"Find a poem by a poet, famous or obscure, about the region
one of your ancestors lived in. It can be about an historical event, a
legend, a person, or even about some place (like a river)or a local
animal."
Finding a poem this year, didn't take much research on my part because I've known for over 25 years that my ancestor, Anne Bradstreet, "America's First Poet" was my 8th great-grandmother. She wrote poems, and I'm sharing a few as my entry. I attended a dedication of her memorial stone (see what the invitees received) in September 2000, in North Andover, Massachusetts at the Old North Parish Burying Ground.
I bought the above small 47 page book at a book sale in Ipswich, Massachusetts about 10 years ago. It was published by the Library for 47 pages, sold for $1. original price $8.95. The first four pages were scanned, because I wanted to show the Published information, Forward, Acknowledgements and a list of some of her poems.
An Epitaph on My Dear and Ever-honoured
Mother, Mrs. Dorothy Dudley Who Deceased
December 27, 1643, and of her Age 61.
A worthy Matron of unspotted life,
A loving Mother and obedient wife,
A friendly Neighbor, pitiful to poor,
Whom oft she fed, and clothed with her store;
To Servants wisely awful, but yet kind,
And as they did, so they reward did find:
A true Instructor of her Family,
The which she ordered with dexterity.
The public meetings ever did frequent,
And in her Closet constant hours she spent;
Religious in all her words and ways,
Preparing still for death, till end of days:
Of all her Children, Children, lived to see,
Then dying, left a blessed memory.
To My Dear and Loving Husband (Simon Bradstreet)
I bought the above small 47 page book at a book sale in Ipswich, Massachusetts about 10 years ago. It was published by the Library for 47 pages, sold for $1. original price $8.95. The first four pages were scanned, because I wanted to show the Published information, Forward, Acknowledgements and a list of some of her poems.
An Epitaph on My Dear and Ever-honoured
Mother, Mrs. Dorothy Dudley Who Deceased
December 27, 1643, and of her Age 61.
A worthy Matron of unspotted life,
A loving Mother and obedient wife,
A friendly Neighbor, pitiful to poor,
Whom oft she fed, and clothed with her store;
To Servants wisely awful, but yet kind,
And as they did, so they reward did find:
A true Instructor of her Family,
The which she ordered with dexterity.
The public meetings ever did frequent,
And in her Closet constant hours she spent;
Religious in all her words and ways,
Preparing still for death, till end of days:
Of all her Children, Children, lived to see,
Then dying, left a blessed memory.
To My Dear and Loving Husband (Simon Bradstreet)
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let’s so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
Upon My Daughter Hannah Wiggin
Her Recovery from a Dangerous Fever
Blest be Thy name who didn't restore
To Health my daughter dear,
When death did seem ev'n to approach,
And life was ended near.
Grant she remember what Thous't done
And celebrate Thy praise
And let her conversation say
She loves Thee all Thy days.
 |
| Photo taken 10/2000 by Barbara Poole |
Memorial stone for Anne Dudley Bradstreet
Other poems in this book, pertaining to her family, were:
Upon My Son Samuel His Going For England, Nov. 6, 1657.
To the Memory of My Dear Daughter-in-Law, Mrs. Mercy Bradstreet,
Who Deceased Sept. 6, 1669, in the 28th Year of Her Age. (Mercy Tyng).
In Reference to Her Children 23 June 1659.
In Reference to Her Children 23 June 1659.
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