| Epitaphs
It
would have been a nice end to the story about a "Road Trip" if I
had taken photographs of the Bennington Cemetery stones or even written down
those moving messages. However, I did not do either. To help
give you a feel for what you can find, there are several sources that you
can explore for New England epitaphs of the same period in history.
One source is the Internet and the other, a book written by Jane Greene
entitled "Epitaphs to Remember."
|
Newbury,
Massachusetts
Here lys ye body of
Mr
Daiel
Noyes Who Died March ye 15th 1716
Aged
42 yrs
4
mos & 16 days
As you were, so was I
God did call
and I did dy
Now Children all whos
name is Noyes
Make Jesus Christ
Your only choyes.
|
Madison, Connecticut
Capt.
E. Griffin, 1767
The Boreas' blasts
and Boistrous
waves
Have tost me too
and fro
In
spite of both,
by God's decree
I
harbor here
below.
While I do now
At
Anchor ride
With many of our
Fleet
Yet once again I
must set
Sail
My Admiral Christ
to meet.
|
|
Boston,
Massachusetts
Major
John Pitcairn
Fatally
wounded
while
rallying the Royal Marines
at
the Battle of Bunker Hill
was
carried from the field to the boats
on
the back of his son
who
kissed him and returned to duty.
He
died June 17 1775 and his body
was
interred beneath this church. |
Ridgefield, Connecticut
In defense of
American Independence
At the battle of
Ridgefield, Apr. 27, 1777
Died Eight Patriots
Who were Laid in
These Grounds Companioned by
Sixteen British
Soldiers;
Living, Their
Enemies
Dying, Their
Guests.
In Honor of Service
and Sacrifice, this
Memorial is Placed
For the
Strengthening of
Hearts. |
|
Burlington,
Vermont
The
Corporeal
Part
of
Genl.
Ethan Allen
rests
beneath this stone
the
12th day of Feb. 1789
aged
50 years.
His
spirit tried the mercies of his God
In
whom alone he believed and strongly trusted. |
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
John Smith 1786
In Memory of
Me JOHN SMITH
who Departed this Life
Jan'ry 10th 1786
in the 57th Year
of his Age
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord
that they may rest from their labours
|
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
John Gorham 1715
HERE LYES THE BODY OF THE
HONOURED JOHN GORHAM, ESQ.
COLL. OF THE REGIMENT AND ONE
OF HIS MAJESTIES JUSTICES OF THE PIEASE
IN THE COUNTY OF BARNSTABLE, WHO
DEPARTED THIS LIFE, NOV. THE 11TH 1715,
IN THE 65TH YEAR OF HIS AGE.
Here Lyes a Valient Soldier and A Saint
A Judge, A Justice, Whom no Vice could taint
A Perfect Lover of His Countrys cause,
Their Lives, Religion, Properties and Laws,
Who in His Young, yea, very Youthful Years,
Took up His Sword, with Philip and His Peers,
And when that Prince and His black Regiment
Were all Subdued, He could not be content
to take West
But in the rest
|
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
In Memory of Mr
John Thacher he died
Aug'st ye 12th 1799 in
his 60th year
Why should we fear the hour of Death
Since life is but a span
By length'ning out our feeble breath
Are more involved in sin
Here I resign my mortal frame
Submissively to GOD
In hopes to meet a Heavenly Train
Through our Redeemer's Blood
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And my personal
favorite:
|
Thurmont,
Maryland
Here lies an Atheist: All Dressed Up and No Place to Go.
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