Series: Poems by Ellen Murray

Very few of Ellen Murray’s writings have been identified or published. However, not all of Ellen Murray’s writings remained private. Between 1861 and 1865, she wrote at least fourteen poems that she had published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard, a prominent abolitionist newspaper. Her poems offer a glimpse in the world and perspective of one of Penn School’s founders.

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 1: Introduction to Poems by Ellen Murray

    Ellen Murray sits in a chair with a book next to two students.

    An introduction to a series of poems from 1861 to 1865 written for the National Anti-Slavery Standard by Ellen Murray, co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 2: The Martyr of December 2, 1859

    Image of the front page of the National Anti-Slavery Standard newspaper from October 1861.

    This poem is part of a series written by Ellen Murray, co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "The Matyr of December 2, 1859" was originally published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on October 26, 1861. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 3: Dues Eversor!

    The front page of the National Anti-Slavery Standard from November 16, 1861.

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "Dues Eversor!" was first published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on November 16, 1861. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 4: Our Watchword

    The front page of the National Anti-Slavery Standard from May 10, 1862.

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "Our Watchword" was first published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on May 10, 1862. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 5: Tamar's Prayer

    The front page of the National Anti-Slavery Standard from August 2, 1862.

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "Tamar's Prayer" was first published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on August 2, 1862. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 6: Half-Way

    The front page of the October 4, 1862 edition of the National Anti-Slavery Standard.

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "Half-Way" was first published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on October 4, 1862. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 7: Lines

    The front page of a newspaper titled

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "Lines" was first published in The New South on November 1, 1862. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 8: The First Day of January, 1863

    Front page of the December 27, 1862 edition of the National Anti-Slavery Standard.

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "The First Day of January, 1863" was first published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on December 27, 1862. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 9: The Slave in Tennessee

    The first page of

    This poem is part of a series written by Ellen Murray, co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "The Slave in Tennessee" was originally published in the Free South on April 11, 1863. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 10: God With Us

    The front page of the April 18, 1863 edition of the National Anti-Slavery Standard.

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "God With Us" was first published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on April 18, 1863. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 11: Sunset on Edisto Beach, SC

    The front cover of the National Anti-Slavery Standard from July 11, 1863.

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "Sunset on Edisto Beach, SC" was first published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on July 11, 1863. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 12: Moonlight on Edisto Beach

    The front page of the July 18, 1863 edition of the National Anti-Slavery Standard.

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "Moonlight on Edisto Beach" was first published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on July 18, 1863. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 13: Col. Robert G. Shaw

    First page of the National Anti-Slavery Standard from August 22, 1863.

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "Col. Robert G. Shaw" was first published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on August 22, 1863. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 14: The Freed Land

    The front page of the Anti-Slavery Standard from August 13, 1864.

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "The Freed Land" was first published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on August 13, 1864. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 15: Olustee

    The front page of the National Anti-Slavery Standard from December 17, 1864.

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "Olustee" was first published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on December 17, 1864. Read more

  • Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

    Article 16: Going Home to Edisto

    The front page of the March 18, 1865 edition of the National Anti-Slavery Standard.

    This poem is part of a series by Ellen Murray, a co-founder of the Penn School on St. Helena Island, SC. "Going Home to Edisto" was first published in the National Anti-Slavery Standard on March 18, 1865. Read more

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