Hannah Lawrence Schieffelin (Manhattan, New York City, July 8, 1758 – Manhattan, October 3, 1838) was an American political poet in Revolutionary America and during the early United States.
Early life
Hannah Lawrence was a daughter of John Lawrence and Anna Burling.
Hannah Lawrence came from a respected and proud Quaker family, who had arrived in the New World already in the 17th century and had settled on Long Island.
Hannah’s father, John Lawrence (1732–1794), was a successful merchant, whose ancestors held royal patents to Flushing and to Lawrence, Long Island. John Lawrence’s great-grandfather was William Lawrence from St Albans, northwest of London. William Lawrence, at the age of twelve, sailed with his mother and siblings from London to Massachusetts,in 1635. Later, he received the rights to 900 acres of land in Vlissingen, New Amsterdam, corresponding to today’s College Point and Flushing on Long Island. William Lawrence was a landowner, councilman, sheriff and judge in Queens County, NY.
Hannah’s mother was Anna Burling (1735–1821). The Burling family came from Barking, today an eastern suburb of London. The Burlings were Quakers. They were persecuted in England and emigrated to America to escape.
Personal life
Hannah Lawrence married Jacob Schieffelin (1757–1835), on August 13, 1780. The couple married secretly in Manhattan, six weeks after they met. A few day later, Hannah was expelled from the Quaker Association because her wedding plans had not been approved. At the time of their wedding, Jacob Schieffelin was still a British officer, while the Quakers were mostly anti-British.
The couple had nine children, seven of whom reached adulthood: Edward Lawrence, Henry Hamilton, Effingham, Anna Maria, Effingham Lawrence, Jacob, John Lawrence, Cornelia, Richard Lawrence.
Works
Notebook of Poems (Manuscript of Poems by Matilda, Hannah's pseudonym, 1774–1794) Address'd to a canary bird (1774/75) Elegy on an unfortunate Veteran (1775) To Eliza (From Cedar Grove, 1776), published in the Columbian Magazine To Amynta (1776) To Myrtilla (1776) To Delia (1776) To Eliza (Cedar Grove, by Matilda, 1776/77) To Horatio (1776/77) On General Lee. Written during his captivity (1777/78) Military Fame (1777/78) On hearing the brave unfortunate Paschal Paoli ... An address in the favour of a singing Bird Epistle to Julia. Miss E. M. at the Hermitage (Note: E.M. means Elizabeth "Betsy" Mitchell) To Nisus. The worthy R. L. (Note: R.L. means Richard Lawrence) To the Lark (In answer to his reply) Elegy To Lavinia (Note: Lavinia means Mrs Hoffman, maiden Miss Murray) On reading some Poems by the African Poetess Ode to Melvyn The Triumph of Reason. Inscribed to Leandra. On the purpose to which the avenue adjoining Trinity Church has of late been dedicated, 1779. "This is the scene of gay resort, Here vice and folly hold their court, Here all the martial band parade, To vanquish – some unguarded Maid. Here ambles many a dauntless Chief. Who can, O great beyond belief? Who can, as sage historians say, Defeat – whole Bottles in array. …" The Recantation To Matilda. By Melvyn The Interposition Epistle to Amelia. Bellevue. 1779 (Note: At Flushing, Long Island) To Mira Ode to Melancholy To Livinia. At Bellevue. Ode on entering my one and twentieth year. Ode to Aurora New York April 1780. "On the King's birthday 1780 ..." Note: Mentions Sir Henry Clinton, General during the American War of Independence Epistle on an American, residing in England Imitation of the French of the Marquis de la Fare. July. 1780. A Journal During a Lady's Courtship (Diary, 1780) The Wedding Day. Written on Sunday morning, the 13th of August 1780 On leaving New York. 15th September 1780 Ode to the Sun. On absence. Niagara. 1781. Absence. An Elegy. Stanzas occasioned by a Gentleman of wit and humour ... The Progress of Liberty. Inscribed to General Washington. New York 1785) Elegiac Reflections. Note: Written 1779. Published in the Columbian Magazine 1787. On Sensibility Montreal. A Sunset. On a view of the Mountain On Life. So, teach us to number our days, ... Psalm 90.12. ... Montreal 1789. Memory an Elegy. "Thy waves, St Lawrence, that impetuous roll ..." Montreal 1788 The Traveller returned. New York May 18th 1795 To a Friend returned from a distant Country. New York Sept. 10. 1794. Elegy. Addressed to the River St Lawrence. August 5 1794
Poems, undated; fragments; poems by others; fragment of dress worn by her at Court Ball in Quebec (1780)