The Death of Dr. G. P. Judd.

Our readers from this edge of the nation to that edge, you will grieve in sadness to hear of the death of Dr. Judd. He hobbled about due to weakness he suffered from the time his companion [his wife, Laura Fish Judd] died this past year. He desired to go; perhaps it should be said that he waited for his calling, for he told his family and friends that he was ready to go. In the evening of this past Saturday, July 12, after drinking some tea, he read some chapters of the New Testament, and leaned in his chair, and died easily, without a moan. That is how the last remaining fellow of the nation of Kauikeaouli passed on, the friend and counselor of Kaʻahumanu, of Hoapili, of Kekāuluohi, of Kekūanāoʻa, of ʻĪʻī, of Pākī, and of Keoni Ana. In the afternoon of the following Sunday, the funeral took place from Maʻemaʻe; eight old Hawaiians carried his body to his final resting place; beside his wife and their children who passed before him, at a place where you can see the Royal Mausoleum, where the Monarchs and aliʻi who he always associated with were at rest. There are many who attended his funeral. The ten small grandchildren of Kauka walked far ahead until reaching the grave. At the house, there were hymns, prayers, and so too at the grave. The Rev. Mr. Damon gave the eulogy.

Dr. Gerrit P. Judd was born at Paris, close to Clinton, in the state of New York, on the 23rd of April, 1803, therefore he was seventy and a bit more at the time of his death. He was taught the medical profession at the Fairfield Medical College in New York. When he was 24, he sailed from his land of birth along with his wife and some others, as a missionary doctor for Hawaiʻi nei. They arrived along with the Revs. Lorrin Andrews [Lorrin Aneru], Jonathan S. Green [Jonathan S. Gerina], and Ephraim W. Clark, and their wives. They arrived here in Honolulu on March 31, 1828. During those days, Dr. Judd served greatly as a doctor amongst the Hawaiian people. He soon became a friend of the chiefs, and their trust in him lasted until they died. In July 1842, Mr. Richards [Rikeke] was the interpreter [māhele ʻōlelo] and secretary to the chiefs, but he sailed for the United States of America and Europe for national duties, therefore, Dr. Judd was chosen in place of Mr. Richards, and he set aside the occupation for which he came because of the request of Kauikeaouli and the aliʻi. From then on, while he held a position in the government, Dr. Judd greatly assisted in the prosperity of the Hawaiian nation. He did more work than the next person in the institution of security and independence for the nation. While in the midst of all the difficulties with Lord George Paulet, when the flag was taken, Kauka was faithful to the King, and it was due to his wise management and guidance that the life of the land continued on. He spent forty-five years of his life in these islalnds, and we must say that he dedicated the majority of his life for Hawaiʻi nei. He could have become a very rich man should he have wanted to. Kauikeaouli was very kind to him, and almost everything would have been given to him [Kauka], if he had asked for it, but Kauka was not a greedy man. He carried out his work, for he had an intense love for this people, and after living here for a long time, he did not die a rich man. While he held the position of Minister of Finance, the business of that Department was carried out wisely, and the government prospered. In the year 1842, when he took the office of Minister of Finance, the government was in debt $160,000. In 1846, the debt was paid in full, and that year the government made more money than it loss.

Dr. Judd was a respectable man, he was a good Christian, he was a true friend to the Hawaiians, and he was a man with powerful ideas, he was steadfast, with unwavering patience. Salutations to you, O Kauka, Hawaiʻi is silenced, as when a dear friend passes on.