The sexton's monitor, and Dorchester cemetery memorial, 3rd ed, Part 1

Author: Davenport, Daniel, 1773-1860
Publication date: 1845
Publisher: Boston : Printed by Alfred Mudge
Number of Pages: 52


USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Dorchester > The sexton's monitor, and Dorchester cemetery memorial, 3rd ed > Part 1


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Part 1 | Part 2


F 74 .D5 D2 Copy 1


THE


SEXTON'S MONITOR,


AND


DORCHESTER CEMETERY MEMORIAL,


...........


.......


BOSTON: PRINTED BY ALFRED MUDGE, No, 21 School Street. 1845.


CONGRESS


1800


Class


F74


Book


DEDE


THE


SEXTON'S MONITOR,


AND


DORCHESTER CEMETERY MEMORIAL.


" Theron among his travels found A broken statue on the ground, And searching onwards as he went, Ile traced a ruin'd Monument ; Mould, moss, and shades had overgrown The sculpture of the crumbling stone ; T'et, e'er he pass'd, with much ado,


He guessed and spelt ont SCIPIO."


Daniel Barenbet -


THIRD EDITION.


BOSTON : PRINTED BY ALFRED MUDGE, No. 21 School Street. . 1845.


-


1512


DEDICATION.


To Rev. THADDEUS MASON HARRIS, D. D., Pastor of the First Church in Dorchester.


Permit me, Dear Sir, to inscribe this little Collec- tion to you, in token of my affectionate regard, and of my gratitude for the benefit I have derived from your preaching.


I was your Sexton from April 1st, 1799, to October 23d, 1836, a period of thirty-seven years and six months, and have attended 1279 funerals.


That it may be many years before you, or your family may need my services in this solemn vocation. is the sincere wish of your friend,


DANIEL DAVENPORT.


Dorchester, January 1, 1838.


4 now 1594


146265.


10 -


PREFACE.


MY profession as Sexton, has made me familiar with the Burying Ground ; and I observed several very an- cient inscriptions on Monuments and Grave Stones, which were becoming illegible from the mouldering effects of time. Being desirous that they should be preserved, I have copied them, together with some which I thought curious and interesting ; and, that others might have the perusal of them, I have for a long time proposed to have them printed. I have ar- ranged them nearly in the order of their dates ; and have added some from Grave Yards which I have visited in other places.


I have called the little book " THE SEXTON'S MONI- TOR," because, while his work in digging graves re- minds him of death, the reading of Monumental In- scriptions repeats to him the solemn lessons of warning ; and because I have ventured myself to give some serious and well attended advice.


I hope that all my readers will excuse any imperfec- tions that they may discover ; and remember him in their prayers, who, having buried others, must be buried himself,-for, in the words of Job, " If I wait, the grave is in my house." D. D.


-


THE BURIAL GROUND IN DORCHESTER.


This is one of the most ancient in Massachusetts proper, and its grave-stones have been frequently con- sulted by antiquarians for historical and biographical notices, and by the curious for their quaint epitaphs. With pious regard for the memory of the venerated Puritan settlers, and the past generations of the honor- ed dead, some inhabitants of the town have lately caused the dilapidated monuments to be repaired and set up, and the rank weeds and brambles which had overgrown the humble hillocks, to be cleared out, to give place to some ornamental plants,-emblems of mortal life ; and evergreen trees,-emblems of the im- mortal. The subscription to defray the expense of such improvements in the condition of this place of graves, though applied to "garnish the sepulchres of the righteous," extended not to " build again the tombs of the prophets ;" as it was known that of the nine ministers who, with their flocks, had " gone down to the congregation of the dead," there were only two for whom monumental memorials had been raised, namely, Rev. Richard Mather, in 1669, and Rev. Josiah Flint, in 1680. Several months ago, however, the descendants of the honorable Moses Everett caused a tablet to be set up, inscribed with his name and those of the deceased members of his family, on which is mentioned his death in 1813, and that he was in the ministry from 1774 to 1793. It is, also, an affecting consideration, that no minister of the town has died in office within one hundred and seven years.


-


MONITORY REMARKS.


ADDRESSED TO SEXTON'S IN GENERAL.


MY FRIENDS :- We are called to bury the dead. A serious calling indeed ! It ought to make us very thoughtful and considerate. When we dig the grave, or prepare the tomb, and toll the mournful bell, or lead the solemn procession to the house appointed for all the living, and at last cover up the dark abode of mortal- ity with earth, and spread the sods of the valley over it,-we should think that "Death is the end of all men, and the living should lay it to heart." And we, of all others, must be very insensible if so often called to these funeral services, we are not seriously impress- ed by them.


Our assistance, also, is needed, and on many occa- sions wished for in preference to that of others ; par- ticularly for laying out the corpse, and placing it in the coffin, and in making the arrangements for the funeral and the interment. Therefore we ought to be sober, and aim so to conduct, as by our helpfulness and tenderness, to relieve the feelings of those who employ us, and secure their good opinion.


We ought to pay great attention to the common cer- emonies of funerals, for the minds of the mourners are very tender at such times, and they look for indulgence and sympathetic respect ; and we must be careful not to wound or hurt the feelings of any intentionally. Likewise we must aim to be punctual and prompt in our attendance, and not presume to dictate and give orders, unless we perceive it to be necessary, and ex- pected of us, but to follow the directions which are given.


1*


6


-


SEXTON'S MONITOR.


We should attend the prayer with devout serious- ness, that we may have our hearts properly affected by the solemn occasion, and that we may be more and better prepared for the committing of dust to dust, which we are expected to do with great solemnity.


I need not to say any more, but to wish you all tem- poral and spiritual good ; and as we ere long must have some one to commit our lifeless remains to the silent grave, we may be prepared to be laid down there in peace, with a well-founded hope of a blessed resurrection and eternal life. Adieu !


EXTRACTS.


" Farewell, my friends, I must be gone, I have no home nor stay with you ; I'll take my staff and travel on, Till I a better world can view.


" I'll march to Canaan's happy land, I'll rest on Canaan's peaceful shore, Where real pleasures never end, And mortal troubles come no more." - " O lovely appearance of death, No sight upon earth is so fair ; Not all the gay pageants that breathe, Can with a dead body compare."


" When the vale of death appears, Faint and cold this mortal clay ; Kind forerunner soothe my fears, Light me through the darksome way, And break the shades, and usher in eternal day !"


" Think, oh ye, who fondly languish O'er the graves of those you love ; While your bosoms throb with anguish, They are warbling hymns above."


-


7


SEXTON'S MONITOR.


THE GARDEN OF GRAVES.


Come with me to the Garden, That sacred spot of carth, Where ne'er is heard the airy song, Nor the wanton sound of mirth.


There sleep the Widow and Fatherless, Deep beneath the sod, And there the bud of innocence Beside "the man of God."


And there is the grave of beauty, The form that was once divine ;


There grows the weeping willow, And the yew-tree shades the shrine.


There is the bed of the Lover, The cold sod wraps his head ; His bower of bliss is changed, And all its gay hopes fled.


And there too sleeps the Tyrant, Despoiled of earthly power ; His robes of state and grandeur, The worms of earth devour.


But around the lonely garden, The Spring of Time yet blooms ; And fair, though fading blossoms Exhale their rich perfumes.


Then come with me to the garden, Where the race of mortals lie. Like seed that's buried in the earth To grow above the sky.


8


SEXTON'S MONITOR.


INSCRIPTION ON A BURYING-GROUND.


" The resting-place of the dead, waiting for the living."


BY W. M. HETHERINGTON, A. M.


Here rest the dead ! silent and deep And dark and narrow is their home ; Here their long lonesome vigils keep, Waiting but till the living come ; Morn dawns not in its beauty here, No lustre-noonday suns can shed, Nor star-beams through the dim night peer That wraps the cheerless dead.


Art thou a chief of daring breast, Of lofty brow and kindling eye, Is thine the flaming meteor-crest That bursts through battle's lurid sky ? O warrior ! doff thine eagle plume, Resign thy war-steed, brand and spear ; Disarmed, imprisoned in the tomb, Thy comrades wait thee here.


Art thou a king, a hero, one At the dread bidding of whose word The grizzly War-Fiend buckles on His panoply, and bears his sword ? Halt, mighty conqueror ! blench thy cheek, Quell the red terrors of thine eye ; Here earth's proud Thunderers, silent, weak, To wait thy coming, lie.


Art thou a man of loftiest mind, Statesman, philosopher, or bard ? One whose great soul can only find In native worth its high reward ? Oh ! pluck the bright wreath from thy brow, And leave it in the hall of fame ; Here dwell the glorious dead, each now The shadow of a name.


9


SEXTON'S MONITOR.


Art thou a youth of gentle breath ? One fond to roam by rippling streams, With love's delicious woes opprest, And haunted with fantastic dreams ? Shake the soft fetters from thy heart, Dreamer ! the partners of thy fate, Struck now by no soft Cupid's dart, Thy coming here await.


Woman ! young mother ! tender wife ! Ye dearest forms of mortal birth ; Sweet soothers of poor human life ! Fair angels of the happy hearth ; O matron grave ! O widow drear ? Whate'er thou art, cherished or lone, The dead beloved await thee here,- The grave will have its own !


Thou, too, bright blooming beauty ! thou, The load-star of a thousand eyes ! That liquid eye, that marble brow, That cheek where smile Morn's loveliest dyes, Oh ! veil those charms ! they too must share, Alas ! the universal doom ; The beauteous dead where are they ! where ?- They wait thee in the tomb !


Here rest the dead ! here wait the hour When the last sob of living breath Shall pass away beneath the power Of that grim phantom, mightiest Death, --- They rest in hope till He Who died, and lives for aye, shall come, To give them immortality,


And call them to his home !


MEMORIALS.


DORCHESTER, in Massachusetts, called by the In- dians Mattapan, was settled by emigrants from Eng- land, the beginning of June, 1630. They had two ministers, the Rev. JOHN WARHAM, and the Rev. JOHN MAVERICK. Most of the first settlers removed, and began a settlement on Connecticut river, in the latter part of 1635, and called the place Windsor, and there Mr. WARHAM died, April 1, 1670. MR. MAT- ERICK died in Boston, February 3d, 1636, aged 60.


A new church was gathered at Dorchester, August 23d, 1636, and Rev. RICHARD MATHER was chosen teacher. He died April 22d, 1669, aged 73.


In the latter part of the year 1639, the Rev. JONA- THAN BURR was settled colleague with Mr. Mather, and died August 9th, 1641, aged 37.


Rev. JOHN WILSON was ordained as assistant to Mr. Mather in 1649 ; and, after two years, was removed to Medfield, where he was pastor forty years, and died , August 23, 1691.


Rev. JOSIAH FLINT was ordained Dec. 27, 1671 ; and died September 16, 1680, aged 35.


Rev. JOHN DANFORTH was ordained June 28, 1682; and died May 26, 1730, aged 78.


Rev. JONATHAN BOWMAN was ordained Nov. 5, 1729 ; continued the pastoral office till December 14, 1773, and died March 30, 1775, aged 68.


Rev. MOSES EVERETT was ordained September 28, 1774 ; continued pastor until January 14, 1793 ; and deceased March 25, 1813, aged 63.


Rev. THADDEUS MASON HARRIS was ordained Oct. 23, 1793.


Rev. NATHANIEL HALL was ordained as colleague with Thaddeus Mason Harris, D. D., July 16, 1835.


11


SEXTON'S MONITOR.


Rev. THADDEUS MASON HARRIS, D. D., delivered his farewell discourses on Sunday, October 23, 1836, and removed to Boston, where he died April 3, 1842.


A Second Church was gathered in the town Jan. 1, 1808 ; and the Rev. JOHN CODMAN was ordained pastor December 7, 1808.


A Third Church was gathered in Dorchester June 25, 1817, and the Rev. EDWARD RICHMOND installed Pastor.


LIST OF ELDERS AND DEACONS OF THE FIRST CHURCH.


GEORGE MINOT was a Ruling Elder for 30 years, and died Dec. 24, 1671, aged 78.


JOHN WISWALL was Deacon from 1636, and a Rul- ing Elder several years ; but of the time of his death there is no account.


HENRY WITHINGTON died Feb. 2d, 1666, aged 79 ; having been a Ruling Elder 29 years.


JAMES HUMPHREYS, ordained Deacon June 3, 1666 ; and Ruling Elder March 13, 1668 ; died May 12, 1686, aged 78.


JAMES BLAKE, ordained Deacon June 30, 1672; and Ruling Elder March 1, 1686 ; died June 28, 1700, aged 77.


SAMUEL CLAP ordained Ruling Elder Feb. 3, 1701; died Oct. 16, 1708, aged 74.


SAMUEL TOPLIFF, having been Deacon nine years, was ordained Ruling Elder Feb. 3, 1702 ; and died Oct. 16, 1792, aged 77.


HOPESTILL CLAP was Deacon seventeen years, and Ruling Elder ten years ; and died September 2, 1719, aged 72.


DANIEL PRESTON, chosen Deacon May 23, 1686, and Ruling Elder in the year 1719, died March 13, 1726, aged 77.


EDWARD CLAP, died January 8, 1664, having been Deacon 26 years.


.


12


SEXTON'S MONITOR.


RICHARD WITHINGTON ordained Deacon March 1, 1669.


NICHOLAS CLAP.


SAMUEL CLAP.


JOHN CAPEN, ordained Deacon Feb. 13, 1656, and died April 4, 1692, aged 80


DANIEL PRESTON, died Nov. 10, 1707, aged 86.


JOHN BLAKE, ordained Deacon Feb. 16, 1717, and died March 2, 1718.


JAMES BLAKE, ordained Deacon June 4, 1672, and died Oct. 22, 1732, aged 80.


JONATHAN CLAP, ordained Deacon March 1, 1719, and died Jan. 2, 1724.


HOPESTILL CLAP, ordained Deacon May 3, 1723, and died Dec. 26, 1759, aged 80.


NATHANIEL TOPLIFF, ordained Deacon May 3d, 1723, and died Dec. 15, 1751, aged 59.


RICHARD HALL, chosen Deacon May 1, 1752, and died March 13, 1776, aged 70.


ABIJAH WHITE, chosen Deacon Oct. 17, 1756, and died Oct. 5, 1804, aged 87.


SAMUEL TOPLIFF, chosen Deacon Sept. 1764, and died Sept. 18, 1807, aged 79.


EDWARD PIERCE, chosen Deacon Sept. 28, 1777, and died Feb. 20, 1818, aged 83.


JAMES HUMPHREYS, chosen Deacon December 17, 1799 .*


EBENEZER CLAP, chosen Deacon Jan. 8, 1809 .*


HENRY HUMPHREY, chosen Deacon December 1, 1833 .*


* Now living.


.


TABLE OF THE NUMBER OF DEATHS ANNUALLY.


[From 1630 to the end of 1656, the yearly number of deaths cannot be an- certained; probably they did not exceed five a year. ]


Year.


Deatlıs.


Year.


Deaths.


Year.


Dths.


Year.


Dtlis.


1657


17


1704


12


1751


3 6g


1798


34₺


1658


9


1705


6c


1752


51h


1799


38


1659


7


1706


10


1753


26


1800


41


1660


6


1707


12


1754


18


1801


44


1662


5


1709


11


1756


19


1803


50%


1663


5


1710


10


1757


19


1804


53


1664


8


1711


14


1758


18


1805


61


1665


5


1712


16


1759


28


1806


67


1666


6


1713


13


1760


28


1807


38


1667


7


1714


22


1761


53


1808


56


1668


5


1715


13


1762


26


1809


46


1669


6


1716


10


1763


25


1810


45


1670


1717


15


1764


23


1811


55


1671


5


1718


23


1765


24


1812


43


1672


3


1719


11


1766


38


1813


52


1673


6


1720


8


1767


29


1814


30


1674


4


1721


12d


1768


26


1815


37


1675


13


1722


14


1769


29


1816


30


1676


23


1723


22


1770


33


1817


60


1677


12


1724


15


1771


18


1818


39


1678


20


1725


13


1772


23


1819


42


16'79


18


1726


9


1773


24


1820


54


1680


- 8


1727


6


1774


26i


1821


50


1681


17


1728


10


1775


71j


1822


50


1682


12


1729


9


1776


56/


1823


49


1683


19


1730


11


1777


32l


1824


68


1684


S


1731


16


1778


42m


1825


104


1685


4


1732


19


1779


19


1826


58


1686


1733


13


1780


18


1827


49


1687


10


1734


15


1781


13


1828


56


1688


20


1735


18


1782


17


1829


51


1689


13


1736


20


1783


27


1830


51


1690


33a


1737


18


1784


25n


1831


72


1691


20


1738


13


1785


18


1832


63


1692


16


1739


21


1786


250


1833


68


1693


17


1740


20


1787


29


1834


55


1694


12


1741


12


1788


11


1835


64


1695


9b


1742


10


1789


16p


1836


91


1696


7


1743


27


1790


35


1837


66


1697


6


1744


22


1791


32


1838


76


1698


7


1745


26


1792


36q


1839


72


1699


11


1746


27


1793


39


1840


66


1700


15


1747


36


1794


19r


1841


77


1701


19


1748


28


1795


17s


1842


92


1702


14


1749


29


1796


22


1843


83


1703


8


1750


37


1797


21


1844


82


2


1


1661


1708


14


1755


20


1802


14


SEXTON'S MONITOR.


NOTES AND REFERENCES TO THE PRECEDING PAGE.


a. In Mr. Blake's Manuscript Annals is this record, " In my fathers' book there is a memorandum in the account he kept, that from the first of April, 1690, unto the first of July, 1691, that is, one year and four months, there died in Dorchester fifty-seven persons, thirty-three of them of the small-pox, the rest of a fever, and most of them of a middle age. About the same time, 1690, lost at sea 46 soldiers that went to Canada. In all 103."


b. This year died Mrs. Anne Pierce, widow of Mr. Robert Pierce, being 104 years old.


c. Feb. 6, 1705, died the widow Wyat, aged 94; "having as a midwife, assisted at the birth of one thousand, one hundred and more children."


d. This year, 1721, the small-pox went through Boston, and it was in twenty-nine families in this town, whereof thirteen persons died, two of them strangers.


e. In 1732, several aged people died of a prevailing epidemic cold.


f. In 1740, died Mr. John Trescott, aged 90, and his wife aged 90.


g. In 1751, twelve persons died between Nov. 22, and Dec. 24.


h. In 1752, severai died of an epidemic plurisy and nervous fever ; twenty in January.


i. In 1774, several aged persons died, namely, one of 95, two of 86, one of 85, one of 84, one of 73, one of 62, and one of 58 years of age.


j. In 1775 more aged persons died, namely, one (Mr. Israel Leadbetter,) of 97, one of 83, one of 86, two of 72, one of 67, and one of 64 years of age. This year also 40 soldiers were buried.


1. In 1776, four died of the small-pox.


l. In 1777, twelve died of the small-pox.


m. In 1778, nine died of the small-pox.


n. In 1784, several aged persons died, namely, one of 87, one of 86, one of 84, one of 82, one of 76, one of 73, and one of 72 years of age.


o. In 1786, died one person aged 86, and one 71.


p. In 1789, one person died, aged 90, one 84, and one 75.


q. In 1792, about 600 persons had the small-pox this year ; six the natural way, of whom three died, and nine died of those that had-been innoculated.


T. In 1794, died one person aged 86, one 83, four 78, and one 77.


8. In 1795, died one person aged 97, one 88, and two 78.


t. In 1798, died aged persous, 85, 83, 81, 78, 71, and 70; and fifteen chil- dren under three years of age.


u. In 1802, aged persons 87, 77, two of 72, one of 71, and one of 70. Eight persons died of a malignant fever, six of them children of Mr. Belcher, be- tween the ages of 14 and 30.


v. In 1803, aged persons, 86, 85, two of 80, one of 78, 76, 55, 74, 70.


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15


RECAPITULATION. -


[UP TO THE END OF 1844.]


From June 1630 to the end of the year 1656,


being 25 years and 7 months, there died, perhaps, 100


From 1657 to the end of 1844, 5280


Whole number of deaths, since the first settlement of the town,


5380


The smallest number of deaths in any one 12


year since 1793, was in 1797, being


The largest number was in 1825, 9 in the First, 30 in the Second, and 65 in the Third Parish. 104


The population in 1792 was 1722


The population in 1820 was 3684


The population, as taken in 1837, is 4564


During forty-four years of Dr. Harris's ministry, there dicd 2156, being an average number of forty- nine deaths a year.


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1


CEMETERY MEMORIAL. PART I.


" Let's talk of Graves, and Worms, and Epitaphs ; Make dust our paper, and with rainy eyes Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth."-SHAKSPEARE.


EPITAPHS.


[COPIED FROM THE OLD YARD IN DORCHESTER. ]


I.


Here lies the bodies of Mr. BARNARD CAPEN, and Mrs. Jane Capen, his wife. He died Nov. 8, 1638, aged 76 years ; and she died March 26, 1653, aged 75 years.


II.


[On two children lying in one grave, covered with a flat stone, but so broken that the upper part, which probably bore the name of the parents, was gone. ]


ABEL, his offering accepted is ;


His body to the grave, his soul to bliss.


On October twenty, and no more, In the year sixteen hundred 44.


SUBMIT submitted to her heavenly king,


Being a flower of the eternal spring ; Near 3 years old she died in heaven to wait, The year was sixteen hundred 48.


III.


[Taken from a stone which had been broken into forty-five pieces.]


Here lies three CLERKS, their accounts are even. Entered on earth, carried up to heaven.


[NOTE. This is a very ingenious reference to mer- cantile affairs, and the business of a clerk, to enter


17


SEXTON'S MONITOR.


accounts in the day-book, and carry them up to the Ledger ; it is casting up the reckoning for Time, and striking the balance for Eternity.]


IV.


SUBMIT submitted down to dust, Her soul ascends up to the just : At near - old she did resign, Her soul's gone to Christ, year '59.


V.


On the Honorable Major General HUMPHREY ATH- ERTON, who died Sept. 16, 1661. He was killed by falling from his horse on returning from Boston.


Here lies our Captain and Major of Suffolk was withal, A Godly Magistrate was he, and Major General.


Two troops of horse with him here came, such worth his love did crave,


Ten companies of foot also, mourning marched to his grave ;


Let all that read be sure to keep the faith as he has done ; With Christ he lives now crown'd, his name was HUM- PHREY ATHERTON.


VI. D. O. M. Sacer.


RICHARDUS hic dormit MATHRUS, (Sed non totus, nec mora diuturna) Lætatus genuise pares. Incertum est utrum Doctior an Melior. Animum et gloria non quæunt humari.


Divinely rich and learned RICHARD MATHER, Sons like him, prophets great, rejoic'd this father. Short time his sleeping dust 's here's covered down Not so his ascended spirit or renown.


V. D. M. in Angl. XVI annos. In Dor. N. A. 34 an. Ob. Apr. 22, 1669 ; Otatis suæ 73.


The following lines were composed for him :


RICHARD MATHER : anagram, " a third charmer," Third in New-England's Dorchester Was this ordained Minister ; 2*


18


SEXTON'S MONITOR.


Second to none for fruitfulness Abilities and usefulness. Divine his charms, years seven times seven : Wise to win souls from earth to heaven. Prophet's reward he gains above


But great's our loss by his remove. Sacred to God his servant Richard Mather, Sons like him good and great did call him father ; Hard to discern the difference in degree, "Twixt his bright learning and high piety. . Short time his slumbering dust lies covered down, So can't his soul, nor his deserv'd renown.


From his birth six lustres and a jubilee To his repose : but labour'd hard in thee O Dorchester, for more than thirty years His sacred dust with thee thine honour bears.


VII.


[On an ancient School Master in Dorchester, who died Feb. 24, 1674, aged 81. Written by himself.]


WILLIAM POLE.


Ho Passenger ! its worth thy pains to stay, And take a dead man's lesson by the way.


I was what now thou art, and thou shalt be What I am now, what odds 'twixt me and thee.


Now go thy way, but stay, take one word more,


Thy staff, for aught thou knowst, stands next the door Death is the door, the door of heaven or hell : Be warn'd, be arm'd, believe, repent, Farewell !


VIII.


John Cornel, aged 64 years, died July 31, 1675.


IX.


ELS LEKE aged 80 year


deceased Oct. 20.


THOMAS LEKE aged 70 years deceased Oct. 27. 1678. -


X


Rev. JOSIAH FLINT, died Sept. 15, 1680, aged 35. A man of God he was, so great and good, His brightest worth was hardly understood.


-


19


SEXTON'S MONITOR.


So much of God and Christ in him did dwell, In grace and holiness he did excel. An honor ånd an ornament hereby Both to the Churches and the Ministry. Most zealous in the work of reformation


To save his self-destroying generation.


With courage strove 'gainst all this peoples sin, He spent his strength, his life, his soul therein. Consumed with holy zeal for God, for whom He lived and died a kind of Martyrdom.


If men will not lament, their hearts not break, & No wonder this lamenting stone doth speak. His tomb-stone cries repent, and souls to save Doth preach repentance from his very grave. 'Gainst sinners doth a lasting record lie This monument to his blest memory.


Psal. cxii, 6. Prov. x, 7.


XI.


The ingenious Mathematician and Printer, Mr. JOHN FOSTER, aged 33, died Sept. 9, 1681.


Astra colis vivens, moriens superæ thera FOSTER Scande precor, cælum metiri disce supremum ; Metior atque meum est, emit mihi dives JESUS, Nec tenior quicquam nisi grates solvere.


[On the foot-stone was this inscription. ] " Ars illi sua census erat."-OVID. Skill was his cash.


XII.


Miss MARY BRADLAY, aged 17, died March 8, 1684.


XIII.


Mr. NATHAN BREADLEY, aged 70, died July 26, 1701.


XIV.


In memory of Mrs. ANN, the wife of Mr. ROBERT PIERCE, died December the 31, 1695, aged about 104 years.


20


SEXTON'S MONITOR.


XV.


Mrs. THANKFUL BAKER, relict of Mr. JOHN BAKER, aged 58 years, deceased the 29th of Jan. 1697-8.


XVI.


Elder James HUMPHREYS, who died May 12, 1686, aged 78.


Inclosed within this shrine is sacred dust,


And only waits for the rising of the just. Most useful while he lived ; adorned his station, Even to old age he serv'd his generation : Since his death thought of with great veneration.


How great a blessing this Ruling Elder he Unto the Church and Town and Pastors three. Mather he first did by him help receive ; Flint he did next of burdens much relieve ; Renowned Danforth he did help with skill. Esteemed high by all ;- bear fruit until


Yielding to death his glorious seat did fill .*


* The initial letters make an acrostic on his name.




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