User:Xb2u7Zjzc32/Eliza Pittsinger

Eliza A. Pittsinger

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 * Born 18 March 1837 in Westhampton, Massachusetts
 * Died 22 February 1908 in San Francisco, California
 * She considered her greatest poem, her masterpiece, "Song of the Soul Victorious" (1880), about the immortality of life, one of her favorite themes.
 * Once Popular and Famous as California Poetess
 * Performed around California and USA in Halls and Outdoors at Public Gatherings
 * Poems Performed were reprinted in newspapers
 * Her poems were recited in the schools and at public meetings, and taught by teachers of elocution.
 * Now taught by teachers in schools.
 * sister, Mrs. Almira Ingram Holcomb
 * Home at 57½ Prospect Avenue, San Francisco CA
 * contributor to the World's Advance Thought (magazine), Golden Era, the Carrier Dove and the Banner of Light. (magazines ?)

In Popular Culture

 * Referred to by the character MacGyver, in the pilot (s01e01) of the TV series MacGyver (2016).

SF Morning Call Obituary
"MEETS DEATH SHE DEFIED IN VERSE Eliza A. Pittsinger, Once Famous as California Poetess, Answers Final Call Passing of Aged Woman Whose Writings Were Popular in Early Days
 * Chesterfield, Massachusetts (last residence before first moving westward)
 * San Francisco Call 25 February 1908 — California Digital Newspaper Collection'''

Eliza A. Pittsinger at one time one of the most popular of California poetesses is dead, and in the homes of many, who as little children learned to recite and reverence her poems and verses there is the sorrow that comes with the loss of a dearly loved friend. Early in the morning of Washington's birthday, just as the sun rose on the beautiful vista, of the spreading city that she had loved to watch from her home at 57½ Prospect Avenue, the woman who 30 years ago was one of the best known poets in all the west and whose name was a household word here, passed quietly away, her popularity but a memory save to those who had known her in childhood and the small coterie of old time friends who gathered around her. To them almost her last words were, "I am not dying — do not think of me as dying," and her thoughts were centered on a hereafter of poetic fancy and freedom of soul that she had often pictured to them by voice and in song. She was 84 years of age.

WRITES WAR SONGS In the early sixties and the seventies the name of Eliza A. Pittsinger was one to conjure with in the poetic world. Then her poems breathed of the eternity of life, the sublimity of love, and the glory of patriotism in a way that thrilled the people. With patriotic fervor she wrote war songs, the inspiring words of which stirred many a California youth for the cause of the union in the days of the civil war. There was something about them, so said an old pioneer friend, that seemed to make tho mood quicken and to move the spirits of the sluggish.

"The California Poetess" she was called. Her poems were recited in the schools and taught by teachers of elocution. No public meeting was complete in those days without a rendition of one of her thrilling "Bugle Peals" or her "Song of the Soul Victorious," a lyric on the immortality of life which she considered her masterpiece. From one end to the other of the state of California she was known and revered, and her fame did not rest there.

But in later days the lyrics of the gifted woman grew less inspiring, though her enthusiasm never wavered. Slowly among the rising generations of young people her popularity waned siTd faded away. At the time of her death her name was practically unknown save to those who remembered end could not forget her triumphs of former days.

Eliza A. Pittsinger was born in Massachusetts and came to California from her home in Chesterfield in 1852, making the voyage around the horn. At the outbreak of the civil war she devoted her whole energies for a time toward molding the public sentiment for the union. After a visit home to Massachusetts she was married, but her life proving unhappy, she was soon divorced. When she again returned to California she began writing for different papers, taking a deep interest in spiritualistic investigations and phenomena. She was a regular contributor to the Golden Era, the Carrier Dove and the Banner of Light.

POEM OF EARTHQUAKE For many years Eliza Pittsinger lived with her invalid sister, Almira Ingram Holcomb and after she died last May she had lived practically alone. As late as 1906 she wrote a short poem on the earthquake, and it was one of her hopes to some time have all her works gathered and published. Though her great age of 84 years had made her very feeble, she had been ill but four days before her death. To the last she protested that she was going to recover.

What she considered her greatest poem. "Song of the Soul Victorious." treated of the eternity of life, one of her favorite themes.

Some of the best verses follow:

They say I am only mortal, Like others I'm born to die, In tb« mighty will of the spirit, I answer "Death I defy."

And I feel a power arising, Like the power of an embryo god, With a glorious wall it surrounds me, And lifts me up from the sod.

"I am born to die?" Oh never, This spirit is all of me, I stand in the great forever, O God, I am one with thee.

(Photo Caption:) Eliza A. Pittsinger, at one time one of the most popular of California poetesses, who died last Saturday."

A Woman of the Century

 * short biography of Eliza Pittsinger
 * s:Page:Woman of the Century.djvu/3 - title page
 * s:Page:Woman of the Century.djvu/579
 * s:Page:Woman of the Century.djvu/580
 * "'PITTSINGER, Mrs. Eliza A., poet, born in Westhampton, Mass., 18th March, 1837. Her father was of German descent, and a most humane man. Her mother was of Anglo-Saxon birth and blended unusual personal attractions with a nature bold and aspiring. At the age of sixteen Eliza was the teacher of a school in her native State, and she afterwards occupied a position as proof reader and reviewer in a large stereotype establishment in Boston. She went to California, where she soon became known by her stirring war-songs and poems written during the Civil War. Her pen has kept pace with the march of thought that leaves its marks upon the present age. She writes wholly from inspiration. Her heart is filled with philanthropy and abhorrence of oppression. Freedom and justice to all is her motto. She accepts the theory of reincarnation, embodiments in the material form, and the varied experiences thereby obtained, to prepare it for its immortal destiny. That idea is embodied in a number of her most remarkable poems. She was chosen the poet for the fortieth anniversary celebration of the raising of the first American Flag in California. She wrote a stirring poem for the four-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther, which was recited by herself and others on that occasion. Her poems are varied and numerous. With the exception of eight years spent in the northern Atlantic States, she has lived in San Francisco since the days of the war. Her home is with her only sister, Mrs. Ingram Holcomb, who is known among her friends as a woman of sterling qualities.'"
 * "'PITTSINGER, Mrs. Eliza A., poet, born in Westhampton, Mass., 18th March, 1837. Her father was of German descent, and a most humane man. Her mother was of Anglo-Saxon birth and blended unusual personal attractions with a nature bold and aspiring. At the age of sixteen Eliza was the teacher of a school in her native State, and she afterwards occupied a position as proof reader and reviewer in a large stereotype establishment in Boston. She went to California, where she soon became known by her stirring war-songs and poems written during the Civil War. Her pen has kept pace with the march of thought that leaves its marks upon the present age. She writes wholly from inspiration. Her heart is filled with philanthropy and abhorrence of oppression. Freedom and justice to all is her motto. She accepts the theory of reincarnation, embodiments in the material form, and the varied experiences thereby obtained, to prepare it for its immortal destiny. That idea is embodied in a number of her most remarkable poems. She was chosen the poet for the fortieth anniversary celebration of the raising of the first American Flag in California. She wrote a stirring poem for the four-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther, which was recited by herself and others on that occasion. Her poems are varied and numerous. With the exception of eight years spent in the northern Atlantic States, she has lived in San Francisco since the days of the war. Her home is with her only sister, Mrs. Ingram Holcomb, who is known among her friends as a woman of sterling qualities.'"

Books

 * Pittsinger, Eliza A. 1837-1908 - WorldCat Identities

1870s

 * literary opinion of Eliza Pittsinger
 * literary opinion of Eliza Pittsinger

1890s

 * literary opinion of Eliza Pittsinger
 * literary opinion of Eliza Pittsinger


 * short biography of Eliza Pittsinger
 * short biography of Eliza Pittsinger

June 13, 1896

 * "She was chosen the poet for the fortieth anniversary celebration of the raising of the first American Flag in California." - Willard
 * "She was chosen the poet for the fortieth anniversary celebration of the raising of the first American Flag in California." - Willard

1900s

 * literary opinion of Eliza Pittsinger
 * literary opinion of Eliza Pittsinger


 * Arlt, Gustave O. "California's Literary Women." Hist Soc South Calif Q, Vol. 36 No. 2, June, 1954; (pp. 99-114) DOI: 10.2307/41168465
 * Dumas, John. Poetess’s Legacy to Universal Language October 14, 2014
 * impofthediverse.blogspot.com
 * impofthediverse.blogspot.com



1860s

 * Anti-Blaine campaign poem
 * Gem of the grand encampment: California's welcome to the Grand Army of the Republic
 * Gem of the grand encampment: California's welcome to the Grand Army of the Republic

1890s

 * Columbus and Isabella - 1893

1900s




1900s

 * Obituary. San Francisco Call 25 February 1908 — California Digital Newspaper Collection
 * (84 years)
 * MEETS DEATH SHE DEFIED IN VERSE
 * Eliza A. Pittsinger, Once Famous as California Poetess, Answers Final Call
 * Passing of Aged Woman Whose • Writings Were Popular in Early Days
 * Chesterfield, Massachusetts
 * Eliza A. Pittsinger, Once Famous as California Poetess, Answers Final Call
 * Passing of Aged Woman Whose • Writings Were Popular in Early Days
 * Chesterfield, Massachusetts


 * Chesterfield Massachusetts to Westhampton Massachusetts
 * Westhampton, Massachusetts
 * Westhampton, Massachusetts

1890s

 * "Answers To Queries : 7726 ... The author of the poem, Mrs. Eliza Pittsinger of San Francisco, writes from that city as follows: Song of the Soul Victorious" is an inspiration that sprang from my ..." Boston Evening Transcript - May 14, 1898. Page 14
 * Literary Survey
 * Literary Survey
 * Literary Survey

1870s

 * What cost $0.50 in 1878 would cost $12.40 in 2015. What cost $0.50 in 2015 would cost $0.02 in 1878.  - The Inflation Calculator
 * $0.50 in 1878 is 11.49 in 2016 - Inflation Calculator
 * What cost $0.50 in 1878 would cost $12.40 in 2015. What cost $0.50 in 2015 would cost $0.02 in 1878.  - The Inflation Calculator
 * $0.50 in 1878 is 11.49 in 2016 - Inflation Calculator
 * $0.50 in 1878 is 11.49 in 2016 - Inflation Calculator

Historical Records

 * Search : California Death Index
 * California Death Index 1905-1939 (FamilySearch Historical Records) Genealogy - FamilySearch Wiki
 * FamilySearch Catalog: California death indexes, 1905-1988 ; 1940-1994 — FamilySearch.org
 * California Death Index
 * "California Death Index, 1905-1939," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKSM-4WTX : 5 June 2015), Eliza A Pittsinger, 1908; citing 5346, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento.
 * Eliza A Pittsinger, 1908; Female, Age 84, Certificate Number 5346
 * "California Death Index, 1905-1939," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKSM-4WTX : 5 June 2015), Eliza A Pittsinger, 1908; citing 5346, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento. VIEWER
 * "California Death Index, 1905-1939," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKSM-4WTX : 5 June 2015), Eliza A Pittsinger, 1908; citing 5346, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento. IMAGE


 * Born 18 March 1837 in Westhampton, Massachusetts (Death Certificate implies 1822-24)
 * Died 22 February 1908 in San Francisco, California (Death Certificate says 84)
 * Eliza Pittsinger Born 1822 in Massachusetts Died 1908 in California - MyTrees.com
 * Eliza Pittsinger - records and family trees - MyHeritage
 * Almira Pittsinger (Sister) Born 1818 in Massachusetts - MyTrees.com
 * JONATHAN2 PITTSINGER (John1), b. in Westhampton, 11 Apr. 1790, d. 25 Feb. 1868, suicide by cutting his throat. He m. (int. 24 Dec. 1814), Polly Stephenson (No. 15). She d. 15 Apr. 1829. At least three children were born in Westhampton
 * census-records.us/last/PITTSINGER
 * Pittsinger, Eliza A. 1837-1908 - WorldCat Identities
 * Pittsinger - Ancestry.com

Hymns

 * Eliza A. Pittsinger - Hymnary.org
 * Eliza A. Pittsinger - Open Music Library

MacGyver

 * MacGyver (2016) s01e01 - Script
 * MacGyver_1._Sezon_1 - Script
 * MacGyver_1._Sezon_1 - Script