Lyman Lovewell (1812-1862)


Author of the abolitionist pamphlet “A Sermon on American Slavery: Preached in New Hudson, Mich., June 18, 1854,” Lyman was a son of Zaccheus Lovewell by his second wife, Irene Lyman Loveland.  His abolitionist zeal may have been the impetus behind a temporary migration to Kansas by his nephew Thomas Lovewell and the extended family of Vinson Perry Davis in 1856.  Lyman died of typhoid fever near his home in Michigan in 1862, at the age of fifty.

Researcher Fulisa Shepherd uncovered this obituary for Rev. Lovewell in the archives of his local newspaper, dated 12/16/1862.


Died in Kensington, Oakland Co. on the 19th of October, 1862, of Typhoid fever, Rev. Lyman Lovewell, aged 50 years.


He was an early correspondent of this paper, and an able advocate for the perpetuity of our Republican institutions, and many of his poetical contributions bear the impress of genius.  As a Minister of the Gospel, he was progressive, and conformed to the spirit of the age.  The principles of equity and justice which were eloquently taught and daily practiced by him, were construed as heresies by some who were "clothed in a little brief authority," but nothing swerved him - he stood manfully for the Right, and by his social virtues he drew around him a circle of the warmest friends, who regarded him with affection.  His leisure hours were devoted to agriculture and his highly cultivated farm gave ample evidences of his skill and industry.

Portrait of Rev. Lyman Lovewell courtesy Jim Peters

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