Wm. B. Greene Timeline & Miscellany
1819
- April 4: William B. Greene born in Haverhill, MA. Records
show the name as "Green," and this is probably before
WBG's father changed his own name from Peter Nathaniel Green
to Nathaniel Greene.
1821
- Mary Gardiner Greene born in Haverhill, MA.
- In 1821, the Greenes moved to Boston, where Nathaniel established
the American Statesman.
1831
- May(?): WBG enters Chauncy Hall School, Boston, G. F. Thayer,
principal.
1833
- May: WBG leaves Chauncy Hall School, enters Haverhill Academy,
Haverhill, Ebenezer Smith, Jr., principal.
1834
- October: WBG leaves Haverhill Academy.
- October 9: WBG sets out from NYC, en route to Havre and then
Paris. Accompanying him is E. Henderson Otis (Mrs. H. G. Otis,
Jr.). He stays with a relative, Mr. Welles, and attends school.
He is in France until at least Nov. 17.
1835
- March 21: WBG accepts appointment to military academy at
West Point.
- July 1: WBG admitted to West Point.
- July: in The Military and Naval Magazine, "List
of the cadet appointments for 1835, to enter the military academy
between the first and twentieth June" includes "William
B. Green, of Suffolk county [MA]."
1837
- July 1: WBG withdraws from West Point.
1838
- November 3: in Niles Weekly, report of WBG's appointment
to 7th Infantry. [p. 159]
1839
- July 1: WBG appointed 2nd Lt., 7th Infantry, US Army.
- July 11: in Army and Navy Chronicle, notice of appointment
of "Wm. B. Green."
- December 14: in Senate Executive Journal, "William
B. Greene, of the State of Massachusetts, to be 2d lieutenant,
1st July 1839." p. 230
1840
- February 9: stated date of composition of William B. Greene's
"Song of Espousal," "Fort Russell, East Florida."
- June 23: in Senate Executive Journal, M. Van Buren
nominates "Nathaniel Greene at Boston" for the post
of "deputy postmaster." p.293
- November 19: in Army and Navy Chronicle, William B.
Greene's "Song of Espousal" reprinted for The Token
for 1841. [source: Boston Evening Gazette] [p. 334]
1841
- early November: WBG returns to Boston.
- November 9: Ralph Waldo Emerson mentions Greene's return
in letter to Margaret Fuller. The same day, Fuller asks, in a
letter to Emerson, "how do you like our military-spiritual-heroico-vivacious
phoenix of the day?" The reference is to Greene, who is
already a favorite of Elizabeth Palmer Peabody.
1842
- April 1/2: Emerson writes to Greene via Elizabeth Peabody.
Greene has been attempting to schedule a meeting with Emerson.
Emerson suggests April 4.
- April 4: WBG's 23rd birthday. According to a letter to Emerson,
written that day, he has a prior commitment to spend the day
with Ida Russell (a participant in some of Fuller's conversations.)
He asks to visit Emerson April 7.
- April 7: The meeting with Emerson apparently takes place.
- October 12: WBG accepted as "resident student"
at Newton Theological Institution. He will concentrate on research
as he tries to determine his proper religious vocation.
- November 25: Emerson, in a letter to Frederic Hedge, reports
that WBG preached at Orestes Brownson's Society for Christian
Union and Progress "a week or more since."
1843
- February 1: in Christian Reflector, "William
B. Green, Boston" is listed among "resident students"
at Newton Theological Institution. [p. 20]
1844
1845
- July 26: in Christian Register, account of the Annual
Visitation and Exhibition, Friday, July 18, at the Cambridge
Divinity School. William B. Greene was 8th among presenters.
with "The Scholastic Philosophy in Connection with Christianity."
[p. 118]
- August: in Monthly Religious Magazine, "Annual
Visitation of the Cambridge Divinity School," announces
graduates and dissertations, including, "The Scholastic
Philosophy in Connexion with Christianity," by Mr. William
B. Greene. [p. 286]
- September: in Christian Examiner and Religious Miscellany,
notice of Cambridge Visitation. [p. 280]
- November 8: in Christian Register, "Ordination,"
"On Wednesday last, Rev. William B. Greene, recently of
the Theological School, Cambridge, was ordained as Pastor of
the First Congregational Church of South Brookfield. The Council
assembled at 10 o'clock, of which Rev. Dr. Thompson of Barre
was chosen Moderator, and opened the meeting with Prayer. The
public religious services were introduced with prayer by the
Rev. Mr. Allen of Northborough. Selections from the Scripture
were read by Rev. Samuel May of Leicester. The sermon was preached
by Rev. James F. Clarke of Boston from II. Cor. iv. 13. 'We also
believe, and therefore speak.' The Ordaining Prayer was offered
by Rev. Mr. Wellington of Templeton. The Charge by Rev. Dr. Parkman
of Boston. The Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Mr. Nute of Petersham.
The Address to the People by Rev. Alonzo Hill of Worcester. The
Benediction by the Paster. The services were attended by a numerous
assembly, and we rejoice in the good prospects of that ancient
and respectable Society." p. 178
1846
- March: in Christian Examiner and Religious Miscellany,
notice of William B. Greene's participation in the ordination
of Rev. Frederick Henry Bond, January 7, in Barre, MA. [p. 316]
In The Monthly Religious Magazine, notice of February
4 ordination of Hubbardston, MA. Reading of the Scriptures by
William B. Greene. [p. 142]
- June 27: in Christian Register, "Sunday School
Convention at Templeton," reports "Short addresses
were then made by Rev. . . . Green of South Brookfield. . . ."
p. 103
- September 14: Elizabeth "Bessie" Greene, daughter
of William Batchelder Greene and Anna Blake Shaw Greene, born,
Brookfield (?), MA. [familysearch.org]
1847
- October 9: in the Christian Register, William B. Greene
responds to "A Personal Trinity" (Boston Recorder,
August 12, 1847) with a short letter. [SCAN IN FULL]
- November 20: in the Christian Register, William B.
Greene's second reply to the author of "A Personal Trinity."
1848
- February 26: in Christian Register, "Personal
Experience," extracts from Greene's The Incarnation.
[p. 2]
- April 22: in Christian Register, reports ordination
on April 12 of Rev. G. W. Weeks, "recently of Brookfield,
having been invited to and accepted the Pastoral charge of the
Unitarian Society in Pomfret, Vt., at their request he was ordained
by a Council convened by the First Congregational Church in Brookfield--Rev.
W. B. Greene, Pastor. . . . Charge by Rev. W. B. Greene. . .
. Mr. Weeks has been a much respected and successful Minister
of the Methodist denomination, in Brookfield." [source:
Springfield Republican] [p. 67]
- May: in Christian Examiner and Religious Miscellany,
a review of Greene's The Incarnation. [p. 466-7]
- June: in The Monthly Religious Magazine, a report
of the Ministerial Conference at "Church of the Savior,"
Wednesday, May 31. "Rev. W. B. Green designated the diversities
that obtain among Unitarians, and took the ground that no man
denying the Resurrection is theologically a Christian. Adjourned."
[p. 288]
- July: in The Monthly Religious Magazine, account of installation
of Rev. Ephraim Nute, June 21. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Greene of Brookfield.
[p. 334]
- August 12: in Christian Register, notice of donations to
the American Unitarian Association includes: "From Rev W
B Greene of Brookfield for Tracts 10.00." [p. 131]
- September: in Christian Examiner and Religious Miscellany,
a short review of Remarks in Refutation of Jonathan Edwards.
[p. 307]
- September 9: in Christian Register, "We rejoice
to know that a young preacher, by the name of Penniman, who has
studied with Rev. W. B. Greene of Brookfield, is about to devote
himself to the care of the church at Savannah, that he will receive
ordination as an Evangelist, and take charge of the society sometime
in the next month. Dr. Penniman has been quite acceptable in
the practice of medicine in Worcester county, and confidently
trust will be blest now as a Physician of souls." [p. 147]
- October 7: in Christian Register, reports ordination
as an Evangelist of Dr. J. Allen Penniman. ". . . charge
by Rev. Mr. Green, of Brookfield. . . . Dr. Penniman has been
a respectable physician in Brookfield. . . ." [p. 163]
- November: in Christian Examiner and Religious Miscellany,
another report of Rev. J. Allen Penniman's ordination, September
29, in Worcester. Sermon by Rev. William B. Greene, from Hebrews
viii. 5. [p. 472] Also noted in The Monthly Religious Magazine,
p. 525.
1849
- May: in Christian Examiner and Religious Miscellany,
short notice of Greene's Letter to Eber Carpenter. [p. 516-7]
- October: in The Rural Repository, "Notes by the
Way" (Prisoner's Friend) reports, "Leaving Brookfield,
we called on our devoted friend, Rev. Mr. Greene, in the South
parish. We were kindly received here and encouraged in our labors,
not by good words only, but by something more substantial."
p. 85
- November 24: in Christian Register, a review of Equality.
[SCAN IN FULL]
- December: in The Massachusetts Quarterly Review, notice
of the publication of Equality, with the note: "This
is a valuable and keen criticism of the Currency, and Institutions,
and Practices, connected with it, showing how easily Capital
prevails over Labor. We regret to have no space for extracts."
Josiah Warren's Equitable Commerce, 2nd ed., is also noted.
[p. 160]
1850
- March: in The Massachusetts Quarterly Review, "Two
New Trinities," a review of George F. Simmons' The Trinity:
its Scriptural Foundation and the early construction of Church
Doctrines respecting it, and William B. Greene's A New
Gnosis. PP196-200 cover Greene's text. [SCAN FULL TEXT]
- March 16: in Christian Register, "A corresponent
of the Lowell Advertiser, writing from Washington, states that
Mr. Nathaniel Green, after eighteen years' service as Postmaster
of Boston, has, within a few days, closed his account of millions
with the post office department, and upon a final settlement
received a check for seven hundred dollars and the thanks of
the head of the department for the faithful discharge of his
duties and the prompt settlement of his accounts." p.43
- July 13: in Christian Register, reports ordination
of Mr. Francis Le Baron as "Evangelist and minister at large"
in Worcester, MA. "Charge, by Rev. Wm. B. Greene of Brookfield."
p. 111
- August: in The Monthly Religious Magazine, a report
of the ordination of Francis Le Baron.
- September: in Christian Examiner and Religious Miscellany,
yet another report of the ordination of Francis Le Baron. [p.
316]
- October: in The Rural Repository, "Notes by the
Way" (Prisoner's Friend) reports, "S. BROOKFIELD. Rev.
Mr. Greene here has aided us from year to year, and expressed
the deepest interest in our cause." p. 96
- November: in Monthly Religious Magazine, "Intelligence,"
reports on the Autumnal Convention in Springfield, MA, Oct 15-17.
SELECTIONS: "Rev. Mr. Greene of Brookfield asked, how
men could be brought to recognize these truths; what was meant
by coming to and humbling the soul before Christ?" [p. 520-528]
[SCAN IN FULL]
1851
- May: in Christian Examiner and Religious Miscellany,
notice of Christian Hymns for Public and Private Worship,
26th ed. Boston: Crosby & Nichols. Includes contributions
from "Rev. W. B. Greene's . . . Brookfield, Mass."
[p. 535]
1852
1853
- July 22: in the Liberator, a report of the debate
in the Massachusetts State Constitutional Convention, Tuesday,
July 12, including William B. Greene's speech. [SCAN IN FULL]
- Augest 19: in the Liberator, on page 131, under the
heading "POLITICAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN," notice of Greene's
speech of July 12, published in full on page 153. "Our readers
will find, on our last page, a very able defence of the right
of the Women of Massachusetts to vote upon the adoption of the
amended Constitution of the State, by Rev. WILLIAM B. GREENE,
of Brookfield. It was made in the Convention; and if right, not
might--reason, not prejudice--justice, not precedent--had prevailed,
its appeals would have been as successful as they are unanswerable.
Mr. Greene makes his democracy a matter of PRINCIPLE, and deserves
the credit which belongs to an honest, consistent and outspoken
man."
1857
- August 14: in the Liberator, "Collections for
the Anti-Slavery Society" includes $100 from "Anna
Shaw Greene, Jamaica Plain. [p. 131]
- November 20: in the Liberator, a notice and review
of The Radical Deficiency of the Existing Circulating Medium.
[p. 186] [SCAN IN FULL]
- December: in The Monthly Religious Magazine and Independent
Journal, a short review of The Radical Deficiency of the
Existing Circulating Medium: "Half a dozen years ago,
several citizens of Brookfield, of whom Mr. Greene was the leading
and directing mind, presented a paper to the State Legislature,
praying permission to establish a mutual bank, for which the
property of all stockholders should be pledged, to an extent
not exceeding three quarters of its real amount, and whose bills
should be redeemable, at all their places of business, not in
specie, but in all manner of goods. The plan and the argument
here offered have an ingenious amplification and defense in this
compact volume. In moeny or metaphysics, in banking or in abstract
contemplation, Mr. Greene's intellect is equally ready, energetic,
brilliant, and "impracticable." If the book--which
is virtually a bright criticism on may points of political economy,
as well as a special plea--is not read in such times as these,
the author may well despair of a hearing." [p. 432]
1858
- January: in The North American Review, a notice of
the publication of The Radical Deficiency of the Existing
Circulating Medium. [p. 299]
- December 22: Francis Parkman writes from Paris to his sister, Molly, "I am well lodged, Hotel de France, 239 Rue St. Honore—I have felt much better since arriving. I find abundant occupation for the winter. I often see Anna Greene, and have been at Howland's and Mrs. Wharton's. For the rest, I shun Americans like the pest. I have not even given my address to my bankers, Hottinguer & Co., to whom please direct. I tell them to send my letters to Wm. Greene."
1859
- January: in The North American Review, a notice of
the publication of The Radical Deficiency of the Existing
Circulating Medium. [p. 299]
- January 19: Francis Parkman writes from Paris to his sister, Molly, "I see Anna Greene almost daily. Greene is a capital fellow, and nothing of a parson."
1861
1864
- January 16: in The Round Table. A Saturday Review of Politics,
Finance, Literature, Society, mention of "Nose of a
Notary," published by Loring and translated by "a daughter
of Col. Greene, of the Post." [p. 78]
1868
- August 1: in American Literary Gazette and Publishers' Circular,
a notice of the publication of The Sovereignty of the People.
[p. 164]
1870
- March 1: in American Literary Gazette and Publishers'
Circular, a notice of the publication of The Theory of
the Calculus. [p. 252] Repeated March 15, p. 285.
- July 1: in The Literary World; a Monthly Review of Current
Literature, a notice of the publication of The Theory
of the Calculus, by Wm. B. Greene. [p. 31]
1871
- May: in The Religious Magazine and Monthly Review,
notice of Transcendentalism, 4th edition, and The Facts
of Consciousness and the Philosophy of Mr. Herbert Spencer:
These "are the titles of two remarkable pamphlets by Mr.
William B. Greene, and will furnish what William Corbett would
call "a bone to gnaw," to those who have a liking for
such hard problems in Psychology. We look upon Mr. Greene as
an able and independent writer, less satisfactory, perhaps, than
he would be were it not for the slight excess of individualism
which marks his productions." [p 544]
- May 1: in American Literary Gazette and Publishers' Circular,
notice of The Facts of Consciousness and the Philosophy of
Mr. Herbert Spencer. [p. 14]
- August 1: in American Literary Gazette and Publishers'
Circular, notice of the publication of Transcendentalism,
4th edition. [p. 187]
- November: in Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature
and Science, notice of the publication of Transcendentalism,
4th edition. [p. 528]
1872
- January: in The Universalist Quarterly and General Review,
publication notices for Transcendentalism, 4th ed., and
The Facts of Consciousness and the Philosophy of Mr. Herbert
Spencer. [p. 128]
- December 11: in Christian Union, Edward E. Hale writes, "As
William Greene says, very wisely, if you want a quality, act
as if you had it already, and by habit it will grow." [p.
482]
1873
- April: in The Journal of Speculative Philosophy, a
short review of The Blazing Star. [p 95-6] [SCAN IN FULL]
1874
1875
- May 7: Bessie Greene and Susan Dimock die in wreck of the
Schiller, off the Scilly Isles.
- May 11: in New York Times, "Miss Susan Dimock,
M.D., of Boylston street, Boston, and Miss Bessie Green, daughter
of Col. W. B. Green, of the same city, were well known there
and highly respected. Hopes are still entertained of their having
survived the terrible disaster, because Miss Dimock was an excellent
swimmer. [p. 1, col. 5] Also, "The following dead have
been indentified:. . . Miss S. Dimock." [p. 1, col. 4]
Socialistic, Communistic, Mutualistic, and Financial Fragments
(1875):
- June 1: in The Literary World; a Monthly Review of Current
Literature: "These 'Fragments' are a series of Essays
on the before name questions, by a representative American writer
and thinker. The advance ground taken, the vigorous thought displayed,
and the finely cultivated style of the author will interest numerous
readers, who will find very much that is valuable within these
pages." [p. 2]
- June 24: in the New England Evangelist: "This
book is well described by its title. Its author, Col. Green,
has his own independent views, and as chairman of the Executive
Committee of the Labor Reform League, has said much at different
times to indicate the fact. With much he says we agree, and with
much we disagree. But the author is evidently an honest thinker,
and entitled to a hearing. His use of English renders his thoughts
sufficiently perspicuous." [p. 2]
- July: in The Unitarian Review and Religious Magazine:
a short notice. [p. 112]
1876
1877
- November 29: Death of Nathaniel Greene.
1878
- July 9: in letter to Sarah Shaw, Lydia Maria Child writes,
"Dear Bessie Green's rule never to separate a mother from
her illegitimate child was a wise provision for this craving
of human nature." [Child, Selected Letters, p. 552.]
- October: in The New-England Historical and Genealogical
Register, Charles Carleton Coffin's "Memoir of Nathaniel
Greene" provides one of the best biographical sources available
to date. Portions are taken from a history of Boscawen and Webster,
NH. A daughter of Charles Gordon Greene, Mrs. Charlotte G. Cunston,
is identified. [pp 373-8] [SCAN IN FULL + PORTRAIT]
1881
- September 24: in The Literary World; a Monthly Review
of Current Literature, a mention of Three Vows and Other
Poems, by William Batchelder Greene [II]. [p. 331]
- November: in The Dial; a Semi-monthly Journal of Literary
Criticism, Discussion, and Information, a mention of Three
Vows and Other Poems. [p. 156]
- December: in The Californian, a mention of Three
Vows and Other Poems. [p. 537]
1888
- April 28: in The Literary World; a Monthly Review of Current
Literature, a mention of "Cloud Rifts at Twilight,"
by William Batchelder Greene [II]. [p. 142]
- May 24: in the Christian Union, a short, positive
review of Cloudrifts at Twilight," by William Batchelder
Greene [II]. [p. 663]
- May 26: in The Literary World; a Monthly Review of Current
Literature, a short review of Cloudrifts at Twilight:
"We have made a conscientious effort to discern either
rhyme or reason in the Cloudrifts at Twilight of William
of William Batchelder Greene [G. P. Putnam's Sons. $1.25], and
have had difficulty in finding either. Flashes of reason there
are now and then and even occasional revelations of a definite
purpose, but most of the productions in the volume seem like
the incoherent ravings of delerium." [p. 167]
- July: in The Catholic World, A Monthly Magazine of General
Literature and Science, a short review of Cloudrifts at
Twilight: "Mr Greene's verses are beautifully printed
on admirably thick paper. It grieves us not to find anything
more hearty to say by way of recommendation of his volume. Considered
as a poet, we dare not recommend him to take comfort in the thought
he has embodied in his "Heart of Grace." "Oblivious
fame," we fear, will go on sleeping, let him raise his voice
never so high and pile up the "numbers of his songs"
until they resemble Pelion upon Ossa. Fame is rather deaf to
poets in our generation anyhow. They multiply like rabbits in
Australia under the fancied necessities of so many monthly magazines,
and though a good many of them manage rhyme and rhythm with more
facility and correctness than Mr. Greene, and though they constitute
a mutual admiration society, most of them, being "critics"
as well, it is more than doubtful that fame will consent to carry
the burden they impose upon her beyond their tombstones. Mr.
Greene's will hardly go so far." [p. 571]