1845 ADONIRAM JUDSON. Original MSs Draft of Death Hymn for Sarah B. Judson by W. H. Washburn.

An absolutely superb likely working draft of the mourning hymn written immediately upon Adoniram Judson's solemn return to America in 1845, during which his wife, Sarah Boardman Judson [1803-1845], died en route and was buried in St. Helena. 

Sarah was herself a force of nature as a missionary, translator, and author. Born in Alstead, New Hampshire, she early sensed a call to the mission field and was first married to missionary George Boardman. They served in Burma together from 1824 until his death in 1830. 

Almost without exception, widowed missionary wives would return to the United States where funds were established for their care. Sarah refused the request and continued the management of the schools they had established and also took up the work of preaching in the villages begun by her husband. 

She married Adoniram Judsonin 1834. From 1834-1844 she gave birth to 8 children and continued her work as a missionary . . . translating Pilgrim's Progress into Burmese in her spare time. By 1844, she had become gravely ill. This led to the family boarding for America to obtain medical care. She died en route, was buried on the rocky shore of St. Helena, and Judson returned with his 8 children, all under 10 years old, to America. 

Upon Adoniram's return, publications immediately took up moving account. 

By this time, Henry Stevenson Washington [1813-1903] was one of the leading "historical" poets in the region. His National Hymn [1842] was already in heavy circulation and had alter his Civil War doleful lyrics for "The Vacant Chair" would become a staple in grieving homes. 

The present is likely an early, though not first draft with some minor differences occurring in the final version related to word order and variants impacting meter. We trace no other MSs examples or drafts. 

"1 Mournfully, tenderly bear on the dead,
Where the warrior has lain, let the Christian be laid;
No place more befitting O rock of the sea!
Never such treasure was hidden in thee.
Never such treasure was hidden in thee.

2 Mournfully, tenderly, solemn and slow,
Tears are bedewing the path as we go;
Kindred and strangers are mourners to-day,
Gently, so gently, O! bear her away.
Gently, so gently, O! bear her away.

3 Mournfully, tenderly, gaze on that brow,
Beautiful it is in quietude now:
One look and then settle the loved one to her rest,
The ocean beneath her, the turf on her breast.

4 So ye have buried her up! and depart,
To life and to duty with undismayed heart:
Fear not for the love of the stranger will keep,
The casket that lies in the rock of the deep.

5 Peace to thy bosom, thou servant of God
The vale thou art treading, thou hast before trod:
Precious dust thou hast laid by the hopia tree,
And treasure as precious in the rock of the sea!"

Published in 1845 with accompanying tune as sheet music, in 1849 in The Judson Offering, etc.

Sepia ink on period paper, folds with some light foxing and handling as shown; on the rear in pencil by [Lieutenant] Charls Wilkins of Henniker, NH. He died in 1863 at the Battle of Vicksburg. Henniker was just about 30 miles away from Alstead, Sarah Judson's home. Likely obtained through a family connection. Base of MSs clipped, likely for the signature, not affecting the poem, which remains complete.