The landscape of American poetry in the 18th century was diverse and evolving. Amidst the colonial struggles, religious awakenings, and revolutionary fervor, voices emerged that began to shape what we now consider American poetry. One such voice belonged to Lucy Terry, an 18th Century American poet who carved her legacy into the literary and historical memory of the United States. Though she wrote only one known poem, “Bars Fight,” her contribution is both unique and foundational.
Lucy Terry’s life and work reflect the intersections of race, gender, and authorship in early American literature. She was the first known African American poet and one of the earliest figures in American poetry whose work has survived. Her story offers a window into the literary culture of the time and reveals the complex narratives often left out of mainstream historical accounts.
This article explores Lucy Terry’s life, her role as an 18th Century American poet, the cultural significance of her work, and how she compares to her contemporaries. Through a detailed analysis, we aim to underscore her importance in the canon of American poetry.
Lucy Terry
Lucy Terry was born in Africa around 1730 and brought to Rhode Island as an infant, where she was sold into slavery. She was purchased by Ebenezer Wells of Deerfield, Massachusetts. Despite being enslaved, she learned to speak English fluently and absorbed the cultural practices of colonial New England.
In 1756, Lucy Terry married Abijah Prince, a free African American man. Through this marriage, she gained her freedom. The couple eventually settled in Guilford, Vermont, where they raised several children and became respected members of their community. Lucy Terry became known not only for her eloquence and intelligence but also for her activism and public speaking.
Her life journey from enslavement to respected matriarch and landowner is a testament to resilience. Her transformation reflects a broader narrative within American history—one that recognizes the voices of African Americans in the founding eras of the nation.
“Bars Fight”: A Singular Yet Monumental Contribution
Lucy Terry is best known for her poem “Bars Fight,” which recounts an ambush by Native Americans in Deerfield, Massachusetts, on August 25, 1746. Although the poem was not published until 1855, it was composed orally and preserved through recitation.
Structure and Content of “Bars Fight”
“Bars Fight” is a ballad-style narrative poem composed in rhymed quatrains. It details the names of the victims, the sequence of the attack, and the emotional toll it took on the community. The poem served as both historical record and moral reflection.
Cultural and Historical Importance
As a piece of American poetry, “Bars Fight” performs multiple functions:
Historical Documentation: It preserves a localized event that may have otherwise been forgotten.
Community Memorialization: It honors the lives lost in the conflict.
Moral Commentary: It hints at the harshness and unpredictability of frontier life.
In an era when African Americans were largely excluded from literary culture, Lucy Terry’s authorship stands as a powerful assertion of intellectual agency.
Lucy Terry as an American Poet
Although she authored only one surviving poem, Lucy Terry’s work and public presence mark her as a key 18th Century American poet. Her poetic practice was rooted in oral tradition, a vital and respected form of communication in early American society.
Oral Tradition in Early American Poetry
Oral poetry was a significant medium in 18th century America, especially among marginalized communities. For African Americans, oral storytelling, songs, and poetry served as means of preserving culture, history, and identity. Lucy Terry exemplifies this tradition.
A Female Voice in a Male-Dominated Literary Culture
The American poetry landscape of the 18th century was largely dominated by white, male writers. Lucy Terry’s position as a black woman makes her authorship all the more exceptional. She was not only a poet but also a rhetorician. Historical records describe her as persuasive and articulate, particularly in defending her family’s rights in public and legal settings.
Comparisons with Contemporary American Poets
Lucy Terry’s poetry, though singular, can be meaningfully compared to other 18th Century American poets, such as:
Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley, like Lucy Terry, was an African American woman who began life in slavery. However, Wheatley was formally educated and published a book of poems in 1773, gaining international recognition. While Wheatley’s work reflects classical influences and religious themes, Terry’s poem is rooted in vernacular storytelling and community memory.
Both poets challenge the assumptions of their era, proving that African Americans were capable of intellectual and artistic achievement. Yet, Terry’s oral composition predates Wheatley’s publications, placing her at the very beginning of African American literature.
Michael Wigglesworth
Wigglesworth, a Puritan minister and poet, authored “The Day of Doom,” a long religious poem that was widely read in early America. His work reflects the moral and theological concerns of colonial society. While Lucy Terry’s “Bars Fight” is less overtly religious, it too reflects moral seriousness and a concern for communal well-being.
Anne Bradstreet
Anne Bradstreet, the first published American poet, wrote in the 17th century but remained influential in the 18th. Like Lucy Terry, Bradstreet navigated gender constraints to find a voice in a male-dominated field. Both women used personal and communal themes in their poetry and drew upon their life experiences for subject matter.
Lucy Terry’s Legacy in American Poetry
Although “Bars Fight” is her only surviving work, Lucy Terry’s legacy as an 18th Century American poet is secure. She is recognized not only for her poetry but also for her role as an early African American intellectual and community leader.
Rediscovery and Publication
“Bars Fight” was preserved orally for over a century before being published. This fact illustrates both the durability of oral traditions and the historical neglect of African American voices. The poem’s eventual inclusion in anthologies of American poetry helped secure Lucy Terry’s place in literary history.
Influence on Later Writers
Lucy Terry’s example inspired later African American writers, including those of the Harlem Renaissance and beyond. Her work is frequently included in discussions of African American literary history, women’s writing, and early American poetry.
Institutional Recognition
Today, Lucy Terry is studied in university courses on American literature and African American studies. Scholars continue to uncover new aspects of her life, examining her legal speeches and her activism alongside her poetic contributions.
Expanding the Canon: Why Lucy Terry Matters
Lucy Terry challenges traditional definitions of American poetry. Her oral composition forces literary scholars to expand their methodologies to include non-written forms of literature. Her identity as an African American woman reshapes our understanding of who participated in early American culture.
Broadening Literary History
The inclusion of poets like Lucy Terry in the canon is not merely an act of tokenism. It is a necessary correction to a literary history that has too often excluded marginalized voices. Her work complicates the narrative of American poetry by highlighting the roles of women, African Americans, and oral traditions.
Educational Implications
Teaching Lucy Terry in schools and universities encourages students to think critically about race, gender, and authorship. Her story provides a compelling entry point into broader discussions about American history and literature.
Conclusion
Lucy Terry, though the author of only one surviving poem, remains a monumental figure in the history of American poetry. As an 18th Century American poet, her work reflects the complexities of race, gender, and community in early America. “Bars Fight” is more than a poem; it is a cultural artifact, a historical record, and a declaration of literary presence.
By remembering and studying Lucy Terry, we honor the diversity of voices that have shaped American poetry from its beginnings. Her life and work stand as enduring reminders that literature is not only found in books but also in voices, memories, and acts of resistance. She is not merely an early American poet—she is an essential one.
