USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Dorchester > The sexton's monitor, and Dorchester cemetery memorial, 3rd ed > Part 2
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XVII.
GULIELMUS STOUGHTONUS, armiger Provincia Massachusettensis in Nova Anglia Legatus, deinde Gubernator ; Nec-non Curiæ in eadem Provincia Superioris Justiciarius Capitalis, Hic jacet. Vir conjugii nescius, Religione sanctus, Virtute clarus, Doctrina celebris, Ingenio acutus, Sanguine et animo pariter illustris ; Æquatatis amator, Legum propugnator, Collegii Stoughtoniani fundator,
Literarum et Literatorum fautor, celeberrimus, Impietatis et vitii hostis acerrimus. Hunc Rhetores amant facudum, Hunc Scriptores norunt elegantem, Hunc Philosophi quærunt sapientem,
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SEXTON'S MONITOR.
Hunc Doctores laudunt theologum, Hunc Pii venerantur austerum,
Hunc omnes mirantur ! omnibus ignotum. Omnibus licet notum. Quid plura viator ? Quem perdidimus,- STOUGHTONUM ? Heu ! Satis dixi ; urgent lachrymæ ; Sileo. Vixit annos septuaginta. Septimo die Julii Anno Salutis 1701 Cecidit. Heu ! Heu ! Qualis Luctus !
XVIII.
[Copied from a grave-stone on the north-westerly part of the first laid out burying-ground. ]
Mrs. MIRIAM WOOD. formerly wife of Mr. JOHN WOOD. who died October 19, 1706. An ancient School Mistress.
A woman well beloved of all Her neighbours for her care of small Folks education, their numbers being great, That when she died she scarcely left her mate. So wise, discreet was her behaviours That she was well esteemed by neighbors. She lived in love with all to die, So let her rest to eternity.
XIX.
[On Deacon JAMES BLAKE. NOTE .- He languished about seven years with an ulcerous leg, very painful, but at last died with an epidemic cold, which carried off many aged people.]
Seven years strong pain do end at last, His weary days and nights are past. The way was rough, the end is peace ; Short pain give place to endless ease.
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XX.
On Elder HOPESTILL CLAP who deceased September 2d, 1719, aged 72.
His dust waits till the Jubilee
Then shall shine brighter than the sky ;
Shall meet and join to part no more, His soul that's glorified before.
Pastors and Churches happy be With Ruling Elders such as he ;
Present useful, absent wanted,
Lived desired, and died lamented.
XXI.
Here lies interred the body of Mr. JONATHAN MASON, late of St. Christophers. He was the third son of Mr. Arthur, and Mrs. Joanna Mason, of Boston. He died at Stoughton house May 9, 1723, in the 47th year of his age.
XXII.
Here lieth the body of WILLIAM ROYAL of North Yarmouth in the Province of Maine, who departed this life November the 7th, 1724, in the 85th year of his age.
This stone is erected to the pious memory of his Father by his eldest son Isaac, as the last act of a dutiful remembrance.
Here lies the body of the Honourable ISAAC ROYAL, Esq. who departed this life at his seat in Charlestown, June the 7th, Anno Domini, 1736, Ætatis 67. He was a gentleman of superior natural powers, and great ac- quired knowledge ; Civil, affable, courteous, and just to all men ; remarkably dutiful to his parents, kind to his relations, and charitable to the poor. He was a faithful husband, a tender father, a kind master, and a true friend. He delighted in doing good. He was highly esteemed and respected during his residence at Antigua, which was near 40 years, and advanced to the most honorable and important public employments civil and military, which he discharged with the highest
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reputation and fidelity. He returned with his Family to New England, his native Country, July 27, 1737.
XXIII.
Here lies the body of Mr. HEZEKIAHI MEROTHI,* who died March 16, 1749, aged 74.
XXIV.
In memory of WILLIAM MARION, son of Mr. Wil- liam and Mrs. Thankful Marion. He died December 11th, 1750, aged 3 years and 3 days.
XXV.
In memory of Mr. JAMES BAKER, who died Nov. 18, 1776, aged 64.
Preserve O grave inviolate thy trust,
Till life divine reanimates this dust.
XXVI.
Capt. ABRAHAM WHEELER, died June 20, 1778, aged 43.
How loved, how valued once, avails thee not,
To whom related, or by whom begot.
XXVII.
THOMAS CLAP, son of Mr. Ezra and Mrs. Mary Clap, died August 3, 1786 ; being still born.
XXVIII.
Mr. ISAAC FENNO, aged 32, died 1796.
. O life, frail offspring of a day,
'Tis puff'd with one short gasp away.
Swift as the short-lived flower it flies,
It springs, it blooms, it fades, it dies.
XXIX.
From the grave-stone of Mr. THOMAS CLAP, who died August 11, 1798 ; aged 84.
* The name is now spelt Munroe.
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" He supplied the office of Sexton from the year 1760 to 1797, making thirty-seven years ; and buried in that time 1080 persons."*
XXX.
Taken from the grave-stone of a child of Mr. SoLo- MON and Mrs. RACHAEL HALL, aged 10 months, died 1803.
Parents of children take a last adieu,
And so must children of their parents too.
XXXI.
Taken from the grave-stone of WILLIAM WILCOX, (South Burying-ground) who died in 1820, aged 39.
In business diligence with care he join'd, In spirit fervor with his hope combin'd, With sacred truth his life did well accord, He serv'd the public while he serv'd the Lord.
* This is shown by the foregoing Table of Deaths ; but must include also the soldiers buried in 1775.
PART II.
" And now each humble, narrow, nameless bed Whose grassy hillock not in vain appeals To eyes that pass by Epitaphs unread,
Rises to view .- How still the dwelling of the dead ! It is a scene that well may call me back,
If any could, to solemn, tender themes ;
Let me then once more turn me to the track
My thoughts were journeying : it is one that teens
With truths of high import,-not baseless dreams."
BERNARD BARTON'S POEMS, P. 68. Meditations in a Church Yard
EPITAPHS AND INSCRIPTIONS.
[ Copied by myself from stones in several grave-yards in different towns.]
[Taken from Newbury burying ground April 23d, 1821, when employed to convey the body of Captain Isaac Greene Pierson to Newburyport.]
Mr. HENRY SEWALL, (sent by Mr. Henry Sewell, his father,) in the Ship Eliza and Dorcas, Capt. Watts Commander, arrived at Boston 1634, wintered at Ips- wich, began this Plantation 1635, furnishing English servants, neat cattle and provisions ; married Miss Jane Plummer, March 25, 1646 ; died May 16, 1700, aged 86.
His fruitful vine being thus disjoined
Fell to the ground Jan. 13, following.
NEWBURYPORT.
Here lies the body of NICHOLAS PIKE, A. M., aged 76. Acting Magistrate from July 4, 1776, to the year 1819.
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SEXTON'S MONITOR.
ROWLEY.
Here lies the body of Deacon JOSEPH CHAPLIN, food for worms till the glorious resurrection morning. Born 1752, died 1813.
MILTON.
In memory of Mr. JAZANIAH SUMNER, who died May 6, 1778, aged 66. Also his wife Mrs. Judith Sumner, who died Nov. 15, 1790, aged 68.
So sleep the saints, and cease to groan, When sin and death have done their worst, Christ hath a glory like his own,
Which waits to clothe their waking dust.
II.
Miss MARY McCARNEY died Jan. 4. 1791, aged 20 years.
I sleep in darkness till that glorious day
When Christ my life shall roll the stone away ; Prepare to meet me in the world above,
Where all shall join to sing redeeming love.
III.
Here lieth Deacon ROGER SUMNER, aged 66 years ; died May 26, 1691.
IV.
Here lieth the body of Mrs MARY WAYT, the wife of Mr. Edward Wayt, aged 92, died Feb. 6, 1705.
V.
As corn maturely ripe is gathered home, So his remains are brought into the tomb ; To sleep in silence till that glorious day, When Christ his life shall role the stone away.
ROXBURY, Jamaica Plains. Mr. DAVID WHITE, aged 70, died 1816.
Death is a debt which I have paid ; And soon with me you must be laid.
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II.
On Mrs. MARY LETHBRIDGE, aged 32 .--- 1818. How blest the change to give a world like this, For robes of glory, and a crown of bliss.
III.
On Mr. GULLIVER WINCHESTER, aged 79, died 1811. This modest stone, what few vain marbles can, With truth may say, here lies an honest man. IV.
On Mr. GEORGE WOODS, who died 1815, aged 73. Deprived of health, though e'er so long, His patience good, his faith was strong. V.
On Miss SARAH STURTEVANT, aged 5 years ; 1791. And is the infant snatched away ? Must all this beauty now decay ? Must it no more delight our eyes,
Nor fill our souls with fond surprise.
VI. MARY WOOD, aged 5, died 1795. Just like a flower she was cut down, While reason began to bud, She early felt the stroke of death, It was the will of God.
[From the Burying Ground in BOSTON, near the Old Granery.]
On a tomb stone.
Mr. SAMUEL TORREY, died Sept. 6, 1748, aged 73. SAMUEL TORREY, died July 15, 1766, aged 68.
66 SAMUEL TORREY, died Nov. 13, 1768, aged 42.
66 SAMUEL TORREY, died May 27, 1815, aged 57.
II.
Here lieth the body of ANNA SARCH, the wife of Mr. John Sarch, aged 85, died May 11, 1674.
·
.
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SEXTON'S MONITOR.
III.
Here lieth buried the body of Mr. JOHN WISWALL, servant of Jesus Christ, Elder of the first Church in Boston, aged 86 years : departed this life the 17th day of August, A. D. 1687.
IV.
MI JOHN DOWNING, aged about 53 years, deceased April 29, 1694.
I bargained with Christ for room below,
He grants me a mansion in his upper story, Thus God gives more than we ask or know,
And instead of grace, uninterrupted glory. .
V.
Here lies RICHARD BELLINGHAM, Esq. late Gover- nor of the Colony of Massachusetts, who departed this life on the 11th day of December, 1672, in the 81st year of his age.
Virtue's fast friend within this tomb doth lie,
A foe to bribes, but rich in charity.
[The Bellingham Family being extinct, the Select- men of Boston, in the year 1782, assigned this tomb to JAMES SULLIVAN, Esq.
The remains of Governor Bellingham are here pre- served, and the above inscription is restored from the ancient monument.]
The family tomb of JAMES SULLIVAN, Esq. late Gov- ernor and Commander in Chief of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who departed this life on the 10th of December, A. D. 1808, aged 64 years. His remains are here deposited. During a life of remarkable in- dustry, activity and usefulness ; amidst public and pri- vate contemporaneous avocations, uncommonly vari- ous, he was distinguished for zeal, intelligence and fidelity. Public spirited, benevolent, and social, he was eminently beloved as a man, eminently esteemed as a citizen, and eminently respected as a magistrate.
Hic versatile ingenium, sic pariter ad omnia fuit ; ut natum ad id unum diceres, quod cunque ageret.
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SEXTON'S MONITOR.
From the North Burying ground in Boston. ] I. Here lieth the body of Mr. JOHN SWEET, aged 82 ; died 25th of April, 1685.
II
Here lieth the body of EDWARD GRANT, aged about 60, deceased the 12th of June, 1630.
III.
Mrs. ANN McMILLIAN, wife to Mr. James McMil- lian, deceased Feb. 28, 1805, aged 81. 1
Happy soul, thy days are ended, All thy mourning days below ; Go, by angel guards attended, To the sight of Jesus go.
IV. -
A Samuel returned to God · In Christ after a short abode,
On earth to shun earth's heinous crimes, Was here well put to bed betimes.
The grave's as short as thou prepares, Lest thy death comes at unawares.
V.
MARY the wife of CAESAR AUGUSTUS, servant of Mr. THOMAS BALL, aged 25.
[From a tomb-stone.]
The Rev. Doctors INCREASE, COTTON, and SAMUEL MATHER, were interred in this vault.
'Tis the tomb of our fathers. H. Mather Crocker. Increase died April 27, 1723, aged 84. Cotton died February 13, 1727, aged 65. Samuel died June 27, 1785, aged 79.
Hodie mihi, cras tibi.
VI.
Here lies buried the body of Mr. OBADIAH GILL, deacon of the North Church in Boston, aged 50, de- ceased June 6, 1700.
3*
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SEXTON'S MONITOR.
VII. MRS. LYDIA MASON, died 30th Dec. 1803, aged 29. Her peaceful soul has fled, From this vain world of sin ; With her two infants dear are laid, Soon to rise, never to fall again.
VIII. [From a tomb stone.]
CHARLES JARVIS died Nov. 15, 1807, aged 59 years. A Physician, a Statesman, a Patriot, and an honest man ; whose dignified deportment, sublime eloquence, unbounded philanthropy, and other virtues, endeared his memory to his fellow-citizens.
IX.
Mr. EDWARD BARBER, aged 80, June 9, 1677. X.
THOMAS, son of EDWARD and MARTA CARNES, was accidentally killed Dec. 22, 1818, aged 5 years.
Many are the shapes of death, and many are the ways that lead to his grim cave. All dismal.
XI.
WILLIAM FRANCIS, of Connecticut, died June 26th, 1804, aged 20.
Like flowery fields youth blooming stands, Pleased with the morning light ; The flowers, beneath the mowers hands Lie withering ere 'tis night.
XII.
Mrs. ALICE, relict of lieutenant WILLIAM HOWARD, aged 72, deceased Nov. 18, 1681.
XIII.
Mr. ROBERT FOWLE, died May 6. 1805, aged 63. Death thou hast conquered me, · And by thy dart I'm slain ; But Christ hath conquered thee, And I shall rise again.
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SEXTON'S MONITOR.
XIV.
Here rests the body of Mr. JOHN BUCKLEY, Jun. of Saddleworth, near Manchester, Old England, who de- ceased 23d August 1798, aged 23.
In peace here rests a traveller's dust, His journey's at an end ; He prized esteem amongst the just, A censure from a friend.
Broke loose from Time's tenacious chains, And earth's revolving gloom ; To range at large in vast domains Of radiant worlds to come.
ROXBURY, East Burying Ground.
Taken from a grave-stone, removed from the place where it stood, and piled with several others, and which measured five inches in thickness.
SAMUEL DUNKLIN, aged 6 w. died 28, 10th M. 1672.
II.
In memory of EDWARD DEVOTION, aged about 64 years ; died Sept. 28, 1685.
III.
On two children of OTIs and Mrs. RUTH GOULD, one died in 1799, and the other in 1807.
Farewell, sweet babes and take your rest, God called you home, he thought it best.
IV.
On Mr. BENJAMIN THOMSON.
Sub spe immortali : The herse of BENJAMIN THOM- SON, learned School master and Physician, and the re- nowned poet of New England. Obiit Aprilis 13, Anno Domini. 1714, et ætatis, suæ 74. Mortuus sed im- mortalis.
V.
MARY, the daughter of BENJAMIN aud ELIZABETH THOMSON, aged one year and six months 13 d. Died Sept. 10, 1716.
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SEXTON'S MONITOR.
VI.
On Mrs. ELIZABETH CLAFTON, aged 20, died 1814. When on her dying countenance was seen A smile, the index of a soul serene.
VII.
Here lies buried the body of the Rev. SHEARJASHUB BOURNE, late minister of the first Parish in Scituate, and son of the Hon. Melatiah Bourne, Esq., of Sand- wich, who died 14th August, 1768, æt. 69.
Cautious himself, he others ne'er deceived,
Lived as he taught, and taught as he believed.
CONCORD.
[ Furnished to me by a young man, a relative, who resided at Concord.]
God wills us free ; Man wills us slaves. I will as God wills, God's will be done.
Here lies the body of John Jack, a native of Africa, who died March, 1773, aged about 60 years. Though born in a land of slavery, he was born free ; though he lived in a land of liberty, he lived a slave, till by his honest, though stolen labours, he acquired the source of slavery, which gave him his freedom, though not long before his death. The grand tyrant gave him his final emancipation, and set him on a footing with kings. Though a slave to vice, he practised those vir- tues without which kings are but slaves.
QUINCY. I.
Here lies the body of the Rev. Mr. Henry Flynt, who came to New England in the year 1635, was or- dained the first Teacher of the Church of Braintry, 1639, and died 27th April, 1663. He had the char- acter of a gentleman remarkable for his piety, learn- ing, wisdom, and fidelity in his office.
By him, on his right hand, lies the body of Margery, his beloved consort, who died March, 1686-7. Her maiden name was Hoar. She was a gentlewoman of
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SEXTON'S MONITOR.
piety, prudence, and peculiarly accomplished for in- structing young gentlewomen, many being sent to her from other towns, especially from Boston.
Descendants of goodly families in Old England.
II.
Here lies buried the body of Joanna Quincy, the wife of Mr. Edmund Quincy, aged 55, died 16th May, 1680.
III.
[Inscription on the monumental stone to the memory of the Rev. Moses Fiske, of Braintree, who was or- dained 11th Sept. 1672, and died 10th of August, 1708, in his 66th year.]
Braintree, thy prophet's gone ; this tomb inters The Reverend Moses Fiske his sacred herse.
Adore heaven's praiseful art that formed the man, Who souls, not to himself, but Christ oft wan ; Sailed through the straits with Peter's family, Renowned, and Gaius' hospitality ;
Paul's patience, James' prudence, John's sweet love, Is landed, entered, cleared and crowned above.
IV.
Inscription on the Monument of the ever revered and learned Leonard Hoar, D. M. and sometime Pres- ident of Harvard College, who died Nov. 28, 1675, aged 45.
Three precious friends under this tombstone lie, Patterns to aged, youth, and infancy, A great mother, her learned son, with's child, The first and least went free, He was exiled. In love to Christ, this country, and dear friends, He left his own, crossed seas, and for amends, Was here extolled, envied, all in a breath, His noble consort leaves, is drawn to death. Strange changes may befall us ere we die, Blest they who well arrive at eternity. God grant some names, O thou New England's friend, Don't sooner fade than thine, if time's don't mend.
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SEXTON'S MONITOR.
His aged and pious relict, the late Madam Usher, was brought hither from Boston, and interred in the same grave, according to her desire, May 30, 1723.
V.
Sacred to the memory of Josiah Quincy, jun. of Bos- ton, Barrister of Law, youngest son of Josiah Quincy, Esq., late of this place. Brilliant talents, uncommon eloquence, and indefatigable application raised him to the highest eminence in his profession. His early, en- lightened, inflexible attachment to the cause of his country is attested by monuments more durable than this, and transmitted to posterity by well known pro- ductions of his genius.
He was born the 23d of February, 1744, and died the 26th of April, 1775. His mortal remains are here deposited with those of Abigail, his wife, daughter of William Phillips, Esq., born the 14th of April, 1745, died the 25th March, 1793.
Stranger, in contemplating this monument as the frail tribute of filial gratitude and affection ;
Glows thy bold breast with patriotic flame ?
Let his example point the paths of fame !
Or seeks thy heart, averse from public strife, The milder graces of domestic life ?
Her kindred virtues let thy soul revere,
And o'er the best of mothers drop a tear !
[On the other side of this monument is this inscription. ]
Josiah Quincy, jun. Esq., born 23d Feb. 1744, died 26th April, 1775.
Abigail Quincy, born 14th April, 1745, died 25th March, 1793.
To their united and beloved memory, this monument was erected by their only surviving child, 1802.
VI.
On Dr. Benjamin Vinton, aged 38 .- 1813.
No pains, no grief, no anxious fear, Invade thy bounds ; no mortal woes Can reach the peaceful sleeper here, Whilst angels watch his soft repose.
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SEXTON'S MONITOR.
VII.
Mrs. Mary Brackett, aged 76, died 1805. Sleep here awhile concealed in carth, 'Till the glad spring of nature's second birth ; Then quit the transcient winter of the tomb, To rise and flourish in immortal bloom.
VIII.
[Copy of an epitaph on the tombstone of Mr. Wm. H. Robins, who was buried at Cheraw, S. Carolina. ]
My name-my country, -What is that to thee ? What,-whether high or low my pedigree ? Perhaps,-I far surpassed all other men ! Perhaps,-I fell below them all,-what then ? Suffice it, stranger, that thou see'st a TOMB,- Thou knowest its use,-it hides,-no matter whom.
The whole number of funerals attended by Mr. Dav- enport, up to the Ist of February, 1845, was 1593.
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SEXTON'S MONITOR.
LINES ADDRESSED TO A SEXTON.
[Written for the Sexton's Monitor, by Dr. Harris, a short time before his death, and addressed to Mr. Daniel Davenport.]
Come, honest Sexton, take thy spade, And let my grave be quickly made. Thou still art ready for the dead Like a kind host to make their bed. I now am come to be thy guest, In some dark lodging give me rest : I'm very weary, full of pain, And of my pilgrimage complain. On heaven's decree I waiting lie, And all my wishes are to die. Soon shall be heard my passing bell, Farewell, my loving friends, farewell.
CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS
" When I look upon the tombs of the great, every motion of envy dies within me. When I read the epi- taphs of the beautiful, every inordinate desire goes out. When I meet with the grief of parents on a tombstone, my heart melts with compassion. When I see the tombs of parents themselves, I consider the vanity of grieving for those whom we must quickly follow. When I see rivals placed side by side on the same low level, and those that divided the world by their contests and disputes, now humble and peaceable,-I reflect with sorrow and astonishment on the little competitions, fac- tions and debates of mankind. When I read the sev- eral dates on the tombs, of some that died as yester- day, and some centuries ago, I consider that great day, when we shall all of us be contemporaries, and make our appearance together."
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