Silas Ballou

BALLOU, Silas. b. Cumberland, Rhode Island, 24 February 1753; d. Richmond, New Hampshire, 10 February 1837. Silas Ballou was the son of James (1723-1812) and Tamasin (née) Cook Ballou (1725-1804) , and a cousin of Hosea Ballou*. He was largely self-educated and his verses were popular with his peers. In addition to hymns, he wrote several patriotic ballads and occasional verses. He married Hannah Hilton (1756-1837) in 1774 and they had seven children. Ballou compiled an early Universalist hymnal, New Hymns on Various Subjects, viz: On the Creation of the World; and the Formation of Man--the State wherein He was Created, and his Sad and Shameful Fall. On the Early and Extensive Promises of...