Person:Lucy Tappan (1)

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 2, Ed. 1, Tree #5636, Date of Import: Jan 3, 2000]

Lucy Tappan b. 1777. Daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Homes) Tappan, b. 14 July, 1777, d. 12 February, 1858. I am indebted to my sister Lucy Hedge for the following account of this darling mother, feeling neither competent nor worthy, myself, to undertake even a faint portraiture of her angelic virtues: "Born of excellent and godly parents who had carefully trained her youth and deeply impressed, in early life, with religious truths, she consecrated all her gifts to the service of God, and through her whole life, His approval was her highest aim, His love her solace and support. All could feel the charm of her personal presence, so full of her solace and support. All could feel the charm of her personal presence, so full of dignity, tempered by sweetness; many can recall her beaming smiles, her ready sympathy, her kind offices of love, but only those who lived in her light and were trained by her fostering care, could do full justice, even in thought, to a character whose retiring modesty was one of its crowning charms. The centre of a happy home - it was there she found her true sphere, her greatest happiness; but all the just claims of society, of neighborhood and especially the wants of the needy or suffering, were promptly and gladly met. her love of beauty, which was a deep sentiment, pervading her whole being, did not lead to extravagance, nor care, in adorning her own lovely person, save with exquisite neatness and taste, but sought gratification in the culture of flowers, with which she surrounded herself and illustrated her humble dwelling. The rarest exotics grew under her hand and assumed wonderful beauty, as if expressly for her. The heart of her husband did safely trust in her, and with wise economy she administered his resources. The personal care of a large family of children never disturbed her unvarying sweetness, nor can they recollect one ebullition of impatience; one momentary act of injustice, but a `constant flow of love which knew no fail,' an assiduous solicitude for their future and everlasting well-being. If I would mention the leading characteristics amoung all the clustering beauties and adornments of her character, I would say purity, of both mind and person, and sweetness; the white lily is her type. But the lilies toil not and how untiring was her industry! The fruits of the spirit were all hers, love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. The weight of four score years did not bow that graceful form, nor cloud that active mind, nor weaken that strong affection which still surrounded her own beloved with tender offices of love and went forth to all mankind in good wishes and ready sympathy, and, to many, in deeds of active benevolence. She ever sought to contract the circle of her own wants in order to enlarge her charities. The peace of God shone in her face. One who saw her but a few monents, during the last year of her life, expressed her gratitude for having seen her and said, `it was like looking on the face of an angel.' Though often subject to illness, attended with severe pains, her bright cheerfulness never forsook her. Her soul was like the lark, which arose singing and soaring sung even to the gate of heaven." Another dear sister, Feroline Fox, has furnished me with the following, not intended, probably, for publication in this form, but I have chosen so to insert it, as being more expressive than a less familiar account might be: "You request me to write something about our darling mother. most gladly would I lay an humble wreath of flowers on her grave, but they should be the sweetest Spring or Summer could offer. May flowers, sweet violets, lilies of the valley, mignonette, I would scatter daily where that dear head was laid. My earliest recollections of mother are, that there was sunshine in the house when she was there, and in her absence all was dark. I can remember often coming home from school and wandering from room to room in utter loneliness, because she was away. I can never remember that she raised her voice, or used strong epithets, when, as children, we were most provoking, but always maintained the same calm dignified sweetness. When dressed for a party I can remember how beautiful she looked, to me more lovely than any one present. how much we must have tried her patience, and yet how gentle she ever was we all can testify. Her religious instructions made a deep impression upon me, so that to be good seemed the most desirable thing on earth. To the influence of both our blessed parents I attribute this early wish, for both father and mother were devoted to making their children better. My dearest father's prayers I can never forget. In his sick room they were most touching and thrilling. He omitted family prayer only once or twice before he left us, and often, as he lay upon his bed, just before going to sleep, when his breath was affected by disease, he would still breath forth those tender, loving thoughts to his Heavenly Father. Once he said: `I thank thee, dear Father, for the comfort my children and grand-children have been to me.' Oh William, I cannot speak of these dear ones separately, they are so united in my heart - a blessed union." The following public notice appeared in the "Boston Transcript," the day after her decease: A VENERABLE LADY GONE. Mrs. Lucy (Tappan) Pierce, widow of the late Rev. John Pierce, D.D., died, at her residence in Brookline, Mass., about 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, aged 80 years and 7 months. Her last illness was short and severe, but she had lived to a good old age so worthily, and was so well prepared for the last hour, that her death cannot be regarded as untimely; and the grief of relatives and friends must be with out bitterness, because her life below closed with the peace and faith to assure them she was ready to enter upon the life above. There are some living yet, who remember the loveliness and gladness of her girlhood - still more, who saw the graces of person and the far higher graces of character, which adorned her maturity - and many who have looked uith admiration upon that beauty of old age, so much more significant, oftentimes, than the beauty of youth - since there is in it a transfiguration of the countenance by the outshining of the disciplined soul. All who, at any time, knew her, held her in affectionate respect for her amiableness, excellent sense, unswerving conscientiousness and deep but unobtrusive piety. With cheerfulness she accepted as they came the burthens of many cares; with calm resignation she bore the sorrows that shadowed the brightness of her path, and with a faithfulness without reproach, she fulfilled all the obligation that belonged to her position. The toils, trials and responsibilities of existence are not to be measured by their publicity; and especially is it true that the retired lot and domestic sphere of women demand and give opportunities for the exercise of all the virtues. To be the efficient helpmate for nearly a half of a century of a clergyman with a limited income, to bring up well a large family of children, to meet the calls of friendship with an ever ready response, to be true to all the claims of kindred - to be and to do this, with sagacity and energy concealed and softened by feminine delicacy and sweetness of temper, was characteristic of the subject of this brief eulogy; and a little thought tells us that thus she gave evidence of qualities of mind and heart - graces of the soul - firm principles, true instincts and warm affections, none the less admirable because unosteniatious in their secluded activity. In a consistent, harmonious, faithful, Christion life of fourscore years, with its bright, joyous morning, its noontide of patient diligence, its evening of uncouded serenity - in a long Christian pilgrimage, wherein the blessings were received with thankfulness, the duties discharged with uncomplaining obedience, and the hardships borne with unmurmuring submission - in such a life, and such a pilgrimage, there is a sublimity to be reverenced, lessons to be learned, an example to be studied and followed; and when the remains of the venerable woman are laid by the side of the husband of her youth, many will feel, that through that slight and graceful form of flesh and that fair countenance, a rare purity and singleness of heart, a clear and truthful mind, disinterested affections and a childlide faith, were made manifest, to be a benediction here and give new confidence to the "hope of immortality." Much more might be said of one who was the light of a happy home - the beloved of many friends, but the memory of her retiring humility and shrinking from all public notice forbids. We have spoken here, almost against her wishes, of her departure, because, amidst the strifes and sad and disheartening scenes of life, it is not well to let marked examples of right living and calm dying - of worthiness on earth and fitness for heaven, pass unnoticed. They are needed to strengthen and steady the oft tempted belief in the reality of truth and goodness.

The above was quoted from "My Ancestors in America" by Wm. Blake Pierce, 1864. A copy is in the possesion of George Dick Pierce.