Boston-born Baptist minister and academic (1808-1895) best known as the lyricist of 'America' ('My Country, 'Tis of Thee'), written while he was a student at Andover Theological Seminary. Highly desirable AQS on an off-white 10 x 8 sheet, lightly lined, signed at the conclusion in ink, "S. F. Smith." Smith pens the four original verses of 'America' in their entirety, in part: "My country, – 'tis of thee, / Sweet land of liberty, / Of thee I sing; / Land where my fathers died, / Land of the pilgrims' pride, / From every mountain side, / Let freedom ring." Smith adds to the conclusion, "Written in 1832, March 13, 1888." In very good to fine condition, with some irregular toning to the first page. A significant autograph connecting Smith's patriotic song with the heroic Union volunteers at Gettysburg.
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