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Feb. 2nd, 2024 03:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kayreSo, I'm doing research on Thomas Commuck, a native Narragansett who moved from Rhode Island to New York and then to Wisconsin, early 19th century. Late in life he sought compensation for family land back in Rhode Island, and apparently became frustrated, trying to handle the matter from a distance. So, trying to truly capture an advocate's attention, he wrote up his case-- in verse! (I have no idea whether he ever succeeded. I suspect not, but will try to find out.)
Sir
1 Once more I ask, how do you do?
Tis long, since I have heard from you.
Which leads me (whether right or not)
To think that you have me forgot.
2 Myself and family are well,
Which I do with much pleasure tell.
And when these feeble lines you view,
I hope ’twill be the same with you.
3 I often think with heaving breast
of Rights, which Wrongly are possest.
And often too have I implored
That they might be, to me restor’d.
4 I sought your aid, you promis’d to,
That you would try, what you could do,
That you my case, would take in hand
And help me thus to gain my land.
5 I know objections have been brought
But all their weight, and force, is nought.
Justice and truth are on my side
Although my Rights have been denied.
6 Some say one thing, some say another,
Some slander Father, me, and Mother.
Some say, “They never married were,
Therefore he’s not the legal heir.”
7 I join the issue with them here
And soon will prove my title clear.
I’ll take the law of common sense,
Which legal is to all intents.
8 My Father liv’d with Mother dear
Till Death grim monster did appear
And cut the silver cord of life
By which she ceas’d to be his wife.
9 Two affidavits I did send,
To Moses Stanton, my old friend.
Who says, “he left them in your hand”
That you my case might understand.
10 Examine them and judge ye [whether
Or not you’l see, it was together
They liv’d, ‘till Death intruded there.
Therefore I am the legal heir.]
11 So here I let the matter rest
And hope you’l try and do your best.
And to reward you for your toil,
I with you will divide the spoil.
12 So please to write and let me know,
Which way my case is like to go.
Six weeks from this, I hope the mail
Will bring your answer without fail.
13 So now I must come to a close
But let me first, one thing propose.
Which is, Pray don’t offended be,
For writing in this style to thee.
Sir
1 Once more I ask, how do you do?
Tis long, since I have heard from you.
Which leads me (whether right or not)
To think that you have me forgot.
2 Myself and family are well,
Which I do with much pleasure tell.
And when these feeble lines you view,
I hope ’twill be the same with you.
3 I often think with heaving breast
of Rights, which Wrongly are possest.
And often too have I implored
That they might be, to me restor’d.
4 I sought your aid, you promis’d to,
That you would try, what you could do,
That you my case, would take in hand
And help me thus to gain my land.
5 I know objections have been brought
But all their weight, and force, is nought.
Justice and truth are on my side
Although my Rights have been denied.
6 Some say one thing, some say another,
Some slander Father, me, and Mother.
Some say, “They never married were,
Therefore he’s not the legal heir.”
7 I join the issue with them here
And soon will prove my title clear.
I’ll take the law of common sense,
Which legal is to all intents.
8 My Father liv’d with Mother dear
Till Death grim monster did appear
And cut the silver cord of life
By which she ceas’d to be his wife.
9 Two affidavits I did send,
To Moses Stanton, my old friend.
Who says, “he left them in your hand”
That you my case might understand.
10 Examine them and judge ye [whether
Or not you’l see, it was together
They liv’d, ‘till Death intruded there.
Therefore I am the legal heir.]
11 So here I let the matter rest
And hope you’l try and do your best.
And to reward you for your toil,
I with you will divide the spoil.
12 So please to write and let me know,
Which way my case is like to go.
Six weeks from this, I hope the mail
Will bring your answer without fail.
13 So now I must come to a close
But let me first, one thing propose.
Which is, Pray don’t offended be,
For writing in this style to thee.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-02 09:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-02-18 11:29 pm (UTC)bwee :)