Guest Author - Linda Sue Grimes

Born in Poughkeepsie, New York October 13, 1748, to a family that supported the American Revolution, Henry Livingston acquired a love of literature at an early age. It is said he had an “encyclopedic knowledge”; he engaged in farming, worked as a surveyor like George Washington, and also served as Justice of the Peace.

In 1775, he enlisted in the Revolutionary Army and took part in the invasion to take Montreal from the British. Livingston kept a journal of his military experiences from August to December of 1775. After this expedition, Livingston became a war commissioner, whose job was to acquire lands held by British loyalists and then sell them to secure funds for the revolution.

Henry married Sarah Welles May 18, 1774, and their first child Catherine was born August 18, 1775. The Major’s earliest extant poem is “On My Little Catherine Sleeping.” Henry included this poem in a letter to his wife, while he was on the campaign to take Montreal.

Sarah died in 1783 leaving the Major to raise their four children. It was after the death of Sarah that Livingston took up writing seriously. He published most of his work either anonymously or using the pen name “R.” A decade after the death of his first wife, Henry married Jane Patterson, with whom he had eight more children.

Henry’s poems were eventually published in a number of journals, including the Political Barometer, Poughkeepsie Journal, and New York Magazine. His style was always light-hearted, and many of his poems were written to celebrate specific events.

The following poem is an example of Henry’s occasional verse, celebrating the memory of his first wife, Sarah:

To the memory of Sarah Livingston
who was born on the 7th of Novr. 1752
& died Sepr. 1st, 1783

Beyond where billows roll or tempests vex
Is gone the gentlest of the gentle sex!
Her brittle bark on life's wild ocean tossed
Unequal to the conflict soon was lost.
Severe her sufferings much, alas, she bore,
Then sunk beneath the storm and rose no more.
But when the Archangel's awful trump shall sound
And vibrate life through all the deep profound
Her renovated vessel will be seen,
Transcendent floating on the silver stream!
All beauteous to behold, serene she glides
Borne on by mildest and propitious tides;
While fanning zephyrs fill her snow white sails
And aid her passage with the friendliest gales
Till safe within the destin'd port of bliss
She furls her sails and moors in endless peace.

This poem demonstrates the style and talent of this dedicated poet. The speaker in this poem mourns the loss of a gentle soul, but then dramatically describes that gentle soul’s journey after leaving this storm-tossed earth.

One of the persuasive supporting arguments in the current controversy surrounding the authorship of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (or “The Night Before Christmas”) is the style in which Livingston usually wrote. Most of his poems employ the same rhythms and turns of phrase one finds in the Christmas poem. That style is evident in “To the memory of Sarah Livingston.”

Major Henry Livingston, Jr. died Feb. 29, 1828, at his home Locust Grove near Poughkeepsie, New York.

Reference:
Major Henry Livingston, Jr.
Journal
"On My Little Catherine Sleeping"

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Books by Linda Sue Grimes:

Singing in the Silence: Poems of Faith
In 1978, I began studying the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda. I still study those teachings and strive to practice what I learn. I think of my writing as an extension and reinforcement of my spiritual studies. I am especially happy when the poems focus on my spiritual journey, as those in this volume do. I want to take sadness and turn it into joy, and I want to take anger and turn it into acceptance. But mostly, I want to acknowledge the beauty and mystery of God's presence in creation.


Jiggery Jee's Eden Valley Stories
Hello, my name is Jiggery-Jee. I live in Eden Valley. Eden Valley is located in the very center of the Land of the Imagination. Surrounding Eden Valley are such places as Tulip Grove, Carrot Valley, Bunnyville, Faultner Grove, and Flower Town. We have many residents in Eden Valley who came to the Valley from the surrounding places. They come here because Eden Valley is peaceful. All of the residents of Eden Valley work and play and live in an atmosphere of harmony. The weather is always perfect; the sun shines when we need sun, and the rain rains when we need rain. However, I must warn you that although things really are peaceful and harmonious in Eden Valley, sometimes they do not start out that way; we often have to work to make life peaceful and harmonious.
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