Catharine H. Esling

Catharine (sometimes misspelled "Catherine") Harbison Waterman (sometimes misspelled "Watterman") was born in Philadelphia, April 12, 1812.[2] Under her maiden name, she became known as an author in various periodicals. Her first published pieces appeared in the New York Mirror. She has since contributed to the Annuals, and to Graham's and Godey's Magazine.[3][4] She wrote hymns, such as "Come Unto Me", which were published in an annual called The Christian Keepsake (1839).[5] She also stated that her hymns never would have been published but for her mother.[6] In 1841, she edited a volume, Friendship's Offering for 1842.[7] In 1850, her poems were collected and published under the title, The Broken Bracelet and Other Poems.[8]

In 1840, she married Captain George J. Esling, of her native city, who was serving in the Merchant Marine. She resided from that date till the death of her husband, in 1844, at Rio de Janeiro, after which she returned to Philadelphia.[3][4][8] In her later years, she gave up writing. She lived with a daughter, and spoke of a son who lived out West.[6] She was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Philadelphia,[8] where she died April 6, 1897.[2] Interment was at Greenmount Cemetery, Philadelphia.[9]

Books

• The Broken Bracelet and Other Poems, 1850
• The Book of parlour games : comprising explanations of the most approved games for the social circle, viz. games of motion, attention, memory, mystification and fun, gallantry and wit, with forfeits, penalities, etc., 1853
• Flora's lexicon : an interpretation of the language and sentiment of flowers : with an outline of botany, and a poetical introduction by Catharine H. Waterman, 1857

Hymns[10]

• "Come sons of Columbia, while proudly and high"
• "Come unto me when shadows darkly gather"
• "Father, a weary heart hath come"

Edited volume

• Friendship's Offering for 1842, 1841

• Works by or about Catharine H. Esling at Internet Archive