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AN ADDRESS On the Character of 
 
 General Setn Pomeroy 
 
 Delivered on the TWO HUNDREDTH 
 ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH by 
 
 George Eltv^eea Pomeroy 
 
 at FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST 
 
 ORGANIZED 1661 
 
 NORTHAMPTON, MASS. 
 Sunday, May 20tli, 1906 
 
 Under the Auspices of SETH POME- 
 ROY CHAPTER, SONS OF THE 
 AMERICAN REVOLUTION 
 
 ,<^ .^<o 
 

 Gift 
 Author 
 (Person) 
 
ADDRESS. 
 
 
 ^—f.^ |HE honor you confer by asking me to address you 
 I I on the life and character of Seth Pomeroy, on 
 this, the 200th Anniversary of his birth, I fully 
 appreciate; yet to come where so much of this 
 subject is well known, makes it diificult to bring 
 that with which you are not already familiar. I shall, there- 
 fore, confine myself, so far as practicable to the views I have 
 formed of the character of this hero and patriot, from a study 
 of the records and letters he has left. 
 
 The loyalty, bravery and fearlessness, of the warlike 
 Knights of the 11th Century, were most assuredly transmit- 
 ted to the succeeding generations. In the changing dynasties 
 of Great Britain, and in the changing fortunes of the Pome- 
 roys, these sterling characteristics remained unchanged. 
 Hence, we find Eltweed of the 16th Century, selected and so- 
 licited to join the fortunes of the Puritans and immigrating to 
 New England in 1630. It is known that the make up of the 
 Puritan settlers was most carefully and seriously considered. 
 Each one had some valuable requisite, which would aid in 
 making the settlement not only attractive, but a force and a 
 power that would insure success. After the minister was 
 chosen, and the spiritual welfare of the Colony was thus as- 
 sured, the second in importance was its protection, and Elt- 
 weed Pomeroy being a gunsmith of repute, filled that require- 
 ment. He was no doubt offered unusual inducements to join 
 the Colonists, for besides being proficient in the trade that 
 rendered him so valuable an addition to their numbers, he 
 was a man of sterling worth and great vital force. He 
 brought with him considerable property, and more was 
 granted him in the way of lands in the Valley of the Connecti- 
 
cut. This business consideration was an important feature, 
 and it founded the fortunes of his descendants in New Eng- 
 land. 
 
 His son Medad, followed his father's trade ; and after be- 
 coming established in Northampton, brought his father, who 
 had become old and blind, from Windsor, Connecticut, to live 
 with him. Deacon Medad was a valued citizen of Northamp- 
 ton, and increased his worldly goods. His son, Ebeneezer, 
 continued the business of gunsmith, and followed worthily the 
 footsteps of his father. He was a man of property, of pride, 
 and high social standing. In these three generations we see 
 the type of character, that went to make up that of our hero, 
 Seth, who was the son of Ebeneezer. 
 
 We are gathered here today, to honor the memory of this, 
 one of New England's greatest soldiers. In these days of 
 strenuous commercialism, it will do us all good to look back 
 two hundred years, and study the character of one who did 
 such noble service in laying the foundation of our Nation. A 
 proper sense of Trusteeship in the conduct of Corporate busi- 
 ness is what we need today. Because of this requirement not 
 having been made a part of men's education, the business world 
 of this day has suffered discredit and dishonor. This sense 
 was a prominent characteristic of the men of two centuries 
 ago, and we may study the hero of that period with profit. 
 
 Two centuries have passed since Seth Pomeroy was born, 
 near the spot on which we stand, and the seventy years which 
 followed his birth are a history of the founding of a Nation : 
 and his part in it was a most prominent one. He early began 
 the management of the shop, turning out the best guns made 
 in the country, and sustaining the reputation already made for 
 them. You may readily see that a man of independent means 
 and following a trade that was most sought for in the colony, 
 was bound to become one of its most important members. 
 Blacksmiths are always looked upon as men of brawn, and he 
 was no exception. He was five feet eleven, or six feet in 
 
height without superfluous flesh, strong and erect. Bred back 
 from at least three generations of men of the same type and 
 following, we find him an ideal in physique. His father had a 
 proud mein and loved to dress well; but Seth in all his early 
 and busiest years had no time to consider his personal appear- 
 ance. He was busy making guns. He was a sure shot — few 
 better. Ammunition was a scarce article in those days, and he 
 wasted none by making poor shots; his were all "centers." 
 
 He went hunting with five charges for his gun, and each 
 one brought down its game. It is recorded that on his own 
 farm, he shot a bear, a deer and a wolf in one afternoon. It 
 was this skill with the gun, combined with judgment and fore- 
 sight, and an absolute fearlessness that made him such a power 
 in battle. He never knew fear; yet notwithstanding this, he 
 accepted every opportunity that reduced the chance of danger 
 in an engagement, Indian fighting doubtless aided in culti- 
 vating his natural caution, and made him a safe and successful 
 commander. 
 
 No better soldier than Seth Pomeroy ever lived. He was 
 obedient to the command of his superiors, and in turn demand- 
 ed obedience from those whom he commanded — the perfec- 
 tion of a soldier's character. He led, because he was endowed 
 with a judgment as perfect as his courage was indomitable, and 
 because, he was absolutely without fear. He was as modest 
 and gentle as he was courageous: while he was ever where 
 danger was thickest, his heroic deeds were found out, not 
 from his own report of them or from his own letters or diaries 
 but entirely through the report of others. He was brave from 
 principles that came down to him from generations of fight- 
 ing ancestors — Knights, whose greatest ambitions were to con- 
 quer or die on the field of glory. 
 
 The Expedition to Cape Breton counted on capturing both 
 guns and ammunition to augment its armament, with which to 
 capture Louisburg. Major Pomeroy was the busiest officer 
 in the command. There was something for hi§ skillful hand 
 
to do each day, and it never failed to accomplish it. When 
 Grand Battery was captured, and the guns were found spiked, 
 his services were immediately in demand, and he soon had 
 some twenty smiths, many probably from his own shop, drill- 
 ing out the cannon. It was a day's job, and the guns were 
 soon turned on the city walls, effecting the early surrender of 
 the fortress. His diary and letters on this campaign are full 
 of life and spirit, as you already know, who have read Trum- 
 bull's Exhaustive History of Northampton. At this time he 
 was thirty-nine years old — an age at which failure is not per- 
 mitted. Experience has then succeeded youthful impatience ; 
 confidence and accuracy bring success on success, and nothing 
 is impossible. 
 
 At Lake George in 1755, after the bloody morning rout 
 in which the brilliant ol^cer Col. Ephriam Williams, and the 
 Indian Chief Hendrick were killed, it remained for Lieut. Col. 
 Pomeroy, of Williams' Regiment, to gather his men at the 
 hastily-erected barricade, and wait the charge of the successful 
 French and Indiana under Baron Dieskau. I readily imagine 
 the coolness with which Seth Pomeroy bided his time. The 
 yelling savages jumping from behind one tree to another on 
 each side of the French Regulars, who came marching with 
 steadiness, and with all the confidence of their morning victo- 
 ry, disturbed him not. The New England Troops under Gen. 
 Lyman and Col. Pomeroy waited until the attack was within 
 close range. Then every shot told. Not a foot of ground was 
 lost. The battle was long and hotly contested, but with the 
 first evidence of their weakening. Col. Pomeroy led his men 
 out, and against, the breaking ranks of the enemy. The des- 
 truction and rout he made of both French and Indians, and the 
 capture of Baron Dieskau, the general in command, was one of 
 the most important events in Colonial History. It squared the 
 defeat of Braddock of a few weeks before. 
 
 It was the first battle of the period in which New 
 England troops were the chief factors. Gen. Johnson was 
 
seriously wounded early in the engagement, and its success 
 was due to Gen. Lyman, Col. Pomeroy, Col. Whiting and 
 other New England men. Yet Gen. Johnson received the 
 honor for the victory in lands and titles. The disappointment 
 of General Lyman at the failure to recognize his services on 
 this occasion, was so deep, that he removed with his family to 
 South Carolina, where he died. But Seth Pomeroy, true to his 
 character as a faithful soldier, returned like another Cincinnat- 
 us, to his farm and his shop, and was ready for the next call to 
 arms. 
 
 Whatever may have been his highest ambitions, we are 
 not permitted to know. We do know, however, that his 
 manhood never permitted him to make a personal effort to 
 obtain advancement in rank. It is conceded that he was at 
 the head of the Army at Cambridge in 1775, when the Com- 
 mand was turned over to General Washington. He was then 
 in his 70th year, far too old to continue a Command, entailing 
 such great responsibilities. While young men were crowdiug 
 to the field, ambitious for recognition, he willingly and with 
 that love of country he ever placed first in his principles, 
 stepped aside— even as at Bunker Hill, when he preferred to 
 fight unassigned, with his own gun, rather than outrank 
 younger men — History records his famous ride to Cambridge, 
 in time for the battle, and credits him with saving the horse 
 he had borrowed, from danger, by leaving it with the sentry 
 and crossing Charleston Neck on foot, and in the line of fire 
 trom the English ships. This thoughtful act, though small, 
 was characteristic of the man. 
 
 It is not difficult to comprehend how this type of man 
 would succeed in every walk of life. His perfect fearlessness 
 might, and did, carry him into every kind of danger. His 
 quick perception, sure premonition and sound judgment, we 
 may believe, brought him through unscathed. 
 
 As a soldier he loved the conflict— the duello— the fight 
 with man to man. Contrasted with this fierce spirit, was the 
 
8 
 
 gentleness, tenderness, Godly fear, and deeply religious senti- 
 ment, which made him a devoted, thoughtful husband, and a 
 power for good as a private citizen. 
 
 We believe that he considered every business he was en- 
 gaged in, whether public or private, a righteous one. That it 
 was his duty to give it the full intensity of his purpose, and 
 he trusted the consequences entirely to his God. His love of 
 country was first always; when it called him, it was the call of 
 God, and was obeyed without the hesitation of a moment. 
 Then followed the love for his wife, the one being who was 
 able to unlock his reserve, and turn the warmth of his heart 
 into words. His letters to her show well the man — and what 
 a pleasure it must have been to him, to give expression to 
 such a woman. One was the perfect complement of the 
 other. 
 
 We learn much of the private character through these let- 
 ters to his wife. A woman of unusual ability and high moral 
 courage, she was the ideal companion for such a husband. 
 When he was away on his campaigns, she not only took care 
 of her large household, but kept herself informed of the suc- 
 cessful business of the shop, the details of which she duly 
 transmitted to her husband, with words of cheer and Christian 
 faith. She loved, honored and admired him deeply, and her 
 words to him teemed with the fire of devotion, and were an 
 inspiration to him in all his campaigns. 
 
 These campaigns had their annoyances and troubles. At 
 the death of Col. Williams at the battle of Lake George, in 
 the bloody morning fight, an attempt was made to supercede 
 him in the command of the Regiment. His letters never re- 
 ferred to this matter, but his wife learned it through others, 
 and her pride and spirit were deeply aroused. The admiration 
 for, and confidence in her husband then became evident, 
 and she wrote that she hoped for his return, "if it be with 
 honor." She also learned that in the battle "many fell by his 
 hand," and her alarm was excited on learning that he himself 
 
9 
 
 was "near being wounded by a bullet, which cut a limb behind 
 which he was firing." The husband did not mention any of 
 these interesting matters in his letters, but did refer to the 
 last incident in his diary. 
 
 That you may be quite in the spirit of this anniversary, I 
 have selected three letters from the correspondence of Seth 
 and Mary Pomeroy, which are as follows : 
 
 From Grand Battre 1 Mile and a 
 Half North from the City of 
 LouiSBURG, May the 8th, 1745. 
 My Dear Wife: — 
 
 Although the many dangers and hazards I have been in 
 since I left you, yet I have been, through the goodness of God 
 preserved, though much worried with the great business I 
 have upon my hands, but I go cheerfully on with it. I have 
 much to write but little time ; shall only give some hints. 
 
 Tuesday, the last day of April, the fleet landed in the 
 island of Cape Breton, about five miles from Louisburg. The 
 French saw our vessels and came out with a company to pre- 
 vent our landing, but as fast as the boats could get on shore, 
 the men were landed. A warm engagement we had with 
 them ; they soon retreated, we followed and drove them into 
 the woods, but few of them able to get into the city that day. 
 Four were killed that were found, many taken. We lost not 
 one man, we have taken and killed many more since, not less 
 than eighty persons. The Grand Battre is ours, but before we 
 entered it the people had stopped up the touch-holes of the 
 cannon. Gen. Pepperell gave me the charge and oversight of 
 above twenty smiths in boring them out. Cannon ball and 
 bombs, hundreds of them, were fired at us from the city, and 
 the island fort, some in the parade among the people, but none 
 of them hurt, and as soon as we could get the cannon clear, 
 we gave them fire for fire, and bombarded them on the west 
 side. 
 
 Louisburg is an exceedingly handsome and well situated 
 place, with a fine harbor. It seems impregnable, but we have 
 
10 
 
 been so successful hitherto, that I do not doubt but Providence 
 will deliver it into our hands. 
 
 Sunday, May the 12th. 
 
 What we have lost of our men I do not certainly know, 
 but fear some twenty men. The army have generally been in 
 health ; it looks as if our campaign would last long, but I am 
 willing to stay until God's time comes to deliver the city of 
 Louisburg into our hands, which I do not doubt will in good 
 time be done. We have shut them up on every side and still 
 are making our works stronger against them ; 42-pound shot 
 they have fired in upon them every day. One very large mor- 
 tor we have with which we play upon them — upon their houses, 
 and they often break among them. Their houses are com- 
 pact, for which reason the bombs must do a great deal of hurt 
 and distress them in a great degree. Small mortars we have 
 with which we fire in upon them. I have had my health since 
 I landed. 
 
 My dear wife, I expect to be gone longer than I did when 
 I left it, but I desire not to think of returning till Louisburg 
 is taken, and I hope God will enable me to submit quietly to 
 His will, whatever it may be and enable you with courage and 
 good conduct to go through the great business that is now up- 
 on your hands and not think your time ill-spent in teaching 
 and governing your family according to the word of God. My 
 Company in general are well, but some few of them 
 are ill, but I hope none dangerous. The affairs at home 
 I can order nothing about, but must wholly leave 
 hoping they will be well ordered and well taken care 
 of. My kind love to Mr. Sweetland, my duty to mother 
 Hunt, and love to brothers and sisters all. My dear wife, if it 
 be the will of God, I hope to see your pleasant face again, but 
 if God in His holy and sovereign Providence has ordered it 
 otherwise, I hope to have a glorious meeting with you in the 
 kingdom of heaven, where there are no wars, nor fatiguing 
 marches, no warring cannon, nor screeching bomb-shells, nor 
 long campaigns, but an eternity to spend in perfect harmony 
 and undisturbed peace. This is the hearty desire and prayer 
 of him that is your loving husband, 
 
 Seth Pomeroy. 
 
11 
 
 Here is the letter which he received in reply: 
 
 Northampton, May 21 , 1745. 
 
 My Honored and Dear Husband: 
 
 The 25th inst. yours reached me, rejoicing to hear that you 
 were alive and in health, (glory to the great Preserver of 
 Man). O thou, my longed-for good and tender husband, you 
 are in an enemy's land, but God rules their hearts. I now 
 write, not knowing what will befall you. May infinite power 
 give you to tread upon the high places of the enemy, preserve 
 from death, be your shield, strength, support, deliverer from 
 harm, keeper from evil and all fire, your guide and instructor 
 in all your dangerous engagements and laborious undertak- 
 ings. Your labors and great concerns are many and exposed- 
 ness to sudden death awaits you. My heart is with you, my 
 soul distressed and much pained for you. May God be my 
 support, in whose hand is the breath of life and the soul of all 
 living. May God enable me to trust His goodness, faithful- 
 ness, and rely on His mercy till the evil be past and divine 
 gales blow a heavenly calm. 
 
 My dear husband, suffer no anxious thought to rest in 
 your mind about me, your tender offspring, or business at 
 home. We are in a Christian land, daily experiencing divine 
 favor, neighbors and friends ready on all occasions to afford 
 assistance when needed or required. I am in health and also 
 the family, at present, no evil at any time hath occurred since 
 your departure. Mr. Pease has been faithful in your shop 
 business and behaves with good content, and by these, presents 
 his due regards. Seth, your other little self and second name, 
 I have sent down to New Haven, about a month ago. Our 
 dear and tender parents, brethren and sisters are in good 
 health, and kinsfolk and all others in this town, not one person 
 sick as I know of. Divine Providence smiles as though our 
 enemy, this summer, would be restrained, and our peace not 
 disturbed. The whole town is moved with concern for the 
 expedition, how Providence will order the affair, for which 
 religious meetings every week in town are maintained. 
 
 My dear husband, I leave you in the hands of God, desii- 
 ing to submit to His will, whatever it be, (praying for, etc). 
 
12 
 
 Please to write every opportunity. Mr. Sweetland sends his 
 kind love to you. My love to you in the bonds of peace, and 
 may God grant you to see much of divine goodness, all which 
 being the true desire of your dutiful and loving wife, 
 
 Mary Pomeroy. 
 P. S. — Experience King sends her love to her brother. 
 
 To Major Seth Pomeroy in the expedition against Cape 
 Breton. 
 
 ten years elapse. 
 
 Northampton, Sept. 12, 1775. 
 Honored and Dear Sir: 
 
 These, if you behold them, may inform you that it is with 
 the utmost fear that I now set my pen to paper least I write to 
 one in the eternal world, but yet trusting and hoping in Him 
 who has defended you heretofore. 
 
 On Thursday we had the sorrowful news of Col. William 
 Titcomb's death, and that Col. Goothridge was wounded, and 
 by reason of my not hearing of your death, I trusted 
 you were then alive. This we had more certainty 
 of yesterday, for at first it was such an account 
 that we could hardly believe it. We are informed thtit 
 it was a very bloody battle on bith sides; hundreds killed, and 
 when those who brought the news left you you were still en- 
 gaged, and by reason of the superiority of your enemies in 
 number, we are all in the utmost concern to hear the event and 
 dread it too. You are though, I conclude, ere this time con- 
 querors, or (I dread to say it) conquered. The assistance by 
 which this corues I expect will be too late to give you any re- 
 lief, unless it be to assist in carrying off and taking cire of the 
 wounded, etc. We are at the utmost loss «nd wonder that we 
 have not heard from you later, for Wednesday morning was 
 the last news we had from you, wherefore we fear that the 
 posts are cut off, (as was the post that rode from New Haven, 
 between Fort Lyman and you). For since the scout from 
 Hoosick went out, it is high time it was returned, but not yet 
 heard of. 
 
 I have been on the point of sending you one of our sons 
 with these, but one at present only being returned from New 
 
13 
 
 Haven, and many other reasons, I have it at this present not 
 best to me to let one go. 
 
 Thus far I wrote and went to bed, determined to finish in 
 the morning — but at midnight a cry came at our door with the 
 joyful news of victory, though stained with blood. Blessed be 
 God that He hath returned to our arms, and that He hath spared 
 you when He hath seen fit to cause others to fall at your right 
 hand and at your left. 
 
 The assistance by which I was going to send this was a 
 company of about sixty men from North and Southhampton, 
 which were to set out about Sabbath morning by about sunrise, 
 but it stopped upon hearing of your viciory, and went immedi- 
 ately to follow the directions of the Court in raising 2000 men, 
 which I hope will be with you ere long. 
 
 As you are now involved by the death of others into a 
 greater business, so I hope and pray that you may have a 
 double portion of the spirit of God, to assist, direct and quick- 
 en you in your undertakings, and that you may be made a bless- 
 ing to the Kingdom of Christ and His Church in this part of the 
 world, and that you may in due time be restored to me and to 
 your family victorious. 
 
 These from your most affectionate and loving wife, 
 
 Mary Pomeroy. 
 Seth Pomeroy, 
 
 Colonel at Lake George. 
 
 P. S. — Your children are all well, and by these send their 
 duty to their protected father. S. Ely by these also presents 
 his compliments, and desires to rejoice with you in the good- 
 ness of God. 
 
 His letters during the Louisburg and Lake George cam- 
 paigns, are written with the carelessness of a man who worked 
 with more vital implements than the pen. Yet his books of 
 account at that time show care and system, and we find that he 
 instilled excellent method into his son Quartus, who carried on 
 the shop during his absence. But at the time of the Revolu- 
 
14 
 
 tion, we find his penmanship excellent, spelling and express- 
 ion correct, and signing his name Pomeroy with the middle e 
 which in early life he omitted. 
 
 We have no letters of husband and wife during the cam- 
 paign beginning in 1775 and up to the time of the general's 
 death in 1777. We know however, that the year 1777 had not 
 closed before the devoted wife passed the heavenly portals to 
 join her devoted husband — the old soldier, whose life was all in 
 all to her, and when it ended, earth had no ties strong enough 
 to bind her here. 
 
 My motive in coming to you for this anniversary is to aid 
 in keeping the memory of Seth Pomeroy bright on the page of 
 history, and to hold it high as an exemplar to youth. 
 
 He was a leading historic figure in the annals of the Amer- 
 ican Army, ever ready to serve his country where the strife 
 was fiercest, yet with such judgment that he passed his 70th 
 year still in the enjoyment of strength, when death suddenly 
 called on him to surrender at Peekskill in 1777, while on the 
 march with his command to join General Washington in the 
 Jerseys. The inventory of his effects taken on the day of his 
 death is a matter of interest, and you will note that his ward- 
 robe on his last campaign was quite in line with that of any 
 General in the army. 
 
 Peekskill, Feb. 19, 1777. 
 
 memorandum of articles belonging to 
 General Pomeroy, viz : 
 
 One scarlet surtout, hair buttons. 
 
 One blue great coat, hair buttons. 
 
 One brown strait bodiced, do metal buttons, 
 
 One green jacket, metal buttons, 
 
 One beaver hat, black cockade, 
 
 28 W 
 
IS 
 
 One white wig, 
 
 Three fine linen shirts and one stock neck, 
 One pillow case, 
 Two pairs worsted hose, plain, 
 One pair worsted hose, ribbed. 
 One pair yarn hose. 
 One pair leather breeches. 
 One pair Winchester, do, 
 One pair of boots. 
 One pair of shoes, 
 One gold watch, steel chain. 
 One silver hilted sword and belt. 
 One gun, powder horn and bullet pouch. 
 One pair silver shoe buckles, 
 One pair temple spectacles and case, 
 One silver neck buckle, 
 One pair knee buckles. 
 One brass ink pot, 
 
 One worked pocket book, with forty dollars, three quarters 
 and one twenty-fourth of a dollar. 
 
 One paper written on "enclosed 2. 4. 0. I took from 
 William Reed in Captain Hooker's Company, now at Peeks- 
 kill, Jan. 31, 1777:" 
 
 One note of 20 L. H. given by Julius Pomeroy. 
 
 One Commission, 
 
 One almanack, 
 
 Two day books with sundry other papers of little value. 
 
 One crimson velvet cap. 
 
 One pair gold sleeve buttons, 
 
 One pair leather gloves and one jack-knife, 
 
 One pair yarn mittens. 
 
 One pair of red worsted gaiters. 
 
 One black handkerchief. 
 
 One pocket handkerchief, 
 
16 
 
 In addition to these we know that he sometimes 
 wore a scarlet cloak, which appears to have been left at 
 home on this occasion. 
 
 The chapel at West Point has within it a tablet on which 
 is inscribed the names of the Generals appointed by Congress 
 in 1775 and that of Seth Pomeroy stands first; and across the 
 Hudson on the hills above Peekskill stands a beautiful monu- 
 ment erected by the Sons of the Revolution of the State of 
 New York to General Seth Pomeroy, who died and was buried 
 there in 1777. Therefore we have in the Empire State, two 
 public recognitions and commemorative monuments to Seth 
 Pomeroy, where every soldier-youth of our Nation may see 
 and derive inspiration from the character which is thereby 
 perpetuated. 
 
 It would seem fitting that some public recognition of his 
 worth as a soldier and a citizen be made at Northampton, and 
 when, or if, the time comes to perfect this idea, you will find 
 his descendants ready with hearty co-operation. It would 
 seem appropriate to revere his memory by a statue or other 
 suitable memorial, here, where he first saw the light, and 
 where all his pure and useful private life was lived. Here, at 
 this seat of learning, where it would be environed by an at- 
 mosphere of study and research; where it would speak elo- 
 quently to the mothers of future generations, of a noble life, 
 nobly lived, the life of a Christian gentleman and one of the 
 heroes of his country. 
 
 And when the time comes for Northampton to make this 
 Commemoration, we have before us the ideal portrait of an 
 officer of high military bearing, erect figure, six feet in height, 
 in military cloak, and beaver hat with black cockade; in boots 
 and with service sword, evidencing a man of action and of 
 deeds. 
 
 The countenance indicative of a broad mind, of generosity, 
 unselfishness, and unusual perceptive development, a counte- 
 
17 
 
 nance that would demand implicit obedience when command- 
 ing, yet would yield implicit obedience when commanded. The 
 expression should convey the idea of a mind that had such per- 
 fect self control that no moment of its life would be said to 
 have been an unguarded one. 
 
 Many times I have regretted that his body could not have 
 been brought home and laid in Hampshire earth; but a few weeks 
 since as I stood on Peekskill hills, and looked over the Hudson 
 and its picturesque surroundings, with the war college of the 
 Nation just across, I could not but think that perhaps it was 
 well that his body had resolved to earth again, where he had 
 laid down his life for his country, and where the boom of 
 cannon and roll of drums and tramp of armed men, all of which 
 had been so much a part of his life, could be continually heard, 
 and where the Youth of our Land may learn the many virtues 
 of one of the bravest soldiers that ever bore arms. 
 
18 
 
 PROGRAMME 
 
 FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST 
 
 Organized 1661 Jonathan Edwarris' Church 
 
 NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS 
 
 Vesper Service, May 20th, 1906 
 
 Under the Auspices of 
 
 Seth Pomeroy Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution 
 
 Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of 
 
 SETH POMEROY 
 
 Born Northampton May 20th, 1706 
 Died Peekskill, N. Y., February, 17, 1777 
 
 Organ Prelude — First Movement from Pastoral Sonata, 
 
 Rheinberger 
 
 Anthem — "The Lord is risen indeed," 
 
 Wm. Billings (1746-1800) 
 From "Harmony of Harmony, Jacob French, printed 
 in Northampton (1802). 
 
 Invocation, by the Pastor, Rev. H. T. Rose, D. D. 
 
 Scripture Reading, by the Chaplain, 
 
 Rev. H. G. Smith, D. D. 
 
 Psalm-tune for all the People. 
 
 Psalm VIII, from the Massachusetts Bay Psalm Book (1640), to be sung 
 to the tune York, as arranged by John Playford (1654). 
 
In Hart's Pialter. 1615 
 
 19 
 
 York Tune 
 
 Two-part setting: by John PLaTFORO, (1655) 
 
 ifS^ES^i^g^^^ 
 
 "1. O Lord our God in all the earth 
 
 how's thy name worderous great 
 who hast thy glorious majesty 
 above the heavens set. 
 
 2. out of the mouth of sucking babes, 
 
 thy strength thou didst ordeine, 
 that thou mightst still the enemy, 
 and them that thee disdaine. 
 
 3. When I thy fingers work, thy Heav'ns, 
 
 the moone and starres consider: 
 
 4. which thou hast set, what wretched man, 
 
 that thou dost him remember? 
 or what's the Son of man, that thus 
 him visited thou hast? 
 
 5. For next to Angells, thou hast him 
 
 a little lower plac't 
 and hast with glory crowned him, 
 and comely majesty: 
 
 6. And on thy works hast given him, 
 
 lordly authority. 
 
 7. All hast thou put under his feet; 
 
 all sheep and oxen, yea 
 
 8. and beasts of field. Foules of the ayre 
 
 and fishes of the sea, 
 and all that passe through paths of seas. 
 
 9. O Jehovah our Lord, 
 
 how wondrously— magnificent 
 is thy name through the world?" 
 
 Prayer, by the Chaplain. 
 
 Address — The Character of General Seth Pomeroy. 
 
 Mr. George Eltweed Pomeroy, of Toledo, Ohio. 
 
20 
 
 Psalm — tune for all the People. 
 
 Psalm cxxii, from Tate and Brady's version (1719) to be sung to 
 the tune Mear, by Aaron Williams (about 1765)— see Laudes 
 Domini, page 13. 
 
 "O 'Twas a joyful sound to hear 
 our Tribes devotedly say, 
 Up, Isr'el to the Temple haste, 
 and keep your Festal Day. 
 
 Tis thither, by divine Command, 
 
 the Tribes of God repair. 
 Before His Ark to celebrate 
 
 His Name with Praise and Pray'r. 
 
 O pray we then for Salem's Peace, 
 
 for they shall prosp'rous be. 
 Thou holy City of our God 
 
 who bear true Love to Thee." 
 
 Benediction, by the Pastor. 
 
 Organ Postlude — Fantasia on a patriotic theme, 
 
 Hesse 
 
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