Among the many literary figures of the 18th century, few represent the delicate fusion of Puritan values and poetic expression as clearly as Jane Colman Turell. Born in 1708 in Boston, Massachusetts, she lived a short life but left a lasting impression on American poetry. As an 18th Century American poet, Turell’s work reflects both the personal devotion and spiritual introspection that shaped early New England literature.
Her voice, though quieted by her untimely death at age 27, still speaks through her devotional verses and reflective writings. Turell’s legacy is significant, especially when one considers the historical and cultural limitations placed upon women in early American society. Her poetry not only reveals the literary talent of a devout woman but also highlights the emerging identity of American poetry during the colonial period.
Jane Colman Turell
Jane Colman was born into a family of strong religious and intellectual heritage. Her father, Dr. Benjamin Colman, was a prominent Congregational minister in Boston and a respected figure in the community. From an early age, he recognized Jane’s intellect and encouraged her to read, write, and study the Bible. She was tutored in classical literature, including works by Horace, Ovid, and Virgil, along with contemporary English poets like John Milton and Anne Bradstreet.
This classical education was unusual for young women at the time. Most girls in early colonial America were educated in domestic tasks, with little emphasis on intellectual development. Turell, however, benefited from her father’s progressive views on female education. As a result, her poetry exhibits both theological sophistication and literary competence.
She began writing poetry at the age of 11. These early writings often focused on religious subjects, reflecting the Puritan values instilled in her. Her love for reading and verse became a lifelong pursuit, one she continued even after her marriage to Reverend Ebenezer Turell in 1726.
Jane Colman Turell and the Puritan Influence on Her Poetry
As an 18th Century American poet, Jane Colman Turell belonged to a literary tradition shaped by Puritan theology and moral rigor. The themes of sin, salvation, divine grace, and personal piety recur throughout her work. Her poetry frequently takes the form of spiritual meditation, expressing both personal doubts and religious conviction.
Her writing style, though simple in construction, reveals a deep introspective quality. Like other Puritan poets, such as Edward Taylor and Anne Bradstreet, Turell uses metaphor and biblical allusion to convey her understanding of God and the soul. But unlike Taylor’s elaborate metaphysical style or Bradstreet’s occasional engagement with public themes, Turell’s poetry remains intensely personal and devotional.
Her most notable work, Memoirs of the Life and Death of the Pious and Ingenious Mrs. Jane Turell, published posthumously by her husband in 1735, combines poetry, letters, and spiritual reflections. This collection paints a portrait of a woman wholly dedicated to her faith, her family, and her writing. It also places Turell firmly within the tradition of early American poets whose work was as much a spiritual exercise as a literary endeavor.
Themes and Motifs in Turell’s Work
Jane Colman Turell’s poetry revolves around several recurring themes: mortality, divine grace, personal piety, and the duties of womanhood. Her early death from illness added a tragic resonance to her frequent meditations on death and eternal life.
1. Mortality and the Afterlife
Many of her poems contemplate the fleeting nature of life. Like most 18th Century American poets influenced by Puritan thought, she believed that earthly life was temporary and that true fulfillment lay in eternal salvation. Her reflections on death are not morbid but rather hopeful, emphasizing the promise of resurrection.
2. Devotion and Piety
Turell’s poetry serves as a diary of religious devotion. She often addressed God directly in her verse, seeking strength, forgiveness, and divine guidance. This devotional aspect links her with earlier figures like Anne Bradstreet, but Turell’s tone is more submissive and focused on inward struggle.
3. Womanhood and Duty
Although her work is largely religious, Turell was aware of her role as a woman in a patriarchal society. She saw writing as a means of moral instruction rather than personal fame. Her poems often emphasized humility, modesty, and obedience—virtues deemed appropriate for women of her time. However, through her writing, she quietly resisted the notion that women’s voices should be silent.
Comparison with Other 18th Century American Poets
When studying Jane Colman Turell within the context of 18th Century American poetry, it is important to compare her with other poets of the period. Her contemporaries include Anne Bradstreet (whose work predated Turell by several decades but remained influential), Edward Taylor,and Phillis Wheatley.
Anne Bradstreet
Although Bradstreet lived in the 17th century, her posthumous influence on American poetry was felt throughout the 18th century. Bradstreet was bolder in expressing personal loss, political events, and philosophical ideas. In contrast, Turell’s poetry avoids public discourse, focusing more narrowly on religious concerns. Both, however, represent early female voices in American poetry, and both balanced poetic ambition with expectations of female piety and modesty.
Edward Taylor
Taylor’s metaphysical style contrasts sharply with Turell’s plain-spoken devotional verse. Taylor used elaborate conceits and theological arguments in his poetry, while Turell adopted a simpler, more emotional tone. Taylor’s poetry was not widely published in his lifetime, whereas Turell’s work was made public by her husband soon after her death.
Phillis Wheatley
Wheatley, an enslaved African girl brought to Boston, began writing poetry in the 1760s. Her poems combined classical allusion with Christian theology. Although Wheatley came after Turell, both women demonstrate how marginalized voices—female and, in Wheatley’s case, African—could contribute to the emerging field of American poetry. Wheatley’s poetry also reflected a broader awareness of politics and culture, while Turell remained inwardly focused.
The Role of Religion in Shaping American Poetry
Religion was the foundation of most 18th Century American poetry. The colonies, especially New England, were settled by people seeking religious freedom. As a result, much early American literature served moral and theological purposes. Jane Colman Turell’s work fits this mold perfectly. Her writing was not just a personal endeavor but also a form of ministry.
In her poetry, religious instruction and self-examination converge. She saw her poetic talent as a gift from God, one that should be used for spiritual edification. Her writing demonstrates how American poetry in the 18th century often functioned as an extension of the pulpit. Poets like Turell were spiritual voices, offering guidance and reflection through verse.
Legacy and Contribution to American Literature
Jane Colman Turell’s life was brief, but her contribution to American literature is significant. As one of the earliest female American poets to be published, she helped lay the groundwork for later generations of women writers. Her poetry is a testament to how personal piety and poetic talent could coexist, even in a society that restricted women’s intellectual expression.
Her Memoirs offer insight into the religious and domestic life of early 18th-century America. They preserve the voice of a young woman committed to faith and literature. Turell’s work is often included in anthologies of early American poetry, where it stands as an example of how the spiritual and literary merged in colonial New England.
Turell’s legacy also lies in her example as a learned woman in a time when female education was rare. She demonstrated that women could be both devout and intellectually engaged. Her poetry, while modest and reserved, shows a quiet strength and sincerity.
Reception and Revival of Interest
In the years following her death, Turell’s work remained relatively obscure, known mostly to scholars of Puritan literature and early American poetry. However, in recent decades, there has been a renewed interest in early women writers. Feminist literary historians have highlighted Turell’s work as an important precursor to the broader inclusion of women in the literary canon.
Today, Turell is studied not only for her poetry but also for what her life reveals about colonial American culture. Her writings are examined in discussions of gender, religion, and the development of American poetic identity. Her contribution is no longer viewed as minor but rather as an integral part of 18th Century American poetry.
Conclusion
Jane Colman Turell was an 18th Century American poet whose work captured the essence of colonial religious life and personal devotion. Though her output was limited, the purity and sincerity of her verse have ensured her place in the history of American poetry. Her writings offer a unique window into the soul of a young woman devoted to God, family, and the written word.
As we consider the broader landscape of 18th Century American poetry, Turell’s voice remains distinctive for its feminine grace and spiritual intensity. She stands alongside other early poets as a pioneer, especially in representing the role of women in American literary culture. Her life and work continue to inspire scholars and readers who seek to understand the roots of American poetic expression.
In studying Jane Colman Turell, we are reminded that American poetry did not begin with the large names of the 19th century but with humble voices, grounded in faith, speaking from within the home and the church. Her poems may be quiet, but they resonng clarity.
