SAMUEL FRANCIS SMITH was born in Boston, MA, on October 21, 1808, and
died on November 16, 1895. Smith was an
American Baptist minister, journalist and author, and is best known for having
written the lyrics to “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” which he entitled
“America.” Smith gave the lyrics to
Lowell Mason and the song was first performed in public on July 4, 1831 at a
children’s Independence Day celebration at Park Street Church in Boston.
Smith attended Harvard
College, now Harvard University, from 1825-1829, and was a classmate of Oliver
Wendell Holmes, Sr. After graduation, he attended Andover Theological
Academy. Smith became editor of the
Christian Review and other publications of the Baptist Missionary Union. He also became pastor of the First Baptist
Church. Smith did not stop writing. In
addition to “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” Smith wrote over 150 hymns and in 1843
teamed with Baron Stow to compile a Baptist hymnal, The Psalmist.
One page, ALS, 5 x 8, Newton Centre, [MA],
Oct. 25, [18]92, “My dear bro[ther], It was very agreeable to me to receive
your letter of the 24th Oct. and its contents were very gratifying
to me. I take pleasure in sending you my
autograph, dated on my 84th birthday, and also a photograph by the
same mail. June 1842 seems far in the
distance, but both to you and me it has delightful associations. I rejoice that for the whole half century you
have held fast the profession of your faith without wavering.
“Fraternally yours,
“S.F. Francis”
Evening toning, with a couple of edge
chips. Otherwise very good condition and wonderful to add this renowned
American to any collection. Photographic image in the listing is from the internet.
Everything
we sell is guaranteed authentic forever to the original buyer. We also offer a
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item, please contact us immediately. Our goal is to please every customer. We
are pleased to be members of The Manuscript Society, Universal Autograph
Collectors Club and The Ephemera Society. [AM 175]