Hon. Samuel Wilkeson, of +Buffalo—since deceased—communicated to the +American Pioneer, a series of papers entitled "Early +Recollections of the West." They present a graphic, +yet painful picture of the perils, hardships and sufferings +attendant on back-woods life in the midst +of the aboriginal foresters. His father's family was +one of twenty that removed from Carlisle and the +adjacent towns, to the western part of Pennsylvania, +in the spring of 1784. He pays the following +tribute to the industry, perseverance and pious efforts +of the mothers of the band:</p> + +<p>The labor of all the settlers was greatly interrupted +by the Indian war. Although the older settlers +had some sheep, yet their increase was slow, as the +country abounded in wolves. It was therefore the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span> +work of time to secure a supply of wool. Deerskin +was a substitute for cloth for men and boys, but not +for women and girls, although they were sometimes +compelled to resort to it. The women spun, and +generally wove all the cloth for their families, and +when the wife was feeble, and had a large family, +her utmost efforts could not enable her to provide +them with anything like comfortable clothing. The +wonder is, and I shall never cease to wonder, that +they did not sink under their burthens. Their +patient endurance of these accumulated hardships +did not arise from a slavish servility, or insensibility +to their rights and comforts. They justly appreciated +their situation, and nobly encountered the difficulties +which could not be avoided.</p> + +<p>Possessing all the affections of the wife, the tenderness +of the mother, and the sympathies of the woman, +their tears flowed freely for others' griefs, while +they bore their own with a fortitude which none +but a woman could exercise. The entire education +of her children devolved on the mother, and +notwithstanding the difficulties to be encountered, +she did not allow them to grow up wholly without +instruction; but amidst all her numerous cares taught +them to read, and instructed them in the principles +of Christianity. To accomplish this, under the circumstances, +was no easy task. The exciting influences +which surrounded them, made the boys restless +under restraint. Familiarized as they were to hardships +from the cradle, and daily listening to stories +of Indian massacres and depredations, and to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span> +heroic exploits of some neighboring pioneer, who had +taken an Indian scalp, or by some daring effort saved +his own, ignorant of the sports and toys with which +children in other circumstances are wont to be amused, +no wonder they desired to emulate the soldier, or engage +in the scarcely less exciting adventures of +the hunter. Yet even many of these boys were +subdued by the faithfulness of the mother, who labored +to bring them up in the fear of God.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span></p> +<h2>ANECDOTE OF MRS. SLOCUMB.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i8">Our country yet remains:</span> +By that dread name, we wave the sword on high,<br /> +And swear for her to live—with her to die!<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Campbell.</span> +</div> + + +<p>One of the spiciest specimens of colloquial sparring, +<i>vis-a-vis</i>, in our Revolutionary annals, was +between Colonel Tarleton and the wife of Lieutenant +Slocumb, of Wayne county, North Carolina.<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> The +Attic wit and Spartan boldness of the latter, exhibit +original powers of mind, strength of will, and a +degree of self-possession truly grand and ennobling. +But the character of the heroine of "Pleasant +Green," is most luminous in her conduct at the +battle of Moore's Creek, which occurred on the +twenty-seventh of February, 1776. She tells the +story of her adventures on that bloody occasion, as +follows:</p> + +<p>"The men all left on Sunday morning. More +than eighty went from this house with my husband; +I looked at them well, and I could see that every +man had mischief in him. I know a coward as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span> +soon as I set my eyes upon him. The tories more +than once tried to frighten me, but they always +showed coward at the bare insinuation that our +troops were about.</p> + +<p>"Well, they got off in high spirits, every man +stepping high and light. And I slept soundly and +quietly that night, and worked hard all the next +day; but I kept thinking where they had got to—how +far; where and how many of the regulars and +tories they would meet; and I could not keep myself +from the study. I went to bed at the usual +time, but still continued to study. As I lay—whether +waking or sleeping I know not—I had a +dream; yet it was not all a dream. (She used the +words, unconsciously, of the poet who was not then +in being.) I saw distinctly a body wrapped in my +husband's guard-cloak—bloody—dead; and others +dead and wounded on the ground about him. I +saw them plainly and distinctly. I uttered a cry, +and sprang to my feet on the floor; and so strong +was the impression on my mind, that I rushed in +the direction the vision appeared, and came up +against the side of the house. The fire in the room +gave little light, and I gazed in every direction to +catch another glimpse of the scene. I raised the +light; every thing was still and quiet. My child +was sleeping, but my woman was awakened by my +crying out or jumping on the floor. If ever I felt +fear it was at that moment. Seated on the bed, I +reflected a few moments—and said aloud: 'I must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span> +go to him.' I told the woman I could not sleep, +and would ride down the road. She appeared in +great alarm; but I merely told her to lock the +door after me, and look after the child. I went to +the stable, saddled my mare—as fleet and easy a +nag as ever traveled; and in one minute we were +tearing down the road at full speed. The cool +night seemed after a mile or two's gallop to bring +reflection with it; and I asked myself where I was +going, and for what purpose. Again and again, I +was tempted to turn back; but I was soon ten +miles from home, and my mind became stronger +every mile I rode. I should find my husband dead +or dying—was as firmly my presentiment and conviction +as any fact of my life. When day broke +I was some thirty miles from home. I knew the +general route our little army expected to take, and +had followed them without hesitation. About sunrise +I came upon a group of women and children, standing +and sitting by the road-side, each one of them +showing the same anxiety of mind I felt. Stopping +a few minutes I inquired if the battle had been +fought. They knew nothing, but were assembled on +the road-side to catch intelligence. They thought +Caswell had taken the right of the Wilmington road, +and gone towards the north-west (cape Fear). Again +was I skimming over the ground through a country +thinly settled, and very poor and swampy; but +neither my own spirits nor my beautiful nag's failed +in the least. We followed the well-marked trail of +the troops.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span>"The sun must have been well up, say eight or +nine o'clock, when I heard a sound like thunder, +which I knew must be cannon. It was the first +time I ever heard a cannon. I stopped still; when +presently the cannon thundered again. The battle +was then fighting. What a fool! my husband could +not be dead last night, and the battle only fighting +now! Still, as I am so near, I will go on and see +how they come out. So away we went again, faster +than ever; and I soon found, by the noise of the +guns, that I was near the fight. Again I stopped. +I could hear muskets, I could hear rifles, and I +could hear shouting. I spoke to my mare and dashed +on in the direction of the firing and the shouts, now +louder than ever. The blind path I had been following +brought me into the Wilmington road leading +to Moore's creek bridge, a few hundred yards below +the bridge. A few yards from the road, under a +cluster of trees were lying perhaps twenty men. +They were the wounded. I knew the spot; the +very trees; and the position of the men I knew +as if I had seen it a thousand times. I had seen +it all night! I saw all at once; but in an instant +my whole soul was centered in one spot; for there, +wrapped in his bloody guard-cloak, was my husband's +body! How I passed the few yards from +my saddle to the place I never knew. I remember +uncovering his head and seeing a face clothed +with gore from a dreadful wound across the temple. +I put my hand on the bloody face; 'twas warm; +and an <i>unknown voice</i> begged for water. A small<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span> +camp-kettle was lying near, and a stream of water +was close by. I brought it; poured some in his +mouth; washed his face; and behold—it was Frank +Cogdell. He soon revived and could speak. I was +washing the wound in his head. Said he 'It is +not that; it is that hole in my leg that is killing +me.' A puddle of blood was standing on the ground +about his feet. I took his knife, cut away his trowsers +and stockings, and found the blood came from +a shot hole through and through the fleshy part of +the leg. I looked about and could see nothing that +looked as if it would do for dressing wounds but +some heart-leaves. I gathered a handful and bound +them tight to the holes; and the bleeding stopped. +I then went to the others; and—Doctor! I dressed +the wounds of many a brave fellow who did good +fighting long after that day! I had not inquired for +my husband; but while I was busy Caswell came +up. He appeared very much surprised to see me; +and was with his hat in hand about to pay some +compliment: but I interrupted him by asking—'Where +is my husband?'</p> + +<p>"'Where he ought to be, madam; in pursuit of +the enemy. But pray,' said he, 'how came you here?'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, I thought,' replied I, 'you would need +nurses as well as soldiers. See! I have already +dressed many of these good fellows; and here is +one'—going to Frank and lifting him up with my +arm under his head so that he could drink some +more water—'would have died before any of you +men could have helped him.'</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span>"'I believe you,' said Frank. Just then I looked +up, and my husband, as bloody as a butcher, and as +muddy as a ditcher, stood before me.<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> +</p> + +<p>"'Why, Mary!' he exclaimed, 'What are you +doing there? Hugging Frank Cogdell, the greatest +reprobate in the army?'</p> + +<p>"'I don't care,' I cried. 'Frank is a brave fellow, +a good soldier, and a true friend to Congress.'</p> + +<p>"'True, true! every word of it!' said Caswell. +'You are right, madam,' with the lowest possible +bow.</p> + +<p>"I would not tell my husband what brought me +there. I was so happy; and so were all! It was +a glorious victory; I came just at the height of the +enjoyment. I knew my husband was surprised, but +I could see he was not displeased with me. It was +night again before our excitement had at all subsided. +Many prisoners were brought in, and among +them some very obnoxious; but the worst of the +tories were not taken prisoners. They were, for the +most part, left in the woods and swamps wherever +they were overtaken. I begged for some of the poor +prisoners, and Caswell readily told me none should +be hurt but such as had been guilty of murder and +house-burning. In the middle of the night I again +mounted my mare and started for home. Caswell +and my husband wanted me to stay till next morning, +and they would send a party with me; but no! I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span> +wanted to see my child, and I told them they could +send no party who could keep up with me. What +a happy ride I had back! and with what joy did +I embrace my child as he ran to meet me!"<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span></p> +<h2>CAPTAIN RICHARDSON SAVED BY<br /> +HIS WIFE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Love, lend me wings to make this purpose swift,<br /> +As thou hast lent me wit to plot this drift.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>During the struggle for Independence, Captain +Richardson, of Sumter district, South Carolina, was +obliged to conceal himself for a while in the thickets +of the Santee swamp. One day he ventured to visit +his family—a perilous movement, for the British had +offered rewards for his apprehension, and patrolling +parties were almost constantly in search of him.—Before +his visit was ended, a small band of soldiers +presented themselves in front of the house. Just as +they were entering, with a great deal of composure +and presence of mind, Mrs. Richardson appeared at +the door, and found so much to do there at the +moment, as to find it inconvenient to make room for +the uninvited guests to enter. She was so calm, and +appeared so unconcerned, that they did not mistrust +the cause of her wonderful diligence, till her husband +had rushed out of the back door and safely reached +the neighboring swamp.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span></p> +<h2>STRIKING INSTANCE OF PATIENCE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Patience and resignation are the pillars<br /> +Of human peace on earth.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Young.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The panegyric of Decker on patience is beautiful:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +Patience, my lord! why 'tis the soul of peace:<br /> +Of all the virtues 'tis the nearest kin to heaven;<br /> +It makes men look like gods.<br /> +</div> + +<p>Not every Christian sufferer wears this garment +in its celestial whiteness, as did the God-man, whom +the same writer calls</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i6">"the best of men</span> +That e'er wore earth about him."<br /> +</div> + +<p>One of the most patient beings in modern times +was Miss Sarah Parbeck, of Salem, Massachusetts. +A lady who visited her in 1845, gives the following +account of the interview:</p> + +<p>The door was opened by a very old lady, wrinkled +and bowed down with age, who invited us to enter. +The room was so dark, that, before my eyes were +accommodated to the change, I could only see a +figure dressed in white, sitting upon the bed and +rocking to and fro. This motion was attended by a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span> +sound like the click of wooden machinery, which +arose, as I afterwards discovered, from the bones, as +they worked in their loosened sockets. As we approached, +she extended her hand to my companion, +and said, in a painful but affectionate voice, "Eliza, +I am very glad to see thee;" and then asked my +name and place of residence. She had just given +me her hand, when a spasm seized her, and it was +twitched suddenly from my grasp. It flew some four +or five times with the greatest violence against her +face, and then, with a sound, which I can only compare +to that made by a child who has been sobbing +a long time, in catching its breath, she threw up both +her arms, and with a deep guttural groan was flung +back upon her pillow, with a force inconceivable +to one who has not witnessed it. The instant she +touched the bed, she uttered that piercing shriek +again, and sprung back to her former position, +rocking to and fro, with those quick, heart-rending +groans which I had heard while standing at the door. +It was several minutes before she could speak, and +then there was none to answer her. Both my companion +and myself were choked with tears. Her +poor mother went to the other side of the bed, and +smoothed the coverlid, and re-arranged the pillows, +looking sadly upon her poor child, writhing in torture +which she could not alleviate. I became faint, and +trembled with sudden weakness: a cold perspiration +stood upon my face. The objects in the room began +to swim about me, and I was obliged to take hold +of the bedside for support. I have been in our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span> +largest hospitals, and have spent hours in going from +room to room with the attending physician. I have +witnessed there almost every form of human suffering, +but I had never beheld any thing to be compared +to that now before me. She afterwards told +me, as if in apology for her screams, that when she +was hurled back upon her pillow, both shoulders were +dislocated, and as they sprung back into their sockets, +the pain was far beyond endurance, and extorted +from her these shrieks.</p> + +<p>Her sentences were broken, uttered with much difficulty, +and frequently interrupted by the terrible +spasm I have described above. Yet this was her +"quiet" state; this the time when she suffered <i>least</i>. +Day after day, night after night, <i>fourteen weary years</i> +have dragged themselves along, whilst her poor body +has been thus racked. No relief; no hope of relief, +except that which death shall give. When I asked +her if her affliction did not at times seem greater +than she could bear, "O! never," she replied. "I +cannot thank God enough for having laid his heavy +hand upon me. I was a thoughtless sinner, and had +he not, in his mercy, afflicted me, I should probably +have lost my immortal soul. I see only his kindness +and love. The sweet communion I have with +my Saviour more than compensates me for all I +suffer. I am permitted to feel, in a measure, in my +poor body, what he suffered to save me, and my soul +can never grow weary in his praise." This last sentence, +I must say, gave me an argument which put +doubts of the verity and power of religion to flight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span> +more effectually than all the evidences which the +wisdom of man has arrayed against the skeptic; +and I could not but exclaim, "If this be delusion +let me be deluded!"</p> + +<p>She spoke in the most tender terms of her Saviour's +love. Her conversation was in heaven, from +whence also she looked for her Saviour, knowing +that he should change her body of humiliation, and +fashion it like unto his glorious body. I shall never +forget the tones and language in which she entreated +my sobbing companion to give that Saviour her heart. +As she recovered from a spasm, I said to her, "do +you not often desire to depart, and be with the +Saviour you love so fervently?" She had hardly recovered +her exhausted breath, but replied with great +decision, "By the grace of God, <i>I have never had +that wish</i>. Though death will be a welcome gift +when my Father sees fit to bestow it upon me, yet, +thanks to his supporting grace, I can wait his time +without impatience. He sees that there is much +dross to refine away, and why should I wish against +his will?"</p> + +<p>I remained by her side for more than an hour; +such, however, were the attractions of her discourse, +that I was unconscious of the time. I know not +when I have been so drawn towards a fellow Christian, +and never had I been led to such delightful +contemplations of our Saviour's character—his faithfulness +and love. I remarked to her, as I turned +to go away, "God has made you a powerful preacher, +here upon your bed of pain." "O," she replied,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span> +"if he will make me the instrument of saving but +a single soul, I am willing to live and suffer here +until my hair is gray with age." I noticed some +bottles standing upon a small table, and asked her +if she found any relief from opiates. "Through God's +kindness," she answered, "I probably owe the preservation +of my life thus far to an extract made from +blackdrop." "Does it enable you to sleep?" "O no," +she replied, "I have not known sleep for a very long +time." "What!" I cried, "do you never rest?" A +severe spasm here seized her, and it was some time +before she could answer me; she had been attacked in +this way some twelve or fifteen times whilst conversing +with us, and frequently in the midst of a reply. +When she recovered, she said the physicians thought +she obtained rest in her "long spasm," which lasted +for more than an hour. "During that time," she +continued, "I am dead to every thing but a sense +of the most extreme anguish. I see and hear nothing; +I only feel as though I was being crushed in pieces +by some immense weight." This was her rest! the +rack! Yet, through all this suffering, the smiles of +God penetrated to her heart. She sees him just, +and acknowledges his love.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span></p> +<h2>SUSANNAH ELLIOTT.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +——The painted folds thus fly,<br /> +And lift their emblems, printed high<br /> +On morning mist and sunset sky.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Holmes.</span> +<br /> +She showed that her soft sex contains strong mind.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Sir W. Davenant.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Susannah Smith, afterwards the wife of Colonel +Barnard Elliott, was a native of South Carolina. +Ramsay, in his history of that state, and other +authors, give a glowing account of her presentation +of a pair of colors to the second South Carolina +regiment of infantry, commanded by Col. Moultrie. +The ceremony took place on the twenty-eighth of +June, '76, two or three days after the attack on Fort +Moultrie, Sullivan's island. The colors, which were +embroidered by her own hand, were presented in +these words: "Your gallant behavior in defence of +liberty and your country, entitles you to the highest +honors: accept these two standards as a reward +justly due to your regiment; and I make not the least +doubt, under Heaven's protection, you will stand by +them as long as they can wave in the air of liberty."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span>Mrs. Elliott had a plantation called "The Hut," +and while there she once had three American +gentlemen as guests. These she was obliged to hurry +into a closet one day, on the sudden approach of the +enemy; and, opening a secret door, she showed +them a narrow apartment back of the chimney, +which she had contrived expressly for a hiding place. +Two of the guests entered, and were saved, while +the third, attempting to flee on horse-back, was overtaken +and slain.</p> + +<p>After the British had thoroughly, though ineffectually, +searched the house, and failed, by many +threats, to persuade the mistress to disclose the hiding +place of the others, they demanded her silver. +Pointing to some mounds of earth near by, as they +made the demand, they asked if the plate was not +buried there.<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> She told them, in reply, that those +mounds were the graves of British soldiers who had +died under her roof. The officers did not believe her, +and made two of the soldiers dig till they came to one +of the coffins, which was opened and which verified +her assertion. The enemy then departed, when the two +guests came forth, filled with gratitude to their kind +and ingenious hostess for the free use of this singular +apartment.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span></p> +<h2>ANECDOTES OF ANNA ELLIOTT.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +"The spark of noble courage now awake,<br /> +And strive your excellent self to excel." +</div> + + +<p>The wife of Charles Elliott, of Charleston, South +Carolina, was one of those dames of Seventy-six +who "appeared to concentrate every thought and +every hour of existence to the interests of America." +She cheered the prisoner, befriended the unjustly +persecuted, comforted the sick, fed the hungry, and +was humane alike to enemies and friends. Major +Garden has paid her the following compliment: "I +do not know an officer who did not owe to her some +essential increase of comfort."</p> + +<p>A British officer, whose cruel and persecuting +disposition was well known to Mrs. Elliott, was +walking with her in a flower garden one day, when, +pointing to the chamomile he asked, "What is +this, madam?" She at once replied, "The rebel +flower." "And why," asked he, "is it called the +rebel flower?" "Because," answered she, "it always +flourishes most when trampled upon."</p> + +<p>At another time, while an officer of the royal +army was in her house at Charleston, a French<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span> +officer, belonging to Pulaski's legion, passed; and +pointing to him, he vociferated, "There, Mrs. Elliott, +is one of your illustrious allies. What a pity the +hero is minus his <i>sword</i>." The spirit of the woman +was roused, and she replied, "Had two thousand +such men been here to aid in the defence of our +city, I should not at this moment, sir, have been +subjected to the insolence of your observation."</p> + +<p>When her father, the brave and zealous patriot, +Thomas Ferguson, was put on board a transport +ship at Charleston, preparatory to exile, she hastened +from the country, where she chanced to be, and +begged permission to receive his parting blessing. +Her request being granted, she went on board the +ship. Just as she entered the cabin, she was overcome +with grief, and fainted. When recovered, she +addressed her father as follows: "Let not oppression +shake your fortitude, nor the hope of gentler treatment +cause you for a moment to swerve from strict +duty. Better times are in store for us: the bravery +of the Americans, and the friendly aid of France, +will achieve the deliverance of our country from +oppression. We shall meet again, my father, and +meet with joy."<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span></p> +<h2>PATRIOTIC STRATAGEM.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +What bosom beats not in its country's cause?<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i14 smcap">Pope.</span> +</div> + + +<p>While the Legislature of Virginia was in session +at Charlottesville, Colonel Tarleton, with his famous +band of cavalry, made a secret march to that place, +in order to capture the Governor and some public +stores there collected. Several of the Assembly-men +were at the house of Colonel John Walker, a dozen +miles distant, and directly on Tarleton's route. Colonel +Walker was absent on duty in the lower part +of the state. Tarleton came suddenly up to the +door, and succeeded in making one or two prisoners, +the other members fleeing to town. He then ordered +breakfast for himself and his whole corps, which +the shrewd lady of the house prepared in the +slowest manner possible. This she did in order that +the members who had fled to the capital, might +attend to the removal or concealment of the stores, +in the preservation of which she was deeply interested. +Her stratagem succeeded; and, after tarrying a day +or two at Charlottesville, Tarleton went empty away.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span></p> +<h2>INFLUENCE OF A FAITHFUL TEACHER.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Spread out earth's holiest records here.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Sprague.</span> +</div> + + +<p>"About the first of September, 1833, a deep and +solemn interest upon the subject of religion, began +to be visible in the Presbyterian church and congregation +of Washingtonville, New York, and particularly +in the Sabbath school. One teacher, feeling +deeply the responsibility resting upon her, and the +worth of immortal souls, before the school was dismissed +on the Lord's day, affectionately requested +her class, consisting of little girls about twelve or +thirteen years of age, to remain after the rest of +the school had retired. She then began, with an +aching heart and with flowing tears, to reason and +plead with them upon the subject of personal religion. +They were deeply affected, and 'wept bitterly' in +view of their lost condition. They then all knelt +together before the Lord, and the teacher prayed +for their salvation; and immediately the scholar next +to her commenced praying for herself, and then the +next, and so on, until the whole class, with ardent +supplications, begged for the forgiveness of their sins,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span> +and the salvation of their souls. It would take +long to tell the history of this class, and relate particular +instances of conversions, and the happy +changes which took place in the families to which +they belonged, and show the family altars which +were established. These scholars, with their teacher +and their fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, +were ere long seen commemorating a Saviour's dying +love together. The revival extended itself to other +towns, and the great day can alone unfold the +astonishing results."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE WIFE OF THOMAS HEYWARD.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +What I will, I will, and there's an end.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Immediately after the victory of the British at Guilford, +order was given for the illumination of Charleston, +South Carolina. This order, Major Garden +informs us,<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> the wife of Thomas Heyward of that +city refused to obey; and when an officer asked +her the reason of her disobedience, she replied, "Is +it possible for me, sir, to feel a spark of joy? Can +I celebrate the victory of your army while my +husband remains a prisoner at St. Augustine?" Enraged +at her obstinacy, he told her she <i>should</i> +illuminate. "Not a single light shall be placed, with +my consent, on any occasion, in any window in the +house," was her fearless reply. He then threatened +to destroy her house before midnight. "You have +power to destroy, sir," she said, "and seem well +disposed to use it, but over my opinions you possess +no control. I disregard your menaces, and resolutely +declare, <i>I will not illuminate</i>!" As good as her +word, she <i>did</i> not, nor was her house destroyed.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[344]</a></span></p> +<p>Orders were given, at another time, for an illumination +on the anniversary of the battle and surrender +of Charleston,<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> and Mrs. Heyward again refused to +obey. The mob was so indignant as to pelt her +house with brickbats; and while engaged in the mean +act, a feeble and emaciated sister of Mrs. Heyward—Mrs. +George A. Hall—expired! When the town +major heard of this painful circumstance, he tried to +apologize to Mrs. Heyward, expressing regret for the +indignities and damages, and offering to repair the +building. She received his personal courtesies, but +refused his proffered aid in making repairs, hinting, +at the same time, that it was hardly possible for the +authorities, in that way, to remedy insults the offering +of which their baseness had probably prompted and +and which they could and <i>should</i> have prevented.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[345]</a></span></p> +<h2>NOBLE DECISION.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +We are born to do benefits.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>When the news was received in Illinois, a few +years ago, that, owing to a deficiency of funds, the +Ceylon missionaries had been obliged to dismiss +thousands of pupils from their schools, and that +twenty-five dollars would revive any one of them, +a minister of that state laid the subject before his +small and poor church, and between pastor and people +twenty-five dollars were promptly raised. Going +home and communicating the intelligence to his wife, +the minister learned that she had been weighing the +subject, and was anxious, in some way, to raise enough +herself alone to resuscitate a school. Her husband +told her she could do it by dispensing with a tomb +stone which had been ordered from New York for a +child lately deceased, and which would cost twenty-five +dollars. She promptly consented to have the order +countermanded, saying that "living children demanded +her money more than the one that was +dead." By suffering the love of Christ to triumph +over maternal feeling, she re-opened a mission school, +and the day of judgment will reveal the great amount +of good thereby accomplished.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[346]</a></span></p> +<h2>A TENNESSEE HEROINE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i9">It is held</span> +That valor is the chiefest virtue;<br /> +Most dignifies the haver: if it be,<br /> +The man I speak of cannot in the world<br /> +Be singly counterpoised.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Milton A. Haynes, Esq., of Tennessee, furnished +for Mrs. Ellet's Women of the Revolution a lengthy +and very interesting sketch of Sarah Buchanan, of +East Tennessee. The following anecdotes, extracted +therefrom, exhibit the heroism of her character:</p> + +<p>On one occasion, Sarah and a kinswoman named +Susan Everett were returning home from a visit a +mile or two distant, careless of danger, or not thinking +of its presence. It was late in the evening, +and they were riding along a path through the open +woods, Miss Everett in advance. Suddenly she +stopped her horse, exclaiming, "Look, Sally, yonder +are the red skins!" Not more than a hundred +yards ahead was a party of Indians armed with +rifles, directly in their path. There was no time for +counsel, and retreat was impossible, as the Indians +might easily intercept them before they could gain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[347]</a></span> +a fort in their rear. To reach their own block-house, +four or five hundred yards distant, was their only +hope of safety. Quick as thought, Sarah whispered +to her companion to follow and do as she did, and +then instantly assuming the position of a man on +horseback, in which she was imitated by her relative, +she urged her horse into a headlong gallop. +Waving their bonnets in the air, and yelling like +madmen, they came furiously down upon the savages, +who had not seen them, crying out as they +came—"Clear the track, you —— red skins!" The +part was so well acted, that the Indians took them +for the head of a body of troopers, who were +making a deadly charge upon them, and dodging +out of the path, fled for very life—and so did Sally +and Susan! Before the savages had recovered from +their fright, the two girls were safe within the gates +of the fort, trembling like frightened fawns at the +narrow escape which they had made.</p> + +<p>On another occasion, when her husband and all +the men of the fort were absent, two celebrated +horse-thieves, who had taken refuge with the Indians, +came and demanded of Mrs. Buchanan two +of the Major's fine horses. Knowing their lawless +character, she pretended acquiescence, and went with +them to the stable, but on arriving at the door she +suddenly drew a large hunting knife from under +her apron, and assuming an attitude of defiance, +declared that if either of them dared to enter the +stable, she would instantly cut him down. Struck +by her intrepid bearing, they fell back, and although<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[348]</a></span> +they tried to overcome her resolution by threats +and bravado, she maintained her ground, and the +marauders were compelled to retire without the +horses.</p> + +<p>On Sunday night,<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> about the hour of midnight, +while the moon was shining brilliantly, the Indian +army under Watts and the Shawnee, advancing in silence, +surrounded Buchanan's station. In order to +effect an entrance into the fort by a <i>coup de main</i>, +they sent runners to frighten and drive in the horses +and cattle. This was done, and the animals came +dashing furiously towards the fort; but the garrison, +wrapped in slumber, heeded them not. The watchman, +John McCrory, at this instant discovering the +savages advancing within fifty yards of the gates, +fired upon them. In an instant the mingled yells +of the savage columns, the crack of their rifles, and +the clatter of their hatchets, as they attempted to +cut down the gate, told the little squad of nineteen +men and seven women that the fearful war-cloud, +which had been rising so long, was about to burst +upon their devoted heads!</p> + +<p>Aroused suddenly from deep slumber by the terrible +war-whoop, every man and woman felt the +horror of their situation. The first impulse with +some was to surrender, and it is related of one +woman that she instantly gathered her five children +and attempted to go with them to the gate to yield<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[349]</a></span> +themselves to the Indians. Mrs. Buchanan seized +her by the shoulder, and asked her where she was +going.</p> + +<p>"To surrender myself and children to the Indians—if +I don't they'll kill us, any how," exclaimed +the terrified woman. "Come back," said Mrs. Buchanan, +"and let us all fight and die together." +An old man, who waked up as it were in a dream, +seemed paralyzed, and exclaimed, in a plaintive +voice—"Oh, we shall all be murdered!"</p> + +<p>"Get up then and go to fighting!" exclaimed +Mrs. Buchanan; "I'd be ashamed to sit crouched +up there when any one else is fighting. Better die +nobly than live shamefully!"</p> + +<p>In the mean time Major Buchanan had arranged +his men in the block-houses so as to rake the Indians +by a flank fire, and was pouring a galling fire +into the head of the assaulting column. Yet, nothing +dismayed, the daring foe crowded against the gates, +their blows falling faster and heavier, while now +and then they attempted to scale the pickets. At +length, unable to do this or to force open the well-barred +and ponderous gate, the bold warriors advanced +to the block-houses, and standing before +them, pointed their guns in at the port holes; both +sides sometimes at the same instant firing through +the same opening. It was the policy of Major Buchanan +to impress upon them the idea that the fort +contained a large garrison. To do this it was necessary +for his men to fire their guns often, and occasionally +in volleys. At this crisis the whisper went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[350]</a></span> +round—"All is lost. Our bullets are out!" But +there were guardian angels whom these brave men +knew not of. Scarcely had the words been spoken, +when Mrs. Buchanan passed around with an apronful +of bullets, which she and Nancy Mulherrin, +the Major's sister, had moulded, during the fight, +out of her plates and spoons. At the same time she +gave to each of the tired soldiers some brandy which +she carried in a pewter basin. During the contest +they had thus moulded three hundred bullets. Not +without their fun were these hardy men in this hour +of peril. In order to keep up a show of good spirits, +they frequently cried out to the Indians, "Shoot bullets, +you squaws! Why don't you put powder in +your guns?" This was understood, for Watts and +many others spoke very good English, and they replied +by daring them to come out and fight like men. +In the midst of these banterings, Mrs. Buchanan discovered +a large blunderbuss which had been standing +in a corner during the fight and had not been discharged, +and gave it to an Irishman named O'Connor +to fire off. In telling the story afterwards the Irish +man said: An' she gave me the wide-mouthed fusee +and bade me to shoot that at the blasted creeters, and +Jimmy O'Connor he took the fusee, and he pulled the +trigger when the rest fired, for three or four times, +and loaded her again every time, and so ye see, yer +honor, when I pulled the trigger again, the fusee went +off, it did, and Jimmy O'Connor went under the +bed. This unequal contest lasted for four long hours, +and when the first blush of morning began to appear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[351]</a></span> +in the east, most of the chiefs were killed or wounded. +The boastful Shawnee was transfixed in death, leaning +against the gate which he had so valorously assaulted; +the White Owl's son and Unacate, or the White-man-killer, +were mortally wounded, and John Watts was +borne off on a litter, shot through both legs.</p> + +<p>During this protracted fight Mrs. Buchanan aided +the defenders by words and deeds, as if life or death +depended upon the efforts which she was then making. +She knew, and all knew, that if the assault could be +repelled for four hours, relief would come from the +neighboring posts. Foiled, discouraged, their leaders +disabled, this formidable army of savage warriors +precipitately retreated towards their country, bearing +off most of their wounded, yet leaving many dead +upon the field. This was the first formidable invasion +of Cumberland valley, and its tide was rolled back as +much by the presence of mind and heroic firmness +of Sarah Buchanan and Nancy Mulherrin, as by the +rifles of their husbands and friends. The fame of this +gallant defence went abroad, and the young wife of +Major Buchanan was celebrated as the greatest heroine +of the West. From 1780 to 1796, there was +not a year in which her family had not been exposed +to peril, in which, of course, she was a partaker.<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[352]</a></span></p> +<h2>MAGNANIMITY OF MRS. M'KAY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Greatness of mind, and nobleness, their seat<br /> +In her build loveliest.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Milton.</span> +</div> + + +<p>"In the beginning of June, 1781, the British garrison +at Augusta, Georgia, capitulated to the American +forces, under command of General Pickens and Colonel +Lee, of the partizan legion. Colonel Grierson, +who was obnoxious to the Americans on account of +his barbarities, was shot down by an unknown hand, +after he was a prisoner. A reward of one hundred +guineas was offered to any person who would point +out the offender, but in vain. Colonel Brown, the +British commander, expecting the same fate, conscious +that he deserved it, from his unrelenting and +vindictive disposition towards the Americans, was +furnished with a guard, although he had hanged +thirteen American prisoners, and had given others +into the hands of the Indians to be tortured. On +his way to Savannah, he passed through the settlements +where he had burned a number of houses, +and hung some of the relatives of the inhabitants. +At Silverbluff, Mrs. M'Kay obtained leave of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[353]</a></span> +American officer, who commanded his safeguard, to +speak to him; when she thus addressed him:—'Colonel +Brown, in the late day of your prosperity, +I visited your camp, and on my knees supplicated +for the life of my only son, but you were deaf to +my entreaties; you hanged him, though a beardless +youth, before my face. These eyes have seen him +scalped by the savages under your immediate command, +and for no better reason than that his name +was M'Kay. As you are now a prisoner to the +leaders of my country, for the present I lay aside all +thoughts of revenge, but when you resume your +sword, I will go five hundred miles to demand satisfaction +at the point of it, for the murder of my +son!'"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus364.jpg" width="450" height="560" alt="THE GENEROUS DENTIST." title="THE GENEROUS DENTIST." /> +<span class="caption">THE GENEROUS DENTIST.</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[354]</a></span></p> +<h2>HEROIC CONDUCT OF A DAUGHTER.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Fair was her face, and spotless was her mind,<br /> +Where filial love with virgin sweetness joined.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i14 smcap">Pope.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Xantippe, a Roman lady, who nursed her father, +the aged Cimonus, while he was a prisoner, and +thereby saved his life, rendered herself immortal by +this manifestation of filial affection. But the "Roman +Charity" is not comparable to the following +extraordinary deed of filial sacrifice.</p> + +<p>The winter of 1783 was unusually severe, and +the sufferings of the poor in the city of New York +were very great. One family, consisting of the husband, +wife and one daughter, were, on one occasion, +reduced to the last stick of wood, and were wholly +destitute of provisions. The daughter, who had +thus far supported her aged and infirm parents by +her industry, was out of work, and knew not what +to do. At this juncture of affairs, she recollected +that a dentist had advertised for sound fore-teeth, +and offered three guineas a piece for all he was +himself permitted to extract. In the midst of her +grief, the generous girl suddenly brightened up,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[355]</a></span> +and hastened to the dentist's office. She made +known the condition of her parents, and offered to +dispose of all her fore-teeth on his terms. The +dentist, instead of extracting a tooth, with tears in +his eyes, placed in her hands ten guineas, and sent +her, rejoicing, to the relief of her parents.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[356]</a></span></p> +<h2>HEROIC DECISION.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i6">No thought of flight,</span> +None of retreat, no unbecoming deed<br /> +That argued fear.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Milton.</span> +</div> + + +<p>We have elsewhere in this work spoken of the +perils necessary to be encountered by Christian missionaries, +and particularly those who connect themselves +with stations in Africa. The history of the +Methodist Episcopal mission in that quarter of the +globe, presents a noble, if not a long, list of soldiers +who early fell there while contending with Error. +They sank upon the battle field, with their armor on +and covered with glory. They fell not before the +hosts of paganism; they were conquered by the +climate. Most of those who have not died on the +field, have been obliged to shortly flee to their native +land for the restoration of health. Here and there +one has withstood the adverse nature of the climate, +toiled for years, and done a noble work, which has +caused rejoicing in Heaven and honored the name +of Christ on earth.</p> + +<p>Few persons, whose names are connected with the +history of modern missions, have displayed a more devoted,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[357]</a></span> +self-sacrificing spirit, or greater moral courage, +than Miss Sophronia Farrington. Prior to the autumn +of 1834, of six missionaries who had entered the field +in Africa under the patronage of American Methodists, +three<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> were in their graves, and two<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> +had returned to the United States for health. Miss +Farrington stood alone, and the question arose, what +she should do. The officers of the Missionary Society +were willing she should return home, and her friends +were urging it upon her. With her co-laborers all +dead or fled, she seemed herself to be left to the +alternative either to flee or fall. Should she choose +the former course, the mission would be wholly, and, +for ought she knew, for ever, abandoned. What then +should she do? Like a hero, to use her own words, +she had "offered her soul upon the altar of her God, +for the salvation of that long benighted continent," +and with courage that shames the facer of the cannon's +mouth, she resolved to remain and toil alone, +beside the graves of her fallen companions till more +help should come or the Divine Husbandman close +the labors of the lone vine-dresser. More help +arrived in a few months, and, according to the +annual report of 1836, the mission, of whose history +she formed at one time the connecting link, "continued +to loom up in bright perspective, and promise +a rich reward for all the labors and sufferings of +the faithful missionaries."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[358]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE DAUGHTER OF AARON BURR.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +'Tis thine on every heart to 'grave thy praise,<br /> +A monument which Worth alone can raise.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Broome.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Theodosia, the only daughter of Aaron Burr, was +a woman of superior mental accomplishments, and +very strong affections. She was married to Joseph +Alston, Esq., afterwards Governor of South Carolina, +in 1801. She was then in her eighteenth year. That +she was an excellent wife may be gathered, not +merely from the story of her life, but from the testimony +of her husband. Writing to her father in 1813—soon +after her death—he says, "The man who has +been deemed worthy of the heart of Theodosia Burr, +and has felt what it was to be blest with such a +woman's, will never forget his elevation."<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a></p> + +<p>In regard to her attachment to her father, a writer, +quoted in the appendix to Safford's Life of Blennerhassett, +remarks as follows: "Her love for her father +partook of the purity of a better world; holy, deep, +unchanging; it reminds us of the affection which a +celestial spirit might be supposed to entertain for a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[359]</a></span> +parent cast down from heaven, for sharing in the sin +of the 'Son of the Morning.' No sooner did she +hear of the arrest of her father, than she fled to his +side.<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> There is nothing in human history more +touching than the hurried letters, blotted with tears, +in which she announced her daily progress to Richmond; +for she was too weak to travel with the +rapidity of the mail."</p> + +<p>Had her health permitted, and occasion presented +itself, she would have matched in heroism any act in +the life of Margaret Roper or Elizabeth Cazotte.<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a></p> + +<p>The trial of her father for treason, and his virtual +banishment, not only depressed her spirits, but fearfully +racked her already feeble constitution, yet his +disgrace abated not a tittle the ardor of her affection; +and when he returned from Europe, though in feeble +health, she resolved to visit him in the city of New +York. She was then in South Carolina. Embarking +in the privateer Patriot, on the thirteenth of January,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[360]</a></span> +1813, she was never heard of afterwards. The +schooner may have fallen into the hands of pirates; +but, as a heavy gale was experienced for several +days soon after leaving Georgetown, the probability +is that the craft foundered. Thus closed a life to +which the panegyrical exclamation of Milton happily +applies:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +O glorious trial of exceeding love<br /> +Illustrious evidence, example high.<br /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 350px;"> +<img src="images/illus371.jpg" width="350" height="198" alt="Scenic gate" /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[361]</a></span></p> +<h2>FEMALE INTREPIDITY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Be not dismayed—fear nurses up a danger,<br /> +And resolution kills it in the birth.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Phillips.</span> +</div> + + +<p>During the war between the Indians and Kentuckians, +while the owner of a plantation in a thinly +settled part of the state, was at work with his slaves +in the field, a sable sentinel, who was posted near the +house, saw a party of savages approaching. One of +them was more fleet than he, and reaching the house +at the same moment, they rushed within doors together. +The planter's wife instantly closed the door +and the negro and Indian grappled. The former was +the stronger of the two, though the latter was the +more expert. After a hard struggle, the negro threw +the Indian, and held him fast until the woman beheaded +him with a broad-axe. The negro then seized +the guns, and began to fire at the other Indians +through the loop-holes. The guns were loaded by +the woman as fast as discharged. Their frequent +report soon brought the laborers from the field, and +the surviving Indians were driven away.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[362]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE WIFE OF RICHARD SHUBRICK.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i12">Be fire with fire;</span> +Threaten the threatener, and out face the brow<br /> +Of bragging horror: so shall inferior eyes,<br /> +That borrow their behavior from the great,<br /> +Grow great by your example.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The following anecdotes of Mrs. Richard Shubrick +may be found in the First Series of Major Garden's +Revolutionary Anecdotes. "There was," he writes, +"an appearance of personal debility about her that +rendered her peculiarly interesting: it seemed to solicit +the interest of every heart, and the man would +have felt himself degraded who would not have put +his life at hazard to serve her. Yet, when firmness +of character was requisite, when fortitude was called +for to repel the encroachments of aggression, there +was not a more intrepid being in existence.</p> + +<p>"An American soldier, flying from a party of the +enemy, sought her protection, and was promised it. +The British, pressing close upon him, insisted that +he should be delivered up, threatening immediate +and universal destruction in case of refusal. The +ladies, her friends and companions, who were in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[363]</a></span> +house with her, shrunk from the contest, and were +silent; but, undaunted by their threats, this intrepid +lady placed herself before the chamber into which +the unfortunate fugitive had been conducted, and +resolutely said, 'To men of honor the chamber of a +lady should be as sacred as the sanctuary! I will +defend the passage to it though I perish. You may +succeed, and enter it, but it shall be over my corpse.' +'By God,' said the officer, 'if muskets were only +placed in the hands of a few such women, our only +safety would be found in retreat. Your intrepidity, +madam, gives you security; from me you shall meet +no further annoyance.'</p> + +<p>"At Brabant, the seat of the respectable and patriotic +Bishop Smith, a sergeant of Tarleton's dragoons, +eager for the acquisition of plunder, followed the overseer, +a man advanced in years, into the apartment +where the ladies of the family were assembled, and +on his refusing to discover the spot in which the +plate was concealed, struck him with violence, inflicting +a severe sabre wound across the shoulders. +Aroused by the infamy of the act, Mrs. Shubrick, +starting from her seat, and placing herself betwixt +the ruffian and his victim, resolutely said, 'Place +yourself behind me, Murdoch; the interposition of +my body shall give you protection, or I will die:' +then, addressing herself to the sergeant, exclaimed, +'O what a degradation of manhood—what departure +from that gallantry which was once the characteristic +of British soldiers. Human nature is degraded by +your barbarity;—but should you persist, then strike<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[364]</a></span> +at <i>me</i>, for till I die, no further injury shall be done +to <i>him</i>.' The sergeant, unable to resist such commanding +eloquence, retired."<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[365]</a></span></p> +<h2>KEEN RETORT OF MRS. ASHE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +I have a thousand spirits in one breast,<br /> +To answer twenty thousand such as you.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>While General Leslie was staying with the British +troops at Halifax, North Carolina, Colonel Tarleton +and other officers held their quarters at the house +of Colonel Ashe, whose wife was a firm friend of +liberty. Her beau ideal of the hero was Colonel +William Washington; and, knowing this fact, the +sarcastic Tarleton took great delight in speaking +diminutively of this officer in her presence. In his +jesting way, he remarked to her one time, that he +should like to have an opportunity of seeing her +friend, Colonel Washington, whom he had understood +to be a very small man. Mrs. Ashe promptly replied, +"If you had looked behind you, Colonel Tarleton, +at the battle of the Cowpens, you would have had +that pleasure."<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[366]</a></span></p> +<h2>PHILANTHROPIC WIFE OF A DRUNKARD.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +There's in you all that we believe of heaven.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Otway.</span> +</div> + + +<p>"The amazing influence of one Christian, who +shows in her life the spirit of Christ, is illustrated in +a striking manner, in the life of a lady who died not +long since, in one of the principal cities of the +United States. I am not permitted to give her name, +nor all the particulars of her life. But what I relate +may be relied upon, not only as facts, but as far +below the whole truth. She had been for a long time +afflicted with a drunken husband. At length the +sheriff came, and swept off all her property, not +excepting her household furniture, to discharge his +grog bills. At this distressing crisis, she retired to +an upper room, laid her babe upon the bare floor, +kneeled down over it, and offered up the following +petition: "O Lord, if thou wilt <i>in any way</i> remove +from me this affliction, I will serve thee <i>upon bread +and water</i>, all the days of my life." The Lord took +her at her word. Her besotted husband immediately +disappeared, and was never heard of again +till after her death. The church would now have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[367]</a></span> +maintained her, but she would not consent to become +a charge to others. Although in feeble health, and +afflicted with the sick headache, she opened a small +school, from which she obtained a bare subsistence; +though it was often no more than what was contained +in the condition of her prayer—literally bread and +water. She was a lady of pleasing address, and of a +mild and gentle disposition. "In her lips was the +law of kindness." Yet she possessed an energy of +character and a spirit of perseverance, which the +power of faith alone can impart. When she undertook +any Christian enterprise, she was discouraged by +no obstacles, and appalled by no difficulties. She +resided in the most wicked and abandoned part of +the city, which afforded a great field of labor. Her +benevolent heart was pained at seeing the grog shops +open upon the holy Sabbath. She undertook the +difficult and almost hopeless task of closing these +sinks of moral pollution upon the Lord's day, and +succeeded. This was accomplished by the mild influence +of persuasion, flowing from the lips of kindness, +and clothed with that power which always +accompanies the true spirit of the gospel. But she +was not satisfied with seeing the front doors and +windows of these houses closed. She would, therefore, +upon the morning of the Sabbath, pass round, and +enter these shops through the dwellings occupied by +the families of the keepers, where she often found +them engaged secretly in this wickedness. She would +then remonstrate with them, until she persuaded +them to abandon it, and attend public worship. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[368]</a></span> +this manner, she abolished, almost entirety, the sale +of liquors upon the Sabbath, in the worst part of the +city.</p> + +<p>"She also looked after the poor, that the Gospel +might be preached to them. She carried with her the +number of those pews in the church which were +unoccupied. And upon Sabbath mornings, she made +it her business to go out in the streets and lanes of +the city, and persuade the poor to come in and fill up +these vacant seats. By her perseverance and energy, +she would remove every objection, until she had +brought them to the house of God. She was incessant +and untiring in every effort for doing good. She +would establish a Sabbath school, and superintend it +until she saw it flourishing, and then deliver it into +the hands of some suitable person, and go and establish +another. She collected together a Bible class of +apprentices, which she taught herself. Her pastor +one day visited it, and found half of them in tears, +under deep conviction. She was faithful to the +church and to impenitent sinners. It was her habitual +practice to reprove sin, and to warn sinners wherever +she found them. At the time of her death, she had +under her care a number of pious young men preparing +for the ministry. These she had looked after, +and brought out of obscurity. As soon as their piety +had been sufficiently proved, she would bring them +to the notice of her Christian friends. She persuaded +pious teachers to give them gratuitous instruction, +and pious booksellers to supply them with books. In +the same way, she procured their board in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[369]</a></span> +families of wealthy Christians; and she formed little +societies of ladies, to supply them with clothing. +There was probably no person in the city whose death +would have occasioned the shedding of more tears, +or called forth more sincere and heartfelt grief."<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus380.jpg" width="450" height="270" alt="Lady and children looking out doorway" /> + +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[370]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE MOTHER OF DR. DWIGHT.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i10">Though renown</span> +Plant laurels on the warrior's grave, and wreathe<br /> +With bays the slumbering bard—the mother's urn<br /> +Shall claim more dear memorials: gratitude<br /> +Shall there abide; affection, reverence, there<br /> +Shall oft revolve the precepts which now speak<br /> +With emphasis divine.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. West.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The mother of Timothy Dwight was a daughter +of Jonathan Edwards, and seems to have inherited +a large share of her father's talents and spiritual +graces. Her powers of mind were unusually strong; +her knowledge was extensive and varied, and her +piety highly fervid. She married at an early age; +became a mother when eighteen; had a large family; +and, though never negligent of domestic duties, she +daily and assiduously devoted herself to the education +of her children. She began to instruct Timothy, it +is said, "as soon as he was able to speak; and such +was his eagerness, as well as his capacity for improvement, +that he learned the alphabet at a single +lesson; and before he was four years old, was able +to read the Bible with ease and correctness.... +She taught him from the very dawn of his reason +to fear God and to keep his commandments; to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[371]</a></span> +conscientiously just, kind, affectionate, charitable, and +forgiving; to preserve, on all occasions, and under +all circumstances, the most sacred regard for truth; +and to relieve the distresses and supply the wants +of the poor and unfortunate. She aimed, at a very +early period, to enlighten his conscience, to make +him afraid of sin, and to teach him to hope for pardon +only through Christ. The impressions thus made +upon his mind in infancy, were never effaced. A +great proportion of the instruction which he received +before he arrived at the age of six years, was at +home with his mother. His school room was the +nursery. Here he had his regular hours for study, +as in a school; and twice every day she heard him +repeat his lesson. Here, in addition to his stated +task, he watched the cradle of his younger brother. +When his lesson was recited, he was permitted to +read such books as he chose, until the limited period +was expired. During these intervals, he often read +over the historical parts of the Bible, and gave an +account of them to his mother. So deep and distinct +was the impression which these narrations made upon +his mind, that their minutest incidents were indelibly +fixed upon his memory. His relish for reading was +thus early formed, and was strengthened by the conversation +and example of his mother. His early +knowledge of the Bible led to that ready, accurate, +and extensive acquaintance with Scripture, which is +so evident in his sermons and other writings."<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[372]</a></span></p> +<p>It is easy to see, in this picture, who it was that +laid the foundation of that character which sanctified +genius, and caused it to shine with transcendent lustre, +for more than twenty years, at the head of Yale +college. The mother of President Dwight was well +repaid, even in this life, for the pains she took to +rear this son for the glory of God; for, while he never +disobeyed a command of hers or omitted a filial duty, +he was kind and generous to her in her old age, and +smoothed her path to a Christian's grave. But her +true and great reward for her maternal faithfulness, +is in another world, whither she went to receive it +about the year 1807.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[373]</a></span></p> +<h2>HAPPY RESULTS OF MATERNAL FIDELITY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Lift the heart and bend the knee.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. Hemans.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The superior influence of the mother in forming the +character of the child, is generally conceded. Biographical +literature abounds with illustrations of this +fact, and renders it incontrovertible. As examples, +in Great Britain, we are often, with propriety, pointed +to the mothers of Isaac and John Newton, Doddridge, +the Wesleys, Richard Cecil, Legh Richmond +and many others; but it is needless for any people +to search in foreign lands for such examples.</p> + +<p>In the notices of the mothers of Washington, Jackson, +Randolph, Dwight and some others, on preceding +pages of this volume, the truth of the same proposition +is endeavored to be substantiated: and, as +facts most forcibly illustrate argument, and wholesome +hints are often easiest given by example, we will add +two or three more anecdotes having a bearing on this +point.</p> + +<p>The mother of Jonathan Edwards, it is well known, +began to pray for him as soon as he was born; and +probably no mother ever strove harder than she to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[374]</a></span> +rear a child "in the nurture and admonition of the +Lord." The result of her efforts is known to the +world.</p> + +<p>The late Professor Knowles, of the Newton theological +institution, received much pious instruction +from his mother in his infant years; and, as he lost +his father at the age of twelve, at that period she +assumed wholly the guidance of his steps and his +studies. She early discovered his love of books and +his promising talents; and while she admonished him, +and led him to the Saviour, she also sympathized +with him in his literary taste and encouraged him in +his scientific pursuits. The zealous minister, the +learned biblical instructor, the polished writer and +biographer of the first Mrs. Judson, owed very much +to the moral training and the literary encouragement +of his faithful mother.</p> + +<p>Nearly half a century ago, the mother of the celebrated +Beecher family, made the following record: +"This morning I rose very early to pray for my +children; and especially that my sons may be ministers +and missionaries of Jesus Christ." The "fervent" +prayers of the good woman were "effectual:" her five +sons became "ministers and missionaries of Jesus +Christ," and all her children—eight in number—are +connected with the "household of God"—several on +earth and one,<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> at least, in heaven.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[375]</a></span></p> +<h2>WONDERFUL ENDURANCE AND PERSEVERANCE<br /> +OF MRS. SCOTT.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i12">——Mute</span> +The camel labors with the heaviest load,<br /> +And the wolf dies in silence; not bestowed<br /> +In vain should such examples be; if they,<br /> +Things of ignoble or of savage mood,<br /> +Endure and shrink not, we of nobler clay,<br /> +May temper it to bear—it is but for a day.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Byron.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Mrs. Scott, a resident of Washington county, Virginia, +was taken captive by Indians on the night +of the twenty-ninth of June, 1785. Her husband +and all her children were slain; and before morning +she was forced to commence her march through the +wilderness.</p> + +<p>On the eleventh day of her captivity, while in +charge of four Indians, provision becoming scarce, +a halt was made, and three of the number went on +a hunting excursion. Being left in the care of an +old man, she made him believe she was reconciled +to her condition, and thus threw him off his guard. +Anxious to escape, and having matured her plans, +she asked him, in the most disinterested manner +possible, to let her go to a small stream, near by,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[376]</a></span> +and wash her apron, which was besmeared with the +blood of one of her children. He gave her leave, +and while he was busy in "graining a deer-skin," +she started off. Arriving at the stream, without a +moment's hesitation, she pushed on in the direction +of a mountain. Traveling till late at night, she came +into a valley where she hoped to find the track along +which she had been taken by her captors, and thereby +be able to retrace her steps. Hurrying across the +valley to the margin of a river, which she supposed +must be the eastern branch of the Kentucky, she +discovered in the sand the tracks of two men who +had followed the stream upwards and returned. +Thinking them to be the prints of pursuers, and that +they had returned from the search, she took courage, +thanked God, and was prepared to continue her +flight.</p> + +<p>On the third day she came very near falling into +the hands of savages, a company whom she supposed +had been sent to Clinch river on a pilfering excursion. +Hearing their approach before they came in sight, +she concealed herself, and they passed without noticing +her. She now became greatly alarmed, and +was so bewildered as to lose her way and to wander +at random for several days.</p> + +<p>At length, coming to a stream that seemed to flow +from the east, she concluded it must be Sandy river; +and resolving to trace it to its source, which was near +a settlement where she was acquainted, she pushed +on for several days, till she came into mountainous +regions and to craggy steeps. There, in the vicinity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[377]</a></span> +of a "prodigious waterfall," she was forced to leap +from a precipice, upon some rocks, and was so stunned +as to be obliged to make a short delay in her +journey.</p> + +<p>Soon after passing through the mountain,<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> she was +bitten by a snake which she supposed was venomous. +She killed it, and expected her turn to die would +come next; but the only injury she received was +some pain and the slight swelling of one foot. A +writer, whose narration we follow and whose facts +are more reliable than his philosophy, thinks that, +being "reduced to a mere skeleton, with fatigue, hunger +and grief," she was probably, on that account, +"saved from the effects of the poisonous fangs."</p> + +<p>Leaving the river, Mrs. Scott came to a forked +valley, and watching the flight of birds, took the +branch they did, and in two days came in sight of +New Garden, the settlement on Clinch river, before +referred to. Thus, after wandering in the wilderness +for six long weeks, almost destitute of clothing, without +a weapon of defence or instrument for obtaining +provision; exposed to wild beasts and merciless savages; +subsisting a full month on the juice of young +cane stalks, sassafras leaves and similar food; looking +to God in prayer for guidance by day, and for +protection by night; shielded from serious harm, and +led by an unseen Hand, on the eleventh of August, +the wanderings of the widowed and childless captive +were brought to a close.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[378]</a></span></p> +<h2>SUCCESS OF BOLDNESS.</h2> + +<p class="center"> +"Courage, prove thy chance once more."<br /> +</p> + + +<p>While Colonel Tarleton was marching through +North Carolina, near the close of the Revolution, he +passed two nights in Halifax county. From malice +or because of a scarcity of provision, he caused his +troops to catch all the horses, cattle, hogs, fowls, etc., +that could be found, most of which were destroyed. +The inhabitants generally fled and concealed themselves +in the neighboring swamps and thickets. One +young lady, however, in the upper part of the county, +where they spent the second night, refused to retire. +Remaining on the premises alone, when the marauders +came for the horses and cattle thereon, Miss +Bishop<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> ordered them off; but they did not obey. +Among the animals they drove to camp, was a favorite +pony of hers, which she resolved to recover. +When night come on, she went unarmed to the camp, +about a mile distant, and boldly made known her +errand to Tarleton. "Your roguish men in red coats," +she said to him, "came to my father's house about sundown +and stole my pony, and I have walked here<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[379]</a></span> +alone and unprotected, to claim and demand him; +and, sir, I must and I will have him. I fear not your +men. They are base and unprincipled enough to +dare to offer insult to an unprotected female; but +their cowardly hearts will prevent them from doing +her any bodily injury." While thus speaking, her eye +happened to fall on her favorite animal, upon which +the camp fire flung its light, and she added, "There, +sir, is my horse. I shall mount him and ride peacefully +home; and if you have any gentlemanly feeling +within you, of which your men are totally destitute, +or, if you have any regard for their safety, you will +see, sir, that I am not interrupted. But, before I go, +I wish to say to you that he who can, and will not, +prevent this base and cowardly stealing from henroosts, +stables and barn-yards, is no better, in my +estimation, than the mean, good-for-nothing, guilty +wretches who do the dirty work with their own +hands! Good night, sir."</p> + +<p>Tarleton took the hint; ordered his soldiers not to +molest her; and she was suffered to take the pony +and gallop peacefully home.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[380]</a></span></p> +<h2>MARY KNIGHT.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i12">——The office</span> +Becomes a woman best; I'll take it upon me.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The subject of this brief notice was a sister of General +Isaac Worrell. She died two or three years +since, in Philadelphia. The following tribute to her +patriotism and humanity, was paid by a New Jersey +newspaper, in July, 1849:</p> + +<p>"The deceased was one of those devoted women +who aided to relieve the horrible sufferings of Washington's +army at Valley Forge—cooking and carrying +provisions to them alone, through the depth of winter, +even passing through the outposts of the British army +in the disguise of a market woman. And when +Washington was compelled to retreat before a superior +force, she concealed her brother, General Worrell,—when +the British set a price on his head—in a +cider hogshead in the cellar for three days, and fed +him through the bunghole; the house being ransacked +four different times by the troops in search of him, +without success. She was over ninety years of age +at the time of her death."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[381]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE WIFE OF WILLIAM GRAY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i10">——Our lives</span> +In acts exemplary, not only win<br /> +Ourselves good names, but do to others give<br /> +Matter for virtuous deeds, by which we live.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Chapman.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Elizabeth Chipman was born in Essex county, +Massachusetts, in May, 1756. She was the daughter +of a talented and eminent lawyer of Marblehead, and +inherited a highly respectable share of his mental +endowments. Her intellectual faculties and moral +feelings were early and highly developed; and when, +in 1782, she was married to William Gray, the celebrated +millionaire, of Salem, in her native county, +she was prepared, in all respects, to command the +highest influence in society. But, although the wife +of the richest man in Massachusetts and probably in +New England, she never rose above her duties as a +housekeeper, a mother and a Christian. She managed +her domestic affairs personally and economically; +and inculcated in the minds of her six children, by +example as well as precept, the best habits and the +noblest principles. "She divided her time between +reading, household affairs, and duties to society, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[382]</a></span> +such a manner as never for a moment to be in a +hurry."<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> She was as well known by the poor as the +rich: her virtues irradiated every sphere. She was +anxious to exalt as much as possible the Christian +profession; hence she rode in a plain carriage, and +avoided all unnecessary display, "that no evil precedents +of expense could arise from her example."</p> + +<p>The latter years of this excellent woman were +passed in Boston, whither the family had removed, +and where she died on the twenty-fourth of September, +1823. In her benevolent acts and cheerful life, +is beautifully exemplified the truth of the poet's +assertion:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +On piety humanity is built,<br /> +And on humanity, much happiness.<br /> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[383]</a></span></p> +<h2>ANECDOTE OF MRS. HUNTINGTON.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Earthly power doth then show likest gods,<br /> +When mercy seasons justice.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Susan Mansfield was the daughter of the Rev. +Achilles Mansfield, of Killingworth, Connecticut, and +was born on the twenty-seventh of January, 1791. +At the age of eighteen or nineteen, she was married +to Joshua Huntington, pastor of the Old South +church, Boston. She died in 1823. Her memoirs, +written by her husband's pastoral successor, B. B. +Wisner, was, at one time, a very popular work. It +passed through five editions in Scotland, in a very +few years.</p> + +<p>Her husband preceded her to the grave four years. +While a widow, she was robbed of several articles +of jewelry by a young woman; and the articles were +recovered, and the thief arrested and tried. During +the examination, Mrs. Huntington was called into +court to identify the property; and having done this, +she was asked their value. Knowing that the degree +of punishment depended somewhat on the apprisal of +the property, and pitying the poor girl, she hinted that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[384]</a></span> +she never used much jewelry, and was not a good +judge of its value. A person was then called upon to +prize the several articles; and she told him to bear +in mind that they had been used for many years, +were consequently damaged, and out of fashion. In +this way she secured a low and, to herself, a satisfactory +valuation. She then addressed the judge, stating +that she had herself taken the jewelry from a trunk; +had carelessly left it exposed on a table; had thus +thrown temptation in the way of the girl, and suggested +that her own heedlessness might possibly +have been the cause of the offence. She did not, she +assured the judge, wish to interfere with his duties, +or wrongly bias his decisions, but she would, nevertheless, +esteem it a favor, if the punishment inflicted +on the unfortunate transgressor, could be the lightest +that would not dishonor the law. Hoping the ignorant +girl would repent and reform, she left the stand +with tears in her eyes, which greatly affected the +judge. In his sentence he reminded the culprit, that +the person whom she had most offended, was the +first to plead for a mitigation of her punishment, +and had saved her from the extreme rigors of a +broken law.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[385]</a></span></p> +<h2>HOSPITALITY OF MRS. BIDDLE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +——All were welcome and feasted.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Longfellow.</span> +</div> + + +<p>In the summer of 1777, while Washington was +encamped near Brandywine, a large party of foragers +came into the neighborhood, and the General gave +orders to a company of his troops, to go in pursuit +of them early the next morning, and, if possible, +cut off their retreat. As an engagement might +ensue, he also gave orders that the women should +leave the camp. Receiving intelligence of the latter +order, and unwilling to be included in it, the wife +of Colonel Clement Biddle, an intimate associate of +Mrs. Washington in the camp, went to the General +and told him that the officers, who had gone on the +expedition, would be likely to return hungry, and she +would consider it a favor to be allowed to remain +and prepare some refreshment for them. Washington +complied with her request, and her servant was immediately +posted off in search of provision.</p> + +<p>Receiving information that a band of "rebels" +was in pursuit of them, the foragers took a quick +step out of the neighborhood. The pursuers returned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[386]</a></span> +at a late dinner hour exceedingly fatigued and ripe +for attacking the "good things" prepared by Mrs. +Biddle. Notified of her generosity, the officers forthwith +repaired to her quarters, each saying, on his +entrance, "Madam, we hear that you feed the army +to-day." It is said that at least a hundred officers +enjoyed her hospitalities on that occasion.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +They ate like Famine, fast and well,<br /> +<span class="i1">Piling their plates with turkeys slain;</span> +They conquered—bones alone could tell<br /> +<span class="i1">Of fowls late bled at every vein.</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[387]</a></span></p> +<h2>KINDNESS OF SOME CONVICTS</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i3">——When your head did but ache,</span> +I knit my handkerchief about your brows,<br /> + * * * * *<br /> +And with my hand at midnight held your head;<br /> +And, like the watchful minutes to the hour,<br /> +Still and anon cheered up the heavy time.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>When the yellow fever broke out in Philadelphia, +several years ago, it was extremely difficult to obtain +help at the hospital; application was consequently +made to the female convicts in the prison. Braving +the danger of becoming nurses for the sick under +such circumstances, as many as were needed readily +profered their aid, and remained as long as desired. +There was a scarcity of bedsteads, and these females +were asked for theirs. Willing to sacrifice the meagre +comforts of a convict for the sake of alleviating +the condition of the sick and the dying, they not +only gave up their bedsteads, but bedding also. Such +humane conduct, coming from whom it may, is deserving +of praise and worthy of record.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[388]</a></span></p> +<h2>MARGARET PRIOR.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +——If a soul thou wouldst redeem,<br /> +<span class="i1">And lead a lost one back to God;</span> +Wouldst thou a guardian angel seem<br /> +<span class="i1">To one who long in guilt hath trod;</span> +Go kindly to him—take his hand,<br /> +<span class="i1">With gentlest words, within thine own,</span> +And by his side a brother stand,<br /> +<span class="i1">Till all the demon thou dethrone.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. C. M. Sawyer.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The subject of this notice was a native of Fredericksburg, +Virginia. She was born in 1773. Her +maiden name was Barrett. She was married to William +Allen, a merchant of Baltimore, at the age of +sixteen; resided in that city for several years, and +became the mother of seven children. All but one +of them died in infancy. Her husband was lost at +sea, in 1808, when her only surviving child was +about eighteen months old.</p> + +<p>Soon after becoming a widow she removed to the +city of New York. There, in 1814, she was united +in marriage with William Prior, a benevolent and +public-spirited member of the Society of Friends. +She was herself at that time in communion with +the Baptists, she having united with them before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[389]</a></span> +the death of her first husband. In 1819 she joined +the Methodists, with whom she remained in church-fellowship +the residue of her life.</p> + +<p>When the New York Orphan Asylum was instituted, +she was appointed one of the managers and +was, thenceforward, incessantly engaged in benevolent +operations. We first find her in the more +conspicuous "walks of usefulness," in the severe winter +of 1818 and '19. There being, at that time, no +public fund for meeting the wants of the poor, she +made arrangements with her nearest neighbor—herself +a kind-hearted, humane woman—to prepare soup +three times a week for the destitute in the ninth +ward. She had previously visited that part of the +city and made herself acquainted with many suffering +individuals. All who applied for soup, if not +known, she accompanied to their homes, and presented +them with tickets entitling them to further +supplies, if found to be true objects of charity. +Many, it is thought, were saved from starvation by +her humane exertions. "These, and similar deeds +of mercy, tended to enlarge her heart: while she +watered others, she was watered also herself, and +felt continually the truth of the assertion, 'It is more +blessed to give than to receive.'"<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a></p> + +<p>Notwithstanding her arduous, public duties, Mrs. +Prior managed her household affairs with care, neatness +and regularity. It has been appropriately said +of her that she had "a place for every thing and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[390]</a></span> +every thing in its place." The time that some spend +in fashionable and heartless calls, she devoted to industry +and humanity. By rising early, working +late, observing the strictest rules of economy, and +subjecting herself, at times, to self-denial, she was +able to visit the suffering, and to make daily appropriations +from her own table for their relief.</p> + +<p>Numerous instances of her self-denial have been +related, and one of them we will repeat. She usually +obtained assistance to do her washing, and limited +herself to a dollar a week to meet that expense. +Sometimes the amount she wished to devote to some +particular object fell short, and in such instances she +would do the washing herself, and thereby save the +dollar. She felt, in such cases, as has been remarked, +that "the personal effort was made a blessing to +herself of greater value than the sum saved."</p> + +<p>In the year 1822, Mrs. Prior visited the families +on Bowery hill, where she had resided the three +previous years; thoroughly acquainted herself with +their moral condition and necessities; established a +school for poor children; commenced her long-continued +weekly visits for conversation and prayer with +the pupils, and secured the sympathies and pecuniary +assistance of several Christians to aid in supporting +the school from year to year. She herself contributed +one hundred dollars annually for its maintenance.</p> + +<p>On the fourteenth of September, 1829, this good +woman again became a widow. Previous to this +date she had lost her seventh child, and an adopted +one. She had also taken a second motherless child<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[391]</a></span> +into her family. About the year her second husband +died, Bowery hill was dug away, and she changed +her residence.</p> + +<p>When, in the early part of 1833, the Moral Reform +society was organized, she became a prominent +member of its board of managers, and, four years +afterwards, commenced, under its patronage, her +memorable labors as a city missionary. These she +continued till 1842, in which year, on the seventh of +April, her earthly work was finished.</p> + +<p>Two or three incidents connected with her labors as +a missionary, will show, in part, at least, the character +of her work and the philanthropic spirit by which +she was ever actuated.</p> + +<p>As she was once passing through the streets, she +was accosted by a lady who inquired her name, and +wished to know if she did not belong to the society +which had opened a register of direction for the +accommodation of respectable females. Ascertaining +that she was not mistaken in the person, the stranger +told Mrs. Prior that two female acquaintances of hers +were out of work, had become reduced to want, and +were so wretched as to threaten to drown themselves, +unless they soon found a situation. They had been +working for houses connected with the southern trade +which had failed, and thus thrown them out of +employment. Learning their residence, Mrs. Prior +visited them immediately; told them of the enormity +of the crime they had threatened to commit; that +she would try to secure work for them, and that it +was their duty to seek the grace of God to sustain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[392]</a></span> +them in such trying seasons. The next day she found +situations for them in pious families, and thus, while +she probably saved them from committing suicide, +she was, perhaps, the instrument, in the hands of +God, of saving them from infamy and eternal ruin.</p> + +<p>Passing through the suburbs of the city one day, +her attention was arrested by the chime of youthful +voices. Seeing that the music proceeded from some +little beggar-girls, who were sitting in the sun beside +the fence and singing a Sabbath school hymn, she +inquired of them what they were doing, when the +following dialogue occurred: "We were cold, ma'am, +and are getting warm in the sun." "Where do you +live?" "In Twentieth street, ma'am." "Why have +you come so far away from your homes?" "To get +some food and some things to make a fire." "Why +were you singing?" "To praise God: we go to the +Sunday school, and our teacher says if we are good +children God will never let us want." Pleased with +the modest and artless answers to her questions, the +good woman took them across the street, procured +each of them a loaf of bread, gave them some pious +counsel, and left them with smiles on their faces and +gratitude in their hearts.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Prior frequently visited the city prison, and +on occasion<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> went to Sing Sing. She made a record +of her visit to the latter place, from which we make +an extract: "In visiting the female convicts at their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[393]</a></span> +cells on Sabbath morning, after Sabbath school, which, +under the customary regulations, we were permitted +to do, we found nearly all employed in reading their +Bibles. We conversed with them respecting the +welfare of their souls, and as we knelt with them at +the throne of grace, they on one side of the grated +door and we on the other, we felt that He who +healed a Mary Magdalene, is still the same compassionate +Saviour, and our faith, we trust, apprehended +him as the atoning sacrifice, who bore our sins in his +own body on the tree, and opened a way for the salvation +of even the chief of sinners."</p> + +<p>Being on an errand of mercy in G—— street +one day, she stepped into a house of infamy to leave +a certain tract. As soon as she had entered and +made known her mission, the door was closed and +locked by one of the female inmates, who told her +that she was their prisoner. "For a moment," writes +Mrs. Prior, in her journal, "my heart was tremulous; +I said nothing till the risings of fear were quelled, +and then replied pleasantly, 'Well, if I'm a prisoner, +I shall pray here, and would sing praises to God if I +were not so hoarse. Yes, bless the Lord! his presence +can make me happy here or any where, and you +can have no power to harm me unless he gives it. +This is a dreadful place, to be sure, but it is not so +bad as hell; for there, there is no hope. The smoke +of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever! +What a mercy that we are not all there! what compassion +in the blessed Jesus that he spares us, when +our sins are every day so great.' I talked to them in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[394]</a></span> +this manner till they were glad to open the door as a +signal for my release."</p> + +<p>Such were the doings, such was the character, of +Margaret Prior. We see her organizing week-day +and Sabbath schools, industrial associations and +temperance societies; establishing soup houses and +orphan asylums; visiting the sick, the poor, the +idle, the culprit, the outcast; pointing the dying to +a risen Saviour, leading the destitute by the hand +to the place of relief, the idle to houses of industry, +and warning the outlaw and the corrupt of the +certain and terrible doom that would attend persistency +in their downward course. With the sweetness, +gentleness, simplicity, and delicacy, so becoming in +woman under all circumstances, were blended in her +character, energy that was unconquerable, courage +that danger could not blench, and firmness that +human power could not bend. The contemplation of +such a character is superficial, if it does not prompt +benevolent feelings, re-affirm virtuous resolutions, and +revive and strengthen drooping piety.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[395]</a></span></p> +<h2>NOBLE ACTS OF KINDNESS.</h2> + +<blockquote><p> +We are to relieve the distressed, to put the wanderer in the way, +and divide our bread with the hungry.—<span class="smcap">Seneca.</span></p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>The Rev. Thomas Andros, of Berkley, Massachusetts, +was a firm patriot and a keen sufferer in the +strife for freedom. He was captured whilst on board +a privateer, and transferred to the Jersey prison ship. +In the autumn of 1781, he escaped; and, skulking +through the east end of Long Island, received at +the hands of females such marks of pity and kindness +as were thought worthy of noting in his journal. +The following are extracts:</p> + +<p>"I came to a respectable dwelling-house and entered +it. Among the inmates were a decent woman +and a tailor. To the woman I expressed my want +of something to nourish my feeble frame, telling her +if she would give me a morsel, it would be a mere +act of charity. She made no objection, asked no +questions, but promptly furnished me with the dish +of light food I desired. Expressing my obligations +to her, I rose to depart. But going round through +another room, she met me in the front entry, placed +a hat on my head, put an apple pie in my hand, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[396]</a></span> +said, 'you will want this before you get through the +woods.' I opened my mouth to give vent to the +grateful feelings with which my heart was filled. +But she would not tarry to hear a word, and instantly +vanished. The mystery of her conduct I suppose +was this: she was satisfied that I had escaped from +prison, and if she granted me any succor, knowing +me to be such, it might cost her family the confiscation +of their estate. She did not therefore wish to +ask me any questions or hear me explain who I was +in the hearing of the tailor, who might turn informer. +This mark of kindness was more than I could well +bear, and as I went on the tears flowed copiously! +The recollection of her humanity and pity revives +in my breast even now the same feeling of gratitude.</p> + +<p>"Some time after, in Suffolk county, being repulsed +from one dwelling, I entered another, and informed +the mistress of the house of my wants. By the +cheerfulness and good-nature depicted in her countenance +and first movements, I knew my suit was +granted, and I had nothing more to say than to +apprise her I was penniless. In a few moments she +placed on the table a bowl of bread and milk, a dried +bluefish roasted, and a mug of cider, and said, 'sit +down and eat.'</p> + +<p>"It was now growing dark, so I went but a short +distance further, entered a house, and begged the +privilege of lodging by the fire. My request was +granted. There was no one in the house but the +man and his wife. They appeared to be cordial +friends to each other—it was indeed one of the few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[397]</a></span> +happy matches. Before it became late in the evening +the man took his Bible and read a chapter. He +then arose and offered up his grateful acknowledgments +and supplications to God through the Mediator. +I now began to think I had got into a safe and +hospitable retreat. They had before made many +inquiries such as indicated that they felt tenderly and +took an interest in my welfare. I now confessed my +situation to them. All was silence. It took some +time to recover themselves from a flood of tears. +At last the kind woman said, 'Let us go and bake +his clothes.' No sooner said than the man seized a +brand of fire and threw it into the oven. The +woman provided a clean suit of clothes to supply the +place of mine till they had purified them by fire. +The work done, a clean bed was laid down on which +I was to rest, and rest I did as in a new world; for +I had got rid of a swarm of cannibals who were +eating me up alive! In the morning I took my +leave of this dear family with a gratitude that for +fifty years has suffered no abatement."<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[398]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE WIFE OF DR. RAMSAY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Unrivalled as thy merit, be thy fame.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Tickell.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Few women of modern times have more charmingly +exhibited "the beauties of holiness" than Martha +Laurens Ramsay, the wife of the historian of +South Carolina. In his interesting series of lectures +on the Christian graces, the Rev. Dr. Williams very +happily refers to her habit of prayer, to illustrate the +spirit of brotherly kindness as shown in the mutual +intercession of brethren in the same church. "It is +animating," he writes, "and yet, as contrasted with +our present remissness, humiliating, to read how Baxter +and his people held days of fasting and prayer +for each other; or to turn to the pages which describe +a Christian matron of the South, the wife of Ramsay +and the daughter of Henry Laurens, President of the +Continental Congress, praying over a list of her fellow-members, +name by name, and remembering, to +the best of her knowledge, the cares and wants of +each before the throne of grace."<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[399]</a></span>Prior to her marriage, and whilst residing in France +with her father, she received from him the handsome +present of five hundred guineas. Appropriating a +very small portion of this sum to her own use, with +the bulk she purchased one hundred French Testaments—all +to be found in the market—and distributed +them amongst the destitute in Vigan and its +vicinity, and organized a school there for the instruction +of youth, constituting a fund sufficient to oblite +rate its annual charges.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ramsay was remarkably economical of time, +rising early and devoting every hour to some useful +service; and of money, never indulging herself in +any needless expenditure. This principle of economy +was observed even at her funeral. She directed that +it should be at her own private house; and that her +coffin should be plain and without a plate. She died +on the tenth of June, 1811.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[400]</a></span></p> +<h2>COURAGE AND PRESENCE OF MIND OF<br /> +MARGARET SCHUYLER.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +—Courage mounteth with occasion.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>In August, 1781, when the abduction of General +Schuyler from his house in the suburbs of Albany, +was projected, and John Waltermeyer, the bold partizan +of Joseph Bettys, led a motley and blood-thirsty +band—tories, Canadians and Indians—in the daring +undertaking, a daughter of the General acted so +courageous and wise a part as to justify us in giving +on outline sketch of the unsuccessful enterprise.</p> + +<p>As the family sat in an open door, in the evening +of a very sultry day, receiving information that a +stranger was waiting at the back gate to see him, +General Schuyler mistrusted, at once, that something +was wrong; and, instead of repairing to the gate, +he instantly closed and fastened the doors, and ran +to his bed chamber for his arms. He then hurried +his family into the third story, where he immediately +discharged a pistol to arouse the careless guards, +and afterwards others, to alarm, if possible, the inhabitants +of the city. In hurrying up stairs, his wife<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[401]</a></span> +overlooked her infant, which was asleep in the cradle; +and she was about to descend, when the General +warned her of the danger, and held her back. Seeing +her mother's agony, a daughter named Margaret, +rushed down stairs into the nursery, caught the +child, and was about ascending, when a tomahawk +flew past her, simply grazing her dress and slightly +injuring it. Hurrying up a private stairway, she +was met by Waltermeyer, who roughly exclaimed, +"Wench! where is your master?" With remarkable +presence of mind, she answered, "Gone to alarm the +town." Fearing that such might be the case, Waltermeyer +called his pilfering men, who were bagging +plate in the dining hall, and began a consultation. +Meanwhile the General was also thinking, and devising +a stratagem by which to frighten away the +kidnappers. He soon threw up a window, and, in +the voice of an experienced commander, cried out, +"Come on, my brave fellows; surround the house +and secure the villains who are plundering." As he +anticipated, the gang, hearing these words, snapped +the thread of their consultation, and tested the nimbleness +of their feet. The reports of the General's +arms had alarmed the people of the city, and they +came to the rescue just in season to be unneeded.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[402]</a></span></p> +<h2>NOBLE TREATMENT OF ENEMIES.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i10">——True religion</span> +Is always mild, propitious and humble,<br /> +Plays not the tyrant, plants no faith in blood;<br /> +Nor bears destruction on her chariot wheels;<br /> +But stoops to polish, succor, and redress,<br /> +And builds her grandeur on the public good.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Miller's Mahomet.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Among the early converts to Christianity in the +Cherokee tribe, were a few women, who formed themselves +into a society for propagating the Gospel. +They felt its expanding power, and, though poor, +were anxious to do something for those who were not +sharing in the same blessing. The proceeds of their +first year's efforts, were about ten dollars; and while +deliberating on the manner of its appropriation, one +of the members suggested that it be devoted to the +promotion of religion among the Osages, giving as +a reason that they were the greatest enemies of +the Cherokees, and that the Bible teaches Christians +to do good to such.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[403]</a></span></p> +<h2>HUMANITY REWARDED.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +——I should some kindness show them.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Among the early settlements of New Hampshire, +were several on the Piscataqua river, in the neighborhood +of the present town of Dover. For awhile the +aborigines and whites were on amicable terms, and +the former not unfrequently paid the latter a friendly +visit. On one of those occasions, a pappoos was +suddenly seized with illness, and its mother was +obliged to remain several days. She found shelter +and accommodations with a widow, who received her +cordially, and nursed the feeble infant as her own. +Such kindness would not be forgotten, even by +savages; and when, after the lapse of years, the bow +was bent and the hatchet raised against the settlement +where the widow resided, the Indians placed a +strong guard around her house; and, though the +butchery was terrible, she and her family were unharmed.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[404]</a></span></p> +<h2>MARGARET WINTHROP.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i8">——When meet now</span> +Such pairs, in love and honor joined?<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Milton.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Governor Winthrop, the father of the Massachusetts' +colony, married Margaret, the daughter of Sir +John Tindal, in April, 1618. She was his third wife, +and a woman of rare qualities both of mind and +heart. Previous to their emigration to New England, +it was not an uncommon occurrence for them to be +separated, and their correspondence on such occasions +savors of the purest affection. Who does not see +the image of a devoted wife and an exalted spirit in +the following letter, written about the year 1627:</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">My Most Sweet Husband</span>,—How dearly welcome +thy kind letter was to me, I am not able to express. +The sweetness of it did much refresh me. What can +be more pleasing to a wife, than to hear of the welfare +of her best beloved, and how he is pleased with +her poor endeavors! I blush to hear myself commended, +knowing my own wants. But it is your love +that conceives the best, and makes all things seem +better than they are. I wish that I may be always +pleasing to thee, and that those comforts we have in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[405]</a></span> +each other may be daily increased, as far as they +may be pleasing to God. I will use that speech to +thee, that Abigail did to David: 'I will be a servant +to wash the feet of my lord.' I will do any service +wherein I may please my good husband. I confess +I cannot do enough for thee; but thou art pleased to +accept the will for the deed, and rest contented.</p> + +<p>"I have many reasons to make me love thee, +whereof I will name two: first, because thou lovest +God; and secondly, because thou lovest me. If +these two were wanting, all the rest would be +eclipsed. But I must leave this discourse, and go +about my household affairs. I am a bad housewife +to be so long from them; but I must needs borrow a +little time to talk with thee, my sweet heart. I hope +thy business draws to an end. It will be but two or +three weeks before I see thee, though they be long +ones. God will bring us together in his good time; +for which I shall pray.</p> + +<p>Farewell, my good husband; the Lord keep thee.</p> + +<div class="signature2">Your obedient wife,</div> + +<div class="signature"><span class="smcap">Margaret Winthrop.</span>"<br /> +</div> + +<p>Below is another letter from the pen of this good +woman, written after her husband had decided to +come to Massachusetts, and just before his embarkation:</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">My Most Dear Husband</span>,—I should not now +omit any opportunity of writing to thee, considering I +shall not long have thee to write unto. But, by reason +of my unfitness at this time, I must entreat thee to +accept of a few lines from me, and not impute it to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[406]</a></span> +any want of love, or neglect of duty to thee, to whom +I owe more than I ever shall be able to express.</p> + +<p>"My request now shall be to the Lord to prosper +thee in thy voyage, and enable thee and fit thee for +it, and give all graces and gifts for such employments +as he shall call thee to. I trust God will once more +bring us together before you go, that we may see +each other with gladness, and take a solemn leave, +till we, through the goodness of our God, shall meet +in New England, which will be a joyful day to us. +With my best wishes to God for thy health and +welfare, I take my leave and rest, thy faithful, obedient +wife,</p> + +<div class="signature"> +<span class="smcap">Margaret Winthrop</span>."<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> +</div> + +<p>Governor Winthrop landed on these shores in +June, 1630, and his wife followed him in about a +year. She lived till June, 1647, and was perhaps as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[407]</a></span> +useful in her more private, as her husband in his +public and highly honorable, sphere. "A woman +of singular virtue, prudence, modesty and piety;" +though dignified, she was condescending; and knowing +her place, she kept, and filled, and honored it. +With undimmed and steady lustre, she shone for +sixteen years amid the shadows of night that overhung +and threatened the infant colony.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus418.jpg" width="450" height="369" alt="Old and young ladies" /> + +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[408]</a></span></p> +<h2>A PIONEER SETTLER'S ADVENTURE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +——Screw your courage up to the sticking place,<br /> +And we'll not fail.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The first settler in Hollis, New Hampshire, was +Captain Peter Powers. He removed thither in 1731. +His nearest neighbor, for a time, was ten miles distant; +and in order to exchange courtesies it was necessary +for the families to cross the Nashua river. +It had but one convenient and safe fording place in +that vicinity, and that one only when the river was +low.</p> + +<p>Having occasion, on a pleasant August morning, to +visit her neighbor, Mrs. Powers mounted a Narraganset, +hastened away, and reached the place of destination +long before noon. Early in the after part +of the day a fearful thunderstorm came up, and continued +for several hours. Just at sunset the clouds +began to break away, and Mrs. Powers immediately +started on her return. She did not reach the river +until some time after dark; and coming to the ford, +she found the bank full and the water—as a narrator +of the incident has it—"pressing on it with great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[409]</a></span> +rapidity." Added to this alarming circumstance, the +wind had shifted and rolled the clouds up the sky +again, so that the rain was descending in torrents, and +drowning the threatening voice of the waves. Trusting +to the experienced animal to keep the ford, and +giving a slack rein, without realizing the danger, the +courageous woman plunged into the black stream. +The steed almost instantly lost its foothold, and "rolling +in the waves at a full swim," made for the opposite +shore. Missing the ford, and striking a forefoot on a +rock in the bed of the stream, the animal was raised +momentarily half way out of the water. Then plunging +forward, it sank so deep that Mrs. Powers was +raised from the pommel; but seizing the horse's mane +as it rose, she held her grasp till they were safely on +shore. The faithful animal soon found the right track, +and in a brief hour Mrs. Powers was under the shelter +of her cabin.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[410]</a></span></p> +<h2>MRS. McKENNY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +More can I bear than you dare execute.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>"Not a great way from Steel's and Taylor's forts +was a settlement consisting of a few families, among +which were those of William McKenny and his +brother James. These lived near Fishing creek. +In the summer of 1761, sixteen Indians, with some +squaws of the Cherokee tribe, took up their abode +for several weeks near what is called Simpson's +shoals, for the purpose of hunting and fishing during +the hot months. In August, the two McKennys +being absent on a journey to Camden, William's +wife, Barbara, was left alone with several young +children. One day she saw the Indian women running +towards her house in great haste, followed by +the men. She had no time to offer resistance; the +squaws seized her and the children, pulled them +into the house, and shoved them behind the door, +where they immediately placed themselves on guard, +pushing back the Indians as fast as they tried to +force their way in, and uttering the most fearful outcries. +Mrs. McKenny concluded it was their intention<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[411]</a></span> +to kill her, and expected her fate every moment. +The assistance rendered by the squaws, +whether given out of compassion for a lonely mother, +or in return for kindness shown them,—proved +effectual for her protection until the arrival of one +of the chiefs, who drew his long knife and drove +off the savages. The mother, apprehending another +attack, went to some of her neighbors and entreated +them to come and stay with her. Robert Brown +and Joanna his wife, Sarah Ferguson, her daughter +Sarah and two sons, and a young man named Michael +Melbury, came, in compliance with her request, and +took up their quarters in the house. The next morning +Mrs. McKenny ventured out alone to milk her +cows. It had been her practice heretofore to take +some of the children with her, and she could not +explain why she went alone this time, though she +was not free from apprehension; it seemed to be so +by a special ordering of Providence. While she +was milking, the Indians crept towards her on their +hands and knees; she heard not their approach, +nor knew any thing till they seized her. Sensible +at once of all the horror of her situation, she made +no effort to escape, but promised to go quietly with +them. They then set off towards the house, holding +her fast by the arm. She had the presence of mind +to walk as far off as possible from the Indian who +held her, expecting Melbury to fire as they approached +her dwelling. As they came up, he fired, +wounding the one who held Mrs. McKenny; she +broke from his hold and ran, and another Indian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[412]</a></span> +pursued and seized her. At this moment she was +just at her own door, which John Ferguson imprudently +opening that she might enter, the Indians +without shot him dead as he presented himself. +His mother ran to him and received another shot +in her thigh, of which she died in a few days. Melbury, +who saw that all their lives depended on +prompt action, dragged them from the door, fastened +it, and repairing to the loft, prepared for a vigorous +defence. There were in all five guns; Sarah Ferguson +loaded for him, while he kept up a continual +fire, aiming at the Indians wherever one could be +seen. Determined to effect their object of forcing +an entrance, some of the savages came very near +the house, keeping under cover of an outhouse in +which Brown and his wife had taken refuge, not +being able, on the alarm, to get into the house. They +had crept into a corner and were crouched there +close to the boarding. One of the Indians, coming +up, leaned against the outside, separated from them +only by a few boards, the crevices between which +probably enabled them to see him. Mrs. Brown +proposed to take a sword that lay by them and run +the savage through the body, but her husband refused; +he expected death, he said, every moment, +and did not wish to go out of the world having his +hands crimsoned with the blood of any fellow creature. +'Let me die in peace,' were his words, 'with +all the world.' Joanna, though in the same peril, +could not respond to the charitable feeling. 'If I +am to die,' she said, 'I should like first to send<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[413]</a></span> +some of the redskins on the journey. But we are +not so sure we have to die; don't you hear the +crack of Melbury's rifle? He holds the house. I +warrant you that redskin looked awfully scared as +he leaned against the corner here. We could have +done it in a moment.'</p> + +<p>"Mrs. McKenny, meanwhile, having failed to get +into her house, had been again seized by the Indians, +and, desperately regardless of her own safety, was +doing all in her power to help her besieged friends. +She would knock the priming out of the guns carried +by the savages, and when they presented them to +fire, would throw them up, so that the discharge +might prove harmless. She was often heard to say, +afterwards, that all fear had left her, and she thought +only of those within the building, for she expected +for herself neither deliverance nor mercy. Melbury +continued to fire whenever one of the enemy appeared; +they kept themselves, however, concealed, +for the most part, behind trees or the outhouse. +Several were wounded by his cool and well-directed +shots, and at length, tired of the contest, the Indians +retreated, carrying Mrs. McKenny with them. She +now resisted with all her strength, preferring instant +death to the more terrible fate of a captive in the +hands of the fierce Cherokees. Her refusal to go +forward irritated her captors, and when they had +dragged her about half a mile, near a rock upon +the plantation now occupied by John Culp, she +received a second blow with the tomahawk which +stretched her insensible upon the ground. When<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[414]</a></span> +after some time consciousness returned, she found +herself lying upon the rock, to which she had been +dragged from the spot where she fell. She was +stripped naked, and her scalp had been taken off. +By degrees the knowledge of her condition, and +the desire of obtaining help came upon her. She +lifted up her head, and looking around, saw the +wretches who had so cruelly mangled her, pulling +ears of corn from a field near, to roast for their +meal. She laid her head quickly down again, well +knowing that if they saw her alive, they would not +be slack in coming to finish the work of death. +Thus she lay motionless till all was silent, and she +found they were gone; then, with great pain and +difficulty, she dragged herself back to the house. +It may be imagined with what feelings the unfortunate +woman was received by her friends and +children, and how she met the bereaved mother, +wounded unto death, who had suffered for her +attempt to save others. One of the blows received +by Mrs. McKenny had made a deep wound in her +back; the others were upon her head....</p> + +<p>"The wounds in Mrs. McKenny's head never +healed entirely; but continued to break out occasionally, +so that the blood flowing from them +stained the bed at night, and sometimes fragments +of bone came off; nevertheless, she lived many +years afterwards and bore several children. She +was at the time with child, and in about three +months gave birth to a daughter—Hannah, afterwards +married to John Stedman—and living in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[415]</a></span> +Tennessee in 1827. This child was plainly marked +with a tomahawk and drops of blood, as if running +down the side of her face. The families of McKenny +and McFadden, residing on Fishing creek, are descended +from this Barbara McKenny; but most of +her descendants have emigrated to the West. The +above mentioned occurrence is narrated in a manuscript +in the hand-writing of her grandson, Robert +McFadden."<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[416]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE FISHERMAN'S HEROIC WIFE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i10">Strong affection</span> +Contends with all things, and o'ercometh all things.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Joanna Baillie.</span> +</div> + + +<p>"One of the small islands in Boston bay was +inhabited by a single poor family. The father was +taken suddenly ill. There was no physician. The +wife, on whom every labor for the household devolved, +was sleepless in care and tenderness by the +bedside of her suffering husband. Every remedy in +her power to procure was administered, but the +disease was acute, and he died.</p> + +<p>"Seven young children mourned around the lifeless +corpse. They were the sole beings upon that +desolate spot. Did the mother indulge the grief of +her spirit, and sit down in despair? No: she entered +upon the arduous and sacred duties of her station. +She felt that there was no hand to assist her in burying +her dead. Providing, as far as possible, for the +comfort of her little ones, she put her babe into the +arms of the oldest, and charged the two next in age +to watch the corpse of their father. She unmoored +her husband's fishing boat, which, but two days +before, he had guided over the seas, to obtain food<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[417]</a></span> +for his family. She dared not yield to those tender +recollections, which might have unnerved her arm. +The nearest island was at the distance of three miles. +Strong winds lashed the waters to foam. Over the +loud billows, that wearied and sorrowful woman +rowed, and was preserved. She reached the next +island, and obtained the necessary aid. With such +energy did her duty to her desolate babes inspire her, +that the voyage which depended on her individual +effort, was performed in a shorter time than the returning +one, when the oars were managed by two +men, who went to assist in the last offices to the +dead."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[418]</a></span></p> +<h2>MRS. JAMES K. POLK.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +A fault doth never with remorse<br /> +<span class="i1">Our minds so deeply move,</span> +As when another's guiltless life<br /> +<span class="i1">Our error doth reprove.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Brandon.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Sarah Childress Polk is the daughter of an enterprising +and wealthy merchant of Rutherford county, +Tennessee. She was married on the first of January, +1824.</p> + +<p>Fitted to dignify and adorn any station appropriate +for woman, while presiding at the White house she +was universally esteemed, and retired as honorably +as any woman since the days of Washington. She +is intelligent, refined, unaffected, affable, courteous, +hospitable, and, above all, pious, and exemplary as a +Christian. She has been for years in communion +with the Presbyterians; and while at the Capital, and +the eyes of the whole nation were upon her, she forbade, +in the President's mansion, any amusement not +in keeping with the Christian profession. In this +respect, it may be said of her, in the language of +Shakspeare,</p> + +<p> +Thou art not for the fashion of these times.<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[419]</a></span>The following poetical tribute, from the pen and +heart of Mrs. Stephens, is well merited:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="smcap">Lady</span>! had I the wealth of earth<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To offer freely at thy shrine,</span> +Bright gold, and buds of dewy birth,<br /> +<span class="i1">Or gems from out the teeming mine,</span> +A thousand things most beautiful,<br /> +<span class="i1">All sparkling, precious, rich, and rare,</span> +These hands would render up to thee—<br /> +<span class="i1">Thou noble lady, good and fair!</span> +<br /> +For, as I write, sweet thoughts arise<br /> +<span class="i1">Of times when all thy kindness lent</span> +A thousand hues of Paradise<br /> +<span class="i1">To the fleet moments as they went;</span> +Then all thy thoughts were winged with light,<br /> +<span class="i1">And every smile was calm and sweet,</span> +And thy low tones and gentle words<br /> +<span class="i1">Made the warm heart's blood thrill and beat.</span> +<br /> +There, standing in our nation's home,<br /> +<span class="i1">My memory ever pictures thee</span> +As some bright dame of ancient Rome,<br /> +<span class="i1">Modest, yet all a queen should be.</span> +I love to keep thee in my mind,<br /> +<span class="i1">Thus mated with the pure of old,</span> +When love with lofty deeds combined,<br /> +<span class="i1">Made women great and warriors bold.</span> +<br /> +When first I saw thee standing there,<br /> +<span class="i1">And felt the pressure of thy hand,</span> +I scarcely thought if thou wert fair,<br /> +<span class="i1">Or of the highest in the land;</span> +I knew thee gentle, pure as great;<br /> +<span class="i1">All that was lovely, meek and good;</span> +And so I half forgot thy state<br /> +<span class="i1">In love of thy bright womanhood.</span> +<br /> +And many a sweet sensation came<br /> +<span class="i1">That lingers in my bosom yet,</span> +Like that celestial, holy flame<br /> +<span class="i1">That vestals tremble to forget</span> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[420]</a></span>And on the earth, or in the sky,<br /> +<span class="i1">There's not a thought more true and free</span> +Than that which beats within my heart,<br /> +<span class="i1">In pleasant memory of thee.</span> +<br /> +Lady, I gladly would have brought<br /> +<span class="i1">Some gem that on thy heart may live;</span> +But this poor wreath of woven thought<br /> +<span class="i1">Is all the wealth I have to give.</span> +All wet with heart-dew, fresh with love,<br /> +<span class="i1">I lay the garland at thy feet,</span> +Praying the angel forms above<br /> +<span class="i1">To weave thee one more pure and sweet.</span></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[421]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE WIDOW JENKINS.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +In humblest vales the patriot heart may glow.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">J. T. Fields.</span> +</div> + + +<p>At the time Colonel Watson, the commander of a +corps of regulars and tories, was making inroads +upon the Pedee, he pitched his tent one night near +the house of a widow named Jenkins, and took up +his own quarters under her roof. Learning, in the +course of the evening, that she had three sons fighting +under General Marion, he commenced the following +conversation with her:</p> + +<p>"So, madam, they tell me you have several sons +in General Marion's camp; I hope it is not true."</p> + +<p>She said it was very true, and was only sorry that +it was not a thousand times truer.</p> + +<p>"A thousand times truer, madam!" replied he, +with great surprise, "pray what can be your meaning +in that?"</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, I am only sorry that in place of three, +I have not three thousand sons with General Marion."</p> + +<p>"Aye, indeed! well then, madam, begging your +pardon, you had better send for them immediately to +come in and join his majesty's troops under my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[422]</a></span> +command: for as they are rebels now in arms against +their king, should they be taken, they will be hung +as sure as ever they were born."</p> + +<p>"Why, sir, you are very considerate of my sons; +for which, at any rate, I thank you. But, as you +have begged my pardon for giving me this advice, I +must beg yours for not taking it. My sons, sir, are +of age, and must and will act for themselves. And +as to their being in a state of rebellion against their +king, I must take the liberty, sir, to deny that."</p> + +<p>"What, madam! not in rebellion against their +king? Shooting at and killing his majesty's subjects +like wolves! don't you call that rebellion against +their king, madam?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, they are only doing their duty, as God +and nature commanded them, sir."</p> + +<p>"The d——l they are, madam!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, and what you and every man in England +would glory to do against the king, were he to dare +to tax you contrary to your own consent and the constitution +of the realm. 'Tis the king, sir, who is in +rebellion against my sons, and not they against him. +And could right prevail against might, he would as +certainly lose his head as ever king Charles the First +did."<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[423]</a></span></p> +<h2>A FAITHFUL LITTLE GIRL.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Labor in the path of duty<br /> +Beam'd up like a thing of beauty.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">C. P. Cranch.</span> +</div> + + +<p>"A very profane and profligate sailor, who belonged +to a vessel lying in the port of New York, +went out one day from his ship into the streets, +bent on folly and wickedness. He met a pious little +girl, whose feelings he tried to wound by using vile +and sinful language. The little girl looked him +earnestly in the face, warned him of his danger, +and, with a solemn tone, told him to remember that +he must meet her shortly at the bar of God. This +unexpected reproof greatly affected him. To use +his own language, 'it was like a broadside, raking +him fore and aft, and sweeping by the board every +sail and spar prepared for a wicked cruise.' Abashed +and confounded, he returned to his ship. He could +not banish from his mind the reproof of this little +girl. Her look was present to his mind; her solemn +declaration, 'You must meet me at the bar of God,' +deeply affected his heart. The more he reflected +upon it, the more uncomfortable he felt. In a few +days his hard heart was subdued, and he submitted +to the Saviour."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[424]</a></span></p> +<h2>HOSPITALITY OF CALIFORNIA WOMEN.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Blest that abode where want and pain repair,<br /> +And every stranger finds a ready chair.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Goldsmith.</span> +</div> + + +<p>In his Three Years in California, the Rev. Walter +Colton speaks as follows of the native women:</p> + +<p>Their hospitality knows no bounds; they are +always glad to see you, come when you may; take a +pleasure in entertaining you while you remain; and +only regret that your business calls you away. If +you are sick, there is nothing which sympathy and +care can devise or perform, which is not done for you. +No sister ever hung over the throbbing brain or fluttering +pulse of a brother with more tenderness and +fidelity. This is as true of the lady whose hand has +only figured her embroidery or swept her guitar, as +of the cottage-girl wringing from her laundry the +foam of the mountain stream; and all this from the +<i>heart</i>! If I must be cast, in sickness or destitution, +on the care of a stranger, let it be in California; but +let it be before avarice has hardened the heart and +made a god of gold.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[425]</a></span></p> +<h2>SARAH LANMAN SMITH.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Where'er the path of duty led,<br /> +With an unquestioning faith she trod.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">T. W. Renne.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Among the many names endeared to the friends +of missions, is that of Sarah L. Smith, a native of +Norwich, Connecticut. Her maiden name was Huntington. +She was born in 1802; made a profession +of religion in youth; became the wife of the Rev. +Eli Smith in July, 1833; embarked with him for +Palestine the September following; and died at Boojah, +near Smyrna, the last day of September, 1836.</p> + +<p>Her work as a foreign missionary was quickly +finished. She labored longer as a home missionary +among the Moheagans, who live in the neighborhood +of Norwich, and there displayed most conspicuously +the moral heroism of her nature. In conjunction +with Sarah Breed, she commenced her philanthropic +operations in the year 1827. "The first object that +drew them from the sphere of their own church, was +the project of opening a Sabbath school for the poor +Indian children of Moheagan. Satisfied that this was +a work which Heaven would approve, they marked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[426]</a></span> +out their plans, and pursued them with untiring energy. +Boldly they went forth, and, guided by the +rising smoke or sounding axe, visited the Moheagans +from field to field, and from hut to hut, till they +had thoroughly informed themselves of their numbers, +condition, and prospects. The opposition they encountered, +the ridicule and opprobrium showered +upon them from some quarters, the sullenness of the +natives, the bluster of the white tenants, the brush +wood and dry branches thrown across their pathway, +could not discourage them. They saw no 'lions in +the way,' while mercy, with pleading looks, beckoned +them forward."</p> + +<p>The Moheagans then numbered a little more than +one hundred, only one of whom was a professor of +religion. She was ninety-seven years of age. In her +hut the first prayer meeting and the first Sabbath +school gathered by these young ladies, were held.</p> + +<p>Miss Breed soon removed from that part of the +country, and Miss Huntington continued her labors +for awhile alone. She was at that time very active +in securing the formation of a society and the circulation +of a subscription, having for their object the +erection of a chapel. She found, ere long, a faithful +co-worker in Miss Elizabeth Raymond. They taught +a school in conjunction, and aside from their duties +as teachers, were, at times, "advisers, counsellors, +lawgivers, milliners, mantuamakers, tailoresses and +almoners."<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[427]</a></span>"The school was kept in a house on Fort Hill, +leased to a respectable farmer in whose family the +young teachers boarded by alternate weeks, each going +to the scene of labor every other Sabbath morning +and remaining till the evening of the succeeding +Sabbath, so that both were present in the Sabbath +school, which was twice as large as the other. A +single incident will serve to show the dauntless resolution +which Miss Huntington carried into her pursuits. +Just at the expiration of one of her terms of +service during the winter, a heavy and tempestuous +fall of snow blocked up the roads with such high +drifts, that a friend who had been accustomed to go +for her and convey her home in bad weather, and +had started for this purpose in his sleigh, turned +back, discouraged. No path had been broken, and +the undertaking was so hazardous that he conceived +no female would venture forth at such a time. He +therefore called at her father's house to say that he +should delay going for her till the morrow. What +was his surprise to be met at the door by the young +lady herself, who had reached home just before, having +walked the whole distance on the hard crust of +snow, <i>alone</i>, and some of the way over banks of +snow that entirely obliterated the walls and fences by +the roadside."</p> + +<p>While at Moheagan, Miss Huntington corresponded +with the Hon. Lewis Cass, then Secretary of War, +and secured his influence and the aid of that department. +In 1832, a grant of nine hundred dollars was +made from the fund devoted to the Indian department,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[428]</a></span> +five hundred being appropriated towards the +erection of missionary buildings and four for the +support of a teacher. Before leaving the Moheagan, +for a wider field, this devoted and heroic missionary +had the happiness of seeing a chapel, parsonage and +school house, standing on "the sequestered land"<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> of +her forest friends, and had thus partially repaid the +debt of social and moral obligation to a tribe who +fed the first and famishing settlers in Connecticut, +and strove to protect them against the tomahawk of +inimical tribes, and whose whoop was friendly to +freedom when British aggressors were overriding +American rights.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[429]</a></span></p> +<h2>A BROTHER SAVED BY HIS SISTER.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Brave spirits are a balsam to themselves.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Cartwright.</span> +</div> + + +<p>During the invasion of the Mohawk valley by +Sir John Johnson, Samson Sammons, of Johnstown, +and his three sons, were taken captive early one +morning in May. The females were not made prisoners. +While a soldier was standing sentinel over +the youngest son, named Thomas, who was about +eighteen, the latter, who was not more than half +dressed, said he was not going to Canada in such +a plight; that he should need his shoes especially; +and asked permission to go to his chamber and get +his clothes. The favor was not granted; but Thomas, +resolving to have his shoes, stepped towards +the door, when the barbarous soldier pointed a bayonet +at his back, and made a plunge. At that +moment a sister, who had watched every movement +with breathless anxiety, sprang forward, seized the +gun, threw herself across its barrel, bore it to the +ground, and thus saved her brother's life. After a +brief struggle, the soldier disengaged his weapon, +but before he had time to make another plunge, an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[430]</a></span> +officer rushed forward and asked what was the +trouble. The heroic girl stated the case, when the +soldier was severely rebuked, and her brother permitted +to obtain his shoes and all the raiment he +desired.<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[431]</a></span></p> +<h2>PATRIOTIC SACRIFICE OF MRS. BORDEN.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +They love their land because it is their own.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Halleck.</span> +</div> + + +<p>At the darkest period of the Revolution, New +Jersey was, for a short time, full of British soldiers, +and Lord Cornwallis was stationed at Bordentown.<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> +He visited Mrs. Borden one day, at her elegant +mansion, and made an effort to intimidate her. He +told her that if she would persuade her husband +and son, who were then in the American army, to +join his forces, none of her property should be destroyed; +but if she refused to make such exertions, +he would burn her house, and lay waste her whole +estate. Unintimidated and patriotic, she made the +following bold reply, which caused the execution +of the threat: "The sight of my house in flames +would be a treat to me, for I have seen enough to +know that you never injure what you have power +to keep and enjoy. The application of a torch to +my dwelling I should regard as the signal for your +departure." And such it was.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[432]</a></span></p> +<h2>MARGARET CORBIN.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Where cannon boomed, where bayonets clashed,<br /> +There was thy fiery way.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Sara J. Clarke.</span> +</div> + + +<p>An act similar to that recorded of Mrs. Pitcher +at the battle of Monmouth, was performed by Mrs. +Margaret Corbin at the attack on Fort Washington. +Her husband belonged to the artillery; and, standing +by his side and seeing him fall, she unhesitatingly +took his place and heroically performed his +duties. Her services were appreciated by the officers +of the army, and honorably noticed by Congress. +This body passed the following resolution +in July, 1779:</p> + +<p>"Resolved,—That Margaret Corbin, wounded and +disabled at the battle of Fort Washington, while +she heroically filled the post of her husband, who +was killed by her side serving a piece of artillery, +do receive during her natural life, or continuance +of said disability, one-half the monthly pay drawn +by a soldier in service of these States; and that +she now receive out of public stores, one suit of +clothes or value thereof in money."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[433]</a></span></p> +<h2>BRAVERY OF MRS. CHANNING.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i9">——The truly brave,</span> +When they behold the brave oppressed with odds,<br /> +Are touched with a desire to shield or save.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Byron.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Soon after the commencement of the Revolutionary +war, the family of Dr. Channing,<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> being in England, +removed to France, and shortly afterwards sailed +for the United States. The vessel, said to be stout +and well-armed, was attacked on the voyage by a +privateer, and a fierce engagement ensued. During +its continuance, Mrs. Channing stood on the deck, +exhorting the crew not to give up, encouraging them +with words of cheer, handing them cartridges, and +aiding such of them as were disabled by wounds. +When, at length, the colors of the vessel were +struck, she seized her husband's pistols and side +arms, and flung them into the sea, declaring that +she would prefer death to the witnessing of their +surrender into the hands of the foe.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[434]</a></span></p> +<h2>COMMENDABLE COURAGE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Have chivalry's bold days<br /> +A deed of wilder bravery<br /> +In all their stirring lays?<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i10 smcap">Sara J. Clarke.</span> +</div> + + +<p>An incident which occurred at one of the forts in +the Mohawk valley, might have been mentioned in +connection with the heroism of Schoharie women. It +is briefly related by the author of Border Wars of the +American Revolution. "An interesting young woman," +he writes, "whose name yet lives in story +among her own mountains, perceiving, as she thought, +symptoms of fear in a soldier who had been ordered +to a well without the works, and within range of the +enemy's fire, for water, snatched the bucket from his +hands, and ran forth for it herself. Without changing +color, or giving the slightest evidence of fear, she +drew and brought back bucket after bucket to the +thirsty soldiers, and providentially escaped without +injury."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[435]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE HEROINE OF SHELL'S BUSH.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +I dare do all that may become a man.<br /> +Who dares do more, is none.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>For three-fourths of a century, there has been a +wealthy settlement of Germans four or five miles +north of the village of Herkimer, in the upper part +of the Mohawk valley, called Shell's Bush. Among +the early settlers, was John Christian Shell, who had +a family of six brave sons and a no less brave wife. +When, on the sixth of August, 1781, a Scotch refugee +named Donald McDonald, at the head of sixty-six +tories and Indians, attacked that settlement, Mrs. +Shell acted the part of an heroic dame. The house +was built for border emergencies, and when the +enemy approached, the husband and older boys<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> fled +from the fields, entered their castle, and strongly +barricaded the doors. From two o'clock in the afternoon +until twilight, the besieged kept up an almost +incessant firing, Mrs. Shell loading the guns for her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[436]</a></span> +husband and older sons to discharge. During the +siege, McDonald attempted to force the door with a +crow bar, and was shot in the leg, seized by Shell and +drawn within doors. Exasperated at this bold feat, +the enemy soon attempted to carry the fortress by +assault, five of them leaping upon the walls and +thrusting their guns through the loopholes. At that +moment the cool and courageous woman seized an +axe, smote the barrels and bent and spoiled them. +Her husband then resorted to stratagem to drive the +besiegers away: running up stairs and calling to Mrs. +Shell in a very loud voice, he said that Captain Small +was approaching with help from Fort Dayton. Then +raising his voice to its highest pitch, he exclaimed, +"Captain Small, march your company round upon +this side of the house. Captain Getman, you had +better wheel your men off to the left, and come up +upon that side."<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a> Fearing the phantom troops whom +Mr. Shell's imagination had conjured, the enemy +shouldered their guns—crooked barreled and all—and +quickly buried themselves in the dense forest.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[437]</a></span></p> +<h2>FATHER TAYLOR'S WIDOWED FRIEND.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Humble toil and heavenward duty.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mrs. Hale.</span> +</div> + + +<p>"A pious widow, who resided among ignorant and +vicious neighbors in the suburbs of B——, Massachusetts, +determined to do what she could for their +spiritual benefit; and so she opened her little front +room for weekly prayer meetings, and engaged some +pious Methodists to aid in conducting them. Much +of the seed thus scattered on a seemingly arid soil, +produced fruit. One instance deserves special notice.</p> + +<p>"Among others who attended, was a young sailor +of intelligent and prepossessing countenance. A +slight acquaintance with him discovered him to be +very ignorant of even the rudiments of education; +but, at the same time, he had such manifestly superior +abilities, that the widow became much interested +in his spiritual welfare, and could not but hope that +God would in some way provide for his further +instruction, convert him and render him useful. But +in the midst of her anticipations, he was suddenly +summoned away to sea. He had been out but a +short time when the vessel was seized by a British<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[438]</a></span> +privateer and carried into Halifax, where the crew +suffered by a long and wretched imprisonment.</p> + +<p>"A year had passed away, during which the good +woman had heard nothing of the young sailor. Still +she remembered and prayed for him with the solicitude +of a mother. About this time, she received a +letter from her relations, who resided in Halifax, on +business which required her to go to that town. +While there, her habitual disposition to be useful, led +her with a few friends to visit the prison with Bibles +and tracts. In one apartment were the American +prisoners. As she approached the grated door, a +voice shouted her name, calling her mother, and a +youth appeared and leaped for joy at the grate. It +was the lost sailor boy! They wept and conversed +like mother and son, and when she left she gave him +a Bible—his future guide and comfort. During her +stay at Halifax, she constantly visited the prison, +supplying the youth with tracts, religious books, and +clothing, and endeavoring by her conversation to +secure the religious impression made on his mind at +the prayer meetings in B——. After many months +she removed to a distant part of the provinces; and +for years she heard nothing more of the young sailor.</p> + +<p>"We pass over a period of many years, and introduce +the reader to Father T——, the distinguished +mariners' preacher in the city of B——. In a +spacious and substantial chapel, crowded about by +the worst habitations in the city, this distinguished +man delivered every Sabbath, discourses as extraordinary, +perhaps, as are to be found in the Christian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[439]</a></span> +world. In the centre column of seats, guarded +sacredly against all other intrusion, sat a dense mass +of mariners—a strange medley of white, black, and +olive; Protestant, Catholic, and Pagan. On the other +seats in the galleries, the aisles, the altar, and on the +pulpit stairs, were crowded, week after week, and +year after year—the families of sailors, and the poor +who had no other temple—the elite of the city—the +learned professor—the student—the popular writer—the +actor—groups of clergymen, and the votaries of +gayety and fashion, listening with throbbing hearts +and wet eyes, to a man whose only school had been +the forecastle, and whose only endowments were those +of grace and nature.</p> + +<p>"In the year 183—, an aged English local preacher +moved into the city of B—— from the British +provinces.</p> + +<p>"The old local preacher was mingling in a public +throng one day with a friend, when they met 'Father +T——.' A few words of introduction led to a free +conversation, in which the former residence of his +wife in the city was mentioned, and allusion was +made to her prayer meeting—her former name was +asked by 'Father T——;' he seemed seized by +an impulse—inquired their residence, hastened away, +and in a short time arrived in a carriage, with all his +family, at the home of the aged pair. There a scene +ensued which must be left to the imagination of the +reader. 'Father T——' was the sailor boy of the +prayer meeting and the prison. The old lady was +the widow who had first cared for his soul."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[440]</a></span></p> +<h2>PICTURE OF A REVOLUTIONARY<br /> +MOTHER.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +This is my own, my native land.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Scott.</span> +<br /> +True wit is nature to advantage dressed.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Pope.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Mrs. Eliza Wilkinson resided during the Revolution +on Yonge's island, thirty miles south of Charleston, +South Carolina. She was a cheerful, witty and accomplished +young widow, and a keen sufferer on +account of her whig principles. Her letters, arranged +by Mrs. Gilman, and published several years ago, +afford a panoramic view of many dark scenes at +the gloomiest period of American history, and beautifully +daguerreotype her own pure and patriotic heart. +A single extract will show her character. She +visited the city of Charleston soon after its surrender, +and witnessed the departure of her exiled friends. +Referring to matters about that period, she writes:</p> + +<p>"Once I was asked by a British officer to play +the guitar.</p> + +<p>"'I cannot play; I am very dull.'</p> + +<p>"'How long do you intend to continue so, Mrs. +Wilkinson?'</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[441]</a></span>"'Until my countrymen return, sir!'</p> + +<p>"'Return as what, madam?—prisoners or subjects?'</p> + +<p>"'As conquerors, sir.'</p> + +<p>"He affected a laugh. 'You will never see that, +madam!'</p> + +<p>"'I live in hopes, sir, of seeing the thirteen stripes +hoisted once more on the bastions of this garrison.'</p> + +<p>"'Do not hope so; but come, give us a tune on +the guitar.'</p> + +<p>"'I can play nothing but rebel songs.'</p> + +<p>"'Well, let us have one of them.'</p> + +<p>"'Not to-day—I cannot play—I will not play; +besides, I suppose I should be put into the Provost +for such a heinous crime.'</p> + +<p>"I have often wondered since, I was not packed +off, too; for I was very saucy, and never disguised +my sentiments.</p> + +<p>"One day Kitty and I were going to take a walk +on the Bay, to get something we wanted. Just as +we had got our hats on, up ran one of the Billets +into the dining-room, where we were.</p> + +<p>"'Your servant, ladies.'</p> + +<p>"'Your servant, sir.'</p> + +<p>"'Going out, ladies?'</p> + +<p>"'Only to take a little walk.'</p> + +<p>"He immediately turned about and ran down +stairs. I guessed for what.... He offered +me his hand, or rather arm, to lean upon.</p> + +<p>"'Excuse me, sir,' said I; 'I will support myself +if you please.'</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[442]</a></span>"'No, madam, the pavements are very uneven; +you may get a fall; do accept my arm.'</p> + +<p>"'Pardon me, I cannot.'</p> + +<p>"'Come, you do not know what your condescension +may do. I will turn rebel!'</p> + +<p>"'Will you?' said I, laughingly—'Turn rebel first, +and then offer your arm.'</p> + +<p>"We stopped in another store, where were several +British officers. After asking for the articles I wanted, +I saw a broad roll of ribbon, which appeared to be of +black and white stripes.</p> + +<p>"'Go,' said I to the officer who was with us, 'and +reckon the stripes of that ribbon; see if they are <i>thirteen</i>!' +(with an emphasis I spoke the word)—and he +went, too!</p> + +<p>"'Yes, they are thirteen, upon my word, madam.'</p> + +<p>"'Do hand it me.' He did so; I took it, and +found that it was narrow black ribbon, carefully +wound round a broad white. I returned it to its place +on the shelf.</p> + +<p>"'Madam,' said the merchant, 'you can buy the +black and white too, and tack them in stripes.'</p> + +<p>"By no means, sir; I would not have them <i>slightly +tacked</i>, but <i>firmly united</i>.' The above mentioned officers +sat on the counter kicking their heels. How +they gaped at me when I said this! But the merchant +laughed heartily."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[443]</a></span></p> +<h2>SUCCESSFUL DARING.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +——He stopped the fliers.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare's Coriolanus.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Many years ago, while a stage was passing through +Temple, New Hampshire, the driver's seat gave way, +and himself and a gentleman seated with him, were +precipitated to the ground. The latter was killed. +The horses took fright at the noise, and ran a mile +or more at full speed. Meanwhile, Miss Abigail +Brown, the only inside passenger and now the sole +occupant of the stage, endeavored, by speaking soothingly, +to stop the horses. At length they came to +a high hill, when their speed began to slacken, and +Miss Brown, having previously opened the door +and taken a convenient position to alight, sprang +out. Not content to save her own life, but bent +on acting the part of a heroine, she rushed forward, +seized the leaders, turned them out of the road, and +held them fast till persons whom she had passed +and who had tried to stop the flying steeds, came +to her relief. Had this feat, trifling as it may seem, +been performed by the wife of some Roman dignitary, +she would have been apotheosized and her biography +inserted in Lempriere's Classical Dictionary.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[444]</a></span></p> +<h2>WORTHY EXAMPLE OF FORGIVENESS</h2> + +<p class="center"> +They who forgive most shall be most forgiven.—<span class="smcap">Bailey.</span> +</p> + + +<p>"A worthy old colored woman in the city of New +York, was one day walking along the street, on +some errand to a neighboring store, with her tobacco +pipe in her mouth, quietly smoking. A jovial sailor, +rendered a little mischievous by liquor, came sawing +down the street, and when opposite our good +Phillis, saucily crowded her aside, and with a pass +of his hand knocked her pipe out of her mouth. +He then halted to hear her fret at his trick, and +enjoy a laugh at her expense. But what was his +astonishment, when she meekly picked up the pieces +of her broken pipe, without the least resentment +in her manner, and giving him a dignified look of +mingled sorrow, kindness and pity, said, 'God forgive +you, my son, as I do.' It touched a tender +cord in the heart of the rude tar. He felt ashamed, +condemned and repentant. The tear started in his +eye; he must make reparation. He heartily confessed +his error, and thrusting both hands into his +two full pockets of '<i>change</i>,' forced the contents +upon her, exclaiming, 'God bless you, kind mother, +I'll never do so again.'"</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[445]</a></span></p> +<h2>CROOKSHANKS SAVED BY A FEMALE.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i7">——Oh the tender ties,</span> +Close twisted with the fibres of the heart.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Young.</span> +</div> + + +<p>The night before the surprise of Georgetown, Adjutant +Crookshanks, one of the enemy's officers, together +with some of his commissioned comrades, +slept at a public house. The next morning it was +surrounded, and the Adjutant would have lost his +life, but for the interposition of the landlord's daughter, +to whom he was affianced. Awakened and, at +first, alarmed by the firing without and the bustle +at the door, and hearing her lover's voice, she sprung +out of bed and rushed, half dressed, into the piazza. +At that moment the swords of her countrymen +were raised over his head, and she threw her arms +around his neck, exclaiming, "O save! save Major +Crookshanks!" Though made a prisoner, he was +forthwith paroled, and left, for the time, with the +brave and true-hearted maiden.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[446]</a></span></p> +<h2>A PATRIOTIC ARTIST.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Genius, the Pythian of the Beautiful,<br /> +Leaves its large truths a riddle to the dull.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Bulwer.</span> +</div> + + +<p>"At the commencement of the Revolution, Mrs. +Wright, a native of Pennsylvania, a distinguished +modeler of likenesses and figures of wax, was exhibiting +specimens of her skill in London. The +king of Great Britain, pleased with her talents, gave +her liberal encouragement, and, finding her a great +politician, and an enthusiastic republican, would often +enter into discussion relative to passing occurrences, +and endeavored to refute her opinion with regard +to the probable issue of the war. The frankness +with which she delivered her sentiments, seemed +rather to please than to offend him; which was a +fortunate circumstance, for, when he asked an +opinion, she gave it without constraint, or the least +regard to consequences. I remember to have heard +her say, that on one occasion, the monarch, irritated +by some disaster to his troops, where he had prognosticated +a triumph, exclaimed with warmth: 'I +wish, Mrs. Wright, you would tell me how it will be +possible to check the silly infatuation of your countrymen,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[447]</a></span> +restore them to reason, and render them good +and obedient subjects.'—'I consider their submission +to your majesty's government is now altogether +out of the question,' replied Mrs. Wright: 'friends +you may make them, but never subjects; for America, +before a king can reign there, must become a +wilderness, without any other inhabitants than the +beasts of the forest. The opponents of the decrees +of your parliament, rather than submit, would perish +to a man; but if the restoration of peace be seriously +the object of your wishes, I am confident that it +needs but the striking off of <i>three heads</i> to produce +it.'—'O, Lord North's and Lord George Germaine's, +beyond all question; and where is the third head?' +'O, sir, politeness forbids me to name <i>him</i>. Your +majesty could never wish me to forget myself, and +be guilty of an incivility.'</p> + +<p>"In her exhibition room, one group of figures particularly +attracted attention; and by all who knew +her sentiments, was believed to be a pointed hint at +the results which might follow the wild ambition of +the monarch. The busts of the king and queen of +Great Britain, were placed on a table, apparently +intently gazing on a head, which a figure, an excellent +representation of herself, was modeling in its +lap. It was the head of the unfortunate Charles the +First."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[448]</a></span></p> +<h2>TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT AMONG<br /> +MOHAWK WOMEN.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Beware the bowl! though rich and bright<br /> +Its rubies flash upon the sight,<br /> +An adder coils its depths beneath,<br /> +Whose lure is woe, whose sting is death.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Street.</span> +</div> + + +<p>In the years 1801 and 1802, great efforts were +made by the chiefs of the Mohawk Indians to prevent +the sale of spirituous liquors among their people. +In this humane movement the women of the tribe +readily joined; and having assembled in council, on +the twenty-second of May, 1802, they addressed the +chiefs, whom they had summoned, as follows:</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Uncles</span>,—Some time ago the women of this place +spoke to you, but you did not then answer them, as +you considered their meeting not sufficient. Now, +a considerable number of those from below having +met and consulted together, join in sentiment, and +lament, as it were with tears in our eyes, the many +misfortunes caused by the use of spirituous liquors. +We therefore mutually request that you will use +your endeavors to have it removed from our neighborhood, +that there may be none sold nigher to us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[449]</a></span> +than the mountain. We flatter ourselves that this +is in your power, and that you will have compassion +on our uneasiness, and exert yourselves to have +it done."</p> +<div class="signature"><span class="smcap">Strings of Wampum.</span></div> + +<p>This appeal had a good effect on the chiefs; and +received suitable attention, drawing from them the following +reply. It was delivered by Captain Brant:</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Nieces</span>,—We are fully convinced of the justice +of your request; drinking has caused the many +misfortunes in this place, and has been, besides, a +great cause of the divisions, by the effect it has upon +the people's speech. We assure you, therefore, +that we will use our endeavours to effect what you +desire. However, it depends in a great measure +upon government, as the distance you propose is +within their line. We cannot, therefore, absolutely +promise that our request will be complied with."</p> + +<div class="signature"><span class="smcap">Strings.</span><br /> +29</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[450]</a></span></p> +<h2>A FEMALE IN THE REVOLUTIONARY<br /> +ARMY.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +She'll be a soldier too, she'll to the wars.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Shakspeare.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Deborah Samson, the daughter of very poor +parents, of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, began, +when about twenty years of age, to feel the patriotic +zeal which had prompted the sterner sex in her +neighborhood to take up arms in their country's +defence. She accordingly assumed male attire, and +enlisted in the Revolutionary army. We agree with +Mrs. Ellet that, while this course cannot be commended, +her exemplary conduct, after taking the first +step, goes far to plead her excuse, and is worthy of +record. Her method of obtaining men's garments, +and her military career, are thus narrated by the +author just mentioned:</p> + +<p>By keeping the district school for a summer term, +she had amassed the sum of twelve dollars. She +purchased a quantity of coarse fustian, and, working +at intervals when she could be secure from observation, +made up a suit of men's clothing; each article,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[451]</a></span> +as it was finished, being hid in a stack of hay. +Having completed her preparations, she announced +her intention of going where she could obtain better +wages for her labor. Her new clothes and such +articles as she wished to take with her, were tied in a +bundle. The lonely girl departed; but went not far, +probably only to the shelter of the nearest wood, +before putting on the disguise she was so eager to +assume. Although not beautiful, her features were +animated and pleasing, and her figure, tall for a +woman, was finely proportioned. As a man, she +might have been called handsome; her general +appearance was extremely prepossessing, and her +manner calculated to inspire confidence.</p> + +<p>She now pursued her way to the American army, +where she presented herself, in October, 1778, as a +young man anxious to join his efforts to those of his +countrymen, in their endeavors to oppose the common +enemy. Her acquaintances, meanwhile, supposed +her engaged in service at a distance. Rumors of her +elopement with a British soldier, and even of her +death, were afterwards current in the neighborhood +where she had resided; but none were sufficiently +interested to make such search for her as might have +led to a discovery.</p> + +<p>Distrusting her own constancy, and resolute to +continue in the service, notwithstanding any change +of her inclination, she enlisted for the whole term of +the war. She was received and enrolled in the army +by the name of Robert Shirtliffe. She was one of the +first volunteers in the company of Captain Nathan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[452]</a></span> +Thayer of Medway, Massachusetts; and as the young +recruit appeared to have no home or connections, the +Captain gave her a home in his family until his company +should be full, when they were to join the main +army.</p> + +<p>We now find her performing the duties and +enduring the fatigues of military life. During the +seven weeks she passed in the family of Captain +Thayer, she had time both for experience and reflection; +but, in after years, her constant declaration was +that she never, for one moment, repented or regretted +the step she had taken. Accustomed to labor from +childhood, upon the farm and in out-door employment, +she had acquired unusual vigor of constitution; +her frame was robust, and of masculine strength; +and having thus gained a degree of hardihood, she +was enabled to acquire great expertness and precision +in the manual exercise, and to undergo what a female +delicately nurtured would have found it impossible +to endure. Soon after they had joined the company, +the recruits were supplied with uniforms by a kind +of lottery. That drawn by Robert did not fit; but, +taking needle and scissors, he soon altered it to suit +him. To Mrs. Thayer's expression of surprise, at +finding a young man so expert in using the implements +of feminine industry, the answer was—that his +mother having no girl, he had been often obliged to +practice the seamstress's art.</p> + +<p>While in the house of Captain Thayer, a young +girl visiting his wife, was much in the society of +Deborah, or, as she was then called, Robert. Coquettish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[453]</a></span> +by nature, and perhaps priding herself on the +conquest of the "blooming soldier," she suffered her +growing partiality to be perceived. Robert, on his +part, felt a curiosity to learn by new experience how +soon a maiden's fancy might be won; and had no +scruples in paying attentions to one so volatile and +fond of flirtation, with whom it was not likely the +impression would be lasting. This little piece of +romance gave some uneasiness to the worthy Mrs. +Thayer, who could not help observing that the liking +of her fair visitor for Robert was not fully reciprocated. +She took an opportunity of remonstrating +with the young soldier, and showed what unhappiness +might be the consequence of such folly, and how +unworthy it was of a brave man to trifle with a girl's +feelings. The caution was taken in good part, and it +is not known that the "love passage" was continued, +though Robert received at parting some tokens of +remembrance, which were treasured as relics in after +years.</p> + +<p>For three years our heroine appeared in the character +of a soldier, being part of the time employed as +a waiter in the family of Colonel Patterson. During +this time, and in both situations, her exemplary +conduct, and the fidelity with which her duties were +performed, gained the approbation and confidence of +the officers. She was a volunteer in several hazardous +enterprizes, and was twice wounded, the first time by +a sword cut on the left side of the head. Many were +the adventures she passed through; as she herself +would often say, volumes might be filled with them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[454]</a></span> +Sometimes placed, unavoidably, in circumstances in +which she feared detection, she nevertheless escaped +without the least suspicion being awakened among +her comrades. The soldiers were in the habit of +calling her "Molly," in playful allusion to her want +of a beard; but not one of them ever dreamed that +the gallant youth fighting by their side, was in reality +a female.</p> + +<p>About four months after her first wound she received +another severe one, being shot through the +shoulder. Her first emotion when the ball entered, +she described to be a sickening terror at the probability +that her sex would be discovered. She felt that +death on the battle-field were preferable to the shame +that would overwhelm her, and ardently prayed that +the wound might close her earthly campaign. But, +strange as it may seem, she escaped this time also +unsuspected; and soon recovering her strength, was +able again to take her place at the post of duty, and +in the deadly conflict. Her immunity was not, +however, destined long to continue—she was seized +with a brain fever, then prevalent among the soldiers. +For the few days that reason struggled against the +disease, her sufferings were indescribable; and most +terrible of all was the dread lest consciousness should +desert her, and the secret she had guarded so carefully +be revealed to those around her. She was +carried to the hospital, and there could only ascribe +her escape to the number of patients, and the negligent +manner in which they were attended. Her case +was considered a hopeless one, and she perhaps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[455]</a></span> +received less attention on this account. One day +the physician of the hospital, inquiring—"How is +Robert?" received from the nurse in attendance the +answer—"Poor Bob is gone." The doctor went to +the bed, and taking the hand of the youth supposed +dead, found that the pulse was still feebly beating; +attempting to place his hand on the heart, he perceived +that a bandage was fastened tightly around +the breast. This was removed, and to his utter +astonishment he discovered a female patient where he +had least expected one!</p> + +<p>This gentleman was Dr. Binney, of Philadelphia. +With a prudence, delicacy and generosity, ever afterwards +warmly appreciated by the unfortunate sufferer, +he said not a word of his discovery, but paid +her every attention, and provided every comfort her +perilous condition required. As soon as she could be +removed with safety, he had her taken to his own +house, where she could receive better care. His +family wondered not a little at the unusual interest +manifested for the poor invalid soldier.</p> + +<p>Here occurred another of those romances in real +life, which in strangeness surpass fiction. The doctor +had a young and lovely niece, an heiress to considerable +property, whose compassionate feelings led her +to join her uncle in bestowing kindness on the friendless +youth. Many censured the uncle's imprudence +in permitting them to be so much in each other's +society, and to take drives so frequently together. +The doctor laughed to himself at the warnings and +hints he received, and thought how foolish the censorious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[456]</a></span> +would feel when the truth should come out. +His knowledge, meanwhile, was buried in his own +bosom, nor shared even with the members of his +family. The niece was allowed to be as much with +the invalid as suited her pleasure. Her gentle heart +was touched by the misfortunes she had contributed +to alleviate; the pale and melancholy soldier, for +whose fate no one seemed to care, who had no possession +in the world save his sword, who had suffered so +much in the cause of liberty, became dear to her. +She saw his gratitude for the benefits and kindness +received, yet knew by intuition that he would never +dare aspire to the hand of one so gifted by fortune. +In the confiding abandonment of woman's love, the +fair girl made known her attachment, and offered to +provide for the education of its object before marriage. +Deborah often declared that the moment in +which she learned that she had unwittingly gained +the love of a being so guileless, was fraught with the +keenest anguish she ever experienced. In return for +the hospitality and tender care that had been lavished +upon her, she had inflicted pain upon one she would +have died to shield. Her former entanglement had +caused no uneasiness, but this was a heart of a different +mould; no way of amends seemed open, except +confession of her real character, and to that, though +impelled by remorse and self-reproach, she could not +bring herself. She merely said to the generous girl, +that they would meet again; and, though ardently +desiring the possession of an education, that she could +not avail herself of the noble offer. Before her departure,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[457]</a></span> +the young lady pressed on her acceptance +several articles of needful clothing, such as in those +times many of the soldiers received from fair hands. +All these were afterwards lost by the upsetting of a +boat, except the shirt and vest Robert had on at the +time, which are still preserved as relics in the family.</p> + +<p>Her health being now nearly restored, the physician +had a long conference with the commanding +officer of the company in which Robert had served, +and this was followed by an order to the youth to +carry a letter to General Washington.</p> + +<p>Her worst fears were now confirmed. From the +time of her removal into the doctor's family, she had +cherished a misgiving which sometimes amounted +almost to a certainty, that he had discovered her +deception. In conversation with him she anxiously +watched his countenance, but not a word or look +indicated suspicion, and she had again flattered herself +that she was safe from detection. When the +order came for her to deliver a letter into the hands +of the Commander-in-chief, she could no longer deceive +herself.</p> + +<p>There remained no course but simple obedience. +When she presented herself for admission at the +head-quarters of Washington, she trembled as she +had never done before the enemy's fire. Her heart +sunk within her: she strove in vain to collect and +compose herself, and, overpowered with dread and +uncertainty, was ushered into the presence of the +Chief. He noticed her extreme agitation, and, supposing +it to proceed from diffidence, kindly endeavored<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[458]</a></span> +to re-assure her. He then bade her retire +with an attendant, who was directed to offer her +some refreshment, while he read the communication +of which she had been the bearer.</p> + +<p>Within a short time she was again summoned +into the presence of Washington. He said not a +word, but handed her in silence a discharge from +the service, putting into her hand at the same time +a note containing a few brief words of advice, and +a sum of money sufficient to bear her expenses to +some place where she might find a home. The delicacy +and forbearance thus observed affected her +sensibly. "How thankful," she has often said, "was +I to that great and good man who so kindly spared +my feelings! He saw me ready to sink with shame; +one word from him at that moment would have +crushed me to the earth. But he spoke no word—and +I blessed him for it."</p> + +<p>After the termination of the war, she married +Benjamin Gannett, of Sharon. When Washington +was President, she received a letter inviting Robert +Shirtliffe, or rather Mrs. Gannett, to visit the seat +of government. Congress was then in session, and +during her stay at the capital, a bill was passed +granting her a pension in addition to certain lands, +which she was to receive as an acknowledgment +for her services to the country in a military capacity. +She was invited to the houses of several of the +officers, and to parties given in the city; attentions +which manifested the high estimation in which she +was there held.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">[459]</a></span></p> +<h2>HOSPITALITY OF ELIZABETH BRANT.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +Stranger, whoe'er thou art, securely rest<br /> +Affianced in my faith, a friendly guest.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Pope.</span> +</div> + + +<p>At the close of the last war, John and Elizabeth +Brant, children of the celebrated warrior, took possession +of their father's mansion at the head of +lake Ontario, and dispensed his "ancient hospitalities." +While making the tour of Canada West +with two of his daughters, in 1819, James Buchanan, +Esq., British consul for the port of New York, visited +the "Brant House," and afterwards published the +following interesting account in a small volume of +Indian sketches:</p> + +<p>"After stopping more than a week under the truly +hospitable roof of the Honorable Colonel Clarke, at +the Falls of Niagara, I determined to proceed by +land, round lake Ontario, to York; and Mrs. Clarke +offered to give my daughters a letter of introduction +to a Miss Brant, advising us to arrange our time so +as to sleep and stop a day or two in the house of +that lady, as she was certain we should be much +pleased with her and her brother. Our friend did<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">[460]</a></span> +not intimate, still less did we suspect, that the introduction +was to an Indian prince and princess. Had +we been in the least aware of this, our previous +arrangements would all have given way, as there +was nothing I was more anxious to obtain than an +opportunity such as this was so well calculated to +afford, of seeing in what degree the Indian character +would be modified by a conformity to the habits and +comforts of civilized life.</p> + +<p>"Proceeding on our journey, we stopped at an +inn, romantically situated, where I determined to +remain all night. Among other things, I inquired +of the landlord if he knew the distance to Miss +Brant's house, and from him I learned that it was +about twenty miles farther. He added, that young +Mr. Brant had passed that way in the forenoon, +and would, no doubt, be returning in the evening, +and that, if I wished it, he would be on the lookout +for him. This I desired the landlord to do, as it +would enable me to intimate our introduction to +his sister, and intention of waiting on her the next +morning.</p> + +<p>"At dusk Mr. Brant returned, and, being introduced +into our room, we were unable to distinguish +his complexion, and conversed with him, believing +him to be a young Canadian gentleman. We did +not, however, fail to observe a certain degree of +hesitation and reserve in the manner of his speech. +He certainly expressed a wish that we would do his +sister and himself the favor of spending a few days +with them, in order to refresh ourselves and our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">[461]</a></span> +horses: but we thought his style more laconic than +hospitable. Before candles were brought in our new +friend departed, leaving us still in error as to his +nation.</p> + +<p>"By four o'clock in the morning we resumed +our journey. On arriving at the magnificent shores +of lake Ontario, the driver of our carriage pointed +out, at the distance of five miles, the house of Miss +Brant, which had a very noble and commanding +aspect; and we anticipated much pleasure in our +visit. Young Mr. Brant, it appeared, unaware that +with our carriage we could have reached his house +so soon, had not arrived before us; so that our approach +was not announced, and we drove up to the +door under the full persuasion that the family would +be apprised of our coming. The outer door, leading +to a spacious hall, was open. We entered and remained +a few minutes, when, seeing no person about, +we proceeded into the parlor, which, like the hall, +was for the moment unoccupied. We therefore had +an opportunity of looking about us at our leisure. +It was a room well furnished, with a carpet, pier +and chimney glasses, mahogany tables, fashionable +chairs, a guitar, a neat hanging bookcase, in which, +among other volumes, we perceived a Church of +England Prayer Book, translated into the Mohawk +tongue. Having sent our note of introduction in +by the coachman, and still no person waiting on us, +we began to suspect (more especially in the hungry +state we were in) that some delay or difficulty about +breakfast stood in the way of the young lady's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">[462]</a></span> +appearance. I can assure my readers that a keen +morning's ride on the shores of an American lake +is an exercise of all others calculated to make the +appetite clamorous, if not insolent. We had already +penetrated into the parlor, and were beginning to +meditate a farther exploration in search of the pantry, +when, to our unspeakable astonishment, in walked +a charming, noble-looking Indian girl, dressed partly +in the native and partly in the English costume. +Her hair was confined on the head in a silk net, +but the lower tresses, escaping from thence, flowed +down on her shoulders. Under a tunic or morning +dress of black silk was a petticoat of the same +material and color, which reached very little below +the knee. Her silk stockings and kid shoes were, +like the rest of her dress, black. The grace and +dignity of her movement, the style of her dress +and manner, so new, so unexpected, filled us all with +astonishment. With great ease, yet by no means +in that commonplace mode so generally prevalent +on such occasions, she inquired how we found the +roads, accommodations, etc. No flutter was at all +apparent on account of the delay in getting breakfast; +no fidgeting and fuss-making, no running in +and out, no idle expressions of regret, such as 'Oh! +dear me! had I known of your coming, you would +not have been kept in this way!' but, with perfect +ease she maintained conversation, until a squaw, +wearing a man's hat, brought in a tray with preparations +for breakfast. A table-cloth of fine white +damask being laid, we were regaled with tea, coffee,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">[463]</a></span> +hot rolls, butter in water and ice-coolers, eggs, smoked +beef, ham, broiled chickens, etc., all served in a +truly neat and comfortable style. The delay, we +afterwards discovered, arose from the desire of our +hostess to supply us with hot rolls, which were actually +baked while we were waiting. I have been +thus minute in my description of these comforts, as +they were so little to be expected in the house of +an Indian.</p> + +<p>"After breakfast Miss Brant took my daughters +out to walk, and look at the picturesque scenery of +the country. She and her brother had previously +expressed a hope that we would stay all day; but, +though I wished of all things to do so, and had determined, +in the event of their pressing their invitation, +to accept it, yet I declined the proposal at +first, and thus forfeited a pleasure which we all of +us longed in our hearts to enjoy; for, as I afterward +learned, it is not the custom of any uncorrupted +Indian to repeat a request if once rejected. They +believe that those to whom they offer any mark of +friendship, and who give a reason for refusing it, +do so in perfect sincerity, and that it would be rudeness +to require them to alter their determination or +break their word. And as the Indian never makes +a show of civility but when prompted by a genuine +feeling, so he thinks others are actuated by a similar +candor. I really feel ashamed when I consider how +severe a rebuke this carries with it to us who boast +of civilization, but who are so much carried away +by the general insincerity of expression pervading<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">[464]</a></span> +all ranks, that few, indeed, are to be found who +speak just what they wish or know. This duplicity +is the effect of what is termed a high state of refinement. +We are taught so to conduct our language +that others cannot discover our real views or intentions. +The Indians are not only free from this deceitfulness, +but surpass us in another instance of +good breeding and decorum, namely, of never interrupting +those who converse with them until they +have done speaking; and then they reply in the +hope of not being themselves interrupted. This was +perfectly exemplified by Miss Brant and her brother; +and I hope the lesson my daughters were so forcibly +taught by the natural politeness of their hostess will +never be forgotten by them, and that I also may +profit by the example."</p> + +<p>Elizabeth was the youngest daughter of Joseph +Brant. She was married to William Johnson Kerr, +a gentleman who bore a commission in the last war, +and fought against the Americans on the Niagara +frontier. He is a grandson of Sir William Johnson. +The author of American Border Wars, wrote +in 1843, as follows: "Mrs. Kerr, as the reader must +infer from what has been previously said respecting +her, was educated with great care, as well in regard +to her mental culture as her personal accomplishments. +With her husband and little family, she +now occupies the old mansion of her father, at the +head of lake Ontario; a noble situation, as the author +can certify from personal observation."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">[465]</a></span></p> +<h2>BRIEF ANECDOTES.</h2> + +<div class="poem"> +The worthy acts of women to repeat.<br /> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Mirror for Magistrates.</span> +</div> + + +<p>Immediately after the dreadful massacre of Virginia +colonists, on the twenty-second of March, 1622, +Governor Wyat issued an order for the remainder +of the people to "draw together" into a "narrow +compass;"<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> and most of the eighty plantations were +forthwith abandoned. Among the persons who remained +at their homes, was Mrs. Proctor, whom Dr. +Belknap calls "a gentlewoman of an heroic spirit."<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> +She defended her plantation against the Indians a +full month, and would not have abandoned it even +then, had not the officers of the colony obliged her +to do so.</p> + +<p>One of the best women of her times was Experience +West, wife of the Rev. Dr. West, who was +pastor of a church in New Bedford, Massachusetts, +for nearly half a century. Her life abounded in +praiseworthy, though unrecorded, deeds. The Doctor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">[466]</a></span> +was aware of the worth of his "help-meet," and had +a punning way of praising her which must have +sounded odd in a Puritan divine a hundred years +ago. She was unusually tall, and he sometimes remarked +to intimate friends, that he had found, by +<i>long Experience</i>, that it is good to be married.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The Rev. Dr. Mather Byles, of Boston, a tory of +considerable notoriety, paid unsuccessful addresses +to a young lady who subsequently gave her hand +to a gentleman of the name of Quincy. Meeting +her one day, the Doctor remarked: "So, madam, +it appears that you prefer a Quincy to Byles." +"Yes," she replied, "for if there had been any thing +worse than <i>biles</i>, God would have afflicted Job with +them."<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a></p> + + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>A married Shawnee woman was once asked by a +man who met her in the woods, to look upon and +love him: "Oulman, my husband, who is forever +before my eyes, hinders me from seeing you or any +other person."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">[467]</a></span></p> + +<p>While the husband of Mrs. Dissosway, of Staten +island, was in the hands of the British, her brother +Nathaniel Randolph, a Captain in the American +army, repeatedly and greatly annoyed the tories; and +they were anxious to be freed from his incursions. +Accordingly, one of their colonels promised Mrs. +Dissosway to procure her husband's release, if she +would prevail upon her brother to leave the army. +She scornfully replied: "And if I could act so +dastardly a part, think you that General Washington +has but one Captain Randolph in his army?"</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>When, by permission of the British authorities, the +wife of Daniel Hall was once going to John's island, +near Charleston, to see her mother, one of the king's +officers stopped her and ordered her to surrender the +key of her trunk. On her asking him what he +wished to look for, he replied, "For treason, madam." +"Then," said she, "you may be saved the trouble of +search, for you may find enough of it at my tongue's +end."<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>When a party of Revolutionary patriots left Pleasant +River settlement, in Maine, on an expedition, +one of the number forgot his powder horn, and his +wife, knowing he would greatly need it, ran twenty +miles through the woods before she overtook him.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>When the village of Buffalo was burnt during the +last war, only one dwelling-house was suffered to +stand. Its owner, Mrs. St. John, was a woman of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">[468]</a></span> +wonderful courage and self-possession; and when the +Indians came to fire it, and destroy its inmates, she +ordered them away in such a dignified, resolute and +commanding, yet conciliatory, manner, that they +seemed to be awed in her presence, and were kept at +bay until some British officers rode up and ordered +them to desist from the work of destruction. Saved +by her presence of mind and heroic bravery, she +who saw her neighbors butchered at their doors and +the young village laid in ashes, lived to see a new +village spring up, phoenix-like, and expand into a +city of thirty-five thousand inhabitants.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Mrs. Beckham, who resided in the neighborhood of +Pacolet river, South Carolina, was a true friend of +freedom, and a great sufferer on that account. Tarleton, +after sharing in her hospitality, pillaged her +house, and then ordered its destruction. Her eloquent +remonstrance, however, caused him to recall the +order. Concealing a guinea in her braided hair, she +once went eighty miles to Granby, purchased a bag +of salt, and safely returned with it on the saddle +under her.<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>The house of Captain Charles Sims, who resided on +Tyger river, South Carolina, was often plundered by +tories; and on one of these occasions, when his wife +was alone and all the robbers had departed but one, +she ordered <i>him</i> away, and he disobeying, she broke +his arm with a stick, and drove him from the house.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">[469]</a></span>Several years ago, a family, residing on the +Colorado, in Texas, were attacked by a party of +Camanche Indians, who first fell upon two workmen +in the fields and slew them. Seeing one of them fall, +the proprietor of the establishment, who was standing +near his house, caught two guns and ran towards +the field. A daughter hastily put on her brother's hat +and surtout, and followed her father. She soon overtook +him, and persuaded him to return to the house. +She bravely assisted in guarding it until the Indians, +tired of the assault, departed.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>In the year 1777, when General Burgoyne entered +the valley of the Hudson, the wife of General Schuyler +hastened to Saratoga, her husband's country seat, +to secure her furniture. "Her carriage," writes the +biographer of Brant, "was attended by only a single +armed man on horseback. When within two miles +of her house, she encountered a crowd of panic-stricken +people, who recited to her the tragic fate of +Miss M'Crea,<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> and, representing to her the danger +of proceeding farther in the face of the enemy, urged +her to return. She had yet to pass through a dense +forest within which even then some of the savage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">[470]</a></span> +troops might be lurking for prey. But to these prudential +counsels she would not listen. 'The General's +wife,' said she, 'must not be afraid!' and, pushing +forward, she accomplished her purpose."</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>While Thomas Crittenden, the first Governor of +Vermont, was discharging the functions of an executive, +he was waited upon one day, in an official +capacity, by several gentlemen from Albany. The +visitors were of the higher class, and accompanied +by their aristocratic wives. At noon the hostess +summoned the workmen from the fields, and seated +them at the table with her fashionable visitors. +When the females had retired from the dinner table +to an apartment by themselves, one of the visitors +said to the lady of the house, "You do not usually +have your hired laborers sit down at the first table<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">[471]</a></span> +do you?" "Why yes, madam," Mrs. Crittenden replied, +"we have thus far done so, but are now thinking +of making a different arrangement. The Governor +and myself have been talking the matter over +a little, lately, and come to the conclusion that the +men, who do nearly all the hard work, ought to have +the first table,—and that he and I, who do so little, +should be content with the second. But, in compliment +to you, I thought I would have you sit down +with them, to-day, at the first table."<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>At the Fair held in Castle Garden, in the autumn +of 1850, was exhibited a large Gothic arm-chair, +backed and cushioned with beautifully wrought +needle work in worsted. The needle work was from +the hands of Mrs. Millard Fillmore. It was setting +a noble example for the wife of a President to present +her handiwork at an industrial exhibition; and, +if the decision of the three Roman banqueters in +regard to their wives, was correct—they preferring +the one who was found with her maidens preparing +loom-work,—Mrs. Fillmore must be ranked among +the best of wives.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>During the last war, Major Kennedy of South +Carolina, wished to raise recruits for his troop of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">[472]</a></span> +horse; and accordingly went to Mrs. Jane White, +who had several hardy sons, and made known his +wants. She was a true patriot, like her husband, +who was an active "liberty man" in the war of '76: +hence she was ready and anxious to further the +Major's plans. Her sons being at work in the field, +excepting the youngest, she called the lad, and +ordered him, in her broad Scotch-Irish dialect, to +"rin awa' ta the fiel' an' tell his brithers ta cum in +an' gang an' fight for their counthry, like their father +afore them."<a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Among the fine sentiments quaintly uttered by +the old dramatic poet, Webster, are these:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +The chiefest action of a man of spirit<br /> +Is, never to be out of action; we should think<br /> +The soul was never to be put into the body,<br /> +Which has so many rare and curious pieces<br /> +Of mathematical motion, to stand still.<br /> +Virtue is ever sowing of her seeds.<br /> +</div> + +<p>One of the models in activity and virtue, and one +who doubtless secured thereby the prize of healthy +and extreme old age, was Mrs. Lydia Gustin, a native +of Lyme, Connecticut. She had five children, +all of whom were at home to celebrate the hundredth +anniversary of her birth day. She died in New +Hampshire, on the twentieth of July, 1847, in the +hundred and second year of her age. A part of +the labor performed during her hundredth year, was +the knitting of twenty-four pairs of stockings.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">[473]</a></span> +Mrs. Elizabeth Ferguson, who resided near Philadelphia, +was one of the number who assisted the +American prisoners taken at the battle of Germantown. +She spun linen and sent it into the city, with +orders that it be made into shirts. She was noted +for humanity and benevolence. Learning, one time, +while visiting her friends in Philadelphia, that a +reduced merchant had been imprisoned for debt, +and was suffering from destitution, she sent him a +bed and other articles of comfort, and, though far +from wealthy, put twenty dollars in money into his +hands. She refused to give him her name, but was +at length identified by a description of her person.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>At the battle of the Cowpens, Colonel Washington +wounded Colonel Tarleton; and when the latter +afterwards, in conversation with Mrs. Wiley Jones, +observed to her: "You appear to think very highly +of Colonel Washington; and yet I have been told +that he is so ignorant a fellow that he can hardly +write his own name;" she replied, "It may be the +case, but no man better than yourself, Colonel, can +testify that he knows how to make his mark."</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">[474]</a></span></p> +<h2>PHILANTHROPY OF AMERICAN WOMEN:<br /> +MISS DIX.</h2> + + +<div class="poem"> +To the blind, the deaf, the lame,<br /> +<span class="i1">To the ignorant and vile,</span> +Stranger, captive, slave he came,<br /> +<span class="i1">With a welcome and a smile.</span> +Help to all he did dispense,<br /> +<span class="i1">Gold, instruction, raiment, food;</span> +Like the gifts of Providence,<br /> +<span class="i1">To the evil and the good.</span> +<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Montgomery.</span> +</div> + + +<p>It requires the enlightening and expanding influence +of Christianity to show the full extent of fraternal +obligation, and to make one <i>feel</i> the wants +of his brother's threefold nature. We must, therefore, +look for large hearts, whose antennæ stretch +through the domain of man's mental and moral, as +well as his physical necessities, among a Christian +people: there such hearts abound, and the strongest +are among the female sex. Nor is this strange: the +feelings of woman are more delicate, her constitution +is less hardy, than man's. Physically more frail, +she feels more sensibly the need of a helper and +protector; and, being the greater sufferer, she thinks +more of the sufferings of others, and consequently +more fully develops the sisterly and sympathetic +feelings of her nature.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">[475]</a></span>It is not, therefore, surprising, that in all the humanitary +movements of the age, American women +are interested; but it <i>is</i> surprising to see with what +masculine energy, heroic courage and sublime zeal +they often prosecute their philanthropic labors. They +lead in the distribution of the poor fund; are untiring +in their efforts to sustain Sabbath schools in +by-places; form and nobly sustain temperance organizations +among themselves; establish and conduct +infant schools on their own responsibility; manage +orphan asylums; pray, and plead, and labor for +the comfort of the insane, and for the education of +the deaf, dumb and blind; and, with the religious +tract in one hand and the Bible in the other, plunge +into the darkest dens of vice, and, nerved by divine +power, sow the good seed of truth in the most corrupt +soil, with courage that seems to palsy the giant +arm of Infamy.</p> + +<p>Heroines in the philanthropic movements which so +beautify the present age, are found in most of the +villages and in every city in the land. Isabella +Graham, Sarah Hoffman, Margaret Prior, and others +whose names are recorded in this work, are representatives +of a class whose number is annually increasing +and whose philanthropic exertions are manifest +wherever human suffering abounds or the current of +moral turpitude is strong and appalling. With the +delicacy and fragility inherent in their sex, they possess +the bravery and perseverance of the ambitious +leader in the military campaign, and shrink from +no task, however formidable or disheartening.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">[476]</a></span>They visit the abode of sickness, and the pillow +is softened and the pain allayed; they enter the +hut of penury, and the cry for bread is hushed, +they pour the tide of united and sanctified effort +through the Augean stables of iniquity, and the +cleansing process is astonishing. Such is the work +of philanthropic women; they are the "salt" of the +community.</p> + +<p>A lady is now living in the city of Buffalo, whose +benevolent exertions, in her restricted sphere, would +compare favorably with those of the celebrated Quakeress +whose mission at Newgate justified, for once, at +least, the use of angel as an adjective qualifying +woman. The person to whom we refer—who would +blush to see her name in print—is foremost in all +the humane and charitable operations of the day, +and has, for years, been in the habit of visiting the +jail regularly and usually alone on the Sabbath, to +instruct its inmates from the word of God and to +lecture before them on all that pertains to human +duty. She is married, and has a family—her children +being adopted orphans,—hence her opportunities +for public usefulness are measurably limited: but +her life-long actions seem to say,</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i12">"Give me leave</span> +To speak my mind, and I will through and through<br /> +Cleanse the foul body of the infected world,<br /> +If they will patiently receive my medicine."<br /> +</div> + +<p>Aside from our female missionaries, whose heroism +is elsewhere partially illustrated in this work, the +finest example of a living American philanthropist<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">[477]</a></span> +is Miss D. L. Dix, of Massachusetts. Her extreme +modesty, learned through her New England friends, +with whom we have corresponded, withholds all facts +touching her early and private history, and leaves +us a paucity of materials out of which to frame +even an outline of her public career.</p> + +<p>We first hear of her as a teacher in the city of +Boston, in which vocation she was faithful and +honored. At the same time, she was connected, +as instructor, with a Sabbath school—belonging +we believe, to Dr. Channing's society—and while +searching in by-places for poor children to enlarge her +class, she necessarily came in contact with many destitute +persons, and saw much suffering. Ere long she +became interested more especially in the condition +and wants of poor seamen, and endeavored to enlist +the sympathies of others in their behalf. As opportunities +presented themselves, she visited the hospital +and other benevolent institutions in and near +Boston, together with the State Prison. Anon we +find her in the possession of a small legacy left by +her deceased grand-mother; and, having resigned the +office of teacher, she is traveling through the state. +Having visited all the counties and most if not all +the towns in Massachusetts, hunting up the insane +and acquainting herself with their condition, visiting +the inmates of the poor-houses and jails, and learning +the state of things among all the unfortunate and +suffering, she went to the Legislature, made a report, +and petitioned for reforms where she thought they +were needed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">[478]</a></span>Having thoroughly canvassed one state, feeling her +benevolent heart expand, she entered another, and +went through the same routine of labors—visiting, +reporting, pleading for reforms. She has traveled +through all the states but three or four, and has extended +her humane mission to Canada.</p> + +<p>She overlooks no almshouse; never fails of seeing +and learning the history of an insane person; goes +through every jail and prison; and usually, if not +invariably, has a private interview with each inmate, +imparting such counsel as wisdom and Christian sympathy +dictate. She has lately petitioned Congress—as +yet unsuccessfully—for a large appropriation +of the public lands for the benefit of the insane.</p> + +<p>Her petitions are usually presented in a very quiet +and modest manner. In her travels, she acquaints +herself with the leading minds, and among them the +state and national legislators; and when the law-making +bodies are in session, she obtains an interview +with members in the retirement of the parlor or +the small social gathering; communicates the facts +she has collected; and secures their coöperation in +her plans and their aid in effecting her purposes.</p> + +<p>She who began the work of reform as a teacher in +a Sabbath school, has advanced, step by step, until her +capacious heart has embraced the Union, throughout +which the benign influence of her philanthropic labors +is sensibly felt. Some one has truthfully remarked +that "the blessings of thousands, ready to +perish, have come down upon her head," and that +the institutions which she has caused to be erected or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">[479]</a></span> +modified in the several states "are monuments more +honorable, if not more enduring than the pyramids."</p> + +<p>While Miss Dix has brought about important reforms, +she has accomplished her labors by great +hardship and the most rigid economy. She had not +a princely fortune, like Mrs. Fry, to expend in benevolent +causes; she could not ride from place to +place in her own private and splendid carriage, +saying to this servant, do this, and to another, do +that; she has been obliged to travel by public, haphazard +conveyances—often in most uncomfortable +vehicles in the most uncomfortable weather. A part +of her early labors in the state of New York were +performed in the winter, and when in the north-eastern +and coldest part, she was under the necessity, +on one occasion, of traveling all night in the severest +part of the season in an open carriage. To +show her economy, which has been hinted at, it is +necessary merely to say that she purchases the materials +for most of her garments in the places which +she visits, and makes them up with her own hands, +while traveling on steamboats, waiting for stages at +public houses, and such odd intervals of leisure.<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a></p> + +<p>The character of Miss Dix is both pleasant and +profitable to contemplate. Every thing connected +with her public career is noble and worthy to be +imitated. Would that the world were full of such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">[480]</a></span> +characters: they are needed. Although +she has done a great work, +much is yet to do. Our country +is wide, and enlarging almost every +year; the field of benevolence is white +to harvest, and where are the reapers, +who, like Miss Dix, will make +their "lives sublime?"</p> + + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/illus491.jpg" width="450" height="551" alt="Two children sitting and reading at foot of tree" /> + +</div> + + +<h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> We have the authority of Mr. Sparks for asserting that while Washington's +pursuits were those of a retired planter, he seldom passed a day +when at home without the company of friends or strangers, frequently +persons of great celebrity, and demanding much attention from the lady +of the house.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Mrs. Washington, in writing to Mrs. Warren, says, "The General's +apartment is very small; he has had a log cabin built to dine in, which +has made our quarters more tolerable than at first."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> The part of the town in which he lived was afterwards called Quincy +in honor of Mrs. Adams's maternal grandfather.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Mr. Hough was a printer in the employment of the Baptist Board.<br /> +<span class="i12 smcap">Author.</span><br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Gammell's History of American Baptist Missions.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Gammell.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> We are informed by the Postmaster of Groton, in a letter dated +the tenth of December, 1850, that Mrs. B. is still living, and that her +mind is somewhat impaired. She is now in her ninety-third year.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> The editor of the Democratic Review, to whom we are indebted +for a portion of these facts, visited the heroine of Groton in the fall +of 1846, in the number of his periodical for the January following +spoke of her as a remarkable woman, physically, as well as mentally +and patriotically. She was then eighty-eight years old, yet as agile as +a girl of eighteen, and neither sight nor hearing had began to fail. +"Such then," he adds, "is Mother Bailey. Had she lived in the palmy +days of ancient Roman glory, no matron of the mighty empire would +have been more highly honored." In the same article Mrs. B. is spoken +of as the Postmistress of Groton, an office, which the present Postmaster +assures us, she never held. +</p><p> +Since the above was originally stereotyped, Mrs. Bailey has died. +Her demise occurred in the winter of 1850-1.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Drake's Indian Captivities.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> This sum was raised in and immediately around Philadelphia. +The efforts of the ladies were not, however, limited to their own +neighborhood. They addressed circulars to the adjoining counties and +states, and the response of New Jersey and Maryland was truly generous.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> The facts embodied in this notice of Mrs. Reed, are mainly obtained +from the Life and Correspondence of President Reed. <i>Vide</i> +volume II., chapter XII.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Frothingham's Siege of Boston.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> The last stone was raised on the morning of the twenty-third of +July, 1842; the government of the Association and a multitude of other +people were present on the occasion. Just before this act took place, a +cannon was raised to the apex and discharged—a morning salute to call +the people together to engage in the matins of Freedom. Edward Carnes, +Jr., of Charlestown, accompanied the stone in its ascent, waving the +American flag as he went up, and the Charlestown Artillery were meanwhile +firing salutes to announce to the surrounding country the interesting +event.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> For this anecdote and that of Mrs. Hendee, we are indebted to the +Hon. Daniel P. Thompson, of Montpelier, author of "The Green Mountain +Boys," "Locke Amsden," &c. In a note to the author, in a letter +which contained these anecdotes, he appropriately observes that "the +women of the Green Mountains deserve as much credit for their various +displays of courage, endurance and patriotism, in the early settlement of +their State, as was ever awarded to their sex for similar exhibitions in +any part of the world. In the controversy with New York and New +Hampshire, which took the form of war in many instances; in the predatory +Indian incursions, and in the war of the Revolution, they often +displayed a capacity for labor and endurance, a spirit and firmness in +the hour of danger, and a resolution and hardihood in defending their +families, and their threatened land against all enemies, whether domestic +or foreign, that would have done honor to the dames of Sparta."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Captain Leonard Whiting, of Hollis, N. H., a noted tory, who was +the bearer of dispatches from Canada to the British in Boston.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> Mrs. Mary Neff.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> Eleven years after the capture of Mrs. Dustin, a party of French and +Indians from Canada made an attack upon the inhabitants of Haverhill, +and killed and captured about forty persons. Several women exhibited +on the occasion a remarkable degree of sagacity, courage and presence of +mind. We condense from Mirick's History of Haverhill. +</p><p> +Ann Whittaker escaped the tomahawk by hiding in an apple chest +under the stairs.—A negro servant, named Hagar, covered a couple +of children with tubs in the cellar and then concealed herself behind +some meat barrels. The Indians trod on a foot of one of the children +and took meat from the barrel behind which Hagar had hidden, +without discovering any of them.—The wife of Thomas Hartshorn, +took all her children except the babe—which she was afraid would +cry—through a trap-door into the cellar. The enemy entered and +plundered the house, but did not find the way into the cellar. They +took the infant from its bed in the garret and threw it out of the +window. Strange to say, though stunned, it lived and grew to rugged +manhood.—The wife of Captain Simon Wainwright, after the +enemy had killed her husband, let them into the house and treated +them kindly. They at length demanded money, when she went out, +as she pretended, to get it. They soon ascertained—though too late +to find her—that she had fled with all her children but one, who +was taken captive.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> M'Clung's Sketches of Western Adventure.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Collins's Historical Sketches of Kentucky.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Collins.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> <span class="smcap">Mrs. Brewton</span>,—since Foster—one of the most amiable and enlightened +of the whig ladies, was an inmate of Mrs. Motte's family +at the time of the destruction of her house. Meeting with her shortly +after the signing of the preliminary articles of peace at Philadelphia, +I inquired—"How it had happened, that she, a helpless, unprotected +widow, without any charge of improper conduct, had so far +incurred the enmity of the British commanders, as to have been arrested +without ceremony, and hurried unprepared, into exile." She +answered—"That she knew no act of hers which had merited such +ungentlemanly and inhuman treatment." Entering, however, into +conversation relative to the siege and surrender of Fort Motte, she +gave at once a clue to the transaction. While the American forces +were at a distance, Major M'Pherson, the commander of the post, +suffered Mrs. Motte and her family to remain, and an apartment +was allowed for their accommodation. But when the post at Thompson's, +but a little removed from him, was attacked and carried, +anticipating the fate which awaited him, immediate removal was not +only advised, but insisted on. At the moment of departure, Mrs. +Brewton seeing a quiver of arrows, which had been presented to Mr. +Motte by a favorite African, said to her friend, "I will take these +with me, to prevent their destruction by the soldiers." With the +quiver in her hands, she was passing the gate, when Major M'Pherson, +drawing forth a shaft, and applying the point to his finger, +said, "what have you here, Mrs. Brewton?" "For God's sake be +careful," she replied "these arrows are poisoned." The ladies immediately +passed on to the out-house, which they were now to inhabit. +In the siege which directly followed, when the destruction of the +house was determined upon, and missiles eagerly sought for by +Lieutenant Colonel Lee for conveying the fire to the shingles, these +arrows being remembered, were presented by Mrs. Motte, with a +wish for the happy accomplishment of the end proposed. It was +afterwards known, that the first arrow missed its aim, and fell at +the feet of the commander, who taking, it up, with strong expressions +of anger, exclaimed, "I thank you, Mrs. Brewton." The +second arrow took effect, and set fire to the roof, when the brisk +discharge of a six pounder being maintained by Captain Finley, in +the direction of the stair-case, every effort to extinguish it proved +fruitless, until, from the apprehension of the roof falling in, the +garrison were compelled to surrender at discretion. General Greene +arriving soon after, paid to Major M'Pherson the tribute of applause +due to his excellent defence, declaring, "that such gallantry could +not fail to procure for him a high increase of reputation." This +compliment, however, does not appear to have soothed the mortified +soldier; for, walking immediately up to Mrs. Brewton, he said, "to +<i>you</i> madam, I owe this disgrace; it would have been more charitable +to have allowed me to perish by poison, than to be thus +compelled to surrender my post to the enemy." This speech +alone, accounts for the enmity against Mrs. Brewton.—[Knapp's +American Anecdotes.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> +Never did relief come at a more propitious moment; nor would it +be straining conjecture to suppose that he resumed his journey with his +spirits cheered and brightened by this touching proof of woman's devotion +to the cause of her country. [Greene's Life of Nathaniel Greene.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Some of the facts embodied in this article were gathered by the +author while on a visit to Massillon, Ohio, in the summer of 1847, and +were communicated to the public at that time through the columns of +the Western Literary Messenger; others were lately and very obligingly +furnished by Dr. William Bowen, of that place.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> The facts contained in this article we find in a series of papers, +by S. P. Hildreth, Esq., published in "The American Pioneer," in +1842.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> History of Wyoming, page 212.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> + +The maiden name of Mrs. Israel was Hannah Erwin. Her first +meeting with her husband was romantic enough. Mr. Israel had +sailed in a sloop, or packet, from Philadelphia, to visit New Castle +where his mother and family resided. He observed on deck an extremely +pretty girl, hardly seventeen years of age, and very neatly +and tastefully dressed, with the finest turned foot and ankle in the +world. All who went on such voyages were then obliged to furnish +themselves with provisions; and his attention was drawn by the young +girl's kindly distribution of her little stock, handing it about from one +to another, till but little was left for her own portion. In passing him, +she modestly hesitated a moment, and then offered him a share. This +led to conversation; he learned that she was the daughter of highly +respectable parents, and resided in Wilmington. Love at first sight +was as common in those days as now. After seeing his mother, he +visited Wilmington; became better acquainted, offered himself and +was accepted: and on his marriage, rented the farm above mentioned, +and commenced life anew.—[Mrs. Ellet. +</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Sarah Davis Comstock was the wife of the Rev. Grover S. +Comstock, who was stationed at Kyouk Phyoo in the province of +Arracan, Burmah. She was born at Brookline, Massachusetts, in 1812 +and died at Ramree, April twenty-eighth, 1843.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> Mr. Convers escaped from his Chippewa friends, at Detroit. +Touching the treatment he received from his adopted mother, a +writer says: "How few among the more civilized race of whites +would ever imitate the Christian charities of this untaught daughter +of nature!"</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> This letter was written in the fall of 1841. Miss Chapin, afterwards +Mrs. Savage, embarked for Africa on the twenty-eighth of the following +January, and reached Cape Palmas on the twenty-fifth of March. As +might be anticipated, her labors soon closed. She died on the field, +in December, 1843. +</p> + +<p class="center"> +"That life is long which answers life's great end."<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Vide Women of the Revolution, vol. 1 p. 278.</p></div> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> +Messrs. Stewart and Company, upon the receipt of the money, addressed +a note in reply to Mrs. C., in which they requested her acceptance +of the accompanying gift, as a slight testimonial of their high +appreciation of an act so honorable and so rare as to call forth unqualified +admiration. Accompanying the letter was sent a superb brocade +silk dress, and some laces of exquisite texture and great value.—[Philadelphia +Enquirer.</p></div> + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> The substance of this anecdote we find in the second number of +the first volume of a periodical called "Historical Collections," +published nearly thirty years ago at Concord, New Hampshire, and +edited by J. Farmer and J. B. Moore. The anecdote was communicated +by Adino N. Brackett, Esq., of Lancaster, and appeared in the June +number for 1822.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> This pioneer matron of northern New Hampshire, was living at +Lancaster, in 1822, then in her eighty-second year. She was a descendant, +"in the third degree," of Mrs. Dustin, the heroine of Penacook.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Jabez Burns, D. D.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> The tories not only destroyed his property, but drove him into the +woods, where he was often obliged to pass nights; and some of his +escapes from captivity or death are said to have been almost +miraculous.—He resumed his labors as teacher and pastor after the +war; and continued to preach till his ninety-sixth year. He died +in 1824, at the age of ninety-nine. His wife died the following year, +in the eighty-seventh of her age.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> For a fuller account of her life, see the second volume of Mrs. +Ellet's Women of the Revolution, to which work we are indebted +for the substance of these anecdotes.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> After the treaty of peace at Paris, Mrs. Howe went to Canada +and brought home the younger daughter, who left the nunnery with +a great deal of reluctance. The older went to France with Monsieur +Dr. Vaudreuil, and was there married to a man named Louis.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> Dwight's Travels.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> Mrs. Bethune's Life of Mrs. Graham, abridged.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> Mrs. Bethune.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> Knapp's Female Biography.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> <i>Vide</i> History of Schoharie county, p. 410-11.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Women of the Revolution.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> Democratic Review, vol. 20, pp. 93-4.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Mrs. Ellet.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> <i>Vide</i> Doc. His, Vol. 1. p. 256.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> The following toast was drunk at Brattonsville, York district, on +the twelfth of July, 1839, at a celebration of Huck's Defeat. +</p><p> +"The memory of Mrs. Martha Bratton.—In the hands of an infuriated +monster, with the instrument of death around her neck, she nobly +refused to betray her husband; in the hour of victory she remembered +mercy, and as a guardian angel, interposed in behalf of her inhuman +enemies. Throughout the Revolution she encouraged the whigs to +fight on to the last; to hope on to the end. Honor and gratitude +to the woman and heroine, who proved herself so faithful a wife—so +firm a friend to liberty!"</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> We learn, from Withers, that Miss Zane has since had two +husbands. +</p><p> +The name of the second was Clarke, a resident of Ohio. She was +living, not long since, near St. Clairsville.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> Abridged from Cyclopedia of Moral and Religious Anecdotes.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> In addition to her own family, Mrs. Gibbes had the care of the +seven orphan children of Mrs. Fenwick, her sister-in-law, and two other +children. It is not surprising, that, in the confusion of a sudden flight +from the house, one of the number should be left behind.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> Mrs. Ellet.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> October seventh, 1780.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> American Anecdotes, vol. 2, p. 11.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> For a full account of the life of Mrs. Stewart, we refer the reader +to an interesting Memoir, by her husband.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> <i>Vide</i> Women of the Revolution, vol. 1. pp. 306-7, etc.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> +It was his company that forded the creek, and, penetrating the +swamp, made the furious charge on the British left and rear which +decided the fate of the day.—[Mrs. Ellet.</p></div> + + + + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> Mrs. Slocumb was a dignified and generous matron, a kind and +liberal neighbor, and a Christian of indomitable fortitude and +inexhaustible patience. After four or five years' extreme bodily suffering, +resulting from a complication of diseases, she died, on the sixth +of March, 1836, aged seventy-six years.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> The silver was buried in a trunk, and remained in a marshy bed till +the close of the war. When disinterred, it had turned black.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> A similar spirit was exhibited by the wife of Isaac Holmes, one +of the number who were sent into exile at St. Augustine. Just as the +guard were separating him from his family, she said to him, "Waver +not in your principles, but be true to your country. Have no fears for +your family; God is good, and will provide for them."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> Revolutionary Anecdotes, First Series</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> May twelfth, 1781.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> In the autumn of 1792, while the war with the Creeks and Cherokees +was raging in the Cumberland valley.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> This heroic woman died at Buchanan's Station, on the twenty-third +of November, 1831. She sleeps on the site of the old fort that +witnessed her bravery; and Carcas, queen of Carcassone, who defended +that city with such courage and resolution, when it was besieged by +Charlemagne, that the Emperor permitted her to retain the sovereignty +of the place, has scarcely higher claims to historical commemoration. +</p> +<div class="signature"><span class="smcap">Author.</span></div></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Rev. M. B. Cox and Rev. O. S. Wright and wife.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> Rev. Mr. Spaulding and lady.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> Memoirs of Aaron Burr, by Matthew L. Davis, vol. 2, p. 432.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> He was imprisoned in Richmond, Virginia.—<span class="smcap">Author.</span></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> Mrs. Roper accompanied her father, Sir Thomas More, to prison, +and after he was executed and his head had lain fourteen days on +London Bridge, she purchased it, and thus saved it from being thrown +into the Thames. For this intrepidity, by the king's orders she was +cast into prison—though she was soon permitted to escape. +</p><p> +Mademoiselle Cazotte was the daughter of an aged Frenchman, who, +on one occasion, during the Revolution in his country, would have lost +his life but for her courage. He was a "counter-revolutionist," and +after an imprisonment, during which his daughter chose to be immured +with him, on the second day of September, he was about to be slain. +An axe was raised over his head, when Elizabeth threw herself upon +him, and exclaimed, "Strike, barbarians; you cannot reach my father +but through my heart." She did other heroic deeds.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> "The hope, however, of attaining the object in view, very speedily +subjected the unfortunate Murdoch to new persecution. He was tied +up under the very tree where the plate was buried, and threatened +with immediate execution unless he would make the discovery required. +But although well acquainted with the unrelenting severity of his +enemy, and earnestly solicited by his wife, to save his life by a speedy +confession of the place of deposit, he persisted resolutely, that a sacred +trust was not to be betrayed, and actually succeeded in preserving it."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> It is said that this taunt was so keenly felt that Tarleton laid his +hand on the hilt of his sword. General Leslie entered the room at +the moment, and seeing the agitation of Mrs. Ashe, and learning its +cause, said to her, "Say what you please, Mrs. Ashe; Colonel Tarleton +knows better than to insult a lady in my presence."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> Practical Directory for Young Christian Females.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> Mothers of the Wise and Good, p. 142</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> The late George Beecher.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> Laurel mountain.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> Afterwards Mrs. Powell. She died in 1840.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> Knapp's Female Biography, p. 235.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> Walks of Usefulness; or, Reminiscences of Margaret Prior, p. 17.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> June, 1840.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> Mr. Andros thus describes the old Jersey: "Her dark and filthy +exterior corresponded with the death and despair reigning within. It +is supposed that eleven thousand American seamen perished in her. +None came to relieve their woes. Once or twice, by order of a stranger +on the quarter-deck, a bag of apples was hurled promiscuously into the +midst of hundreds of prisoners, crowded as thick as they could stand—and +life and limbs were endangered in the struggle. The prisoners +were secured between the decks by iron gratings; and when the ship +was to be cleared of water, an armed guard forced them up to the +winches, amid a roar of execrations and reproaches—the dim light +adding to the horrors of the scene. Thousands died whose names have +never been known; perishing when no eye could witness their fortitude, +nor praise their devotion to their country."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> Religious Progress, pp. 200-1.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> The following extract from a letter written by the Governor in +March, 1629, shows that he was not unconscious of the excellence of +the gift he possessed in his "yokefellow." Addressing her as "<span class="smcap">Mine +Own Dear Heart</span>," he proceeds: +</p><p> +"I must confess thou hast overcome me with thy exceeding great +love, and those abundant expressions of it in thy sweet letters, which +savor of more than an ordinary spirit of love and piety. Blessed be +the Lord our God, that gives strength and comfort to thee to undergo +this great trial, which, I must confess, would be too heavy for thee, +if the Lord did not put under his hand in so gracious a measure. Let +this experience of his faithfulness to thee in this first trial, be a ground +to establish thy heart to believe and expect his help in all that may +follow. It grieveth me much, that I want time and freedom of mind +to discourse with thee, my faithful yokefellow, in those things which +thy sweet letters offer me so plentiful occasion for. I beseech the +Lord, I may have liberty to supply it, ere I depart; for I cannot thus +leave thee."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> Women of the Revolution, vol. 3.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> Weems' Marion, pp. 182-3.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> Missionary Offering, p. 86. We are indebted to the same source for +most of the particulars embraced in this article.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> That was its original name. It is a reserved tract; contains +between two and three thousand acres, and a considerable part is now +occupied by white tenants. Its situation is on the Thames, between +New London and Norwich.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> It may be interesting to the reader to know that Thomas Sammons +did not go to Canada. He was released in the afternoon of the +same day, with some other persons who had been taken prisoners during +the forenoon. Feigning extreme lameness in one foot, he attracted +the attention and excited the sympathy of the widow of a British +officer: she had resided in the neighborhood, knew many of the captives, +and as some were her personal friends, she asked Sir John to permit +their release. He did so; and on going into the field to select +them, writes Colonel Stone, "she adroitly smuggled young Sammons +into the group, and led him away in safety."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> Major Garden.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> This anecdote, which is recorded in several works, cannot refer to +the late William Ellery Channing, as he was not born at the commencement +of the Revolution.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> The two youngest boys, who were twins and about eight years +old, were captured; and when the enemy fled, they were carried +away as prisoners.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> Border Wars of the American Revolution, vol. 2, p. 153.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> Belknap.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> American Biography, vol. 2, p. 182.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_93_93" id="Footnote_93_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> A Sabine's American Loyalist. The loyal divine was himself a wicked +punster. "Near his house, in wet weather, was a very bad slough. +It happened that two of the selectmen who had the care of the streets, +driving in a chaise, stuck fast in this hole, and were obliged to get +out in the mud to extricate their vehicle. Doctor Byles came out, +and making them a respectful bow, said; 'Gentlemen, I have often +complained to you of this nuisance without any attention being +paid to it, and I am very glad to see you stirring in the matter now.' +On the celebrated dark day in 1780, a lady who lived near the +Doctor, sent her young son with her compliments, to know if he +could account for the uncommon appearance. His answer was: +'My dear, you will give my compliments to your mamma, and tell +her that I am as much in the dark as she is.'"</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_94_94" id="Footnote_94_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> Major Garden.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_95_95" id="Footnote_95_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> Vide Women of the Revolution, vol. I, p. 296.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_96_96" id="Footnote_96_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> The circumstances in regard to the murder of Jane M'Crea, have +been variously stated. The following version of the cruel story is +probably correct: "Miss M'Crea belonged to a family of loyalists, +and had engaged her hand in marriage to a young refugee named David +Jones, a subordinate officer in the British service, who was advancing +with Burgoyne. Anxious to possess himself of his bride, he dispatched +a small party of Indians to bring her to the British camp. Her family +and friends were strongly opposed to her going with such an escort; +but her affection overcame her prudence, and she determined upon the +hazardous adventure. She set forward with her dusky attendants on +horseback. The family resided at the village of Fort Edward, whence +they had not proceeded half a mile before her conductors stopped to +drink at a spring. Meantime, the impatient lover, who deserved not +her embrace for confiding her protection to such hands, instead of going +himself, had dispatched a second party of Indians upon the same +errand. The Indians met at the spring; and before the march was +resumed, they were attacked by a party of the Provincials. At the +close of the skirmish, the body of Miss M'Crea was found among the +slain, tomahawked, scalped, and tied to a pine-tree, yet standing by the +side of the spring, as a monument of the bloody transaction. The +ascertained cause of the murder was this: The promised reward for +bringing her in safety to her betrothed was a barrel of rum. The +chiefs of the two parties sent for her by Mr. Jones quarreled respecting +the anticipated compensation. Each claimed it; and, in a moment of +passion, to end the controversy, one of them struck her down with his +hatchet."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_97_97" id="Footnote_97_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> We find the substance of this anecdote in a copy of the Green +Mountain Freeman published in March, 1851. The paper is edited by +Daniel P. Thompson, Esq., who prefaces the article with the remark +that the anecdote was related to him "by the late Mrs. Timothy Hubbard, +of Montpelier, who, while a girl, was intimate with the Governor's +family, and knowing to the amusing incident at the time of its +occurrence."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_98_98" id="Footnote_98_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_98_98"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> Mrs. Ellet.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_99_99" id="Footnote_99_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_99_99"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> For the two last mentioned facts, and some others in regard to +Miss Dix, we are indebted to the Rev. G. W. Hosmer, pastor of +the Unitarian church, Buffalo.</p></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="tn"><h3>Transcriber's Note:</h3> +<p> +Minor punctuation errors have been changed without notice. Printer +errors have been changed and are listed here. All other +inconsistencies are as in the original including unmatched quotation marks.</p> + +<p>p. viii: "Scoharie" changed to "Schoharie".</p> + +<p>p. ix: "Spaulding" changed to "Spalding".</p> + +<p>p. x: "McKenney" changed to "McKenny".</p> + +<p>p. xxii: "updraiding" changed to "upbraiding".</p> + +<p>p. 54: "inconveniencies" changes to "inconveniences".</p> + +<p>p. 59: "generaly" changed to "generally".</p> + +<p>p. 62: "horid" changed to "horrid".</p> + +<p>p. 77: "succesfully" changed to "successfully".</p> + +<p>p. 161: "Mrs. Mary Dixon" changed to "Mrs. Mary Nixon".</p> + +<p>p. 163: "appartments" changed to "apartments".</p> + +<p>Footnote 165: "seventeeen" changed to "seventeen".</p> + +<p>p. 179: "silence by exclaming" changed to "silence by exclaiming".</p> + +<p>p. 194: "delivered Green's verbal" changed to "delivered Greene's + verbal".</p> + +<p>p. 216: "industrions" changed to "industrious".</p> + +<p>p. 251: "Westminister" changed to "Westminster".</p> + +<p>p. 261: "rebuked then" changed to "rebuked them".</p> + +<p>p. 293: "see the again" changed to "see thee again".</p> + +<p>p. 325: "rode side" changed to "road side".</p> + +<p>Footnote 351: "beseiged" changed to "besieged".</p> + +<p>p. 389: "appropiately" changed to "appropriately".</p> + +<p>p. 402: "Buts stoops" changed to "But stoops".</p> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NOBLE DEEDS OF AMERICAN WOMEN***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 39079-h.txt or 39079-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/9/0/7/39079">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/0/7/39079</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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