James Wallace Pine, Poet

Partially reprinted from an article I wrote for The Spectator, the Noah Webster House's member newsletter in 2009.

Oh, summer, how lovely,

The forest so green,

Does wave in wild splendor

Wherever it’s seen.

Though autumn’s harsh breeze

Of it’s beauty has slain,

Sweet summer has come

And restored it again.

When farewell I shall say

To this splendid scene,

The forest all clad

In its foliage so green;

When my labors shall cease

And at rest I am laid,

Let me lie in the forest,

That beautiful shade.

From “Sweet Forest Shade”

Written in 1906 by James Pine

Connecticut Poet James Wallace Pine was born in Danbury, CT in 1839. When he died in West Hartford in 1907, the Hartford Courant noted that he was, “one of the best known colored men hereabouts.” Pine’s fame came from his involvement in the community and from his two published works- “The Pilgrim’s Hope; and Other Poems” and “Shadows of the Evergreen, or Poems for the Gay and Merry, and for the Lonely and Desponding”. “The Pilgrim’s Hope” is available at the Connecticut Historical Society, as well as on Google Books. It is unknown as to whether any copies of “Shadows of the Evergreen” exist today.

While he lived in Danbury, Pine was licensed to preach (but was not ordained) and acted as a substitute preacher in Danbury, as well as in surrounding towns. After moving to West Hartford, he became well known as the public gravedigger and was sexton (“a church officer or employee who takes care of the church property and performs related minor duties”) for a brief time. He was also the Selectman of Public Cemeteries during a period after January 1903. 

According to the Hartford Courant, Pine’s “one great hope” was that he should be able to own his own home before he died. In an article dated May 19, 1903, a statement reads, “work resumed upon Rev. James W. Pine’s house on Fern St”. Apparently, a Mr. F.C. Benedict had given Pine the piece of property in 1901. He was able to realize his dream just before he died, “through the interest of his friends”. The property was known as Lot 105 on the south side of Fern Street in West Hartford Heights.

Pine's property is outlined in red. The current home there was built in 1939. Geneva Avenue is and was known as Arundel Avenue.

James Pine passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 1907. When he died, he left his wife, Hannah, and six grown children.