USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Lancaster > History of the town of Lancaster, Massachusetts : from the first settlement to the present time, 1643-1879 > Part 52
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165.
Here Lies Buried The Body of Mrs. Dorothy Prescott, ye wife of Mr. John Prescott,
who died Sep. ye 28th, 1749, in ye 73d year of her Age.
Mrs. Prescott was born in the year of the massacre, and her troubled childhood must have been familiar with thrilling . narratives of terrible tragedies and hair-breadth escapes.
166. ERECTED In Memory of Mr. John Prescott, who departed this life, April 1st, 1791, In the 79th year of his age.
Death like an overflowing flood, Doth sweep us all away; The young, the old, the middle go, To death becomes a prey.
PRESCO TT
DASES
ED
THIS
LIFE
1698.
167 ERECTED In Memory of Mrs. Mary Prescott, Consort of Mr. John Prescott, who departed this life Oct. ye 20th, 1788, in the 66th year of her age. Forbear my friends to weep, Since death to me is gain : Those Christians who in Jesus sleep Shall with the Lord remain.
169. No inscription.
170. Abijah Willard, Jr., Son of Capt. Abijah, & Mrs. Elizabeth Willard, died December ye 12th, 1749, Aged 10 Months.
59. 168. EXPERIE NCE
171. Here lies interred ye Body of Mrs. ELIZABETHI, ye Wife of Capt. ABIJAH WILLARD, who died December ye 6th, ADom. 1751, in ye 29th year of her Age.
172 In Memory of Mrs. CATHERINE WILLARD, Relict of
659
WILLARD.
Levi Willard, Esq., who died Jan'y 10th, 1791, Aged 56.
Illum'd by piety and grace divine, Through various woes we saw her sweetly shine; In every scene Omnipotence she viewed, And calm, and steady, virtuous ways pursued. For thee, blest shade, thy children oft shall weep, Till life is hush'd in death's eternal sleep.
173. In Memory of LEVI WILLARD, Esq., who died July ye 11th, AD. 1775, Aged 48.
Virtue and worth, with honour joined Enlarged, improved, and dignified his mind.
This gentleman was one of the three sons of Col. Samuel Willard, who resided in Lancaster, and gave so much of en- terprise and worth to society. He was a merchant, and in partnership with Capt. Samuel Ward, carried on a large busi- ness, making this place a center of trade. After his lament- ed death, the business was continued by his partner. Mr. Willard's house was near the Mansion House.
174. In Memory of Mr. John Willard, who died May ye 1st AD. 1775, Aged 17.
Early this Youth the paths of virtue trod, And left with joy, this world, to join his God.
175. In Memory of KATHARINE, Daught. of Capt. Levi & Mrs. Catherine Willard, who died Dec. ye 3d, AD. 1759, Aged 5 Months & 14 Days.
176. Theodora, Daught. of Capt. Abijah & . Mrs. Anna Willard,
died Oct. ye 14th, 1756, Aged 9 Months.
177. Elisabeth, Daught. of Capt. Abijah & Mrs. Anna Willard, died Oct'r ye 6th, 1756, in ye 3d Year of her Age.
660
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
What precious associations and memories were lacerated when Col. Abijah Willard left his home, never to return, April 17, 1775 ; but he doubtless, expected to come back, and lie down by the side of the remains of his beloved chil- dren.
60. 178.
DESAS- ED DEC- EMBER 11, 1704.
[There is nothing to tell who died on the 11th of December, 1704. Perhaps this is a foot-stone.]
[This was probably the first Thomas Saw- yer, who came to Lancaster not far from 1650.]
180.
In Memory of Mrs.
MARY SAWYER,
Wife of Lieut.
Moses Sawyer, who
died April ye 12th, AD.
1774, in ye 33d year
of her Age.
61. 179.
THOMAS
SAWYER
DEC'D SEP-
TEMBER 12,
1706.
181.
Here lyes Buried
ye Body of Mr.
THOMAS SAWYER,
Who died Septemb'r
5th, 1736, in ye 89th
Year of his Age.
There can be little doubt that this Thomas was the second of the name, son of one of the first settlers. As he was born in 1647, he was brought hither in early childhood. In his old age he had the whole history of the town, from the beginning, in his memory. A single long life, commencing ten years before his death, or in 1726, would have connected him with persons now living in the town ; and yet all reliable tradition of a thousand thrilling experiences in early times, is forever lost to mortal records.
182. HERE LIES BURIED YE .BODY OF MR. JOSEPII SAWYER, WHO DEC'D JULY YE 10TH, 1737, & IN YE 55TH YEAR OF HIS AGE.
183. Here Lyes ye Body of Sarah Sawyer, Wife to Joseph Sawyer, Aged 37 years, Died March ye 7th, 1717.
661
BEMAN .- FLETCHER.
184. Here Lyes the Body of Mrs. Priscilla Beman, Wife to Mr. John Beman, Who dec'd Aug'st 6th, 1729, in ye 73d Year of Her Age.
185.
HERE LIES BURIED YE BODY OF MR. JOHN BEMAN, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE JANUARY YE 15, A. D. 1739-40. IN YE 90TH YEAR OF HIS AGE.
This John was probably the son of Gamaliel Beman, who came to Lancaster in 1659, when John was nine years old. Like the second Thomas Sawyer, he was familiar with the history of the town for nearly all of the first century.
62.
186.
July 17 Day 1700.
189 .- Con.
Here Lies
Dorothy, The
Wife of Jonath-
an Prescott.
Who Deceased
187. SARAH PRESCOTT, HER BLAS- ED SOUL ASCENDED UPTO HEA- VEN, JULY 14 1709.
[On the foot-stone is the following in- scription :]
AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS.
188.
Illegible stone.
189.
Here lieth the
Body of Dorothy,
The Daughter of
John Prescott &
Dorothy His Wife.
63. 190. Here lies interred the Body of Mrs. DEBORAH WILDER, Consort of the Hon'ble Joseph Wilder, Esq., who departed this Life, on ye 25th of April, AD. 1773, in ye 65th Year of her Age.
191.
HERE LIES
BURIED THE BODY
OF MRS. HANNAH
FLETCHER, THE
WIFE OF MR. JOHN
FLETCHER, WHO
DIED APRIL
THE 10TH, 1737.
IN THE 52D YEAR
OF HER AGE.
192.
Here lies interred ye
Body of Mrs. Rebecca,
ye Wife of Mr.
James Locke, who
662
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
Died March ye 9th, AD. 1769, in ye 28th year of her Age.
My flesh shall slumber in the ground, Till ye last Trumpets joyful sound; Then shall awake in sweet surprise, And in my Saviour's image rise.
193. In Memory of Peter and John, Twin Children of Col. Joseph and Mrs. Deborah Wilder. Peter died January ye 1st, 1762, ÆEtatis 19. John died on ye Day of his Birth.
Death levels all, ye Wicked, and ye Just, Man's but a Flower, and his end is Dust.
64. 194. In Memory of Mrs. Martha Sawyer, (Wife of Mr. Paul Sawyer,) who died May 10th 1794, Aged 31 years.
Behold and see, as you pass by, As you are now so once was I; As I am now so you must be; Prepare for death, and follow me.
65. 195. In Memory of Mrs. Martha Joslin, Wife of Mr. Nathaniel Joslin, who died February ye 13th, AD. 1768, in ye 37th Year of her Age.
The stroke of Death hath laid my Head, Down in this dark and silent Bed; The Trump shall sound, I hope to rise, And meet my SAVIOUR in the skies.
196.
Broken stone.
197. In Memory of Joanna Joslin, ye wife of Capt. Peter Joslin, Who died Sept. ye 24th, 1707, in ye 44th year of her Age.
198. In Memory of Dorothy Joslin, Daughter of Capt. Peter Joslin, & Joanna, his wife, Who died April 20, 1732, in ye 18th year of her Age.
199. In Memory of Mrs Hannah Joslin, ye wife of Capt. Peter Joslin, who died Aug. ye 14th, 1739, in ye 71st Year of Her Age.
200. Broken stone. [Perhaps this stone marks the grave of Capt. Peter Joslin, or Joslyn, son of one of the first settlers.]
66. 201.
Here Lies Buried Ye Body of Rebekah Rugg, Daughter of Mr. John & Mrs. Lydia Rugg. Who deceased, July ye Gtlı, 1747, Aged 2 Years 7 Days.
67. 202. To the Memory of Mrs. Ann Austin, wife of Mr.
b
663
SPRAGUE.
Peter Thacher Vose, and daughter of the late Hon. John Sprague, died Sept. 10, 1834 ; Æt. 58.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
203.
A mound, but no stone in 1878.
204. MRS. KATHARINE SPRAGUE, the amiable Consort of ye Hon'ble John Sprague, Esq., And a daughter of the late RICHARD FOSTER, Esq., Died May 5th, AD. 1787, in the 49th year of her age; And is here interred.
Blessed are the pure in Heart, for they shall see God.
205. The Remains of the Hon'ble John Sprague, Esq., Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County of Worcester,
who deceased Sept. 28, A. D. 1800, Ætatis 61, are here deposited.
Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.
206. In Memory of SAMUEL JOHN SPRAGUE, A. M., Attorney at Law, only son of the late honourable JOHN SPRAGUE, and KATHERINE his wife, who died Sept. 10, A. D. 1805, in the 26 year of his age. "A safe companion, and an easy friend, Unstain'd through life, lamented in thy end."
Mr. Sprague had just completed his legal studies prepar- atory to entering on the practice of his profession as a law- yer. He had moved his library into his office, which stood between the houses of Humphrey Barrett and Solon Wilder. Being fatigued with the labor of moving, near the close of the day, he mounted his horse for recreation. While near the George Hill school-house, his horse stumbled and threw him violently to the ground. The shock proved mortal and
664
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
he soon died. The high hopes of his family and many friends were buried in his grave.
On the easterly verge of the 68th square, near the fence, is a grave with the following inscription.
68. 207.
In Memory of Amos, Son of Mr. Amos and Mrs. Prud- ence Sawyer,
Who died Nov'r 1st, 1792, Aged 3 Years, 2 Mon.
& 5 Days.
THE OLD COMMON BURYING GROUND.
The yard on the Old Common became a public burying ground about the year 1700, although there is reason for be- lieving that some interments were made there before that time. Four or five years later the third meeting-house of the town was placed on the opposite side of the road, and the Old Common became the center of the town.
The oldest inscription in this yard has also the earliest date of any in the town ; but the stone is of comparatively recent setting. The following is the inscription.
SACRED to the Memory of THOMAS WILDER, from Lancaster in England, who first settled at Hingham, in 1641, and came to this Town, July 1, 1659, and died Oct. 23, 1667, leaving three sons, viz., THOMAS, JOHN and NATHANIEL, from whom are derived all of the Name of Wilder in this Town and vicinity.
The stone is of handsome slate and as said above, is mod- ern. There is no proof that the first Thomas Wilder was buried in this place, aside from the stone itself. And that does notsay " here lies buried," but " sacred to the memory." Thomas Wilder lived on the Wheeler place, [now Stratton, ]
665
WILDER.
at the foot of George hill. Perhaps he moved to the Old Common, because two of his sons afterwards lived there ; but it is uncertain. As the lot was not used for a burying yard for more than thirty years after the death of Mr. Wil- der, it is not probable that he was buried here, yet it might have been a private family yard: It is probable however, that Mr. Wilder was buried in the first burying yard, and that the stone was set up where it now stands, near the burial place of his son Thomas, and other near descendants. Per- haps his remains were brought hither from the old yard.
The earliest date on an ancient, moss-covered stone, in this yard, commemorates the eldest son of the first Thomas Wilder. It is as follows.
Here Lyes Buried ye Body of Capt. THOMAS WILDER who died August ye 7th, 1716, about ye 70th Year of His Age.
In Memory of the HON JOSEPH WILDER, Esq., who dec'd March 29th, ADom. 1757, Ætatis 74.
He was enriched with strong Powers, and good accomplishments, which were exerted in his numerous public & private connections. He was pleasant in conversation, in Life exemplary, and a steady Friend to his Country, to ye Good, to the Poor, to Virtue and to GOD.
In Memory of Mrs. LUCY WILDER, Relict of ye
HON. JOSEPH WILDER, who died May ye 13th A. D. 1763, ÆEtatis 84.
Hark, from the tomb a doleful sound, My Ear attend the Cry, Ye living Men, come view the ground Where you must shortly lie.
ERECTED In Memory of COL. CALEB WILDER, who died June 19, 1776. Æt. 59. Also of his wife Mrs. ABIGAIL WILDER, who died Oct 1, 1804, Æt. 92 And of their daughter, ABIGAIL SMITH
ERECTED In Memory of Mr. LEVI WILDER, who departed this life January 5, 1793, aged 42 years. How loved, how valued once, avails thee not, To whom related, or by whom begot, A heap of dust alone remains of thee, 'Tis all thou art, and all we soon shall be.
666
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
Here Lies ye Body of Mrs. Prudence Wilder, wife of Mr. Josiah Wilder, Aged 33 Years, 1 M., with 4 of Their Children, All Between 12 and 2 Years of Age, viz., Rufus, Martha, Josiah and Sarah. All Burned by Fire, January ye 23d, 1739.
[This family lived, probably, in that part of Lancaster which is now in Boylston.]
Sacred to the memory of MRS. SARAH WILDER, who was transferred from time to eternity on the 31 day of Aug't 1819 Aged 66 years.
Hope wipes the tear from sorrow's eye, While faith points upward to the sky.
Here lies Buried ye Body of Mr. Titus Wilder, son of Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Susanna Wilder, who dec'd May ye 1st A. D. 1749, Age 25 Years, and 4 mo.
Sacred To the Memory of Josiah Wilder, Esq. who deceased on ye 20th of December, AD. 1786, in ye 45th year of his Age.
Every man at his best state is altogether vanity.
In Memory of Lieut. Thomas Hooker, Who died September ye 18th, 1768, in ye 79th year of his Age.
When Death unto you calls, Your Soul rejoined must To God who judgeth all, The wicked and the just.
HERE LIES BURIED YE BODY OF MR. JEREMIAH WILSON, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE MARCH 22, A. D. 1743, IN YE 77TH YEAR OF HIS AGE.
TIMOTHY WHITING Obt. June 12, 1826, Æ 67.
ABIGAIL, Wife of Timo. Whiting, Obt. Oct. 1, 1798, Æ 39.
Resurgamus.
LYDIA, Wife of Timo. Whiting, Obt. Jan. 15, 1851, Æ 75.
HERE LIES BURIED YE BODY OF COL. JAMES WILDER, ESQ., WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE MAY YE 13TH, A. D. 1739, AND YE 59TH YEARS OF HIS AGE.
667
CARTER .- WARNER .- PRIEST .- FIFE.
In Memory of Mrs. ABIGAIL WILDER Relict of COL. JAMES WILDER, Esq., Who deceased on ye 18th Day of Sept., ADom. 1761, Ætatis 80.
Oh Death, thou'st conquered Me, I by thy Dart am slain, But Christ has conquerd thee, And I shall rise again.
Capt. JAMES CARTER who died July 15, 1800, Aged 79.
HERE LIES THE BODY OF RE- BEKAH WARNER, THE DAUGHTER OF JOHN WARNER, AND SARAH HIS WIFE WHO DECE-
ASED MARCH THE 30 DAY, 1718.
Here Lies Buried The Body of Mr. Elias Sawyer, Who Died November ye 20, A. D. 1752, In ye 63 Year of His Age.
This was probably the Elias Sawyer who was carried cap- tive with his father, Thomas Sawyer and John Biglo, in 1705. He was then sixteen years old, and was detained in Canada, when his father and Biglo were released, that he might in- struct the Canadians in the management of mills. He was then dismissed with rich presents.
Five or six rods from the southeastern end of the yard is a row of seven graves, in which nine children of Dea. JOSEPH and Mrs. REBEKAH MOORS were buried. Three were laid in one grave, and have one stone. All the children were young, and died not far from the same time, about 1740.
Here Lies Buried The Body of Mr. JOHN PRIEST, Whe departed this Life, May 29, A. D. 1750.
Here Lies Buried The Body of Mrs. ANNA PRIEST, Wife of Mr. John Priest, Who Departed this life April 3, Ano. Dom. 1751,
In ye 67 year of her Age.
Memento Mori. In Memory of Mr. WILLIAM FIFE Who departed this life, May ye 5th, 1790, in ye 74th Year of his Age.
Friends and physicians could not save My mortal body from the Grave; Nor can the Grave confine me here, When Christ shall call me to appear.
668
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
Memento Mori. In Memory of Mrs. ABIGAIL FIFE Wife of Mr. William Fife, who departed this life April ye 30th, 1790, in ye 69th Year of her age.
Retire, my friends, dry up your tears, Here I must lie till Christ appears.
Here Lies Buried Ye Body of Mrs. Deliverance Fife, Wife of Mr. William
Fife, who dec'd November ye 4th - A. D. 1750 Aged 37 years.
Here Lies Buried Ye Body of Mr. JOHN GOOS, Who Dec'd October ye 5th, A. D. 1747, Aged 30 years.
[Possibly he was a relative of the hus- band of the renowned " Mother Goose" who lived in Boston, and wrote the most popular nonsense-poetry in the language.]
Towards the northeast corner of the yard is a group of graves belonging to the Houghton family. These were of the second and later generations. The first John Houghton, and probably Ralph Houghton, were buried in the old yard, east of the railroad. The John whose epitaph follows, was clerk, esquire, conveyancer, and an honored servant of the public in many capacities. He gave the land for the meeting-house, opposite the burying yard. His own house was on the south side of the road, and it is supposed, somewhere east of the school-house.
HERE LIES BURIED YE BODY OF JOHN HOUGHTON ESQUARE. AS YOU ARE SO WERE WE, AS WE ARE SO YOU WILL BE. WHO DIED FEBRUARY - YE 5, ANNO DOM. 1736-7, AND IN YE 87TH YEAR OF HIS AGE
HERE LIES BURIED YE BODY OF MRS. MARY
HOUGHTON, YE WIFE OF JOHN HOUGHTON, ESQUIRE WHO DIED APRIL 7TH, ANO DOM. 1724. & IN THE 76TH YEAR OF HER AGE.
HERE LIES BURIED YE BODY OF CAPT. JONAS HOUGHTON, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE, AUGUST YE 15, A. D. 1739, IN YE 57TH YEAR OF IIIS AGE.
669
HOUGHTON .- PRESCOTT.
Here Lies Buried Ye Body of Lieut. John Houghton Who Died April Ye 5th 1724, Aged 51 years,
Here Lies Buried ye Body of Robert Houghton, Who Died November ye
A. D. 1723, IN ye 65th year Of His Age.
Here Lies Buried ye Body of Mrs. Rebekah,
Houghton, Wife Of
Mr. Jacob Houghton, Died October ye 22d. A. D. 1752,
Aged 80 yrs, 10 M. & 27 Days,
In the middle of the east end of the yard is a granite shaft, characteristic of the man whom it commemorates. This was the "immovable " Jonathan Wilder, firm enough to be the abutment of a bridge over the Nashua. His wife was a Pres- cott. His son Henry married a descendant of Major Willard. Henry Wilder and his wife, a daughter of Mrs. Anna Good- hue and granddaughter of Col. Abijah Willard, combined much of the " bluest blood " of Lancaster. Mr. Wilder had in his memory a large fund of family and town history, but failed to put it in writing.
JONATHAN WILDER, Died Jan. 13, 1866, Æ 80.
RUTH PRESCOTT, his Wife, Died Nov. 19, 1826.
There are many head-stones which mark the graves of mem- bers of others of the old families of the town, as the Wheel- ers, Phelpses, Gosses, etc., but the design of these notes is not to exhaust the yard of its epitaphs. Only a glance can be cast at the monuments of those who came later, such as the Saffords, Emersons, Danas, Clevelands, Hillers, Kings, Lanes and others, whose remains repose here. There is, however, near the middle of the yard, a sight which always awakens tender thoughts and emotions. It is a row of little graves, holding the ashes of three children of Sampson V.
670
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
S. Wilder, all under the age of four years. There are four stones, one of which commemorates a little child who died in Paris.
Among more recent interments in this yard, are those of a few persons who lived in Lancaster only a few years, but whose names are associated with something of historic or romantic interest.
Near the middle of the south side of the ground, there is an iron gate that opens from the road to a row of tombs. The iron door to one of these tombs bears the name of Pack- ard. This was the Rev. Asa Packard, the closing years of whose useful life were passed in this town. In his youth he was in the army of the Revolution, as a drummer. Though a non-combatant, he inicited others to fight, and received his share of wounds. In one action, his thigh was pierced by a leaden bullet, which he carried to his dying day. His body was laid in this family tomb, and many years since, his son- in-law, Rev. George Trask, when examining the remains, found the bullet embedded in the crumbling bone. This memento of the youthful hero's suffering in a noble cause, is still preserved by his descendants.
Just above and to the left of this tomb is a small monu- ment of white marble, in the form of a pyramid, about ten inches in diameter at the base, and forty inches in height. The stone bears the following inscription.
Mrs. Ann Quincy, Relict of Josiah Quincy, Esq., Late of Braintree. Died Feb. 17, 1805. Ae 80.
Mrs. Quincy was the mother of Mr. Packard's wife, and it is supposed, the grandmother of the late Hon. Josiah Quincy, member of Congress, Mayor of Boston, and presi- dent of Harvard University. If this conjecture is true, she was the mother of Josiah Quincy, Esq., the young orator and patriot who died at the opening of the Revolution.
671
QUINCY .- PAYNE.
Around the base of the monument is the following epi- taph. Two lines of it are on each of the four sides. It is not easy to decide which lines should come first, but perhaps the intention of the poet was to have the following arrange- ment.
A cheerful heart was hers, and free from guile; She showed that piety and age could smile. Religion had her heart, her cares, her voice. Twas her last refuge, as her earliest choice. Like a tired traveler, with sleep oppressed, Within her children's arms she sank to rest.
Heaven did her life prolong to spread its praise, And blest her with a patriarch's length of days.
In the southeast corner of the ground is a tablet about six feet in length, and three feet wide, supported by six stone pillars, standing on a red sandstone base. The material is of marble and is well wrought. The lettering is done by an excellent workman. The inscription is in these words.
Here lieth the remains of Eloise Richards Payne, Who departed this life July 5, 1819, Ae 31. She will be talked of but a little while, and forgotten by society, will survive only in a few hearts, where the memory of such a being is immortal.
Sink into dust frail covering of a purified spirit: Parent earth receive thine own: God in heaven, Take her soul to thee.
Miss Payne was the sister of John Howard Payne, author of the song : "Home, sweet home; " and is referred to on another page of this work, as a lady of extraordinary attain- ments and attractions. There is a whisper, faint by the lapse of time, that the tablet, with its expressive inscription, was placed by one who has since become distinguished as a divine and historian.
672
HISTORY OF LANCASTER.
A few rods from the southwest corner of the cemetery, is an iron yard, enclosing a single grave. On the east side of the fence is a shield, bearing the family arms ; a hand grasp- ing a straight sword, pointed upward, and bearing a crown on its point, with this motto : Virtutis gloria merces. In the centre of the yard is a monument, having on one side this inscription.
In Memory of David Steuart Robertson, Second Son of the late John Robertson, Esq., of Foveran House, Aberdeenshire. Born in Scotland, Educated at Rugby, in England, And at Geissen,,in Germany, In which country, as well as in Sicily, He had spent several years. At the age of twenty three He came to America. Having, after various experience of the Old World, Acquired an ardent love for the New, He settled in this town of Lancaster, And became a citizen of the United States. Deceased on the twenty first of July, A. D. MDCCCXLIX.
In the thirtieth year of his age.
On the opposite side are the following lines, from the pen of Dr. T. W. Parsons.
Here Steuart sleeps, and should some brother Scot, Wander this way, and pause upon this spot, He need not ask, now life's poor show is o'er, What arms he carried, or what plaid he wore, So small the value of illustrious birth, Brought to this solemn, last essay of earth; Yet unreproved, his epitaph may say, A royal soul was rapt in Steuart's clay, And generous actions consecrate his mound, More than all titles, though of kingly sound.
Mr. Robertson was not only prized by his friends, but he earned the respect of the public by his taste and generous spirit. His death was sudden, by a violent fever. He owned the property cast of the cemetery, which he left to a female friend, living in Boston ; one who might have borne his name, if death had not parted them .. It is several years since she followed him into the land of the unseen.
673
HUMPHREY .- BUTLER .- AMES.
Near the middle of the north side of the yard, by the fence, is a new made grave, which contains the remains of one who died in July, 1851. Her name was Mathilde P. A. Siedhof, daughter of Dr. Carl Siedhof, a learned German scholar, who kept a private school in the Stewart house on the Old Common, now No. 5 of the Industrial school. Her remains were placed, at first, in the Lane family tomb, by permission. In the course of time, both families removed from the place, and the tomb was given to the town as a re- ceiving tomb. It became necessary to put the tomb in order, and by the expressed desire of Dr. Siedhof, the ashes of his daughter were buried. This service was done tenderly and respectfully, as to a maiden stranger, by the Cemetery Com- mittee, in the autumn of 1877. No stone marks the grave, but it can easily be found.
Here our rambles in this ancient burial place might come to an end, but there is, near the southwest corner, a group of mounds, marked by monuments of such simple elegance in form and such good taste in their inscriptions, as to attract and reward notice. They are as follows, beginning at the left or west, and going to the right.
[At the top a hand grasps a cross, with the words : ET TENEO ET TENEOR .]
EDWARD PAYSON HUMPHREY, Apr. 7 1865, Aged 26 years.
THE LORD GOD GIVETH THEM LIGHT, AND THEY SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER.
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