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Richardson, Samuel (1748-1836) [Poem honoring Colonel Moses Parker of Chelmsford]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.050 Author/Creator: Richardson, Samuel (1748-1836) Place Written: Chelmsford, [Massachusetts] Type: Autograph manuscript signed Date: circa 1775-1776 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 32 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Poem in 22 stanzas honoring Colonel Moses Parker, killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill, 17 June 1775. First stanza says: "Come all who have skill and Lament / and let your hearts and eyes have vent / While you to memory do call / The Valient Colonel Parkers fall." Goes on to speak of Parker as a hero because of his courage and valiant actions. Says he fought in the French and Indian War before dying in the American Revolution after being wounded in the thigh. Hopes Parker will be a role model for other soldiers.

Col. Moses Parker of Chelmsford
In Newengland Who Died in Bostone on June 1775 of the Wound he Receivd. in the Bloody battle on Bunkers-Hill in Charlestown while he was Gloriously Fighting in the cause of Liberty and his Country
1sth
Come all who have skill and Lament
and let your hearts and eys have vent
While you to memory do call
The Valiant Colonel Parkers fall
2th
He bravely did with courage go
To Charlstown fight to meet his foe
And in his place was Valient found
And with great boldness kept his ground
3th
But fighting for his Countrys goods
What Dangers roled like a flood
A Wound Rea[inserted:d]er in his thigh
Of which in Boston he Did die
4th
While he was in Captivity
Before he of his Wound did die
We he[inserted: ar] was Com-mended high
By his Relations enmy
5th
He was a Valant offiser
In the last Canadian war
And in this present war Did go
To face his Countrys bloody foe
6th
Brave Parker their must ble[inserted: e]d and Die
To Save his friends from Slavery
Its with great grief we view they fall
When thee to memory we call
[2] 7th
His Townsmen Do Lamet his fate
His nearer friends and Living Mate
With Sorow do condole his loss
And need Support to bear their cross
8th
God grant this Loss may be their gain
May they not murmer nor complain
But with Submission kiss rod
And know that it is the hand of God
9th
As they find creature screams Dry
O may their minds arise more high
To God in whome is perf at peace
And Solid joy that cannot cease
10th
God is th joy of those mourn
That do to him through Christ return
And rest by faith upon his grace
Shall find relief in all Distress
11th
His officers and Soldiers all
Who mourn their Valiant Leaders fall
May God inquire with courage Still
And giv Submission to his will
12th
May Gods protection them Surround
And all their bloody foes confound
May they possess the gates of those
That Do our city now inclose
13th
God Sanctify this Loss at all
Who Saw this noble Hero fall
And while his courage they relate
May they his virtue emitate
14th
May oficers that yet Servive
Who by their God are kept alive
By courage and good conduct Shew
Their hearts to Liberty are true
[3] 15th
May they be kept from Sinful way
Least they Should fall with foul Disgrace
And Sink beneath the tyrants rod
And feel the Vengeance of God
16th
May they their Soldiers govern well
And in their places all excel
That Honour on their heads my ly
Both while, they Liv and when they Die
17th
But British troops Digrace must Share
How can their Valour honour bear
Since they their flesh and blood Do fight
To rob them of their proper right
18th
The greater Victorious they gain
The more the Doth their honour Stain
Since God oppressors will pull Down
That the oppressor may wear the crown
19th
Tho for a time they may rise high
And Kings and Nations terrify
Yet time will bring their Shamefull fall
Their crimes Shall be exposd to all
20th
They [inserted: now] may think they Shall have peace
And by this war their welth increase
Yet wealth thats got unlawfully
Like chaff Shall from the owner fly
21th
Welth that men Do obtain by blood
Tho it increaseth like a flood
It will against the owner cry
And end in endless misery
22th
The Stone Shall cry out of the wall
And timber from their Buildings call
For wrath from God Which Shall Distress
All Such as do the poore oppress

[docket]
Samuel Richardson
Chelmsford

Richardson, Samuel, fl. 1775-1776
Parker, Moses, 1731-1775

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