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The Independent Farmer The following poem, by Thomas Green Fessenden, was published in the book: Poets and Poetry of Vermont, in 1858, by Abby Maria Hemenway. Abby Maria Hemenway was a 19th century Vermont historian and schoolteacher. She was born in Ludlow, Vermont in 1828, and graduated from Black River Academy. She is best known for her Vermont history series: The Vermont Historical Gazeteer. Thomas Green Fessenden was born in Walpole, New Hampshire, on April 22nd, 1771. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1796, and went on to study law in Rutland, Vermont. He practiced law for a number of years in Brattleboro and Bellows Falls, and then became a newspaper editor, eventually starting the publication: The New England Farmer. He died in November 1827 at the age of 56 the year before Abby Maria Hemenway was born. It may very truly be said, That his is a noble vocation, Where industry leaves him to spread, Around him a little creation. He lives independent of all Except the omnipotent donor; He's always enough at his call, And more is a plague to its owner. He works with his hands it is true, But happiness dwells with employment; And he who has nothing to do, Has nothing by way of enjoyment. His labors are mere exercise, Which saves him from pains and physicians; Then farmers you truly may prize Your own as best of conditions. From competence shared with content, Since all true felicity springs, The life of the farmer is blent With more real bliss than a king's. Sources: Poets and Poetry of Vermont, 1858, by Abby Maria Hemenway, p. 12: https://ia800701.us.archive.org/30/items/poetsvermont00hemerich/poetsvermont00hemerich.pdf Old carriage and Farm Family, 1936, Hyde Park VT Photos by Carl Mydans, Library of Congress, found at: http://photogrammar.yale.edu/records/index.php?record=fsa1997002583/PP
3 Comments
Douglas Shane
2/12/2020 01:15:38 pm
"...His labors are mere exercise,
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Martha L Bartlett
2/13/2020 08:23:30 am
Thanks for this Bob! Great poem and three cheers to our local food producers!!
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Aletha Campbell
2/15/2020 10:22:17 pm
nice poem. I am a farmer's daughter so enjoyed the sentiments. :) Thank you for sharing.
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AuthorI'm Bob Totz, retired VT postmaster, and historical geographer ARCHIVES:
October 2021
EXPANDED ARCHIVES: AUGUST 2021 1858 Johnson Map of North America MAY 2021 1795 - "Road Over the Mountain" - Part Two Historic Toll House For Sale 1795 - "Road Over the Mountain" Part One OCTOBER 2020 Finding That Special Peaceful Place AUGUST 2020 Kayaking on the Pompy JULY 2020 Pt. 2: What the Heck Are These Things? JUNE 2020 Bob's Bio... What the Heck Are These Things? Pt. 1 MAY 2020 Stone Walls and Spirits The View APRIL 2020 Sunny Brook Farm Relics: Pt 2. Sunny Brook Farm Relics: Pt 1. MARCH 2020 Signs of Norwich Pt. 2 COVID-19 Tracking Map Centertown and Valleyquest Signs of Norwich Pt. 1 "Imperfect Union" - Book Review Historic Centertown FEBRUARY 2020 King's Hwy Pt. 2 WRJ Museum at Post Mills Airport Chatauguay Vermont The Independent Farmer poem Traveling Along the King's Highway - Lebanon NH JANUARY 2020 Finding Parkhurst Cemetery In Search of Parkhurst Cemetery Affordable Housing The Old Stone Grill Two Rivers Trail-Kmart License and Registration, Please! Prohibition, Murder and Dr. Seuss Peace, Paris, & P.O. DECEMBER 2019 BLOGGER'S LINKS Welcome to Old Roads Love-Quail Hollow fun Dartmouth Cemetery SEPTEMBER 2019 E. Thetford Cemetery JUNE 2019
Taps: Meetinghouse Cemetery 4-Corners Borders Quest Old Iron Gate Stumbling Upon History Sunrise Walk MAY 2019 4 Corners Cemetery Strafford's Abandoned Foundations Art in Old Stonework APRIL 2019 Strafford Tpke Pt 2 Strafford Tpke Pt 1 White River Valley FEBRUARY 2019 Learning from Historic Maps of the Upper Valley Change in Lewiston VT JANUARY 2019 A Vermont Ski Waltz John Ledyard 1773 What is the Upper Valley? DECEMBER 2018 Dartmouth Green Music Video: Sometimes Music Video: Montreal Express Railway Disaster of 1887 |