Sarah (Field) Underhill (1734 - 1812)

Born 22 Feb 1734 in Greenwich, Fairfield, Connecticut

Ancestors

Wife of Isaac Underhill — married 3 Sep 1756 in Harrison, Westchester, New York

Descendants

Died 20 Mar 1812 at age 78 in Yorktown, Westchester, New York, United States

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Biography

Sarah was a Friend (Quaker)

Sarah Field, daughter of Robert Field and Rebecca Burling, married Isaac Underhill 18 Aug 1756.^[1]

She died 20d 3m 1812 [20 Mar 1812], aged 78 years.^[2]

Testimony

The following testimony is from Memorials concerning several ministers, and others, deceased, of the Religious Society of Friends published by the New York Yearly Meeting.^[2]

The Testimony of Amawalk Monthly Meeting, concerning SARAH UNDERHILL.

She was the daughter of Robert and Rebecca Field, members of Purchase Monthly Meeting. Her mother was removed by death when she was quite young, but through the humbling visitations of divine grace, she was made willing to yield obedience thereto, and to seek an inheritance in the Truth ; and by persevering in faithfulness to the unfoldings thereof, she became qualified to be a useful member of religious society.

After her marriage with our friend Isaac Underhill, she faithfully performed the important duty of a wife, being attentive, kind, affectionate, and indeed, a true help-meet to him on all occasions.

Her care and piety were particularly exemplified in the education and management of a numerous offspring. She was concerned to seek for wisdom and under standing to nurture them in the fear and admonition of the Lord : and from the fulness of her concern for her children’s welfare, she would frequently, as she walked by the way, or was sitting by her fireside, invite their attention to the Law of the Lord written in their hearts, and her petitions were often preferred to the throne of grace on their behalf.

Diligent in the attendance of meetings, even to advanced age, she was also an ex ample of humility and reverent waiting in them. Her countenance grave and sweet, evinced the serenity of her mind and the weightiness of her spirit, and that she was deeply engaged to perform true and accept able worship; and we have no doubt but she frequently experienced, on those solemn occasions, the verity of the Psalmist's declaration, “The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous.” Thus, sensible of the benefit as well as the importance of the duty, she was careful to encourage her children and domestics to the steady attendance of religious meetings, and to make way for seasons of retirement in her own family, having the Scriptures and other suitable books often read.

Being of a cheerful disposition, and remarkable for her courtesy and affability, she often mingled in pleasant converse with her friends; and having much place with those in early life, as well as with those who were older, (for all loved her society,) those seasons were generally interesting ; and as her mind was under the influence of love, and attracted thereby to the source of good, they were often to edification and the promotion of the cause of righteousness.

Instructed in the school of Christ, she became qualified to be an elder in the Church, and a mother in Israel. Sensible of her dependence on the Lord for daily support, it was her practice often to meditate on his goodness, frequently appearing, at such seasons, to be filled with thankful ness in the enjoyment of the divine presence. And having in the vicissitudes and exercises which marked her progress through life, experienced the supporting arm of the Lord to be with her, she would often gratefully commemorate his wonderful dealings, and encourage others in a feeling manner, to faithfulness and obedience to the law of the Spirit of life, that so they might know Christ to be the way and the door into the sheep fold, their sanctification and redemption. Being endued with an intelligent mind, enlightened by divine truth, she was qualified to discern the early buddings of wrong things in her own family and others, and being vigilant in care, gentle, but unwearied in her endeavours to reclaim, her labours rarely failed of acceptance.

She was a zealous supporter of the discipline of the Society, and careful to exemplify in her own conduct a correspondence with her precepts.

Commiserating the afflictions of her fellow creatures, for which she was remark able, her sympathy was often directed to the sufferings of the Africans and their descendants, in a state of bondage.

Her last illness was short, and being occasioned by a paralytic shock, rendered her very helpless, and in great measure deprived her of the use of speech. She, nevertheless retained her understanding, and was pre served to the closing scene, in that sweet disposition which had been so distinguishing a trait in her character through a long life, waiting with patience and resignation for the hour of dissolution. At intervals, she would be pleasant as if in perfect health, and strive to communicate to those about her, and although with much difficulty, she occasionally uttered a few words. Her bodily afflictions were great, and at times she also experienced much poverty of spirit. At one time, she expressed herself so as to be distinctly understood, “I beg that I may be preserved to the end : our Saviour desired that the cup might pass from him, but said, Not my will, but thine be done;” adding, “submission to suffering is also necessary for us."

She desired, that a friend who was sick should be told from her, “not to give way to discouragement, but to lift up her head in hope, for help was near.” To several young friends who came to see her, she imparted tender and affecting counsel, though with faltering accents; urging the necessity of faithfulness to manifested duty. One evening, she said, “Oh, how poor and destitute I am, yet I have no cause to be discouraged; what shall we do when we have no light? Look to the Lord and he will help.”

At another time, “I have an anchor to my soul, and am surrounded with light: I have been labouring, and have got to the bottom: all is light and life.”

A short time before her departure, she said, “I am willing to go; I am filled with light; I am surrounded with light, and centered in it.” After being fervently engaged in supplication, she departed this life, the 20th of Third month, 1812, aged 78 years; and having been concerned to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, we have no doubt but the voice from heaven which John heard, will apply to our beloved friend ; “Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord, from henceforth ; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.” Rev. xiv. 13.

Sources

1. ↑ The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, 1847-2011, Volume Number: 113, Page Number: 284; database online; Ancestry.com (Record link), accessed September 2020. Record details: Sarah Field, Parents: Robert Field & Rebecca Burling, married Isaac Underhill August 18 1756 in USA.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Orthodox : 1828-1955). Meeting for Sufferings, and New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friend . Meeting for Sufferings. Memorials Concerning Several Ministers, And Others, Deceased: of the Religious Society of Friends; With Some of Their Last Expressions. New York: Printed, 18141829. 1814. p. 122.