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AGRES
HON. ROBERT S. FRANKLIN
SPECIAL BULLETIN
OF THE
Newport Historical Society
lumber Ten
NEWPORT, R. I.
December, 1913
IN MEMORY
OF
Ion. Robert Stilman Franklin
Vice President of the Society
DIED OCTOBER 8th, 1913
Mr. Franklin was born in the city of Newport August Ist, 1836, and was during his whole life one of its honored and useful citizens. He held many public positions of trust and honor, among them that of Chief Magistrate of the city and of State Representative and Senator. In every office he was conscientious, wise and faithful.
His connection with the Historical Society began July 6th, 1886, when the Newport Society of Mechanics and Manufacturers was dissolved, all of its members being received into our Society. He was at once elected. a Director. March 18th, 1899, he became Secretary, and Vice-President May 27th, 1913. His importance in the Society was marked from the beginning ; a life-long ac- quaintance with the affairs of the city making him pecu- Jiarly informed and interested in its history. His labors were constant ; and his experience was most useful to the Board of Directors. Upon his judgment his fellows upon the Board were always glad to rely ; and upon his faithful performance of any duty committed to him, they could safely depend.
His fellow Directors expressed their true sentiments when, in Resolutions adopted at the time of his death, they said : "The Society has been deprived of one of its most valued and efficient officers."
Newport Cemeteries
A PAPER BY THE LATE
Hon. ROBERT S. FRANKLIN
READ BEFORE THE SOCIETY
Part I, August 15th, 1911, by Mr. Franklin
Part II, November 17th, 1913, by the Librarian
PART I.
The largest and most representative of the early burial places of Newport is the old cemetery on Farewell street known as the Common Burying Ground and used as the resting place of the dead continuously from the middle of the seventeenth century till the present day. A walk among the graves in this corner of God's Acre brings one into close touch with the Newport and Newporters of early days. Here "the rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep "-men prominent in the political and commercial life of the colony, governors, Revolutionary patriots, honored clergymen, physicians and merchants. Some of the oldest stones are so badly corroded that the epitaphs are entirely illegible, and others have sunken so far into the ground that even the uppermost lines of the inscriptions can be read with difficulty. But most of the stones are well preserved and in good condition and many have been re- cut by descendants of the families or by patriotic societies interested in restoring the ancient monuments.
The older stones vary little in form and size. The common type is a low blue slate head stone, ending at the top in a semi-circular curve with a smaller curve on either side. In the central curve is often carved an angel's head, a skull and cross bones, a weeping willow and urn, or the family coat of arms, while the smaller curves are unadorned or filled by scrolls and conventional rosettes. Infinite variety, however, charac- terizes the epitaphs. In many cases the record is of the simplest kind -" Their name, their years, spelt by the unlettered muse." Other epitaphs are elaborate inscriptions, telling the private virtues and public services of the deceased or "with uncouth rhymes" setting forth the
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grief of the surviving relatives and the hope of the departed in a blessed heavenly home. The quaint spelling, the contracted words, the use of old forms and letters combined with the dignified language of Scripture and the early poets make a most interesting study and show the visitor to the cemetery how truly " Every stone that we look upon in this re- pository of past ages is both an entertainment and a monitor."
It is the purpose of this article to give the inscriptions that are of interest in themselves, as well as some of those that have a more perma- nent historical value.
Ward and Cranston Plat, the Part of the Ground Earliest in Use
In the Ward and Cranston plat now cared for by the Park Commis- sion of the city, are gathered together the monuments of members of these and other prominent early families. A large flat slate slab, with skull and cross bones at the top, records that
" Here lyeth interred the Body of Maior John Cranston Esq Governor who deceased this life the 12 day of March in the 55 year of his age 1680."
Near by, a similar slab with the Cranston coat of arms (three cranes) at the top is in memory of Samuel Cranston, died 1727. He was a son of John Cranston and governor from 1698 to 1727. Both father and son died in office
Here are also the tombs of two other Colonial governors-Richard Ward, who died in 1763, and Samuel Ward, who died in 1776. The monument to Samuel Ward, a marble slab raised on six square pillars was erected by the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations as a testimony of respect for " his great abilities, his unshaken integ- rity, his ardor in the cause of freedom, his fidelity to the offices he filled." Governor Ward was a "delegate from the colony at the Gen- eral Congress, in which station he died at Philadelphia of small pox, March 26, 1776.' His remains were afterwards removed by his descend- ants to Rhode Island.
Not far from these tombs is the grave of "Solomon Southwick, for many years Proprietor and Editor of the Newport Mercury and Com- missary General for the State of Rhode Island in the Revolutionary war," who died in 1797.
Other interesting stones in the Ward plot are those in memory of Edward Scott and Mr. Thomas Gordon Steele. On the first of these we read that Edward Scott, Esq , departed this life in 1768
" Having for many years served His country By a faithful discharge Of several important offices of goverment preserving throughout his life That noblest of characters an honest man."
The epitaph on the second stone is as follows :
" In memory of Mr. Thomas Gordon Steele who departed this life by a Fall from a Horse January 23, 1776 aged 42 years. A wit's a feather, and a chief's a rod, An honest man's the noblest work of God."
In a lot adjoining the Ward enclosure is a simple granite shaft erected by friends in 1892, in memory of Gilbert Stuart, the painter, while in another section of the cemetery is buried William Ellery, who " represented this state in Congress, was an active and influential mem- ber of that body for many years and one of the Signers of the Declara-
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tion of Independence." His stone was restored by his great-great-grand- son, Rob't Sedgwick, in 1899.
Among the Revolutionary soldiers whose graves are to be seen in this cemetery may be mentioned Colonel William Tew, " an officer in the late Revolutionary war who received from his country that applause and reward justly due to patriotism and valour," and Captain John Trevett, of whom it is said that "he received as his only reward the sat- isfaction of Reflecting that by his efforts he had contributed to the estab- lishment of the blood bought Liberties of his country."
The writer has been told of the tomb of William Jefferay, one of the regicide judges of Charles I, who died in 1675, but has not been able to locate it. It is described as a " large slab of gray stone with skull and cross bones at the head," and the following epitaph :
"Since every tomb an epitaph can have The Muses owe their tribute to this grave,
And to succeeding ages recommend
His worthy name who lived and died their friend ;
Being full of days and virtue's love and peace,
God from his troubles gave him a release
And called him unto the celestial place, Where happy souls view their Creator's face."
Newport in her early days was noted for her famous divines, among whom was the learned Rev. Ezra Stiles, pastor of the Congregational church on Clarke street, afterwards president of Yale College. His two wives are buried in this cemetery-" Mrs. Elizabeth Stiles, consort of the Reverend Dr. Ezra Stiles who died in 1775," and " Mary, the amia- ble and virtuous relict of the Revd. Dr. Ezra Stiles, President of Yale College," who died in 1801.
The " Baptist Society holding the six principals of the Doctrines of Christ," erected a monument in memory of their pious and venerable pastor, The Rev. Mr. Nicholas Eyres, who died in 1759. The inscription recounts his learning and piety and successful pastoral instruction, and ends with these words :
" From these distinguished structures
And ruling principals of his character Posterity may know, Or at leaast have reason to Judge That while many monumental inscriptions Perpetuate the names of those
Who will make to shame and everlasting contempt,
This stone transmits the memory of one
Who shall shine as ye brightness of ye Firmament And as the stars for ever & ever."
We find also the burial places of the Reverend Daniel Wightman, an earlier " Pastor of the Baptist church in Newport holding the six
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Principles as it is written in Hebrews the sixth, fo ralmost fifty years, who departed this life August 31, Anno 1750," and of the Rev. Gard- ner Thurston. He was the minister of the Second Baptist Church for nearly half a century and was obliged to eke out his scanty salary by following the trade of a cooper during the week days. As a proof of his conscientiousness it is said that he absolutely refused to use his craft for the manufacture of any kind of cask used in the shipment of New England rum and confined his work to the making of milk and water buckets.
Among the oldest stones in this cemetery are those placed over the tombs of John Garde and his wife. They were originally buried on their estate on the west side of Thames street, near what is now known as Champlin's wharf, but some time before the year 1800 the tombstones were removed to the common burial ground. The stones date back to 1660 and 1665, somewhat earlier than the oldest monument on Burial Hill, Plymouth, Mass., which is stated by Mr. Benjamin Drew in his pamphlet on Burial Hill to be of the date 1681. The inscriptions are as follows :
Here lieth interred ye Body of John Garde Merchant aged 61 years. Who died the 7 day of August 1665.
Garde Stones, North of the Main Path, Among the Oldest in Newport.
Here lyeth the Body of Harte Garde the wife of John Garde Merchant who departed this The 16 day of September A N D. O M 1660 aged 55 years
One other stone dating back to the seventeenth century, bears this epitaph :
Here lyeth the Body of Roger Baster Bachelor Blockmackr Aged 66 years. He dyed 23 Day of Aprel 1687 He was one of the Fi rst beginers of a chu rch of Christ obsvring
of the Seventh Day Sab bath of the Lord in N E and began 23 Dis 1671.
HERE LYETHTHE BODY
ROGER BAS TER BACHELOR BLOCK MACKR A GEDOO Y ERESHE DYED 23 DAY OF APR EL 1087 HE WAS OWEOF THEFIS RST. BEGINERS CEA CHY ARCH OF CHRIST
OFTHEZTRDAY
BATHOFTELORDIN IVERADBE CHO3DIS1671
The Bachelor Blockmackr Grave, Marked by a Seventeenth Century Stone.
Of a later date but of especial historic interest is the small slate head stone raised in memory of " Anna, wife of James Milward, Esqr.,
and daughter of Wm. and Miriam Cranston, died Febry 5th, 1774.
The first white child born on the Friends Land called Easton's Point."
Three stones of early date in the Old or Common Burying Ground, noticeable for quaint spelling and lettering are those of the Warkman family. They are of rough marble, originally white, but now much- discolored and moss-covered. On the middle stone we read :
1736 SAMUELL Warkman Dyed November 15
$7.36
The Three Warkman Stones, Near the Main Path, on the North Side.
The stones on either side are in memory of the wife and son of Samuel Warkman. The one on the right hand bears the inscription :
1746 SAMUELL
Junr Warkman Dyed IULY 8 day in his 52 year
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That at the left reads as follows :
1747 MARTHA WIFE OF SAMUELL WARKMAN Dyed JULY 8 DAY About 76 YEARS.
As we wander about among the graves we are struck by the fre- quent recurrence of the words " merchant" and " sea captain " upon the stones, and we are forcibly reminded of the early commercial interests of our city and her importance as a centre of trade One of the dis- tinguished merchants in Newport was Christopher Champlin, Esq., president of the Bank of Rhode Island and the first grandmaster of the Masonic fraternity in the state. " Unambitious of public employment and honor, he was respected in society, for his good sense, incorruptible integrity, and persevering industry in commercial pursuits, in which he was usefully engaged for half a century "-is the epitaph upon his tombstone.
The resting place of another merchant is marked in the following manner :
"This humble and unpolished stone Is in Remembrance of Andrew Heatley Sprung from parents of repute and worth In Lanerk Scotland where he was born Novr 16th 1725 and well educated
In London. He was accomplish'd & finish'd
In all the nicer and more intricate Points
Of Business as Factor and Merchant. Arriving in America he married Mary First daughter of Sueton & Temperance Grant
July 26th 1750, by whom he left issue Two sons and three daughters.
He was of a sprightly & cheerful disposition Foun'd & qualified for the enjoyment
And Pleasure of a regulated & Social life In which he delighted and was a pattern In the duties of a Master. Husband & Father. Always infirm and of a Habit too delicate
Ile was cut off in a moment by a Profusion
Of blood from his lungs July 17th 1761 And dy'd be- wail'd by his Family
And regretted by his Friends & Acquaintances. Manet post Funera Virtus."
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On a stone dedicated to the memory of Capt. John Dennis we read that he " sailed from this place Augt 22d 1756 in the 42d year of his age, was never since heard of, doubtless made his exit in the watery element.''
Reference should also be made to the grave of "C'ap. Daniel Gardner who was summoned in a moment out of Time into Eternity by being unfortunately drowned on the 11th day of July 1789. leaving a wife and four children to deplore the loss of an affectionate husband and tender Parent, exhibiting to survivors a striking memento of the great uncertainty of human life."
One energetic captain, who died on the coast of Africa from disease and was buried on the island of St. Thomas, is thus commemorated :
" Once did I stand amid life's busy throng Healthy and active vigorous and strong. Oft did I traverse ocean's briny waves And safe escaped a thousand gaping graves. Yet dire disease has stopped my vital breath And now I lie the Prisoner of Death. Reader expect not length of days to see
Or if thou dost, think, think, ah ! think of me."
James Anthony who served for 18 years in the United States navy and died in 1857, has upon his stone :
" He spent his lite upon the sea Fighting for the nation He doubled his enjoyment By doubling all his rations."
And below the verses is the signature "Pomroy," the name by which he was popularly known.
Among the quaintest epitaphs found in the old ground is that over the remains of Simon Parrett :
" Here doth Simon Parrett lye Whose wrongs Did for Justice cry But none could have And now the grave Keeps him from Injurie. Who departed this life The 23d Day of May 1718 Aged 84 years."
One cannot read the lines without feeling the desire to know what great wrong the old man carried unavenged to his grave.
II
Holl.
Stone Marking Grave of Simon Parrett, "Whose Wrongs Did for Justice Cry"
Another stone of the year 1718, erected over the grave of Sarah Mitchell, has the verses of the inscription so arranged that the initial letters, in a sort of acrostic, spell the name of the deceased.
"Shall we lament for you our friend And mother in Israel Receive her Lord into thy hand And then it will be well. Honour her memory I will. Make her to be at thy right hand In tryumph and true command To thee O Lord her we resigne Christ and she for to combine. Her O Christ to you we give Evermore with you to live. Lord do thou let her possess Life and everlasting blessedness."
Most visitors to the Old Cemetery know the stone familiarly called " My Wife's Arm's stone." It is a double slate head stone, in the centre of which is carved an arm turned towards the right, with the accom-
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panying inscription : Wait daughtr William and Desire Tripp died April 24 1780 aged 10 mo 10 days.
also William their son Died March 7th 1784 aged 22 mo Also his wife's
arm amputated Feby 20th 1786.
WAIT dhaught GOAlfo WILLIAM WILLIAM and their Son
DESIRE TRIPP
died March
died April 24 17 80 Aged lo
Molo day's
Ann Amputated Pabx20 17
"My Wife's Arm's" Stone.
Of the rude rhymes found upon the tombstones some are decidedly individual and of personal application, while others are general reflec. tions upon the frailty of human life. Two of the verses that are often repeated are here given :
" Remember me 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."
There are occasional variations in the first line; sometimes the form " Oh ! reader see as you pass by " is used.
Another favorite is :
" With patience having run his race Now Death hath set him Free We trust he doth enjoy the Place Of true Felicity."
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As we read the following we are reminded of the " Vanity of vani- ties, all is vanity " of the Preacher :
" 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 the proud shall be."
The New Among the Old.
The expressions, " The corruptible of Samuel Freebody " and " The human form respected for its honesty and known 53 years by the ap- pellation Christopher Ellery began to dissolve in the month of February 1789," emphasize the fact that " we are of the earth, earthy." But other lines breathe a more hopeful spirit.
" Man comes into this world naked and bare He travels through life with trouble and care llis exit from here no one knows where If it's well with him here, it's well with him there." "Earth taek my Earth Saton my Sin. I leve the world my substence Heaven my Sol Reseve."
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As also these words :
" Happie are the youth That dy in ye truth And establishes righteousness."
Again we find lines indicating a firm belief in "the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting." The oldest and quaintest of such verses are on the tombstone of Lydia, wife of Jolin Odlin, who died in 1707.
" Who in her life was faithful kind & tru & at her death ths world she Bd Adew. Her soule to God she did commend ye same Her body to ye dust from whence it came. And when ye Lord from Heaven shall descend United they shall be Him for to attend. To all Eternity with Him shall be, As by ye Scripture you may plainly see."
A few other examples of similar sentiment, but of a much later date may be given :
" Weep not fond wife or shed a tear Or mourn my quick remove ; I was but a treasure lent awhile Reclaimed by Him above. Weep not o'er my closing tomb, Or mourn my early flight, We are but transplanted e'er we bloom In realms of living light."
" But is he dead ! No, no he lives, His happy spirit flies To Heaven above and there receives The long expected prize."
" Nought can disturb this heir of life, All worldly cares are fled To be with Christ was her desire And she's now perfected. Blest soul, how sweetly dost thou rest From every toil and care, Enjoying now on Jesus breast Bliss far beyond compare."
" Oh ! Mother dear it was hard to part It tore the cords from around our hearts. But soon in Heaven we hope to meet And kneel in prayer at Jesus feet."
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This one is from the grave of a young girl of 16 years :
" Farewell dear friends a long farewell For we shall meet no more Till we are raised with thee to dwell On Zion's happier shore. Our friend and sister, lo is dead, The cold and lifeless clay Has made in dust its silent bed And there it must decay."
Many of the most interesting epitaphs are found upon the graves of children A very simple one, but exceedingly quaint in the spelling and contraction of the words, is found on a small stone and reads as follows :
Here lyeth Judith ye Daughtr of Iosiah Cog geshall & of Mary his wife aged 3 years & 4 monts & dyed Novmbr ve 15 1711.
Another of the date of 1797 bears the name of the mother, Mrs. Deliverance Hudson, and the words :
" Here lies buried by each other Three children and their mother."
A stone of the same year (1797) for a child of two years has these lines :
" This lovely babe That knowd no harm Now resteth in her Saviour's arms."
In one place are six little stones joined together into one continuous piece of slate, each small head stone having a tiny angel's head at the top.
" Here lie deposited six children sons and daughters of William Lan- gley and Sarah his wife." The names and ages are given. The oldest was 21 months and 23 days, the youngest 4 weeks and 5 days.
" Here lie six blessed babes which Jesus said Heirs of his blessed Kingdom should be made. Then let my murmering heart cheer up with this, They with their Saviour art in endless bliss."
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Six Brothers and Sisters.
Over an only daughter aged 4 months is written :
" Here the cold earth secludes her from our sight Her form lies here, her soul hath winged in flight Far from corroding care, from sickness, pain, The loss is ours, but hers eternal gain."
A little boy of nine years thus addresses his sorrowing parents :
" Mourn not for me my Parents dear Nor weep around my tomb My little spirit is not here For God has called it home." Johnnie.
And with this pathetic lullaby a mother consigns her child to its last sleep :
"Sleep my babe and take thy rest For such as thee our Saviour blest, Thy soul has gone with Christ to dwell My lovely babe Farewell, Farewell."
The early death of a young girl of eighteen who died in 1790 is thus described :
" This happy youth resin'd her breath Prepared to live and ripe for death. Ye blooming youth that see this stone
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Learn early death may be your one. The Lord that hath all Sovering power He chose this much lamented flower."
The simile of the fading flower is frequently used and is evidently the favorite one for the early death of the young. More than once occur the lines :
" Untimely sinks into the silent tomb A lovely Flow'r in life's enchanting bloom. Her worth who knew her will delighted tell, Much lov'd she liv'd and much lamented fell."
And on one stone we find the following :
" Like the summer flower she laid her down Neath the winter shade to die. And she'll heed no more sharp winter's frown From the grave-as he passes by."
Among the inscriptions in the Old or Common cemetery many are the tributes to womanly charm and excellence. Of the wife of Colonel Benjamin Fry, a Revolutionary soldier, it is said : " If an assemblage of the virtues which adorn and dignify the soul, united to elegance of person, with hands distributing charity to the poor, could have rescued her from death, she still had lived."
On another stone a similar thought is expressed in verse :
" Could blameless manners or affection warm, Could the mild virtues still to memory dear Or innocence the rage of Death disarm An early victim had not rested here. Nor had a husband mourned his doom severe Nor infant sorrows stream'd around this grave, Nor bending parents mixed the falling tear Such was her worth, could worth exception crave."
A simpler tribute to womanly worth is contained in the brief lines :
" Beloved by all she met her happy doom, Beloved by all she sank into the tomb, And knew no fear of death."
Mrs. Frances Woodman was the "only daughter of the venerable &' Reverend Gardner Thurston."
" Useful in life, lamented at her end She lived beloved a Wife, a Christian friend What needs she more to perpetuate her fame What monument more lasting than her name."
One good wife seems to have possessed the virtues of all the women of the Bible.
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