USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Groton > Epitaphs from the old burying ground in Groton, Massachusetts > Part 1
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HERE . LYETH . THE BODY · OF · JAMES . PRES COTE . HEE . DYED . THE 9 . OF . MAY · 1704. KS AGED . 20 . AND · 7 · WEE YERES · OLD
2
EPITAPHS
FROM THE
OLD BURYING GROUND IN
GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
With Notes and an Appendix.
BY
SAMUEL A. GREEN, M.D.
"Data sunt ipsis quoque fata sepulcris." JUVENAL.
BOSTON: LITTLE, BROWN, & COMPANY. 1878.
Cambridge : Press of John Wilson and Son.
Stack Annex
5 05/ 435
THIS
Record of Epitaphs
IS PRINTED AS
A TRIBUTE TO THE VIRTUES OF THOSE WHO SLEEP IN THE OLD BURYING GROUND AT GROTON; AND IS INSCRIBED TO THEIR MEMORY.
2039067
And is this all, a name, a date, Graved on the mouldering stone ? And since, like men, rocks have their fate, How soon shall this be gone !
Nay, traveller, look on every side ; For all the smiling scene, The fertile farms, the pastures wide, - These keep their memory green.
They held their own 'mid fierce alarms, With courage, prayer, and toil, 'Gainst savage foes and British arms, Still masters of the soil.
No tombstone holds such men's renown ; But this their deathless fame, - That children's children still hand down A pure and spotless name !
INTRODUCTION.
-
A BURYING GROUND is suggestive of many thoughts. It represents a vast deal of affliction and bereavement. Each tombstone implies, generally, many days of mingled hope and anxiety, as well as long and weary nights of watch- ing. The deepest depths of human feeling have been reached, as the kindred have stood around the open grave, and seen it filled with earth. Their very tears have consecrated the spot and made it hallowed ground. A stroll along the paths is wholesome in its lesson, for it reminds one of the uncertain hour that is certain to come. The quaint and homely epitaphs tell of an undying faith in a future life, and show the consolation that springs from such a belief.
Many names and dates, found nowhere else, are given on tombstones, and it is to rescue these facts from oblivion that this collection of epitaphs is now printed. Personal history is soon forgotten, and family records are easily lost ; and after the lapse of time the very inscriptions will be worn away.
"monumenta fatiscunt, Mors etiam saxis nominibusque venit."
The old Burying Ground in Groton is situated very near the site of the second meeting-house, which was begun in the year 1680. The Ground has probably been used contin- uously for burial purposes since 1678, the date of the resettle- ment of the town after it had been burned by the Indians.
viii
INTRODUCTION.
Its shape is nearly a right-angled parallelogram, about fifteen rods by thirty-two, and it contains three acres or thereabouts. The oldest monument within the enclosure is in memory of James Prescott, who died, May 9, 1704. He was the son of Jonas Prescott, a blacksmith, who procured a rough stone and chiselled the inscription himself with one of his own tools. Headboards may have been used before this time, but these in a few years would decay and disappear. It is very likely, however, that the earliest graves were not marked either by wood or stone. Most of the slabs in the graveyard are of slate, and were taken, probably, from the quarry in the adjoining town of Harvard, though a few may have been brought from England. In former times gravestones were occasionally imported all finished, except the lettering, which was put on afterwards.
The Ground is now crowded with its silent occupants, who outnumber, many times over, those living in the town. It has been the resting-place of the dead during two centuries, and for this reason should always be an object of interest and affection to the inhabitants of Groton. The feeling is akin to piety that prompts a people to take care of God's acre ; and the living pay a due respect to the memory of the dead by making the place attractive.
The following entry contains the earliest reference to the Burying Ground found in the town records : -
"Grotton January the 15 day in the ye 171011
At a town meeting leagley warned prosedeth as foloeth by the maior uote have agreed upon and chose a comety to stat the Buiring place and reglat the hiways in the town whare it is nedfull the men chosen Ensign Farnsworth Samuill scriptor senor the towns Thomas tarbell comety
Samuill Parker Joseph lakin
Joseph lakin clark "
ix
INTRODUCTION.
At this time the Ground had not yet been fenced in, nor its limits definitely fixed. Its use for burial purposes, doubt- less, arose from its convenient position, and not from any formal vote of the town. The following writing, now in the possession of Mr. George D. Brigham, implies that there had been some slight disagreement between the town and the owners of the land : -
" Grotton Janewary the 23 in the year 17101
A finall agrement betwen We the Subscribers to wit as foloeth that is to say the town Shall have for evir the Buring place from the high way by the meting house and so bounded Southerly upon M' hobarts fance where it now stands and bounded Westerly by lancister hiway for and in consideration of medow at masabog and up land where they shall pitch and allso to confirme the bounds of that Swamp and upland south to Joseph lakin and Abraham lakin as thair fances now stands it is to be onder stood that if thair be six acors of medow thay are to haue it if not to haue land equiva- lant to it and if not medow than fifty acors of upland.
Shebuel : hobart Gershom hobart
the towns Comety
Thomas tarbill Samuell parker John farnsworth his Samuill 2 Scripter se[nior] mark
Joseph Lakin "
These two subscribers were sons of the Reverend Gershom Hobart, a former minister of the place, who had died in the year 1705. He lived on the site of the present Baptist meeting-house, directly opposite to one end of the Ground, and probably the sons had inherited the land from their father. The Reverend Mr. Hobart came to Groton in the spring of 1678, - the time of its resettlement, - or very soon afterward ; and the town granted him, June 29, 1678, from the common land, a large number of acres in different lots, including probably the limits of the Burying Ground. It is
-
X
INTRODUCTION.
likely that the encroachment on Mr. Hobart's boundaries was so gradual that no notice was taken of it during his lifetime.
The following votes are found under their respective dates in the town records : -
March 2, 1724/5. "voted that they would fence in the burying place in said town ; the question being put whether they would Chuse a committee to take care concerning fencing in of sd bury- ing place in sd town & the committee bring their Report to the town at the next town meeting it past in the affirmative then proceeded & chose Richard Warnner Jonathan page and Jonathan hubbard for the committee before mentioned to take care concern- ing the fencing in the burying place "
May 14, 1725. "voted yt the Committee that were Imployed to uew the burying place in order to the fencing of it in viz Richard Warner Jonathan Page & Jonathan hubbard are Impowred & Directed to make a fence with boards about said burying place at the Cost & Charge of the town "
September 10, 1728. "voted. that Will™ Shattuck shall have Liberty to mow the burying Place for the term of seven years upon condition that the said Shattuck keep in Good Repair the fence about said burying place, and Leave it so at the end of said term of time further voted that the said Shattuck Leave out a Lane of one pole wide at the south end thereof the fence at the suth end to be made at the Cost & Charge of the said Shattuck & Jonathan Page
further voted that Jon' hubbard Joseph Lakin & Sam" Tarbell be A comttee to Leas out the Gras Growing in said burying place as is above mentioned "
July 23, 1734. "Voted That William Shattuck may feed the Buriing place with Rames for the [year] 1734."
May 16, 1737. "Voted that The Selectmen are Desired & fully Impowered to take Care of the buring Place at ye Cost & Charge of the Town : to see that it be well fenced in & to Call William Shattuck to ann accomp! for the time he had the Care of it & to Sue the said Shattuck their for if they See Caus or any other person, or Persons that shall Trespasse on Said buring Place &c :"
August 21, 1738. "Voted that they will haue ye Buring place fenced in &c. Also voted that it be fenced in with a Good Stone Wall &c :
xi
INTRODUCTION.
Voted that Jonathan Page Samu" Tarbell & Nathaniel Woods to be a Comte & fully Impowered them to fence in the buring Place with a Good Stone Wall that is to [be] a Wall of foure feet & an half high & that thay Civer the Same with a flat Stone to be Don all at the towns Cost :
Voted that the Selectmen Stake out how bige the Buring place shall be fenced in, &c :
Voted y: y: comte Despose of all ye bords & fence about ye buring place to the best advantage the Can for ye towns use."
May 23, 1739. " Voted that the Comtte Chosen to fence in the Burying place : Do fence it with a Good Stone Wall viz: the East & West Ends, and the Two Other Sides with a Good Ditch Wall & to hew a Sufficient log Three Square and Lay it on the Top of sª wall all Round sª Burying Place."
March 4, 1739-40. "Voted that ye Comtee Chosen at a former town meeting to Sell Parte of ye highways in sª town be ordered to pay to ye Comtee Chosen to fence in ye buring Place in sª town y: Sum of fifty Pounds of ye Money Raised upon y: Selling of Highways as aforesª to Enable them to Carry on sd work &c :"
The following article appears in the warrant for the town meeting, held November 3, 1794 :-
" 4. To See if the Town will repair the monument over the revª Caleb Trowbridge grave it being nearly fallen down & choose some person to see it done."
The subject was duly considered at the meeting, when it was
"Voted that D". Sam! Lawrence repair the monument over the Rev.ª Caleb Trowbridge Grave."
In the warrant for the town meeting, held November 7, 1796, the seventh article is
"7. To see if the Town will enlarge their Burying Ground by Purchase or otherwise and do any thing to prevent the new graves interfering with the old ones- and pass Such Votes and orders thereon as they may think proper."
The meeting was duly held, when a committee was appointed, consisting of Lieutenant Samuel Rockwood,
xii
INTRODUCTION.
Deacon Samuel Lawrence, and Timothy Bigelow, Esq., to consider the subject and report at the next meeting. This was accordingly done, and the following is their report made on May 1, 1797 : -
"The Committee to whom was referred the expediency of exchanging the old road belonging to the Town leading from Cap: Joseph Richardsons to Wm Lepears for a piece of land belong- ing to said Richardson lying contiguous to the burying ground on the south side thereof -and your Committee are of opinion that said exchange would be expedient: and that the selectmen be authorized to give said Richardson a deed of that part of said old road that lies between the town road leading by W" Lepears and the northwesterly corner of the land now occupied by the Wid. Mary Tarbell - and that the selectmen should also be authorized to receive of said Richardson a deed to the Town of a peice of his land, bounded thus, begining at the Southeast corner of the burying ground and running Southerly to the fifth post in said Richardson's fence thence westerly to the back door of said Richardsons coat house thence northeasterly by the Town road to the Southwest corner of the burying ground - thence on the southerly side of the burying Ground to the corner first mentioned - and that the selectmen be authorized to agree with Cap! Richardson on the terms of exchange.
Comme Groton May 1, 1797 Submitted by
Sam! Rockwood ) Sam! Lawrance Tim, Bigelow
The extracts from the town records after this date are made to conform, in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization, to common usage.
In the warrant for the town meeting, held June 21, 1802, the third article is as follows : --
"III. To see if the town will order that piece of land lying contiguous to the south side of the burying yard, which was pur- chased of Captain Richardson in 1797, to be added to the yard by enclosing the same with the fence, choose a committee for that purpose, or give any directions relating thereto as the town may think proper."
When the subject was considered at the meeting, it was
x111
INTRODUCTION.
" Voted, that the land mentioned in this article be enclosed with the fence of the common burying yard ; also voted that the select- men be a committee to effect the same."
At the town meeting, held June 5, 1811, the following article was considered : -
"III. To see, as the wall upon the north side of the burying ground must of necessity be immediately rebuilt, if the town will order it to be set, so as to include all the land, belonging to said town, lying between the north side of said burying ground and the two roads that separate at the town's pound, the one leading to Spalter's Tavern, and the other leading by the gunhouse."
Whereupon it was
" Voted, that this article be committed to a committee of three persons, and that Captain James Lewis, James Brazer, and William Livermore be the same, with orders to report at some future meeting."
In the proceedings of September 23, 1811, it is recorded :-
"III. On this article, the Committee chosen in June last, to consider the expediency of rebuilding the wall upon the north side of the Burying Ground, and enlarging the same, reported that in their opinion it was expedient, which report was accepted by the town and ordered to be recorded ; but, upon motion for reconsider- ing the vote, it was obtained, and likewise a vote to pass over the article."
The following articles are found in the warrant for the town meeting, held in March, 1842 :-
" Article VII. To see if the town will direct the wall around the graveyard to be repaired or pass any vote in relation to the subject.
" Article VIII. To see if the town will pass any vote in relation to the tombs in the graveyard."
The action taken on these articles, at an adjourned meeting held April 4, 1842, was as follows : -
"Voted, to direct the selectmen to repair the wall around the graveyard as they may think proper.
xiv
INTRODUCTION.
" Voted, to direct the tombs in the graveyard to be covered with gravel, and then referred the subject to the selectmen with dis- cretionary power subject to the foregoing vote."
These votes, however, were slightly modified by the subse- quent action at the town meeting, held May 23, 1842. The article in the warrant for that meeting reads : -
" Article V. To see whether the town will reconsider the vote passed at their last meeting so far as to leave the subject-matter of the tombs on and around the graveyard, and the manner in which the doors shall be secured, to the said selectmen, acting as a board of health ; and to give the selectmen power to cause said tombs to be secured with an outside door of iron and an inside door of wood, if they shall think that will render them secure, or pass any vote in relation to that subject."
In the proceedings of the meeting, it is recorded that
" The subject-matter of fifth article was referred to the selectmen, and the former vote reconsidered."
From the warrant for the town meeting, held April 28, I845 :-
" Article II. To see if the town will raise or appropriate a sum of money to improve the condition of the burial ground and repair the fence around the same.
" Article III. To see if the town will permit any persons who may form an association for that purpose to ornament the burial ground by planting trees and shrubs within and around the same, or pass any vote in relation to the burial ground."
From the proceedings of the meeting :-
" Article II. Voted, that the selectmen cause the graveyard walls to be put in good repair and the gravestones in said yard to be set upright.
" Article III. Voted to give liberty to individuals to set trees and shrubs in and around the_ burial ground, under the direction of the selectmen."
From the warrant for the town meeting, held January 20, 1851 : -
XV
INTRODUCTION.
" Article II. To see if the town will grant, to Noah Shattuck and others, leave to enclose and ornament according to the modern mode a lot or lots in the common burial ground, and to grade and ornament a walk or mall with a row of trees on either side through the centre of said yard leading from one gate to the other, on con- dition that in so doing no prior claims shall be injured."
It was voted at the meeting to pass over this article.
From the warrant for the town meeting, held in March, 1851 :-
" Article X. To see if the town will make any appropriation for ornamenting the common burying ground.
" Article XI. To see if the town will choose a committee to investigate and report on what terms Noah Shattuck may ornament and occupy about five square rods of land in the common burying ground."
From the proceedings of the adjourned meeting, held April 7, 1851 :-
" Article X. The selectmen were chosen a committee to give directions for any individuals wishing to ornament the yard with trees."
From the warrant for the town meeting, held November 14, 1853 :-
" Article VII. To see if the town will instruct the selectmen to repair the breach in the burying ground wall, made by the removal of the tomb of Noah Shattuck or pass any vote to effect the same."
From the proceedings of the meeting : -
" Article VII. The subject-matter of this article was referred to Joseph Rugg, Stuart J. Park, and Reuben Lewis, with instructions to report at future meeting."
From the proceedings of the meeting, held April 3, 1854 :-
" Article II. Stuart J. Park made a verbal report in relation to the old burying yard, which was accepted and referred to the selectmen, with instructions to carry out the suggestions of the report."
F
xvi
INTRODUCTION.
From the warrant for the town meeting, held April 5, 1858 :-
" Article VII. To see if the town will order the selectmen to expend twenty dollars in ornamenting the old burying ground, or pass any vote in relation thereto."
From the proceedings of the meeting : -
" Article VII. Voted, that the selectmen expend $20 in orna- menting the old burying ground, and also that they should investi- gate the condition of the same, and report at a future meeting."
From the warrant for the town meeting, held April 1, 1867 :-
" Article II. To see if the town will make an appropriation for the improvement of the old burying ground."
From the proceedings of the meeting : -
" Article II. Voted, to appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars to renovate the old burying ground under the direction of the selectmen."
The following report was made at an adjourned meeting, held May 6, 1872, and is found in the records of that date : -
" Article VI. The report of the committee chosen in April last to examine the old burial ground and report this day, was read and accepted by the town, and the following is a copy, to wit : -
"' The committee chosen at the April meeting to examine the town burial ground, and to report to this meeting what was necessary to be done to put the same in permanent good order and respectable condition, respectfully report : -
"' That they have attended to the duty assigned them, and, in their opinion, taking into consideration durability and economy, the best mode of fencing is by stone wall to be laid in the following manner ; to wit, to remove the present walls upon the east and west sides of the ground, and dig a trench not less than three feet wide and three feet deep, fill it with small stones to within six inches of grade, then build a wall of the stones now in the walls, fitting them together as nicely as may be, three and a half feet high, and cap it with a straightened granite cap, eight inches in height by eighteen inches broad, laid to project two inches over the face of the wall, and to build a wall of the same kind, in the same manner, upon the north side, from two to six feet in front of the face of the tombs
-
xvii
INTRODUCTION.
(depending, as to the distance out, upon the number of tombs which the proprietors are willing to surrender and have demolished), and to point all said walls thoroughly with cement. To set gate posts at each gate of hammered granite, eight square, and hang good composite iron gates at each gate way, with proper fastenings, leaving a passage for persons between the gate posts and the walls. To grade a walk about eight feet in width around the ground, and set a row of forest trees between said walk and the street.
"'The passage through the grounds from one gate to the other should also be graded, and trees set upon each side of it. The wall separating the burial ground from the land owned by individ- uals south of it should be relaid, but may be a rough wall or a board fence with stone posts.
"'The gravestones should all be righted up, the moss removed where it renders the inscriptions illegible, and where possible the ground smoothed by removing mounds and filling hollows.
"' Your committee think the appearance of the grounds would be much improved if the tomb holders would all consent to abandon the tombs, and have them uncovered and filled up ; those who have friends in them which they do not wish to remove could let them remain, and the covering of the tomb could be removed and the tomb filled up. They could then erect a gravestone or monument with suitable inscription to mark the spot, and they would have the satisfaction of knowing that the remains of their friends were permanently buried, which is more than can be said of them now.
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