Found a pocket book....216 years old! APPRAISAL!
- Thread starter mojjax
- Start date
Gypsy Heart
Gold Member
Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
Found this......
THE AMERICAN HERO; A Sapphick Ode
Made on the battle of Bunker-Hill, and the burning of Charlestown.
By Nathaniel Niles, A.M., Norwich, Conn., October, 1775
Music in Andrew Law, Select Tunes [1781],
possibly by Sylvanus Ripley. Missouri Harmony, p. 37
MIDI: http://www.contemplator.com/america/bunker.mid
Why should vain mortals tremble at the sight of
Death and destruction in the field of battle,
Where blood and carnage clothe the ground in crimson,
Sounding with death-groans?
Death will invade us by the means appointed,
And we must all bow to the King of Terrors;
Nor am I anxious, if I am prepared,
What shape he comes in.
Infinite goodness teaches us submission;
Bids us be quiet under all his dealings:
Never repining, but forever praising
God our Creator.
Well may we praise him--all his ways are perfect;
Though a resplendence, infinitely glowing,
Dazzles in glory on the sight of mortals
Struck blind by lustre.
Good is Jehovah in bestowing sunshine,
Nor less his goodness in the storm and thunder,
Mercies and judgments both proceed from kindness--
Infinite kindness.
O then exult, that God forever reigneth;
Clouds, which around him hinder our perception,
Bind us the stronger to exalt his name, and
Shout louder praises.
Then to the wisdom of my Lord and Master,
I will commit all that I have or wish for;
Sweetly as babes sleep will I give my life up
When called to yield it.
Now, Mars, I dare thee, clad in smoky pillars,
Bursting from bombshells, roaring from the cannon,
Rattling in grapeshot, like a storm of hailstones,
Torturing aether.
Up the bleak heavens led the spreading flames rise,
Breaking like Aetna thro' the smoky columns.
Low'ring like Egypt o'er the falling city,
Wantonly burnt down.
While all their hearts quick palpitate for havock,
Let slip your bloodhounds, nam'd the British Lyons,
Dauntless as death stares, nimble as the whirlwind,
Dreadful as daemons.
Let oceans waft on all your floating castles,
Fraught with destruction, horrible to nature;
Then with your sails fill'd by a storm of vengeance,
Bear down to battle!
From the dire caverns made by ghostly miners,
Let the explosion, dreadful as volcanoes,
Heave the broad town, with all its wealth and people,
Quick to destruction.
Still shall the banner of the King of Heaven
Never advance where I'm afraid to follow;
While that precedes me, with an open bosom,
War, I defy thee!
Fame and dear freedom lure me on to battle,
While a fell despot, grimmer than a Death's-head,
Stings me with serpents, fiercer than Medusa's,
To the encounter.
Life, for my country, and the cause of freedom,
Is but a trifle for a worm to part with;
And if preserved in so great a contest,
Life is redoubled.
Found this......
THE AMERICAN HERO; A Sapphick Ode
Made on the battle of Bunker-Hill, and the burning of Charlestown.
By Nathaniel Niles, A.M., Norwich, Conn., October, 1775
Music in Andrew Law, Select Tunes [1781],
possibly by Sylvanus Ripley. Missouri Harmony, p. 37
MIDI: http://www.contemplator.com/america/bunker.mid
Why should vain mortals tremble at the sight of
Death and destruction in the field of battle,
Where blood and carnage clothe the ground in crimson,
Sounding with death-groans?
Death will invade us by the means appointed,
And we must all bow to the King of Terrors;
Nor am I anxious, if I am prepared,
What shape he comes in.
Infinite goodness teaches us submission;
Bids us be quiet under all his dealings:
Never repining, but forever praising
God our Creator.
Well may we praise him--all his ways are perfect;
Though a resplendence, infinitely glowing,
Dazzles in glory on the sight of mortals
Struck blind by lustre.
Good is Jehovah in bestowing sunshine,
Nor less his goodness in the storm and thunder,
Mercies and judgments both proceed from kindness--
Infinite kindness.
O then exult, that God forever reigneth;
Clouds, which around him hinder our perception,
Bind us the stronger to exalt his name, and
Shout louder praises.
Then to the wisdom of my Lord and Master,
I will commit all that I have or wish for;
Sweetly as babes sleep will I give my life up
When called to yield it.
Now, Mars, I dare thee, clad in smoky pillars,
Bursting from bombshells, roaring from the cannon,
Rattling in grapeshot, like a storm of hailstones,
Torturing aether.
Up the bleak heavens led the spreading flames rise,
Breaking like Aetna thro' the smoky columns.
Low'ring like Egypt o'er the falling city,
Wantonly burnt down.
While all their hearts quick palpitate for havock,
Let slip your bloodhounds, nam'd the British Lyons,
Dauntless as death stares, nimble as the whirlwind,
Dreadful as daemons.
Let oceans waft on all your floating castles,
Fraught with destruction, horrible to nature;
Then with your sails fill'd by a storm of vengeance,
Bear down to battle!
From the dire caverns made by ghostly miners,
Let the explosion, dreadful as volcanoes,
Heave the broad town, with all its wealth and people,
Quick to destruction.
Still shall the banner of the King of Heaven
Never advance where I'm afraid to follow;
While that precedes me, with an open bosom,
War, I defy thee!
Fame and dear freedom lure me on to battle,
While a fell despot, grimmer than a Death's-head,
Stings me with serpents, fiercer than Medusa's,
To the encounter.
Life, for my country, and the cause of freedom,
Is but a trifle for a worm to part with;
And if preserved in so great a contest,
Life is redoubled.
Gypsy Heart
Gold Member
Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
Also see one by Andrew Law, 1776 or 1777 .....Did Aaron Blaney write the words....as we see his is dated and these people sing it later....from what I understand this was a very popular song in the Revolutionary War......
Music here.......
http://www.macjams.com/song/11340
Also see one by Andrew Law, 1776 or 1777 .....Did Aaron Blaney write the words....as we see his is dated and these people sing it later....from what I understand this was a very popular song in the Revolutionary War......
Music here.......
http://www.macjams.com/song/11340
OP
OP
mojjax
Silver Member
- Thread starter
- #24
Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
The 1805 letter that's with it is very long (tiny letters that are hard to read ) I'm trying to decipher it .
Wow that's great research Gypsy ! The document is unsigned , but the handwriting is similar to Aarons signiture on the purse . He probably copied it down from another source , and kept it with him ? Thank you very much!Gypsy Heart said:
The 1805 letter that's with it is very long (tiny letters that are hard to read ) I'm trying to decipher it .
MD Dog
Bronze Member
Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
Make sure you keep everything together as that will help establish what they call provenonce (Spelling).
Make sure you keep everything together as that will help establish what they call provenonce (Spelling).
roswellborn
Hero Member
Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
Awesome find!
Gypsy, thanks to your research, I was able to find that poem (?), song, whatever on the Library of Congress website, published 1775It comes up as "An American Time Capsule: Three Centuries of Broadsides and other Ephemera"
I can't link to it directly, but here's the URL:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
Look for the "Browse Collections by topics" box and click on "Performing Arts, Music." On that page, put the name "Nathaniel Niles" (thank you Gypsy!) into the search box.
There's even a way to order a reproduction of it (I think). Way cool!
Nan
Awesome find!
Gypsy, thanks to your research, I was able to find that poem (?), song, whatever on the Library of Congress website, published 1775It comes up as "An American Time Capsule: Three Centuries of Broadsides and other Ephemera"
I can't link to it directly, but here's the URL:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
Look for the "Browse Collections by topics" box and click on "Performing Arts, Music." On that page, put the name "Nathaniel Niles" (thank you Gypsy!) into the search box.
There's even a way to order a reproduction of it (I think). Way cool!
Nan
Attachments
Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
It is also a Distinct possibility that the song wasn't copied from another source, but rather lived in oral tradition for a while, and was written down from memory after singing it at taverns or bars. The date on the purse in no way indicates the date the song was written down. The date of manufacture of the paper itself--from an expert--might shed more light on the time frame.
Oral tradition would explain the differences in the word choice in the song.
Regards,
Buckles
mojjax said:
It is also a Distinct possibility that the song wasn't copied from another source, but rather lived in oral tradition for a while, and was written down from memory after singing it at taverns or bars. The date on the purse in no way indicates the date the song was written down. The date of manufacture of the paper itself--from an expert--might shed more light on the time frame.
Oral tradition would explain the differences in the word choice in the song.
Regards,
Buckles
allen
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Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
that is just an awesome find....congratulations !!!!
that is just an awesome find....congratulations !!!!
Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
AWESOME! I love it when bits and pieces of history start to form a picture.
AWESOME! I love it when bits and pieces of history start to form a picture.
MD Dog
Bronze Member
Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
You know some Gorilla glue would prolly fix that grave stone right up. Might be a nice thing to do !
You know some Gorilla glue would prolly fix that grave stone right up. Might be a nice thing to do !
Kiros32
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Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
I am just in awe, that is an incredible find, well worth preserving as a piece of American history. CONGRATS!!!!
I am just in awe, that is an incredible find, well worth preserving as a piece of American history. CONGRATS!!!!
mickk
Sr. Member
- Jul 23, 2006
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Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
Fantastic finds, check every nook and cranny of that desk, often they had sectret drawers in them. If its English from that time, its worth a fortune. If its American from that time, you will be retired very soon.
Take plents of pics of it, dont clean it, check with local colonial period furniture people, let a few dealers see the pics, but dont sell it to the first tom, dick or harry that offers to buy the desk. it deserves thorough research. All the papers you have found with it will be very important in determing "provenence" and will ultimately add heaps to its value.
How amazing... "We have an old house in our backyard.........."
Fantastic finds, check every nook and cranny of that desk, often they had sectret drawers in them. If its English from that time, its worth a fortune. If its American from that time, you will be retired very soon.
Take plents of pics of it, dont clean it, check with local colonial period furniture people, let a few dealers see the pics, but dont sell it to the first tom, dick or harry that offers to buy the desk. it deserves thorough research. All the papers you have found with it will be very important in determing "provenence" and will ultimately add heaps to its value.
How amazing... "We have an old house in our backyard.........."
Gypsy Heart
Gold Member
Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
Very Very Cool
mojjax said:
Very Very Cool
Damien12
Jr. Member
Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
Unbelievable find! The Smithsonian institute might be interested in this. I would have the document examined by a pro and put in some kind of frame or case that will preserve it and protect it from deterioration. Thats the oldest document I've ever seen! Would love to see more close ups!!
Unbelievable find!
The Smithsonian institute might be interested in this. I would have the document examined by a pro and put in some kind of frame or case that will preserve it and protect it from deterioration. Thats the oldest document I've ever seen! Would love to see more close ups!!
Please...
bootybay
Gold Member
Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
BANNER for sure... Honestly, I cannot even imagine holding that in my hands.. What a find of lifetime... I got a feeling theres more in that house.. Out of curosity, what condition is the house in now? Is it possible to fix her up and make it liveable, I just love this kinda stuff... soon as ya find out more info, please update us.. I love this and you are so very very lucky to have found that.. what a fantastic awesome find.
BANNER for sure... Honestly, I cannot even imagine holding that in my hands.. What a find of lifetime... I got a feeling theres more in that house.. Out of curosity, what condition is the house in now? Is it possible to fix her up and make it liveable, I just love this kinda stuff... soon as ya find out more info, please update us.. I love this and you are so very very lucky to have found that.. what a fantastic awesome find.
Skillets
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Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
Moj I very strongly second what mick is saying here....please savor this discovery and wait it out so to speak, what someone offers you tomorrow, another will offer you even more later.
And of course, Congratulations!
mickk said:
Moj I very strongly second what mick is saying here....please savor this discovery and wait it out so to speak, what someone offers you tomorrow, another will offer you even more later.
And of course, Congratulations!
MAJOR CONGRATS 
pegleglooker
Bronze Member
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Re: Found a pocket book....216 years old!
CONGRATS !!!!!!!!!
BANNER TIME BANNER TIME !!!!!!
PLL
CONGRATS !!!!!!!!!
BANNER TIME BANNER TIME !!!!!!
PLL
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