Thursday, September 30, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Jonathan Brown

Jonathan Brown, 1758, Grove Hill Cemetery, Waltham, MA
Here lyes Buried
the Body of Mr.
JONATHAN BROWN;
Who Departed this life
July ye 25th: 1758. in ye
65th Year of His Age.
He was a lover of Steady good Men,
he Remained Steady in ye Christian duties
through his life, & we trust Died their Death.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Joseph Tinkham

Joseph Tinkham, 1767, Nemasket Hill Cemetery, Middleboro, MA
IN MEMORY OF
JOSEPH TINKHAM ESQr.
WHO DIED APRIL ye
28th 1767 AGED 45
YEARS 4 MONTHS & 1
DAY

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Obidiah Parker

Obidiah Parker, 1758, Groton, MA
Here lies the Body of
Ensign Obidiah Parker
who departed this Life
Septr. ye 28th 1758 in the
61st year of his Age

Halt passenger as you go past
Remember time it runneth fast
My dust in narrow bounds do lie
Remember man that thous must die
This dust revive it shall again
And in a grave no mor remain
When trumpet Sounds I shall be raisd
For this Gods holy word hath said

Monday, September 27, 2010

Surnames and Slavery

J.L. Bell has an excellent post up today tackling the important question of how historians should use names when writing about enslaved New Englanders. If we presume to refer to slaves by their owners' surnames, we risk legitimizing the patriarchal fiction of a unified household in which slaves were the "children" of their masters. We also elide the common  practice of calling slaves by a single name as a marker of their low status.

This has been something that I have struggled with in writing about gravestones. Even when the gravestone does offer a surname, I am hesitant to use it because it is often unclear whether the stone was erected by the deceased's family or by a slaveowner.

Pegge [Scott-Robinson], NCBG, Newport, RI, 1757
One particularly thorny case is when an enslaved child's gravestone names both parents by both first and last names (often different last names owing to restrictions on marriage/separation). The few records I have indicate that these stones were often paid for by the parents, so these are likely to be the names they claimed for themselves.

By what name should I call the child in my own writing? Take the case of Pegge, a little girl who died in Newport, RI in 1757. If Pegge is the daughter of Pompe Scott and Vilot Robinson, should I call her Pegge Scott? Probably not, because that erases the reality of enslaved families' forced estrangement. Pegge Robinson? Maybe — she probably lived with her mother at the time of her death — but that name ignores her father, implying that her mother's owner was, in some way, her "father." Should I use a hyphen and call her Pegge Scott-Robinson or Pegge Robinson-Scott? That is a ridiculous anachronism that would make very little sense within the accepted naming patterns of 18th-century New England.

Peg, 1740, Newport Common Burying Ground, Newport, RI
I suppose the safest choice is just to call her Pegge, since that is what her gravestone calls her. Still, that feels wrong, too. A six-year-old child without a surname seems tragic to me — it orphans her. Usually, I feel a fierce urge to call the child only by the single name given on the gravestone. In the case of Peg, another 6-year-old who died in Newport in 1740, who is called "Peg a Negro Servt to Henry Bull," using only her first name (not presuming to add "Bull") acknowledges the violence implicit in an artifact that preserves her owner's name, but not her mother's or father's. It feels wrong to do the same for Pegge when I do know her parents' names — I don't want to erase them from her identity in the same way that Peg's parents have been removed from our record of her.

Gravestone of the Day: Richard Starr

Richard Starr, 1674, Granary Burying Ground, Boston, MA
RICHARD STARR
AGED ABOVT
34 YERES DYED
THE 27 DAY OF
FEBRVUARY 1674
WHOE WAS BORNE
IN BEERE IN
DAVEN----

There is a village called Beare in Devon, England. My best guess is that the last word on this stone is "Devonshire" and that Richard Starr was born in Beare.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Daniel Manwaring

Daniel Manwaring, 1773, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, Boston, MA
In Memory of
Mr. DANIEL MANWARING
SHIPWRIGHT,
who died April ye 6th, 1773,
Aged 64 Years.

Here is another stone that notes the deceased's occupation.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: David Blood

David Blood, 1787, Pepperell, MA
IN Memory of
Deacon DAVID BLOOD
who was struck dead in the
70th year of his age, by an overturn
of his cart, Decr. ye 6th 1787.
He was industrious in his calling
peaceable in his behavior upright in his
dealings kind to the distressed friendly
to the clergy very constant in
publick worship, and faithful in his
office in the Church.
Death alas perhaps too nigh,
In the next hedge doth sculking lie;
There plants his engines thence lets fly his dart:
Which while we ramble without fear
Will stop us in our full career,
And force us from our airy dream to part.

Another cart accident.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Judith Corbin

Judith Corbin, 1792, Wrentham, MA
In memory
of Widow
Judith Corbin:
who died
May ye 17th,
1792.
in ye 83rd,
Year of her
Age.

It's unusual for a stone to note that a woman was a widow without naming her husband (Ebenezer Corbin).

I like the soul effigy — it looks like an angry man-eagle. It is typical of the Fisher/Farrington workshop's work from the 1780s and 1790s.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: John Blood

John Blood, 1770, Pepperell, MA
Memento mori
Here lies Buried the
Body of Mr. John Blood
who departed this Life
march ye 26th AD 1776 In the
63d year of his Age
Leaveing a Very sorrowfull widdow
and Children who mourns the
Loss of a kind tender & affectionate
Husband & father But not with
out Hope as he manifested
his desire to be absent from
the Body & Present with Jesus
Christ he Buried ten
Children & Left six

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Ruth Conant

Ruth Conant, 1760, South Burying Ground, Concord, MA
Here Lies Buried
The Body of
Ruth Conant Dafter
of Mr Andrew &
Mrs Elisabeth Conant
Who Died March
ye 14 1760
In ye 15 year
of Her Age

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Martha Jacksun

Martha Jacksun, 1701, Granary Burying Ground, Boston, MA
MARTHA
IACKSUN
AGED 22
YEARS DIED
FEBRUARY
Ye 26 1701

Monday, September 20, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Lot Conant

Lot Conant, 1767, South Burying Ground, Concord, MA
Here lies
Interred the Remains
of Mr: Lot Conant, who
departed this Life
September. 20th: 1767.
In the 90th: year of
his age.

The sin of Adam's laid me low,
For sin hath wrought an overthrow;
From dust I came to dust am come,
And now the dust's become my home;
When Christ comes down with saints to rign
Then dust me no more shall detain.

The Park workshop carvers used this verse more than once. I think it's fairly awkward, but someone must have liked it.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Sylvanus and Freelove Jenckes

Sylvanus and Freelove Jenckes, 1780-1, North Burial Ground, Providence, RI
In MEMORY of
Capt. SYLVANUS JENCKES,
who died in Petersburg, in
VIRGINIA NOV. 25, 1781, aged
35 Years, 2 Mo. and 3 Days.
ALSO
Of his truly amiable Lady,
Mrs. FREELOVE JENCKES,
who died the 19th. of FEB.
1780, AGED 31 Years, 10 Mo.
and 26 Days. She was of
an antient and HON. Family,
and Daughter of Captain
JAMES FENNER. She
Possessed evry Grace, and
Virtue, both of Body and
Mind, which exalt Humane
Nature; and was a bright
Ornament to her Soul.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

The Town

If you have not yet seen Ben Affleck's new movie, The Town, you should know that several important events take place at the Phipps Street Burying Ground. There is also a car chase outside of Copp's Hill, but you only ever see the wall, not the interior of the graveyard.

I was so excited to see these locations. Pete, who has never been to Phipps Street, was very impressed by the fence I had to climb.

Gravestone of the Day: Anna Charlotte Druce

Anna Charlotte Druce, 1798, Wrentham, MA
Here reposes the dust
of Anna Charlotte
Druce Daughter of
Mr Samuel and Mrs
Hepzi Druce
She Died April 25th,
1798. Aged 2 weeks
and 3 days.

Its Brittle life was
ended in a span
Its period finish'd
ere its Well began.

A few things worth mentioning:
  • "Here reposes the dust" — maybe it's time to start a 101 Ways to Say "Here Lies" series.
  • Hepzi — was she Hepzibah called Hepzi, or was Hepzi her given name?
  • This epitaph is another example of the use of a gender-neutral pronoun to refer to an small child.
  • Samuel and Hepzi Druce were in the habit of giving their children middle names, a relatively new fashion in New England in the late 18th century. Some New Englanders had been given family surnames as middle names in earlier years, but names like "Anna Charlotte" would have sounded very modern.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Beriah Wittney

Beriah Wittney, 1768, Grove Hill Cemetery, Waltham, MA
Here Lies Buried
the Body of
Mrs. BERIAH WITTNEY, Wife
to Mr. JOHN WHITTNEY of
weston) formerly the Wife of
Mr DANIEL CHILD,
by whom She now Lies
Who died Novbr. ye 4th 1768
in ye 88th Year of Her Age.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Jonathan Blood

Jonathan Blood, 1763, Pepperell, MA
Memento mori
Here lies the Body of
Jonathan Blood the Son of
Deacon David and Mrs. Abigail
Blood, who receiv'd a Wound
by a Cart Wheels going over 
him at Concord July 19th. 1763
of which he died in a few Hours
in the 21st Year of his Age

This is just one of the many gravestones dedicated to people who were killed in cart accidents.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Messing With the Census Taker?

Crosen Family, Gainsboro, VA, 1930 Census
Meet the Crosen (Croser?) family: dad Utah, mom Rhode Island, and the kids: Vermont, Virginia, Minnesota, Georgia, Maryland, Florida, Montana, Kansas, and Tennessee.

I do not doubt that a couple would name their nine children after states. The census is full of people named after states. I was, however, skeptical about the chances of a man named Utah and a woman named Rhode Island finding one another. Stranger things have happened, but I wondered whether this family might have been having some fun with the census taker.

Then, I found them in the 1920 Census, too. If it was a joke, it was a long-running and well-maintained gag.
Crosen Family, Gainsboro, VA, 1920 Census
A final question: how does one decide that Montana is a masculine name, while Tennessee is feminine?

Gravestone of the Day: Richard Hazzen

Richard Hazzen, 1753, Haverhill, MA
HERE LIES BURIED
THE BODY OF MR
RICHARD HAZZEN
WHO DIED APRIL
20th 1753 IN THE
----------

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Flower Names: Beyond Rose and Lily

As I await Snapdragon's arrival, I'm amusing myself with the census records. Today's theme, in honor of Snapdragon: Flower Names. It's no challenge to dig up scores of Roses, Lillies, and Violets, but I'm betting that there are some more interesting botanicals out there.

Azalea Bush, b. 1905, Georgia


Honeysuckle Rankin, b. 1913, Whatcom, WA (1920 Census)

Mayflower Garland, b. 1884, Marshall, TX (1920 Census)

Gravestone of the Day: Darkes Shapcutt

Darkes Shapcutt, 1710, Granary Burying Ground, Boston, MA
DARKES WIFE
TO SAMSON
SHAPCVTT
AGED 24 YEARS
DIED AUGUST
---- 1710

I read this names as "Dorcas." This is one of my favorite colonial-era names, but Pete insists that it would be completely unacceptable for a 21st-century child.

My favorite Dorcas is Darkes Mesenger of Windsor, CT.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: William Almy

William Almy, 1724, NCBG, Newport, RI

Here lieth the
body of William
Almy the Son of
Christopher and
Elizabeth Almy
who Died August
the 17th: 1724: in
the 10th: Month
of his Age.

Boobs.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Susanna S. Druce

Susanna S. Druce, 1803, Wrentham, MA
Sacred
to the memory of
Susanna S. Druce
Daughter of Mr
Samuel and Mrs
Hepzi Druce)
who Died Feb. 8th
1803.
AEtatis 9 Months
and 28 Days.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Horst von Oppenfeld

Horst von Oppenfeld
Pete's great-uncle Horst passed away recently at the age of 97. He led a strange and wonderful life, and his biography may be of some interest to history buffs.

Gravestone of the Day: Louisa Tucker

Louisa Tucker, 1821, Sheldonville, MA
In memory of
LOUISA, daughter
of Mr. Whipple Tucker
& Mrs. Susanna his wife;
died June 5, 1821. Aged
13 Years & 6 months.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Joseph Mixer

Joseph Mixer, 1723, Grove Hill Cemetery, Waltham, MA
Here Lyes Buried
ye Body of Deacon
JOSEPH MIXER;
Who Decd. Decembr.
ye 10th, 1723 in ye
50th Year of His Age.
Blessed are ye Dead, that Die in ye Lord.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Thomas Dorril Hasey

Thomas Dorril Hasey, 1741, NCBG, Newport, RI
In Memory of
Thos. Dorril Hasey
Son of Jacob &
Johannah Hasey,
died Septm: ye 9th:
1741: Aged 1 Year
& 9 Weeks.

I found this stone when I was going through my pictures to look for early examples of New Englanders with middle names. Johannah Hasey's middle name was Eggerton, but either she or Jacob may have been related to a Dorril family — I haven't found much evidence one way or another.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Fanny Whitney Ayer

Fanny Whitney Ayer, 1806, Haverhill, MA
Fanny Whitney Ayer,
adopted daughter of
George W. &
Priscilla Ayer,
died Dec. 17th 1806,
aged 21 months.
Here lies the fairest bud of hope
That e're to fondest wish was given
If thou would'st know its happier state
Repent & seek the flower in heaven.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Priscilla Tinkham

Priscilla Tinkham, 1739, Nemasket Hill Cemetery, Middleboro, MA
HERE LYES ye
BODY OF PRISCILLA
TINKHAM WIFE TO
SHUBEAL TINKHAM
WHO DIED JULY
ye 11th 1739
In ye 45th YEAR
OF HER AGE

Monday, September 6, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: William Coddington

William Coddington, 1688, North Baptist Burial Ground, Newport, RI
HERE LYETH BVRYED
Ye BODY OF WILLIAM
CODDINGTON IVN AGED
37 YEARS DEPARTED
THIS LIFE Ye 4 DAY
OF FEBRVARY
1688

Here is an early Boston-area stone in Newport.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Hepzibah Heaton

Hepzibah Heaton, 1797, Sheldonville, MA
In Memory
of Miss.
Hepzibah Heaton;
who died May
ye 21st, 1797.
in ye 38th year
[of her age.]

I love an alliterative name. Sadly, I don't think Pete would go for Hepzibah Hopkins.

Also, I was very taken with this soul effigy's scowling little face.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Jose Appleton

Jose Appleton, 1723?, Cambridge, MA
Here Lyes ye Body
of Jose Appleton,
Son of Revd Mr.
Nath[aniel Appleton]


I think that this is the gravestone of Jose Appleton, infant son of Nathaniel and Margaret Appleton, who died at the age of 3 months on June 6, 1723. Revd. Nathaniel Appleton was born in Ipswich in 1693 and came to Cambridge to preach. His wife, Margaret Gibbs, was the daughter of Watertown minister Henry Gibbs. The couple had at least 13 children.

There were several boys named Jose in the extended Appleton family in the 17th and 18th centuries. There is a Jose in the lineage of Jesus (see Luke 3:29, KJV) — many modern translation report the name as "Joshua." Other translations use Jose or Joses as a variant of Joseph. I imagine that the Appleton family probably pronounced this name JOES, not ho-SAY.

Just add Jose to the list of names you might not expect to see among English-speaking colonists in New England, along with Vashti and Jezebel.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Gravestone of the Day: Charlot Whitney

Charlot Whitney, 1802, Wrentham, MA
In memory of Charlot
Whitney Daughter of
Moses Whitney Esqr.
& Mrs Nancy his wife
who Died March 4th,
1802 in ye 5th month
of her Age.
Happy infant early blest
Rest in peaceful slumber rest,
Early rescu'd from the cares
Which increase with growing years.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Thanksgiving Dinner With the Marstons

As I reported yesterday, Charles Pratt Marston (Jan. 1775-Oct. 1775) was born into a family with sterling Whig credentials.

While conducting genealogical research on the Marston/Greenwood family, I came across an obscure family history that reproduces a letter written c. 1830 by Charles' eldest brother, John Marston, Jr. (b. 1756), to his cousin, Ann Harrod Adams, the wife of Thomas Boylston Adams. A longer version of the letter appears in a genealogy of the Treat family, but I have not yet been able to trace it back to an original document.

The letter recounts a Thanksgiving dinner at the Marston house that occurred c. 1766, when John was about 10 years old. There is an awful lot of specific detail for a child to have remembered 60 years later, but it seems plausible that John could have described the furnishings of his childhood home with reasonable accuracy. Similarly, he would have been familiar with his own relatives and his father's regular associates, so I think we can take this letter as evidence that the Marstons were socially connected with the people mentioned by John, even if I'm not 100% sure that they were all present at this particular event.

John wrote,

Gravestone of the Day: Joseph Peirce

Joseph Peirce, 1747, Grove Hill Cemetery, Waltham, MA
Here lyes ye Remains of Mr.
JOSEPH PEIRCE Who lived & served
his Generation by ye will of God Till ye
73d Year of his Age & then died Augst ye 29
1747 & was laid to his Fathers & saw corruption
& died in Hopes of a Glorious Resurrection

He Constantly did work He Earnest did Intreat
And then He Constantly did go & at Gods House did meet

To Here what God ye Lord would unto him Impart
& then He did Return again Rejoyceing in his heart

What an awkward epitaph.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The Littlest Martyr

Charles Pratt Marston, 1775, Burlington, MA
Like Lydia Dyar, Charles Pratt Marston died as an exile from Boston during the siege of 1775-6. Though he was only nine months old when he died, Marston was buried under an impressive monument that cast him as a casualty of British aggression. I have written about young Charles' gravestone before, but have only recently begun to flesh out his story.

Gravestone of the Day: Mary Martin

Mary Martin, 1705, North Baptist Burial Ground, Newport, RI
HERE LIETH THE
BODY OF MARY;
Ye WIFE OF IOSEPH
MARTIN; AGED 80
YEARS: WHO DIED
ON SEPTEM Ye
1705

 This stone is obviously in rough shape. I found it propped up against a stone wall at the back of the North Baptist Burial Ground in Newport, but I don't know whether it is still there.

First Day of School!

Today is the first day of school, both at Harvard and in my hometown school district. I am on maternity leave and am neither teaching nor taking any classes, but I still had an anxiety dream last night about forgetting my homework.