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Lowell, John, 1743-1802. A collection of poems by a young gentleman of Harvard Colledge & a young lady of Newbury, 1759-1760. HUD 2759, Harvard University Archives.

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This collection of five manuscript poems contains three poems written by an unidentified "young lady of Newbury" and two poems believed to have been written by John Lowell during his junior and senior years at Harvard College, from 1759 to 1760. One of the poems was written following the death of Daniel Treadwell (1735-1760), who had graduated from Harvard College in 1754 and was employed as Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at King's College (now Columbia University) when he died of consumption at a young age in 1760. Two poems, one by each author, were written following the death of British General James Wolfe, a hero of the Seven Years' War who died in 1759 while leading the taking of Quebec. In addition, the collection contains a poem by Lowell about the Biblical story of creation and the fall of man, and a humorous poem composed by the female author, written from the perspective of a robin (bird) and requesting that a young gentleman, presumably Lowell, stop shooting at robins from his cherry tree. Notes in the manuscript indicate that several of these poems were published, sometimes unknown to or against the wishes of their author. The young lady's poem about Daniel Treadwell was published in the Hampshire Gazette on May 9, 1760. Lowell's poem about General Wolfe was published in Green & Russell's Boston Post-boy & Advertiser on January 1(?), 1760. The young lady's poem about General Wolfe was published in the Hampshire Gazette on February 22, 1760.

Biographical Notes

Prominent jurist and lawyer John Lowell (1743-1802) was born in Newbury, Massachusetts on June 17, 1743. He attended Harvard College, where he received an A.B. in 1760. While an undergraduate, Lowell excelled as a writer of poetry and prose. Following graduation, he studied law under Oxenbridge Thacher. He began practicing law in 1763, was admitted as an attorney in 1765 and as barrister in 1767; his highly successful practice extended from Newburyport, Massachusetts into New Hampshire and Maine. Lowell married Sarah Higginson of Salem in 1767; she died only a few years later, in 1772. He remarried, to Susanna Cabot, in 1774; she died in 1777. Lowell's third marriage, to Rebecca Russell, was in 1778. Lowell served as Selectman and Moderator of Newburyport, Representative to the General Courts of Newburyport and Boston, a framer of the Massachusetts constitution, jurist, delegate to the Continental Congress, and federal judge, among other notable positions. He was a member of the Harvard Corporation and a founding trustee of Philips Academy. John Lowell died in Roxbury, Massaschusetts on May 6, 1802.

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(seq. 11)
Complete

(seq. 11)

Creation and the Fall of Man

"The Ground shall offer up her Store "Of Herbs & Fruits into your Pow'r, "The Birds their joyfull songs afford, "To cheer their sublunary Lord; "No Grief or Pain shall wreck your Breast, "With Angell's Conversation blest; "Survey this spacious Garden round, "Whatever pleasant can be found, "Enjoy, & use without Restraint, "Tis your Almighty Maker's Grant; "One Tree alone I must reserve, "One Tree do for my self-preserve, "By you let that untouch'd remain, "And you immortal Life shall gain. "But hear! hear and my Law obey! "If in this Point you go astray, "Your Life shall then the Forfeit pay; "Death certain Death shall soon pursue "Involv'd on all your Race by You. "But if from that yourself you guard, "Eternal Joys be the Reward".

To make his Bliss still more compleat, And fix him happy in his Seat, He gave a Mate, his Joys to share of Mind, & Body heavenly Fair; Divinely form'd, to charm his Heart, And heav'nly Raptures to impart.

Last edit almost 4 years ago by emily
(seq. 12)
Complete

(seq. 12)

Creation & the Fall of Man

Of gentler Mould, and softer air, To be the Partner of his Care, A mutual Love possess'd their Minds, A mutual Love their Interest binds. But Man! Fool Man chose to be curst, And basely grov'ling, like the Dust From whence he sprang, abandons all His Bliss, & braves the threatned Fall A Serpent, form'd to lick the Ground, Form'd too Man's Happiness to wound, Tempts this half god, & he complies, Eats the forbidden Fruit, & DIES! ~ -----------------------------------------------------

Last edit almost 4 years ago by emily
(seq. 13)
Complete

(seq. 13)

On the Death of Mr Daniel Treadwell of Portsmouth who was Professor of the Mathematicks at New York, a young Gentleman whose many useful Accomplishments render'd his Loss universally lamented - taken from the Ports- mouthNew-Hampshire Gazette May 9. 1760-

Written by a Young Lady - Mrs Br - t The Spring returns, Nature in Bloom appears, And Sol's refulgent Beams the Prospect chears, The feather'd Choir their artless Joy express, While all Creation Nature's God Confess; Each Tree each Plant in blooming Youth revives, And with their Verdure charm tho ravish'd Eyes. But thou o Strephon must no more survey, The radiant Glories of the rising Day; Clos'd are those Eyes that these gay Prospects charm'd, Cold is that Heart which every Virtue warm'd, You once with Joy those sprightly scenes beheld Which the Creator's mighty Power reveal'd; Those curious Objects now unnotic'd die Which then so charm'd your Philosophick Eye; To Earth's cold Bosom now must be confin'd, That Frame which once contain'd the noblest mind. Oh! cruel Death how rigid is thy sway! When youth and Merit must thy call obey; But why should I of conquering Death complain, Which kindly free'd thee from a mortal Frame Then let me not on sad Reflections dwell When glorious Views may gloomy Thoughts dispel.

Last edit almost 4 years ago by emily
(seq. 14)
Needs Review

(seq. 14)

On the Death of Mr {Daniel} Treadwell of Portsmouth

But soar my Muse to that Atherial Height Where with his Guardian, Stephon tood his Flight. He call'd at every orb, our System view'd To ther Systems then his Course pursu'd, Worlds still unken'd, there struck him in the Way As swift he pass'd to the bright Realms of day Where he appears [?] in Spelndor all divine, While everbearring Glories round him shine: Immortal Whreaths his youthgul Temples grace, Celestial Beauty sparkes in his Face; He feasts on those perpetual Joys that flow, Which he anticipated when below; His novle soul, which such refinements knew Doth uncontroul'd its grloious Course pursue: From Start to Star he takes his easy Flight, And every Prospect yeilds him new Delight; Great Newton here he join'd while Seraphs sung A joyful welcome to his youthful son. [six lines crossed out]

Last edit almost 4 years ago by emily
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