The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-09-21
JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER.

John Grcenleaf Whittier, the poet, died .at
Hampton Falls, N. g., at 4:30 o'clock a few
mornings ago. He had been unconscious at
intervals since the drst serious symptoms Of
his illness developed, but at the last moment
was apparently conscious OF his surround.
ings.
one Of recognition OF his nieca, Mrs, Samuel
L. Pickard. who lived with him for some
years previous to her marriage. Mrs. Pick
ard asked him whether he knew her. and he
replied. "Yes, I have known you all tine
time.n and Immediately lapsed into uncon-
sciousness. His end was painless and peace
full.
TJpon the announcement Of the death Of
Whittier, the bells of Amesbury, Mass,
were tolled eighty-tour strokes, the age OF
the poet in years, and the flags on the pub
lie buildings were placed at half-mast. III
His body was taken to his home In AIMEE
bury, and it was decided that the funeral be-
held from his old home on Friend street, the
house In which many Of his best poems were
written, and the shrine Of every visitor 10:
Amesbury. f
his Career.
John Greenleaf Whittier was born 10
HayerhiI, Mass, December II, 1907. His
parents were members OF the Society OF
Friends. and the poet himself always cou-
formed to the customs and usages OF that
sect, even to It's peculiarities OF speech and
dress.
He spent his earlier years upon his
fathers farm, and his first occupations
were those of farmers boy. tending the
cows and assisting in the lighter labors OF
haying and harvest.
It was thus that he was early brought In
to touch with nature his intimate acquaint-s
ance and knowledge Of whose charms gives
such a picturesque beauty to many Of his
poema. They reflect the country scenery OF
New England with q fidelity that has never
been equalled.
His early schooling was Of the scantiest
kind, for It was only in the winter months
that he had the opportunity ofattending the,
learned the shoemakers trade, and by this
means he earned enough to enable him to
attend the Haverhill Academy during SIX
months in 1927.
he was then able to teach school himself
thus obtaining the means OF continuing his
course at the academy another year. Dur
ing all this time be was regular contrib
utor to the "Poet's Corner" in the Free
Press, paper edited by William Lloyd
tarTl9oD, at NeWUuEyPofS atooS.y AoI uo
literary tastes had begun to develop when
he was still boy.
Garrison saw signs OF promise in the
young man, and their association at this
time led to the lifelong friendship which
existed between them and brought them
closely together. .sej y
After his fathers death Whittier carried;
on the farm for five years until 1885 during
which time he was an industrious writer and
contributed verses to many periodicals. de
was also in turn editor Of the American
Manufacturer, Of Boston, the Hayerhil
Gazette and the New England Weekly Re-
view, of Hartford, Conn.
~ In 1886 he removed to Philadelphia, where
he edited the Pennsylvania Freeman until the
ofics Of that paper was sacked and burned
by a mob. In 1910 he returned to- New
England and took up his abode in Amesbury,
where he lived quiet and simple life.
During his seclusion Whittier has never
been idle. His first volume in prose and
verse, Legends Of New England, was pub
lished in 1881, and since tcat time collections
of his writings have appeared almost every
year. The last edition OF his poetical and
prose works was published in lsS9 In seven
volumes.
Among his best known works are Lays
of My Home and Other Poems" published
in is4S; "Old Portraits and Modern
Poems" 1860; "Snow Bound" 1852; I'm
Tent on the Beach," 1857; "AmonZ the
Vision of Echard," "rhe Kings Missive,"
..Rav of Seven Islands, and Poems OF
Nature,n all published within the past dozen