On the Death of Samuel Stickney

Samuel Stickney, the son of Samuel Stickney and Edith Wallis, was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, on 1 March 1811. He was brother of Elizabeth Blanchard Abbot's mother Nancy (Stickney) Abbot. We have his death date as 5 February 1840, in Boston, at age 28. However, the resolutions are dated Feb. 3, 1840. If correct, our death date must be wrong; perhaps it is actually a burial date. BHS ID# 948.001.1303.

[The first part is a series of resolutions, made by the Musical Education Society, to which Samuel Stickney belonged.]

The announcement that has just been made of the sudden death of one of our members, one who when with us was devoted in his attachment to this society, deserves a more than ordinary expression of our feelings, and I therefore move you Sir the adoption of the following resolutions.

Resolved: That by the recent and sudden death of Mr. Samuel Stickney, the Musical Education Society has lost one of its earliest and firmest friends.

Resolved: That, while we mourn his loss and feel sad at the dispensation that has deprived us of his fellowship, we can look back upon his life with feelings of respect, and find much in his character and high moral principle for us to emulate and admire.

Resolved: That our warmest feelings of sympathy are enlisted with those who by this sudden bereavement are called upon to perform the sacred offices of burial to the remains of one near and dear to them, and our full and hearty assurance can also be given them, that even in life as he was respected, so in death is he by us lamented.

Voted: That a copy of the preamble and resolves be signed by the President and Secretary, and a copy transmitted to the relatives of the deceased.

Thos. Herbert Sec'y
Oliver Edwards Pres't

Boston Feb'y 3rd, 1840

[The second part is a hymn. On the back of this sheet is written "Miss Hannah L. Rantoul."]

Hymn

Partly composed for the occasion
Tune Mt Vernon B A Coll.

Why thus sad, and thus dejected?
Why assembled thus in prayer?
‘Tis to mourn for one respected;
One, whose lifeless corse is there.

There in death our friend lies sleeping,
God has called his spirit near;
Mother, Father, Friends are weeping;
We, with them would drop a tear.

Peaceful be his silent slumbers,
Peaceful in the grave so low,
Thou no more will join our numbers,
Thou no more our songs shall know.

Yet again we hope to meet thee,
When the day of life is fled,
Then, in heaven with joy to greet thee
Where no farewell tear is shed.