The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-02-28
Rambles in Stroudsburg Graveyard
JACOB STROUD.


The poet Grey, when he associates the
idea of conquerors and poets as sleeping
with the "rude forefathers of the ham,
let," touches upon one of the most en-
dearing, and sympathetic weaknesses oil
human consolation. The mighty and the
humble-the lordly and the ignoble-all
lie down in the dust together-all sleep
the same cherries, unsoeial, and unend
ing midnight, beneath the chill, cold
wrappings of the hollow earth.
1t is selfish in man to seek unjust'equal-
ity; yet all men look forward for it with
anxiety, and please themselves with the
reflection, that their superiors will one
day be on level with themselves. Equal
ity in the grave! Poor, vain, ungenerous,
and unfeeling, hope that retards the mo-
raj relationship of human brotherhood,
and disunites the sympathies and affec-
tions of men-in family, in society, and
in every department of human life and
social community.
Yet, as we tread over the grassy graves
of the many that sleep on in silent tranquil
ity, it is refreshing to think that one at
least among them, has made his memory
venerable by the deeds of heroic life
l say heroic; for tits only faithful en-
durance under the most trying vicisitudes,
that truly entities the name of heroism to
the few, who figure our history, or illus
trate our experience by precept or exam
plo.
Jacob Stroud was born in 1875, at
Amwell, in NewJ Jersey. So his tablet
relates and that he ultimately became
the original proprietor of this town, is
within the memory of some now living.
To detail the events Of such life, even
if the materials were in the possession Of
the Rambler, would be unnecessary; /;
since every body is acquainted with his
history, and all agree as to the moral
worth of the man, whose memory is as
yet green as the sward that shelters his
reverend remains.
Such life at least must be eventful.
The stormy and turbulent times in which
he lived, identify the man with their his
tory, and elucidate the character of the
individual, in the long and ardueus ex-
perience Of an active contention, the re-
suit on which has brought honor and i'm
mortality to the country, and gave heroic
remem brance to the few who signalized
themselves in the great achievement.
In contemplating the memory and the
time of Jacob Stroud, our minds wander
back through the annals of other countries
to find similar objects of admiration and
respect The struggles of the resolute
few in revolutionary France: We hear
the calm and repudiating declarations Of
Mirabeau and his intrepid companions,
surrounded by the soldiery and the con-
tentious thousands ofthe vast metropolis
opposed by royal proclamations and eject
mcnts, and exposed to the indignity and
insults of party spirit and faction; yet
even there-even amidst such trials and
prosecutions, their triumph was more
memorable, and their victory more glori-
Gus under such circumstances.
Such it was with the Anglo American
at the close of the last century. The set
tiers driven. to outbreak and revolution,
rose with enthusiastic defamation, and
shook the arbitrary despotism off their gall
ing limbs. The New Englander, bred
and fostered in the very climate of liberty
and national independence, could i'll
brook the tyranny and oppression of a
foreign friend.
Under such circumstances as we are
contemplating, the memory of Jacob
Stroud would be cternally honored in
England. The birthday of such one
would be festival, and the anniversary
of his decease day of universal mourn
ing. Every street corner would be deco
rated by his monument, and his name
handed down to posterity, with venoration
and interest.
Thoughts and impressions of this ma
turs crowded upon my mind, while stand
ing by the low sepulchre that contained
the mortal ashes of Jacob Stroud. I'm
honored and forgotten, the pioneer Of
American Independence sleeps silently
and TRANQUILITY; having rested from his
useful labors, and his works following
yet not one memorial bearing testimony
of his existence, or awaking the memory
of gratitude to the Great Dispenser of