A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Judson, Sarah B.

4120646A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography — Judson, Sarah B.

JUDSON, SARAH B.,

Daughter of Ralph and Abia Hull, was born in Alstead, New Hampshire, November 4th., 1803. She was first married to the Rev. George D. Boardman, in 1825, and soon after accompanied her husband, and other missionaries, to Calcutta. The first destination of Mr. and Mrs. Boardman, was Tavoy; and there, after encountering great dangers and sufferings, and overcoming appalling difficulties and discouragements, in all of which Mrs. Boardman shared with her beloved husband, Mr. Boardman died, in 1831. She had previously lost two children; one only, a son, was left her, and they were alone in a strange land. But she did not desert her missionary duties. Four years she remained a widow, and then was united in marriage with the Rev. Dr. Judson. Their union was a happy one; but after the birth of her fourth child, her health failed, and a voyage to America was recommended as the only hope of restoration. Dr. Judson, with his wife and children, took passage for their own country; but on reaching the Isle of France, Mrs. Judson's health was so greatly improved, that Dr. Judson, whose duties in Burmah were urgent, determined to return, while his wife and children should visit America.

But they did not thus part; on putting out to sea, Mrs. Judson grew rapidly worse, and died within sight of the rocky island of St. Helena, where she was buried, September 3rd., 1845.

If this second Mrs. Judson was less distinguished than her predecessor for strength of mind and the power of concentrating her energies, so as to display, at a glance, her talents, yet she was not inferior in loveliness of character. The genius and piety of Mrs. Sarah B. Judson will ever keep her memory sacred, as a pure light in the path of the female missionary.