Rebecca Hammond Lard stands as one of the lesser-known yet significant voices in the tradition of 18th Century American poetry. Though overshadowed by male contemporaries and a few better-known female poets, her work provides insight into the poetic sensibilities of early America. As an 18th Century American poet, Lard contributed not only to the literary development of a young nation but also to the cultural legacy of women writers who resisted the constraints of their time. This article explores her life, poetic themes, stylistic characteristics, and historical importance within the broader context of American poetry.
In comparison to her contemporaries, including Phillis Wheatley and Jane Colman Turell, Lard’s poetry presents a unique fusion of moral reflection, spiritual devotion, and the intimate depiction of frontier life. While she is often grouped with early 19th-century writers due to her publication timeline, her formative years and literary mindset were firmly rooted in the 18th century, making her a bridge between two poetic generations.
Rebecca Hammond Lard
Rebecca Hammond Lard was born in Massachusetts in 1772. This places her childhood in the final decades of the 18th century, a time when the American colonies were gaining independence and forming a national identity. The cultural and political changes of this period had a deep impact on American literature, and Lard’s early experiences reflect that formative environment.
Lard’s family relocated to Vermont during her childhood, and it was here that she began teaching school at the age of fifteen. Her early exposure to education—both as a student and a teacher—fostered a love for reading and writing. In a time when women’s access to formal education was limited, Lard’s accomplishments as an educator and writer marked her as exceptional.
Her immersion in religious and moral texts influenced her poetic language and themes. Like many 18th Century American poets, she relied on biblical allusions and a didactic tone to convey her messages. However, her voice also echoed with the personal and emotional strain of frontier life, combining realism with spiritual reflection.
Entry into the World of American Poetry
Lard’s poetry first gained wider recognition after the publication of her poem On the Banks of the Ohio in 1823. Although this was in the early 19th century, the poem’s form, diction, and philosophical concerns are rooted in the poetic traditions of the 18th century. Her work embodies the values and style of 18th Century American poetry: clarity of expression, moral intent, and a reverent view of nature and God.
Her entrance into the world of American poetry was modest but impactful. She did not have the same access to publishers and patrons as male poets did. Yet, through perseverance, she succeeded in presenting a literary voice shaped by personal hardship, religious faith, and a vision of America that was both patriotic and pious.
Unlike many male poets of her era who focused on heroic narratives or neoclassical ideals, Lard emphasized the ordinary struggles of life. Her poetry depicted the inner lives of settlers, especially women, offering a rare and valuable perspective in the male-dominated world of 18th Century American poetry.
Thematic Concerns in Lard’s Work
Nature and the Frontier
One of the defining characteristics of Lard’s poetry is her treatment of nature. Like British Romantic poets who rose to prominence during the late 18th century, Lard viewed nature as both sublime and instructive. Her descriptions of the American landscape were infused with emotional and spiritual resonance.
In On the Banks of the Ohio, the natural environment is both a setting and a character. The flowing river, the encroaching woods, and the quiet isolation all reflect the psychological and spiritual mood of the narrator. This connection between landscape and emotion is a recurring theme in her work.
Compared with the work of Phillis Wheatley—another prominent 18th Century American poet—Lard’s imagery is less classical and more grounded in the American wilderness. Wheatley often invoked Greco-Roman gods and biblical figures; Lard focused more on the immediacy of nature and the realities of frontier life.
Religion and Morality
Religion played a central role in 18th Century American poetry, and Lard was no exception. Her poems often addressed moral themes, using a style that echoed Puritan sermons and scriptural passages. She believed poetry had a didactic purpose and could uplift readers by guiding them toward spiritual truth.
Her religious poems do not preach dogma but rather explore the emotional complexity of faith. She often wrestled with suffering, doubt, and redemption. This made her voice especially relatable to those living on the American frontier, where hardship was common and faith was a lifeline.
Like Jane Colman Turell and Anne Bradstreet, Lard found in religion not only a subject but a means of expression.
These women saw in American poetry a way to document their relationship with God, their inner lives, and their social roles. In this respect, Lard stands firmly within the lineage of devout 18th Century American poets.
Women’s Experience
What sets Lard apart is her exploration of women’s experiences in early America. While not overtly political or feminist by today’s standards, her poetry includes reflections on the emotional labor, isolation, and resilience of women.
In poems that describe domestic scenes, childbirth, or the loss of children, Lard presents the life of a pioneer woman not as a background to male heroism but as a subject worthy of poetic attention. This subtle shift in focus was radical for its time. Her willingness to write about emotional struggle gave voice to many women who shared her burdens but had no public outlet.
Her focus on the domestic sphere contrasts with the political and philosophical concerns of poets like Timothy Dwight or Joel Barlow. Where they extolled liberty, revolution, and rationalism, Lard emphasized emotional depth, personal sacrifice, and spiritual sustenance.
Style and Technique
Rebecca Hammond Lard employed a simple and direct style. Her language was accessible and often plain, reflecting the Puritan tradition. Yet within this simplicity lies emotional complexity. She used rhythm and rhyme to create a meditative tone, which allowed readers to reflect on the themes she presented.
Lard did not experiment with form or meter to the same degree as some of her contemporaries. Instead, she favored quatrains and couplets, familiar and easy-to-read formats that aligned with her moral and religious messages. Her technique emphasized clarity and sincerity over innovation, a common trait among 18th Century American poets.
In comparison, Phillis Wheatley’s style was more elevated and rhetorical. Wheatley’s classical education allowed her to imitate Pope and Milton, while Lard’s limited formal training led her to a more organic and heartfelt expression. This divergence in style reflects their different backgrounds but also highlights the diversity of voices in early American poetry.
Reception and Legacy
During her lifetime, Lard did not receive widespread acclaim. Like many women of the 18th century, she published under difficult circumstances, with limited access to the literary networks dominated by men. Her works were read locally and sometimes reprinted in regional periodicals, but she never achieved the national fame of her male peers.
Nevertheless, her legacy is profound. Lard’s poetry captures the emotional and spiritual life of American settlers, particularly women. In doing so, she expands our understanding of what 18th Century American poetry could encompass.
Modern scholars have begun to reassess her contributions. Her work is now studied as part of a broader movement to recover early women writers in American literature. In anthologies and scholarly works, Lard is often mentioned alongside figures like Lydia Sigourney, Jane Colman Turell, and Mercy Otis Warren, illustrating her importance within the tradition of early American women poets.
Comparison with Contemporary Poets
Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley, born in 1753, was one of the first African American poets to be published. Her poetry was deeply influenced by classical literature and Christian theology. Wheatley’s work is characterized by its formal structure and rhetorical flourish. In contrast, Lard’s poetry was less ornate and more introspective. Both poets, however, used their work to reflect on suffering, faith, and moral purpose.
Jane Colman Turell
Jane Colman Turell, a devout Puritan and early 18th Century American poet, also emphasized religion and the domestic sphere. Turell’s poetry focused on piety and the duties of a Christian woman. Lard shared this religious devotion but extended it to encompass the harsh realities of frontier life. Lard’s poems have a stronger sense of realism and struggle.
Anne Bradstreet
Although Anne Bradstreet lived in the 17th century, her influence persisted well into the 18th century. Like Lard, Bradstreet wrote about family, faith, and personal grief. Lard’s poetry can be seen as a continuation of Bradstreet’s legacy, particularly in her honest portrayal of emotional life. Both women offered poetic insights into the experiences of early American women.
Conclusion
Rebecca Hammond Lard is an important yet underappreciated 18th Century American poet. Her work represents a distinct blend of religious devotion, emotional realism, and a deep connection to nature. As an American poet, she spoke to the moral and spiritual concerns of a young and struggling nation.
Her poetry deserves wider recognition within the canon of American poetry. She wrote not from the centers of power or privilege, but from the periphery—from the rural frontier, the schoolhouse, and the domestic hearth.
Her voice offers a valuablehe dominant narratives of her time.
In understanding the full scope of 18th Century American poetry, we must include the voices of women like Lard. They remind us that American poetry was not just about revolution and rationalism, but also about quiet faith, daily endurance, and personal loss. Lard’s poetry, with its sincerity and depth, enriches our understanding of the early American literary tradition.
Rebecca Hammond Lard may not have sought fame, but her words endure. They speak to the emotional life of an era, and in doing so, they connect us to the humanity that underpins all poetry—across time, space, and gender. As we continue to explore the voices of 18th Century American poets, Lard’s work will remain a vital part of the story.
