An Ode to Major David Patteson
Following the obituary of Major David Patteson, which was printed in the Richmond Whig & Public Advertiser on October 30, 1846, the newspaper ran a poem written by one of Patteson’s grandsons who signed with his initials, P. R. P.
Lines
To the Memory of my Grandfather.
Where art thou gone, my aged sire?
Thy home to me is lonely now!
Thy spirit tunes the Heavenly lyre,
While thoughts of sorrow dim my brow.
When first thou trod life’s early ways,
Hope winged life’s fleeting span,
‘Till you have numbered years and days
Allotted not to man.
Three score and ten upon this earth
But very few can date;
Yet onward, onward from thy birth
Hath made thee eighty-eight.
And now thy course on earth is run,
And death has brought by setting sun,
Yet may thy rising morning see
Thy soul in blest eternity.
And while we view thy moldering heap,
Thy children, scarce and few,
Can see where brothers, sisters, sleep,
While shedding tears for you.
My aged sire! fare thee well –
My father’s gone before thee;
And now from earth thou hence shall dwell,
Though fatherless I be!
And may thy good examples guide
Me through the path thou trod;
And when my works by death are tried,
May that will prove them, O my God!
It pains my soul to say farewell!
Yet trembling I address thee –
Such struggling thoughts my bosom swell,
That words I scarce can find to bless thee.
P. R. P.
Click here for Major David Patteson’s obituary: Buckingham Notables: David Patteson
Coming Next: Mrs. David Patteson
slate river ramblings . . . . 
P. R. P. would be Peter R. Patteson, one of my ancestors along with David of course. I cannot figure out what the “R.” stands for! I wonder if any readers know?
Eric, Good to hear from you. Yes, let’s hope another Slate River Ramblings reader knows what the “R” stands for. Joanne
The R stands for Rice. Major David is my 4th great-grandfather.
Sam,
Thanks for adding this detail!
Joanne
R stands for Rice. I am a descendant of him also.
Thanks, Kay!
Joanne