Gravestone of the Day: Robert Ray

Robert Ray, 1784, Sheldonville, MA

IN

memory of

Mr. Robert 

Ray, who

died January

2d 1784.

Aged 66

years.

Gravestone of the Day: Ruth Heaton

Ruth Heaton, 1781, Sheldonville, MA

In memory

of Mrs. Ruth,

wife of Mr.

Isaac Heaton;

who died

March ye 26th,

1781. in

ye 61st year of

her age.

Gravestone of the Day: Knight Dexter Haskell

Knight Dexter Haskell, 1790, Sheldonville, MA

In memory of

Knight Dexter, Son

of Mr. Comfort

Haskell & Mrs.

Lepha his Wife;

died Octbr. 12th

1790 Aged

1 Day

I think "Comfort" is the most common name on this stone.

Gravestone of the Day: Hannah Harskell

Hannah Harskell, 1788, Sheldonville, MA

 In memory of

Mrs. Hannah, wi-

fe of Mr. Cum-

fort Harskell, who

died Octb. 1st

1788

This stone — carved by the Sheldonville Geometric Carver — features the rare hyphenation of a single-syllable word. Anyone who is looking for Hannah in a genealogy should probably try searching for "Haskell," rather than "Harskell."

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.

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.

Gravestone of the Day: Hermon Heaton

Hermon Heaton, 1792, Sheldonville, MA

In memory of

Hermon, son of

Mr. Isaac Heaton

& Mrs. Thankfull

his wife; who

died April

ye 21st, 1792,

aged 2 years

Gravestone of the Day: Butterworth Children

Rachel, Alfred, and Lewis Butterworth, 1795, Sheldonville, MA

In memory of Rachel,

Alfred, & Lewis; Daughter

& Sons of Capt. Noah &

Mrs. Rachel Butterworth;

Alfred died Septr. ye 12th,

1795. aged 2 years, Rachel

ye 25th, aged 7 years, & Lewis

ye 27th, aged 7 months.

I do not know who this carver is, but I am intrigued by his work. Every stone he cut looks as if it were designed for the Sturbridge Village gift shop. These stones were made between the 1780s and 1820s and tend to feature geometric tympanum designs rather than figures, urns, or plants. I have only seen his work in Sheldonville, MA, which is just over the border from Cumberland, RI.

Some other carvings:

Ruth Heaton, 1781, Sheldonville, MA

Hannah Harskell, 1788, Sheldonville, MA

Anyone out there know who carved these stones? Until I know his name, I will  call him the Sheldonville Geometric carver.