Memoir and Poems of Phillis Whe - African American History

Memoir and Poems of Phillis Wheatley 13
24.03.2006
was deserted. She was therefore urgently pressed by her distinguished friends to
remain until the Court returned to St. James's, that she might be presented to the
young monarch, George III. She would probably have consented to this
arrangement, had not letters from America informed her of the declining health
of her mistress, who intreated her to return, that she might once more behold her
beloved protegee.
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Phillis waited not a second bidding, but immediately re-embarked, and arrived
in safety at that once happy home, which was so soon to be desolate. It will
probably occur to the reader as singular, that Phillis has not borne a more
decided testimony to the kindness of those excellent friends who so tenderly
cherished her. Her farewell to America was inscribed to her mistress, indicated
by the initials, S. W., but here she merely alludes to the pain of parting. If any
other pieces were ever devoted to her, they were doubtless destroyed; for upon
mentioning the singularity of her omitting to record a testimony of her gratitude
to her benefactors, we were told, by one of the very few individuals who have
any recollection of Mrs. Wheatley or Phillis, that the former was a woman
distinguished for good sense and discretion; and that her christian humility
induced her to shrink from the thought of those good deeds being blazoned forth
to the world, which were performed in the privacy of her own happy home. It
appears, also, that on her death-bed she requested that nothing might be written
upon her decease. Indeed, Phillis was forbidden this indulgence of her grief, and
it was shortly after her mournful duty to close the eyes of her indulgent mistress
and unwearied friend.
The decease of this excellent lady occurred in the year 1774. Her husband soon
followed her to the house appointed for all living; and their daughter joined
them in the chambers of death. The son had married and settled in England; and
Phillis was now, therefore, left utterly desolate. She spent a short time with a
friend of her departed mistress, and then took an apartment, and lived by herself.
This was a strange change to one
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who had enjoyed the comforts and even luxuries of life, and the happiness of a
fire-side where a well regulated family were accustomed to gather. Poverty, too,
was drawing near with its countless afflictions. She could hope for little
extraneous aid; the troubles with the mother country were thickening around;