Jonathan Odell
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Odell was a Loyalist
poet
who lived during the American Revolution
.
Odell was born in Newark, New Jersey
in 1737 to John and Temperance Odell. He graduated from Princeton University
(at the time known as the College of New Jersey) in 1754. While he was trained in medicine instead of pursuing a career as a doctor he joined the Church of England
ministry. As a minister he preached at parish priest at Burlington, New Jersey
and Mount Holly, New Jersey.
When the revolution broke out Odell became a strong loyalists and wrote poetry promoting the loyalist cause. He was brought before the New Jersey Provincial Congress for such actions and on July 20, 1776 he was ordered to sign a loyalty oath and remain within eight miles of the Burlington County courthouse. In December of that year he fled to New York, with the help of local citizens, and served as an administrator and satiric poet-propagandist for the British cause. After the war in 1784 he emigrated to New Brunswick
, Canada
where he received the post of provincial secretary as a reward for his loyalty. He remained in New Brunswick and died in Fredericton.
Loyalist (American Revolution)
Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. At the time they were often called Tories, Royalists, or King's Men. They were opposed by the Patriots, those who supported the revolution...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
who lived during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
.
Odell was born in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
in 1737 to John and Temperance Odell. He graduated from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
(at the time known as the College of New Jersey) in 1754. While he was trained in medicine instead of pursuing a career as a doctor he joined the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
ministry. As a minister he preached at parish priest at Burlington, New Jersey
Burlington, New Jersey
Burlington is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States and a suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 9,920....
and Mount Holly, New Jersey.
When the revolution broke out Odell became a strong loyalists and wrote poetry promoting the loyalist cause. He was brought before the New Jersey Provincial Congress for such actions and on July 20, 1776 he was ordered to sign a loyalty oath and remain within eight miles of the Burlington County courthouse. In December of that year he fled to New York, with the help of local citizens, and served as an administrator and satiric poet-propagandist for the British cause. After the war in 1784 he emigrated to New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
where he received the post of provincial secretary as a reward for his loyalty. He remained in New Brunswick and died in Fredericton.
Further reading
- Edited by Winthrop Sargent. The Loyal Verses of Joseph Stansbury and Doctor Jonathan Odell Relating to the American Revolution. J. Munsell, 1860.
-
- A digitized copy of this book is available on Google Books. (link)