USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Woburn > Woburn records of births, deaths, and marriages from 1640 to 1873 Part II - Deaths > Part 25
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(268.) [Marble stone. ] " Wyman Richardson, Esq, died June 22, 1841 Aged 61.
"In such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh."
Wyman Richardson, Esq., son of Lieut. Stephen (epitaph 254) and Martha (Wyman) Richardson, born Oet. 19, 1780; graduated at Harvard College, 1804; studied law; practised law at Woburn, where Dr. Drew now (1872) lives, or where depot now (1890) stands, and died in his chaise, suddenly, as his epitaph intimates. ( Vide Richardson Memorial, 336; Bond's Watertown Genealogies, 183.)
(269.) [Marble monument in centre of lot surrounded by iron fence. ] " Erected in commemoration of James Fowle, Esq. and his descendants by Jolin Fowle, 2d, who died Dec. 8, 1856 Aged 67 y'rs."
John Fowle, 2d, born in Woburn, Jan. 1, 1790, son of James and Jane Fowle. " James Fowle, Jr., & Jane Watts " married in Woburn, Nov. 15, 1781 ; she being daughter of Samuel and Susanna (Swan) Watts ; married at Menotomy, by S. Cooke, April 4, 1757, and born April 29, 1760. James Fowle, Esq., died in Woburn, Aug. 16, 1779. He was son of Major John and Mary (Converse) Fowle, born June 13, 1720 (Sewall's Woburn, 613) ; graduate of Harvard College in 1731; town clerk of Woburn, 1746 to his death, etc. ( Vide ibid., 587, 614, etc.)
57*
EPITAPHS, FIRST BURIAL-GROUND.
[The following inscriptions, from Mr. Nathan Wyman's collection of 1847, are not found in the preceding of 1866 : - ]
(270.) " Joseph Coggen son of John & Elizabeth Coggen was born 22'd of September 1698 & died ye same day."
Joseph Coggin, born as above, son of Capt. John (epitaph 88) and Elizabeth (Richardson) Coggin. [N. B. This stone is still extant (1872) ; was overlooked in collection of 1866.]
(271.) " Here * * * * * * Body * Abigail Buck * to M'r Sam * * * Buck who Dec'd Decemb * 2 * * 1720 Aged 30 Years
" Also their son James Buck Dec'd Decem'br [18th] 1723 in his 9'th year."
Abigail (Wyman) Buck, wife of Samuel Buck; daughter of Cornet Jonathan and Hannah (Fowle) Wyman. born June 1, 1691. Her husband, Samuel Buck, born Nov. 13, 1682, was son of Ephraim and Saralı (Brooks) Buck. The son, James Buck, mentioned above, was born Feb. 26, 1714. (Sewall's Woburn, 596, 652.)
(272.) "Here lyes ye Body of Samuel Gardner son of Henry & Eliza- beth Gardner who departed this Life March ye 3'd 1723 Aged 22 Years & 6 Months."
Samuel Gardner, born Sept. 10, 1700, son of Henry (epitaph 55) and Elizabethı Gardner (epitaph 27). He died unmarried. ( Vide Sewall's Woburn, 615.)
(273.) " Here Lyes Buried the Body of [M'r] Zebediah Wyman, who departed this Life Jan'ry 6'th 1770 Aged 61 Years."
[Broken.] Zebadiah Wyman, born June 26, 1709, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Hancock) Wyman, and grandson of Francis Wyman (epitaph 23) ; married Abigail Peirce, Jan. 7, 1733, who died his widow, Oct. 9, 1792, aged 83. He was treasurer of Woburn, 1759, 1760, 1761. ( Vide Sewall's Woburn, 583, 655, etc.)
(274.) [A marble stone recently erected (1872) contains this inscrip- tion : - ]
" Zachariah Brooks Born April 20, 1742, Died Feb. 5, 1792. An Officer of the Revolution."
Lieut. Zachariah Brooks, born as above, son of Nathan (epitaph 151) and Sarah (Wyman) Brooks (epitaph 131), died in Woburn, as above stated, of " consumption." In Sewall's History of Woburn, p. 569, Lieut Brooks is mentioned as doing service in the Revolutionary War before the year 1777. Oct. 13, 1763, he married, first, Hannah Wilde, who dying Nov. 24, 1778, he married, second, Susanna Watts, June 21, 1780, and she married David Dexter, of Atkinson, Oct. 3, 1799,
" 1792, Feb'y 5, Zachariah Brooks died; 8th, buried." (S. Thompson's Diary.)
58*
EPITAPHS, FIRST BURIAL-GROUND.
INSCRIPTIONS FROM FOOT-STONES WHOSE HEAD-STONES ARE ILLEGIBLE OR MISSING.
[FROM N. WYMAN'S COLLECTION EPITAPHS FIRST YARD, 1847.]
(1.) [Broken foot-stone.]
(2.) " Abigail Carter," foot-stone.
(3.) " John Kendall - Peter Kendall," foot-stones.
(4.) " Abigail Reed," foot-stone. ( Vide epitaph 203.)
(5 ) " Mrs. Hannah Richardson," foot-stone. [Head-stone shelled off and inscription destroyed. ]
(6.) " Mr. Benjamin Wyman," foot-stone .*
(7.) " Susanna Wyman," foot-stone.
N. B. Whatever inaccuracies occur in the foregoing production it is hoped will not be attributed to want of care on the part of the printer or compiler.
* Could he be this one? ".July 6, 1774, Benjamin Wyman died, fever -forty days after his father " [Capt. Benjamin Wyman. See epitaph (ante) 229. ] (S. Thompson's Memoranda.)
INDEX.
EPITAPHS, FIRST BURIAL-GROUND, PARK ST., WOBURN CENTRE.
A. D. EPITAPHS.
ALEXANDER.
Philip . 1754
168
BALDWIN.
Dorcas
1698
20
Loammi (Hon.) .. 1807 267
Ruel .
1745-46
125
BATEMAN.
William 1692
6
BELKNAP.
Ruth. 1734
102
BLANCHARD.
Jonathan . . ... 1727 96
BLOGGET [Blodget]. Elizabeth 1713
49
BOARDMAN.
Martha. 1752 160
BROOKS.
Abigail 1778 246
Benjamin 1749 145
Benjamin 1753 165
Benjamin
1769
214
Betty 1764 199
Elizabeth 1755 176
Elizabeth
1758 184
Hannah
1742
119
Hephzibah 1745 124
Isaac 1768 208
Jabez 1746-47 128 Jemima 1774 230
Nathan 1751 151
Nathan 1758 183
Nathan 1774 228
Sarah 1747 131
Zechariah (recent) 1792 274
BRUCE.
A. D. EPITAPHIS.
Rose 1723 .... 82
BUCK.
Abigail & James 1720-23
..
271
BURBEEN.
John
1713
46
CARTER.
Abigail 1772 221
Elizabeth. 1691 3
Jabez (Lieut.)
1771
219
John (Capt.)
1692
8
John . . . . . . 1705 32
John (Lieut. ) ... 1727 95 Joseph Johnson .. 1775 234
Margery
1728
98
Margery.
1769
217
Ruth 1724
84
Susanna 1751 152
Sybil 1773 233
Thomas
1753
163
William
1728
99
CLEVELAND. Aaron 1716 62
COGGIN.
Henry 1694 14
Henry 1697
18
Henry 1703 26
John . 1693 9
John (Capt.)
1725
88
Joseph 1698 270
CONUER AND CONVERS (Converse).
Ann
1691 4
Ebenezer
1693
. .
12
Edward
1691
60*
INDEX TO EPITAPHS, FIRST BURIAL-GROUND.
A. D. EPITAPHS.
A. D. EPITAPHS.
CONUER and CONVERS
(Converse), - continued.
Edward 1692 7
Elizabeth 169 15
Esther 1703 29
James(Maj., Esq.) 1706 34
James (Lieut.) .. 1715 59
Josiah (Dea.) 1689-90
I
Josiah 1693
13
Josiah (Capt.) .. 1717 65
Patience 1707 36
Sarah . 1713 .... 53
Timothy 1693 11
CONVERSE. (See Conver, etc.)
Benjamin 1729 100
Ebenezer 1765 201
COOPER.
Anna
1712 42
COTTON.
Elizabeth 1742 120
Susanna 1748 139
EAMES.
Judith 1766 202
Nathan 1773 226
Samuel (Dea.) .. 1775 231
EVANS.
Andrew 1778 249
Mary . 1781 251
FIFIELD.
Abraham 1711 .. 40
FLAGG.
Ebenezer 1746 126
Eleazer(Col.,Esq.)1726 93
Esther 1744 123
FOWLE.
Dorothy 1704 31
Elizabeth 1698-99 22
Hannah 1710 38 James (Lieut.) .. 1690 2
James (Capt.) . .. 1713 48 John (2d) & James
(Esq.) 1856 269 Jonathan . 1714 58
FOWLE, - continued.
Ruth 1712 41
Susanna 1767 205
Fox.
Abigail 1771 220
Aun. 1746 127
Jabez (Rev.) 1702 24
FROTHINGHAM. Thomas ........ . 1776 237
GARDNER.
Dorothy and Eli-
zabeth 1787 260
Elizabeth 1703 27
Henry 1713-14 55
Henry 1763 195
Richard 1698 21
Samuel 1723 272
Samuel.
1790
264
GILES.
John 1761 188
GREEN.
Hannah 1713 51
HARTWELL.
John 1734 101
Joseph (Dea.) 1743 121
Priscilla . 1725 90
Ruhamah 1756 182
HAYWOOD.
Jonathan (Dr.) .. 1749 144
HILL.
Isaac (Dr.) 1723 81
HOLDEN.
John, Jr. 1753 162
Mary 1749 147
JOHNSON.
Esther 1706 35
Martha
1716 61
Matthew (Lieut.), 1696 16
Sarah 1710 39
KENDALL.
Elizabeth. 1741-42 112
Elizabeth 1787 260
Samuel (Lieut.) .. 1764 200
Samuel 1768 207
61*
INDEX TO EPITAPHS, FIRST BURIAL-GROUND.
A. D. EPITAPHS.
LAMSON.
238 John 1776
LOCKE.
Elizabeth . 1719-20 73
Ichabod
1768
209
Isaiah . 1722-23 80
PAYNE.
James (Capt. ), 1721-22 78
Jerusha 1778 247
Jerusha
1782
252
John (Lieut. ) .. 1696-7 17
John. 1749 146
Jonathan 1759
186
Joshua 1748 142
Lucy 1741 116
Lucy 1761
191
Lydia 1776 244
Mary 1741-42 118
Mary
1783 256
Matthew 1722-23 79
Nathan (Dea.). . 1775 236
Noah 1756 181
Noah (Jr.) 1761
190
Phebe 1776 243
Rebecca. 1717-18 68
Rebecca
1771
218
Samuel
1712
43
Samuel 1754 170
Sarah
1717 66
Sarahı . 1737 111
Thomas (Lieut.), 1736
107
RHODES.
Jacob
1776 .. 239
RICHARDSON.
Abigail 1720 75
Abigail
1747 134
Abigail 1768 211
Stephen 1787
261
Susanna. 1726 91
Susanna.
1726 94
Bridget
1750 149
Daniel
1749
143
Tabitha 1739
114
Ebenezer 1783 255
Thomas 1769
216
Edmund (Dr.) . 1761 189
Edward 1793
266
Thomas
1774 227
Eleazer
1753
164
Willing 1703-4 30
Esther
1727 97
Wyman (Esq.) .. 1841 268
Esther
1756 180
A. D. EPITAPHS.
RICHARDSON, - continued.
Eunice & Israel .. 1748 136
Hannah 1748 140
Thomas 1717 67
Daniel. 1712 44
PIERCE.
Benjamin 1713 52
Hannah 1755 177
Hannah 1762 194
Mary & Mary, 2d, 1753
166
POOLE.
Eleazer Flagg .. 1776 240
Jonathan . 1736 105
Jonathan, Esq. . . 1755 174
Mary ... 1776 .. 241
PORTER. (See note under epitaph 232.)
REED.
Abigail 1719 72
Abigail 1736 109
Abigail (?) 1766 203
Elizabetlı 1747 135
George. 1697 19
George (Dea.) ... 1756 179
Sarah 1767 206
Sarah 1784 258
Stephen 1703 28
Stephen . 1717-18 69
Stephen (Dea.) .. 1752 157
Stephen (Lieut.) 1783 254
Asa. 1752 158
Bridget 1736
108
Susanna 1754 172
Thomas. 1773 225
Zebadiah 1764 196
62*
INDEX TO EPITAPHS, FIRST BURIAL-GROUND.
RUSSELL. A. D. EPITAPHS.
Jonathan . 1708 .... 37
SALTER.
Thomas . 1748 ....
138
under epitaph 120.)
SAWYER.
Joshua. 1737-38 112
Mary
1751
155
SIMONDS.
Benjamin 1783
257
Esther
1768
213
SKINNER.
Joanna
1782 253
Martha
1780 250
Susanna
1769 215
SNOW.
Daniel
1717 64
Esther
1737
110
Esther
1739 113
Isaac
1776 242
Lydia 1764
197
Mary
1753
167
Rachel 1715
60
Timothy 1747
132
Timothy
1775
235
Zechariah 1754
171
STONE.
Abigail
1718
SYMMES.
Abigail
1762 193
Mary
1714 57
Ruth .
1758 185
William.
1764 198
Zecharialı 1793
265
TAY.
Abigail
1778 248
Mary.
1747
133
Ruth
1747
129
THOMPSON.
Abigail. 1768
212
Benjamin
1755
178
Daniel
1775
232
A. D. EPITAPHS.
THOMPSON, - continued.
Ebenezer 1741 115
Esther 1761 187
Hannah 1754 169
James (Lieut.) 1693 10
Jonathan 1752 159
Lydia
1788
263
Mary
1755 175
Richard 1718 70
Samuel .
1748
137
TYNG.
Jonathan (Col.,
Esq.) 1723-24 83
Judith. 1736 104
Sarah 1713 47
VINTON.
Abigail 1720 74
WALKER.
Abigail 1712-13 45
Esther
1761
192
Judithı 1724 86
Mary 1748 141
Samuel (Dea.). 1703 25
Timothy 1706
33
WATERS.
Mary
1721 77
WINN.
Elizabeth 1724 85
Increase.
1713 50
Sarah
1767 204
Timothy 1752
156
WOOD.
Joseph
1713 54
Ruth 1736 106
WRIGHIT.
Abigail 1726 92
James
1734-35
103
Jolını 1714 56
Josiah (Dea.) 1747 130
Phebe 1724 87
Rachel 1750 148
Ruth 1716-17 . . 63
SALTONSTALL. (See
note
INDEX TO EPITAPHS, FIRST BURIAL-GROUND. . 63*
A. D. EPITAPHS.
A. D. EPITAPHS.
WYMAN.
WYMAN, - continued.
Abigail . .
1772
222
John
1721 76
Benjamin (Capt.) 1774
229
Lucy
1785 259
Elizabeth
1751 153
Nathan 1773 224
Elizabeth
1773 223
Phebe 1750 150
Elizabeth 1776 245
Samuel
1725 89
Esther
1751 154
Samuel (Ensign) . 1743
122
Francis
1699 23
Susanna. 1752 161
Huldah
1768 210
Zebadiah
1770 273
Jesse .
1754
173
PROPOSED INSCRIPTION FOR A TABLET.
PARK STREET BURIAL-GROUND.
OPENED PRIOR TO 1662, AND PROBABLY COEVAL WITH THE SETTLEMENT OF WOBURN, A. D. 1642.
HERE WERE BURIED
CAPTAIN EDWARD JOHNSON, 1672,
AND OTHER EARLY INHABITANTS OF WOBURN, OF WHOM NO MONUMENTAL MEMORIAL IS EXTANT.
DEACON JOSIAH CONVERSE, 1690 (EARLIEST STONE).
MAJOR JAMES CONVERSE, 1706 (OFFICER IN THE INDIAN WARS).
MINISTERS : THOMAS CARTER, 1684. JABEZ FOX, 1703. EDWARD JACKSON, 1754. JOHN FOX, 1756.
COLONEL JONATHAN TYNG, 1724. COLONEL ELEAZER FLAGG, 1726.
NATHANIEL SALTONSTALL, ESQ., 1739. MISTRESS ELIZABETH COTTON, 1742. HONORABLE LOAMMI BALDWIN, 1807.
BENJAMIN THOMPSON, 1755, FATHER OF COUNT RUMFORD.
DANIEL THOMPSON and ASAHEL PORTER, VICTIMS OF THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON AND CONCORD, APRIL 19, 1775
* Woburn Journal, Nov. 30, 1853.
TRANSCRIPT OF EPITAPHIS
IN
WOBURN SECOND BURIAL-GROUND.
FROM MANUSCRIPT COPY BY NATHAN WYMAN, ESQ., OF WOBURN, REVISED AND COMPARED WITH THE ORIGINAL STONES FOUND IN THE YARD, 1890, BY J. GERTRUDE MENARD.
CHRONOLOGICALLY ARRANGED, WITH BRIEF ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES BY WILLIAM R. CUTTER AND EDWARD F. JOHNSON.
INTRODUCTION.
The Second Burying-Ground was originally established by the Society of the First Parish in Woburn.
March 4, 1793. An article in a warrant of this date, for a meeting of this parish, is as follows : -
"To see if the Parish will do anything respecting the providing a new Burying Place."
March 18, 1793. The parish "voted, to choose a committee of three Persons to see if they can provide some suitable Burying place or places ; and then made choice of Ens. Ichabod Parker, Mr. Daniel Reed, and Capt. Joseph Brown for that purpose, who are to report at the adjournment."
May 6, 1793. " The Committee informed the Parish that (they) had not agreed for any Burying Ground. The Parish then requested the commit- tee to proceed further on the business ; and if they succeeded, then to apply to the standing committee to call a meeting."
Feb. 4, 1794. Warrant: Art 4. "To see what the Parish will do re- specting the report of their committee, who were chosen to provide a new Burying Place; and to do anything relating thereto, that the parish may think proper when met together."
Art. 5. " To see what the Parish will do respecting the Old Burying Ground."
March 17, 1794. " Voted to put off the articles of the Burying Place to the adjournment."
April 14, 1794. " Voted, that the Parish will purchase of Capt. Joseph Brown the land that was lately Zachariah Brooks, being near one acre, for the purpose of a Burying Yard, Capt. Brown to have for said Burying
5
66*
INTRODUCTION.
Ground- £37. 10. 0 - if paid in one month ; otherwise to have - £39. 0. 0 .* The Parish then chose Deacon Samuel Thompson, Deacon Obadiah Ken- dall, and Deacon Josiah Richardson, with the standing committee to fix the fence about said Burying yard, and make a gate, and arrange said Ground for Burying, and report their doings and the cost to the next meet- ing. And the same committee to fix upon the time when the new Burying place should be opened, and the old Burying place shut up : and then made choice of Josiah Fowle, Deacon Josiah Richardson, and Joseph Lawrence to find out the bounds of the old burying yard, in order that the same may be enclosed."
March 2, 1795. Warrant: Art. 6. "To see what the Parish will do respecting the report of a former committee, relative to the bounds of the old Burying yard, and also to see if the parish will proceed to enclose the same."
March 16, 1795. " Voted that the selectmen of Woburn be requested to report a clause in the warrant for April Meeting, to see if the Town will give the First Parish liberty to enclose the old Burying-Ground."
April 13, 1795. " The Parish voted to enclose the old Burying ground with fence; and made choice of Deacon Jeduthun Richardson, Mr. David Johnson, and Lieut. Joseph Lawrence, to see that said Burying yard was enclosed accordingly."
April 6, 1795. Warrant : Art. 2. " To see what the Parish will do respecting the Petition of Mr. Zachariah Richardson, and a number of other persons, requesting to have a Right in the New Burying yard on paying their proportionable part to the first Parish; or to do anything re- specting said l'etition that the Parish may think proper when met together ; and also for the Parish whether said Petitioners pay their pro- portionable part towards inclosing the Old Burying yard."
[COPY OF THE SAID PETITION.]
"We, the subscribers, who are at the date hereof members of the Baptist Society in Woburn, and who did formerly belong to the First Parish in said Woburn, hereby request of the First Parish in said Woburn, the Right of Burying all such persons of our respective families as may hereafter be removed by death in the new Burying yard, which the said
* An abstract of the deed recorded at Cambridge, daled April 21, 1794, reads thus : "I, Joseph Brown, Gentleman, in consideration of 37 Pounds, 10 shillings, paid by Joseph Law- rence, Treasurer, for the first Parish * * * Gentleman * * * convey unto the said Joseph Lawrence, Treasurer, as aforesaid for the sole Use and Benefit of said Parisl: for the purpose of A Burying Place * * * One certain pleee of Land lying in said Woburn called one aere be the same more or less and is bounded as follows, viz; Northward on the Road leading from Zebadish Wyman's Brick Store to the Mansion house late Capt" Timothy Brooks's, and is bounded at the Northeastwardly corner by the Thirds lately set to Snsanna the Wife of Zach- ariah Brooks, deceased; Eastward on the land late Zebadiah Wyman Esq' deceased, South- ward and Westward on the land now improved by James Fowle to the Road first men- tioned."
67*
INTRODUCTION.
First Parish lately purchased, upon condition that we pay our proportion- able part according to our Polls & Estates, of what said Burying yard cost. WOBURN, April 1st, 1795.
(Signed) ZACHARIAH RICHARDSON. JOSHUA REED, JR. JESSE RICHARDSON, JR. ABEL RICHARDSON. JOSEPH EATON. THOMAS BRUCE, JR.
ETHAN RICHARDSON.
BARNABAS RICHARDSON, JR. JOSEPH BOND. HIRAM THOMPSON. WILLIAM TAY."
April 13, 1795. On above petition voted : " That any member belong- ing to the Baptist Society within the limits of the First Parish of Woburn, occupy the new Burying yard in said Parish in common with the said First Parish for the purpose of burying their dead, provided they pay their proportionable part according to their polls & estates iu said First Parish for what said Burying yard cost; and also their part of enclosing the old Burying yard, and all such other necessary expense as may arise respect- ing both said burying yards. Provided also that said Baptists comply with this vote on or before the expiration of two months.
" Voted, that a copy of the foregoing vote be transmitted to the Peti- tioners, and the Clerk to perform the same."
June 15, 1795. " Voted that the time for the above to comply with above vote be lengthened to the last Monday of September next."
September 28, 1795. Met only and adjourned.
October 26, 1795. " The parish passed the following vote -
" That those Persons who are members of the Baptist Society in the First Parish of Woburn, who do not now own any Right in the new Bury- ing yard, may have liberty to Bury their Dead in said new Burying yard, on paying to the Treasurer of said First Parish half one Dollar for each grave before the same be dug; and that said Treasurer give to those per- sons (who apply and pay as aforesaid) a certificate to the sexton, and that he dig the graves certified in said certificates -- they paying the sex- ton for digging said graves - and attend such funerals in the same man- ner as though they belonged to said First Parish."
At this period the town was divided into two parishes : the first now including the present towns of Woburn and Winchester; the second including what is now Burlington, and which was separated from the First Parish in 1730, and incorporated as the town of Burlington in 1799. In the First Parish at this time were only two religious societies. All in- habitants of the First Parish were rated as members of said parish, save
68*
INTRODUCTION.
those who belonged to the Baptist Society, which had come into existence, and secured this exemption a few years previously. The town of Win- chester was incorporated in 1850. The Baptist Society, observe, was styled " The Baptist Society of the First Parish in Woburn "
April 4, 1796. Warrant: Art. 3. "To see if the Parish will admit the members of the Baptist Society that live within the limits of the Par- ish, to be proprietors in common with the present members of said Parish, in the new Burying yard; provided said Baptists pay their proportion of the cost and charges in the purchase and repairs of the new Burying yard, and enclosing the old Burying yard agreeable to their Petition, or do anything respecting the same that the Parish may think best when met together."
April 11, 1796. " Voted that the Baptist Society of the First Parish in Woburn, may become joint proprietors of the new Burying yard, upon their paying their money, or adequate security, to the Parish Committee of the First Parish in Woburn, their proportion of the first purchase money and the repairs that have been done on the same; and also their fencing the old Burying yard.
" Voted, that the standing committee of said Parish settle with the members of said Baptist Society according to the foregoing vote."
March 5, 1798. Warrant : Art. 9. " To see if the Parish will do any- thing respecting the Pall."
March 19, 1798. " Left (repairs of &c ) Pall (or Grave Cloth) to dis- cretion of the committee."
April 1, 1799. Warrant: Art. 11. "To see what the Parish will do respecting the Burying Yard."
April 29, 1799. " Voted that the standing committee take care of the Burying yard and conduct that article as they may think best for the in- terest of the Parish "
After the separation of the First and Second Parishes of the town by the incorporation of Burlington, in 1799, the First Parish and the town were in effect one and the same organization. Hence the town in 1806 and following years chose committees to take care of the meeting-house and burying-grounds in the limits of what had been the First Parish, articles being inserted in the warrants for town meetings for this purpose. The First Congregational Parish of Woburn was incorporated in the year 1816, and was the legitimate advancement of the old First Parish, preservative of the old organization. This body still retained the burying-yard. In a warrant of the parish dated March 7, 1823, is an article : Art. 8. " To see if the Parish will give liberty to Doct. Rufus Wyman to erect a tomb in the new burying ground, or do anything respecting the same."
April 14, 1823. " Voted, that liberty be given to Doct. Rufus Wyman to erect a Tomb in the new burying Ground, under the direction of the standing committee of the Parish."
April 5, 1823. Warrant : Art. 2. " To see if the Parish will take any
69*
EPITAPHS, SECOND BURIAL-GROUND.
measures to sell their burying ground to the town, or do anything respect- ing the same."
April 14, 1823. " Voted, that the Parish will take measures to sell their Burying Ground on advantageous and honorable terms for the Town and Parish." Committee of three by ballot " to have discretionary orders to confer with the committees of the Town, and make such agreement with said committee as they shall think proper, and report to the Parish their doings." Bartholomew Richardson, Calvin Richardson, and Jonas Hale were this committee.
April 21, 1823. " Voted, that the Parish take measures to sell their burying ground to the Town for the sum of $1' 2.50. Voted, to authorize their Treasurer to convey to the Town by deed the burying ground, and take the Town's security for the same."
March 9, 1824. Warrant: Art. 9. " To see if the Parish will direct their Treasurer to give a deed to the Town of their burying ground, or do anything," etc.
March 22, 1824. " Voted, to dismiss."
In 1824, the First Church voted that a bell on their meeting-house, pro- cured previously by subscription, should be tolled at funerals. This was probably the origin of that custom in Woburn.
WOBURN, 1870.
W. R. CUTTER.
EPITAPHS, SECOND BURIAL-GROUND.
(1.) " Mary Plympton eldest dau't of Doe't Sylvanus & M'rs Mary Plympton Died Jan'y 28. 1789 Aged 3 years & 20 days.
"Behold the youth just enter life, And bloom like flowers in May, Stay long enough to steal our hearts Then smile & die away."
Born Woburn. Jan. 8, 1786; daughter of Dr. Sylvanus Plympton and Mary (Richardson Plympton, who were married May 12, 1785. Parents admitted members of Woburn Church, Oct. 16, 1791.
" 1789, Jan. 26, Dr. Plympton's child died." (Samuel Thompson, Esq.'s, Diary.)
This stone, of earlier date than the opening of the yard (1794), was re- moved from the First Yard from site of pound, where Deacon C. R. Thomp- son remembers seeing it standing in his youth.
(2.) "To perpetuate the memory of Mrs. Polly Clapp, wife of Maj.r Jeremiah Clapp, who died with ye small pox, Nov.r 15, 1792, ÆEtat. 25.
" Had virtues charms, the power to save, And free her votaries from the grave, This stone had nee'r possess'd the fame, Of being mark'd with Polly's name."
70*
EPITAPHS, SECOND BURIAL-GROUND.
Polly (Briggs) Clapp, wife of Major Jeremiah Clapp, Esq. (epitaph 88). " 1792, Nov. 15-17, Jeremiah Clap's wife Died Small Pox and Buried." (S. Thompson, Esq.'s. Diary.) (See Clapp Family in America, p. 163, etc.)
(3.) "Erected in Memory of M'r Jonathan Lawrence, who died August 1st 1793, ÆEtatis 68.
" Peacefull & happy in his life, Calm & composed at deathi) And with a christian fortitude, He did resign his breath. And now he slumbers in the dust, His sonl, we trust, has winged its way,
From the abode of sin and death, To realms of everlasting day.
Let all who knew his pions life, Be influenced thereby, That we may meet in heaven at last, And Reign with Christ on high."
Jonathan Lawrence, son of Deacon Jonathan (first of Charlestown, after- wards of Stoneham) and Hannah (-) Lawrence, was born in Charles- town, Dec. 27, 1724; lived in Woburn, where he married Rachel Wright in 1750. ( Vide Bond's Watertown Genealogies, pp. 823, 828.) She died in 1823 (epitaph 123). Jonathan Lawrence was received into full communion by Woburn First Church, April 18, 1756, being the first person admitted to membership after the ordination of the Rev. Josiah Sherman (Jan. 28, 1756), and the first named in the present church catalogue. ( Vide Church Manual, p. 9.) The records of the church previous to the year 1756 are unaccountably missing or lost. Jona. Lawrence, collector of First Parish, 1760 (Sewall's Woburn, 336) ; treasurer of Woburn, 1777-78 (Ibid., 583).
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