Established in 1637, I think I can safely say this is the oldest cemetery I have ever stepped foot into.
Let’s look around a bit and see what we can find.
Inferib’d by an only Child
to the Memory of
an Affectionate Parent
Mrs Sarah Bowditch
who was born March 25th 1754
died Dec 8th 1797
How Blessings brighten as they take
their flight!
MR
NATHANEAL MATHER
DEC 08 OBER Y 17
1688
An Aged person
that had seen but
Nineteen Winters
in the World.
A stone or two in the path? How odd. Some of the s’s look like f’s, so I have translated them to make sense. And apparently if there wasn’t enough room for a word they threw some letters above the word.
FRANCIS WAINWRIGHT
Here lie Interr’d
the remains of
Mr John Hathorne
son of CAPT
Joseph Hathorne
& Grandson to the
Honourable
John Hathorne
Ob Feb 6th 1750
AEtatis 28
Here lyes ye body of Hanna Swinnerton Widdo of Doctor John Swinnerton Aged 71 years died december ye 23th 1713
Here lyeth buried ye body of John Swinnerton Phisian Deceasd ye 6 of Janur 1690 in ye 68 yeare of his age
Here Lyes Interd
the Body of
Mr JOHN HIGGINSON
Junr of Salem March(nt)
Aged 42 Years &
6 Monthes Who Decd
April the 26th 1718
HERE LYES INTERED YE BODY
OF HANNAH WIFE OF JOHN
HIGGINSON JUNR DAUGHR
OF CAPT SAMLL GARDNER
DECD JUNE YE 24 1713 IN YE
38 YEAR OF HER AGE
Thanx for touring with me. Reading what was carved proved difficult at times, the language, spelling and the fact that some letters seemed strewn about. I wonder what was intended by the message at the top of this stone, let’s look closer. Your take?
REMEMBER TO DIE
june said,
First take that came to mind was that they want to be sure you don’t hang around in the ‘tween haunting them! I love old cemeteries…thanks for sharing this one. I thought the one I saw in Boston was old, but this one beats that I think!
Ilan said,
Very macabre the set.
The more you see, the ‘heavier’ it becomes.
Thanks for sharing, I’m not sure I could walk long in such a place.
Sandcastle Momma said,
I’m totally jealous! I love old cemeteries but have never been in one that old. I love the inscriptions and how they make the words fit. I want to go on a road trip with you – you find the coolest places to visit!
Jientje said,
Don’t forget to live …. remember to die. Hmmm.
Yes.
Makes sense to me.
MaryD said,
Remember to die. Ha….even if you don’t….
I’m one of those weird cemetery lovers so this was a nice little walk around for me.
Se'Lah said,
Hey Lisa:
You are one brave woman. Everytime I drive by a burial ground now, I think of you
Teresa said,
Just stumbled upon this page and it was like stumbling upon an old cemetary! Thank you so much for sharing. My friends think that I am odd that I tell her that I am one of those people that like to walk around cemetaries, something so peaceful about it to me, the flowers left, the inscriptions. Thank you again for sharing! Now to go see if I will be able to follow you!
kaye said,
such a piece of history, and you’ve documented it nicely
Alisha said,
Wow, those are some very old graves. I love your adventures through cemetery’s.
Leedra said,
I don’t think it will matter if we remember or not. Enjoyed the visit with you.
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Chatelaine said,
I love old cemeteries and I recently found some interesting headstones in Concord, MA. Salem is so rich with
history. Love your photos, beautifully ornate headstones and wording.
Great post!
landskapeideas said,
old cemeteries gives me the creep….but it is such an amazing experience just by reading & looking at the tombstones especially those back in the 1700’s….cool pictures!..
Prospero said,
I found the single rose on the first tombstone very touching.
Louise said,
All those sculls with wings are interesting. Would they be happy to know that is very “in” in decorating and design these days? Old cemetaries are so interesting. This one obviously more than most.