Drawing

Title:

Sacred to the Memory of the Rev. Josiah Webster

Object Name:

Drawing

Object ID:

1949.003

Creator:

Unknown

Place of Origin:

possibly Hampton, NH

Date:

1837

Description:

Drawing. Mourning picture of Josiah Webster (1772-1837), by unknown artist, 1837. Pencil on paper. A weeping willow in the left foreground, arching toward the center over a rectangular gravestone, which is enclosed within an iron fence. There are urn finials at each corner of the enclosure. There is a large tree at the right, beyond which, on a slight hill, is a church with clocks on two faces of its tower. The door and front windows have pointed tops, apparently intended as Gothic arches. A row of Lombardy poplars are to the left of the church. There is a moon in the center of the sky. The inscription on the tombstone reads: "Sacred to the memory, / of the / REV. JOSIAH WEBSTER A.M./ an exemplary Christian. and impressive and distinguished preacher / a faithful and affectionate pastor, a devoted and efficient friend, / to the cause of sound learning, / to the interest of the church of God, / to the welfare of his country and mankind." Then there are flourishes. "I heard a voice from heaven saying / unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead / that die in the Lord from hence forth; / Yey Saith the Spirit, that they may rest / from their labours and their works do / follow them. Another flourish. "Mr. WEBSTER was born at / Chester Jan. 16 1772, / was graduated at / Dartmouth College Aug 1798 / Ordained at / Essex, Mass., Nov 1799 / installed at / Hampton June 1808 / die[d] March 2 7 18[3]7 / Aged 65 / So Jesus slept". Watermark: "J. Whatman/Turkey Mill'1837" There is an embossed manufacturer's stamp on the upper right hand corner: "ABRADED / [crest] / SURFACE / DRAWING BOARD".

Material:

Paper

Dimensions:

H-11.95 W-15.25 inches

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Purchase

People:

Webster, Josiah (1772-1837)

Subjects:

Mourning