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Rest in Peace
by Nikki Willhite
Before we know it, Halloween will roll around again
with it's spooky ghosts, spider webs, and eerie gravestones.
Yet, there is nothing really eerie about a graveyard. A gravestone is
just a marker of where we have laid our loved ones to rest. It can
be a place where our family gathers to remember them.
In our town, we don't even have a cemetery. I think that is sad. I think
it is important to honor and remember those who were here before us.
Do you ever think about what you want on your gravestone? So many people
don't even want to be buried anymore. Others just want their name, and
perhaps the dates of their life on their marker.
The writing and dates on gravestones have helped many people doing
genealogical research.
It is interesting to read the gravestones of our ancestors. Many
of them were very religious people. I don't know if they composed the
words for their graves before they died, or if their loved ones wrote
them when they died. Either way, they are interesting.
Our ancestors had hard lives. They grew their own food, and made their
own clothing. The also went through a lot of tragedy, especially when it
came to the death of family members. The death rate among children
was horrible.
Here is a collection of the writings on the tombstones in a graveyard in
Massachusetts from the 18th century. You can tell how deeply they were
affected by the loss of their little ones, as well as how spiritual they
were.
Perhaps there is something to learn from these last words of our
ancestors about life and faith. Here they are, as written.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In memory of Leut. Elias Howard who died Oct. ye 23. 1733 in the 27th yr
of his age.
A soul prepared needs no delay
The summon comes ye must obey
Swift was his race to his abode
He closed his Eyes to see his God.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In memory of Mary wife of Mr. David Wiswell who died Oct. 6,1821. Act.
49.
I with my offspring here securely
rest,
God takes or leaves our comforts as is best.
Prepare my friends, to meet me on that shore
Where soul bereavements shall be felt no more
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Here lies Hannah the wife of Mr James Richardson who died June ye 22nd
1789 in ye 28th year of her age.
Death is a debt to Nature due,
Which I have paid and so must you
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In memory of Mr. Nathan Hayward who died September the 25th 1789 in ye
19th year of his age.
Hear lies cut down in youth,
One who loved & obeyed the truth
As you pass by, Look on & see
Prepare for death and follow me
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Here Lies the Body of Joel Whiting 4th Son and Child of Mr Nathan
Whiting & Mrs Marcy his wife Deceased Jany ye 26 1757 Aged one year & 6
Months & 11 days.
Time cuts down all
both great & small.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In memory of Mrs Dinah Fisher who Died Sept 7th 1778 in ye 31st year of
her age.
Thou wast cut down in Bloom of life
A faithful friend & Loving Wife
A tender Mother good & Kind
With her sweet Babe by Death consined
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In memory of Mrs Lois, wife of Daniel Pond, who died a 17th 1787 in ye
57 Year of her age.
She long'd the day, to go the way
Where all the living must.
And wished the hour of Sovereign Power
To turn to native dust.
By faith she lived in faith she dy'd
Left much behind to teach
Her husband near, & daughter dear,
Such things as none can preach
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In memory of Mrs Silence Metcalf wife of Mr. Elial Metcalf who died
March 14, 1818 Aged 54 years
Farewell my friends and children dear
I've left this world of pain
May virtue be your practice here
Till we do meet again
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In memory of Mrs Eunice Clark wife of Mr Joseph Clark who died August
6th 1848 In her 49th year.
Adiew my children dear a long adiew.
On earth I could no longer stay with you.
May virtue and piety be your practice here,
And at length in heaven may we all appear
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In memory of Miss Phebe Johnson, daughtr, of Mr. David & Mrs Phebe
Johnson who died Dec 25th 1816. In her 14th year.
Beneath those clods in silent
sleep,
Behold her body lies;
Surviving friends forbear to weep,
For virtue never dies
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sacred to the Memory of Dea Nathaniel Partridge who died Oct 27 1801 in
the 67 year of his age
The Church his memory will revere
And friends come round to drop a tear
While the imortal part above
Exalts in realms of endless love.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sacred to the Memory of Miss Grace Partridge who died Apr. 10. 1795 In
the 18 year of her age
Stop here young friends & read
these lines
Improve this solemn call
Perhaps your morning sun will set
And you like me will fall.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In memory of Alfred Son of Mr Horace & Mrs Hepsibah A Hill died Oct 18,
1825 E t 4 mo & 14 days.
A pleasant babe a morning flower
Cut down and withered in an hour.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lucinda Force Died Jan 6. 1848 Aged 50.
Let not for her our tears be shed
For blessed are the holy dead
Ah weep for those that still remain
Subject to sorrow sin and pain.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In memory of Mr Elias Mann who died Augst 21 1822 Et. 33 years.
Be ye also ready.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sarah T. wife of Edward L. Jencks & Daug. of Joseph & Betsey Greenwood
died June 23. 1844 Et 30.
She in agony of spirit,
When she saw that none could save,
Said my friends I bid you farewell,
Till we meet beyond the grave.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
In Memory of Lucia and Barton Twin Children of Mr. Lewis and Mrs Ann E.
Jenks Barton died May 18 1827 Etatis 15 days. Lucia died May 25
1827 Etatis 22 days.
Sweet Babes;
They tasted of life's bitter cup
Refused to drink the portion up
But turned their little heads aside,
Disgusted with the taste and died
About the Author: Nikki Willhite,
mother of 3 and an interior design graduate, has been writing and
publishing articles on the topic of
frugal living for over a
decade. Visit her at
www.frugalhappyfamilies.com
- where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips and
articles. Frugal Happy Families- more than just money! |
