WHITTIER John Greenleaf[1]

Male 1807 - 1892  (84 years)


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  • Name WHITTIER John Greenleaf 
    Birth 17 Dec 1807  Haverhill, Essex, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Gender Male 
    _UID F1EAD8F3487E406289DBF6A643F3757B343A 
    Death 7 Sep 1892  Hampton Falls, Rockingham, New Hampshire, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    Burial Aft 7 Sep 1892  Amesbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Address:
    Union Cemetery 
    John Greenleaf Whittier gravestone
    John Greenleaf Whittier gravestone
    Notes 
    • Poet, Abolitionist. He received little formal education as a young boy growing up near Haverhill, Massachusetts but was an avid reader and as a teen, after being introduced to the works of Robert Burns, developed a great desire to write. In 1826, his first poems were published in the "Newburyport Free Press" which was owned by the abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison. His lifelong friendship with Garrison would help him form his strong anti-slavery views.

      The young poet’s first two published books "Legends of New England" (1831) and "Moll Pitcher" (1832) won acclaim for their description of life in rural America. He became more public in his abolitionist views when in 1833 he published the pamphlet "Justice and Expediency." The next year he attended an anti-slavery convention and held a seat in the Massachusetts state legislature.

      In 1842 he ran for Congress on the Liberty ticket and is credited with being one of the founders of the Republican Party. Although ill health often kept him homebound he continued to fight against slavery through his poems and essays. From 1847 to 1859 he was corresponding editor for "The National Era", a Washington anti-slavery paper. After the Civil War he rededicated his time to writing poetry. His most famous poem, "Snow-Bound" was written in 1866. He wrote many famous ballads, including "The Barefoot Boy" and "Skipper Ireson’s Ride" and over one hundred hymns, the most famous being "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind." Known as "America’s Quaker Poet" his impact on America through his writings and anti-slavery efforts is still evident today.
    Person ID I108827  Noyes Family Genealogy
    Last Modified 1 Mar 2015 

    Father WHITTIER John,   b. 22 Nov 1760, Haverhill, Essex, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 11 Jun 1830, Haverhill, Essex, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 69 years) 
    Mother HUSSEY Abigail,   b. Sep 1779, Somersworth, Strafford, New Hampshire, United States Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 28 Dec 1857, Amesbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 78 years) 
    Marriage 3 Oct 1804  Somersworth, Strafford, New Hampshire, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Family ID F43604  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Sources 
    1. [S3808] Internet-Find A Grave, Find A Grave Memorial #1101 [8/10/2001].

    2. [S297] Book-VR Haverhill, MA, 1:317.

    3. [S6730] Internet-Database-NEHGS-New Hampshire: Births to 1901, Deaths and Marriages to 1937, Volume: Deaths W to 1901, Page(s): 12472.

    4. [S4638] Periodical-The New Hampshire Genealogical Record, 1:164.