James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.
September 30
On the Death of The Rev. George Whitefield
By Phillis Wheatley (1753–1784)
An English clergyman, one of the founders of Methodism. He made several visits to America, during one of which he died, on Sept. 30, 1770. This poem is interesting chiefly on account of its author, Phillis Wheatley, who was a slave in the family of Mr. John Wheatley, of Boston, by whom she was bought on her arrival in that place from Africa. She was taught to read and write, which she learned very quickly and composed several poems which compare favorably with much of the verse of that day. See full text.
