JOHN HOLDRIDGE'S EULOGY TO SAMUEL BUDLONG
TOWN OF SCHUYLER, HERKIMER COUNTY, NY


The moving eulogy below was shared on the Herkimer County NY GenConnect Board on 25 Aug 1999 by Mary A. Piper, ggg-granddaughter of the writer, John Holdridge, and is re-printed with her kind permission.

"Have hand-written draft of eulogy written by JOHN HOLDRIDGE in 1826 for SAMUEL BUDLONG who died July 18, 1826, age 21 in HERKIMER COUNTY, NY. SAMUEL BUDLONG is buried in BUDLONG CEMETERY, town of SCHUYLER, HERKIMER COUNTY, NY. Desire any information one may have on JOHN HOLDRIDGE or his wife CHARLOTTE WATERMAN, my g-g-g-grandparents. Charlotte died in Schuyler. Draft was saved by LUCY ANN HOLDRIDGE, g-daughter of John HOLDRIDGE. Eulogy follows as was written. I just had to share this. Something very special for any BUDLONG descendant."
Mary A. Piper




SAMUEL BUDLONG

Both old and young I pray give ear
A mournful story you shal hear
Which unto you I will repeat
Off what has happened here of late.
"Off him we now will call to mind
Who lately his dear breath resigned.
Down from our eyes let tears desend
All for the life of our dear friend.
Samuel Budlong was his name.
His age is here you'll read the same
Tis something over twenty one
The time when all his work was done.
In the year eighteen hundred twenty six
The time which God himself had fixed
To leave this world and all on earth
Both loving friend's and joval mirth.
The way he left this world of wo.
The same that many others go.
He drounded was in water deep
And there in death he fell asleep.
When he was a drowning aloud he crie's
Enough to pierce the very skies
No one to him relief did give
Therefore he could no longer live.
Though many around him then were there
All most was frightened to dispare.
They was so scared to hear him call
For help that non could help at all.
Others ran for help to come
But all in vain his life was gone.
He had laid so long beneathe the flood
His soul had assented to his God.
A sprightly youth all in his prime
Was suddenly called out of time
To meet his maker at the barr.
And there his final sentance hear.
Though like his fellow youth we were.
In ____ will not dispare
Who knows but that he now doth rest
In the bright heavens among the blesst.
Who knows but that his blessed feet
Are tredding the selestial street
With holy angels bowing around
Jehover with a golden crown.
But how the case with him doth go
Is not for you and me to know
So weel resign him in our song.
All praise to whom judgment belongs.
And now to those we will return
Whom God has left behind to mourn
With akeing hearts and weeping eyes
The Lord have mercy on your cryes.
The parents of the late deseased
Who are bowed down, with heavy grief
With tears resign your hearts to God
And lovingly imbrace his rod.
Your son is gone but cant return.
All though for him you sigh and mourn.
God had a right to take his own.
Praise him for his will is done.
Your brothers and your sisters all
To you this is a sollom call
To learn by God's aflictive hand
That you obey his great command.
Remember well and bear in mind
That unto you the Lord is kind.
In still continueing out your breath
And lengthing out your days on earth.
May this remind you me and all
That we are ready at deaths call.
Ready to lay this body down
To rise to glory and a crown.
A crown dear purchased by his blood
Of Jesus our victours lord
Whos praises shall fill our raptured song
While boundless ages roll along."
How precious to have found something like this.




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Created: 8/28/99
Copyright ©1999 Mary A. Piper/ Martha S. Magill
All Rights ReserveD.