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DIVISION II.
CHAPTER XVI.
Old Burying Grounds
pg 137
The oldest marked graves
now known of in Dorchester County are on the Huffington
farm, a few miles from Cambridge, where there are three, each
covered with marble slabs about level with the surface of the
ground. Tow of them, after having lain there 218 years, are
well preserved with legible inscriptions. On one is the
following: "Here Lyeth Interred The Body of Magdelen
Stevens, who departed this life, Nov. 24, Anno Dom. 1679."
On another: "Here Lyeth Interred The Body of William Stevens,
who departed this life, December, Anno Dom, 1684."
On another tomb beside these two is a flaked and broken
slab, indicating greater age, on which no legible words can be
found, owing to its decayed condition.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
CEMETERY, CAMBRIDGE.
Christ Protestant Episcopal
Church, that stands in the corner of the cemetery lot, casts its
morning shadows over an arc of hallowed ground, the tenanted home of
departed hundreds, whom the "Death Angel" hath gathered, some
untimely, within the last 200 years. In this little city of
the dead many precious emblems have been placed by the tenderest
love of the living in their day, in devoted remembrance of life's
sweetest associations in the past, with those who there repose in
the earthly chambers of death.
About this old cemetery and its early environs, the
stately ancient brick wall, and old iron gates, oft left "ajar,"
where the wintry night winds moan their sad requiems in the barren
boughs of leafless trees, and the pale moonbeams fall on many marble
sentinels keeping their constant vigil over the mortal remains of
departed spirits, there is a feeling of solemnity, and pedestrians
reverentially tread as they pass that way.
Many of the oldest graves in this churchyard are not
marked with inscribed tablets or monuments of stone to denote who
were there buried.
Among the old memorials we find the following:
"Here lies the body of Sarah, the wife of
Doct. Wm. M. Murray, who departed this life Nov. 19, 1742."
"Here lies the body of
Major Thomas Nevitt, who departed this life the 10th day of
February, Annoque Domini 1748-9, aged sixty-four years and six
months."
"There's a gloomy vale between us,
Pass through, I'm gone before."
"John
Rider Nevitt, unfortunately drowned in the river Choptank on the
13th of April, 1772."
"In memory of John
Murray, Attorney at Law, Son of William and Frances Murray
of Somerset County. He died on the 13th day of April, 1772, in
the 31 year of his age.
On one tomb are two
memorial inscriptions, as follows:
"In memory of Mrs. Willamina
Goldsborough, wife of Charles Golsborough,
Daughter of Rev. Dr. Wm. Smith of
Philadelphia.
"Died Dec. 19, 1790, aged 28 years."
Also:
"To the memory of
Willamina Elizabeth Goldsborough. Her mournful parents
inscribe this tablet.
"Called from this mortal scene in bloom of life,
here lies a much loved daughter, mother, wife,
To whom each grace and excellence were given,
A Saint on Earth, an Angel now in Heaven. |
FAMILY BURYING GROUND IN LAKES,
FARM "KEENE'S DELIGHT."
"In Memory of
Matthew Keene, Esq., who was born Jan. 1st, 1763, and
departed this life Oct. 22, 1814, in the 57 year of his age.
"Long will the affections of an amiable and virtuous
Father live in the bleeding hearts of his disconsolate children.
"In memory of Sallie
Keene, consort to Matthew Keene, Esq. who departed
this life in the 47 year of her life, Dec. 4, 1804."
"In memory of John
Keene, died Jan. 8, 1812, 76 year of his age."
"In memory of
Catherine, wife of John Keene, who was born Nov.
1784; departed this life in 1856."
M. E. CHURCH CEMETERY, CAMBRIDGE.
"In memory of David
Straughn born April 15, 1800 - Died March 14, 1869.
"Sacred to the memory
of Dr. Edward White who departed this life the 27th March
1826 in the 72nd year of his age.
"It may truly be said of this great and good man he
lived respected and died lamented not only by his near
relatives, but by all who knew his worth.
"Those virtues which adorn the man of firm friendship
stern integrity and genuine Christianity were exemplified in an
eminent degree during the whole of his long and useful life.
"Early in life the Declaration of 1776 was read,
summoning the patriots to arms in defence of our most sacred
rights he stepped forward and the day we continue to celebrate
he was a soldier equipped at his own personal expense.
"For nearly thirty years he has been an experimental
and practical Christian, his house a home for ministers of the
Gospel and his liberal hadn always ready to contribute to their
support.
"The poor partook eagerly of his benevolence and the
afflicted had the benefit of his medical skill (when poor,
without fee or reward * * )."
"Sacred to the memory
of Mrs. Mary White, relict of the late Doctor Edw.
White who departed this life, Sep. 27 - A. D. - 1833 - in
the 70th year of her age."
"In memory of Mrs.
Elizabeth Warfield - daughter of Dr. Edward White who
departed this life Dec. the 5th 18 - aged 35 years."
"Dr. Francis P.
Phelps, born Jan. 31, 1799 - Died Nov. 18, 1886."
On the Mitchell farm
near Corner's Ville, a grave stone has this inscription:
"John Mitchell, Senr. Departed this life
in 1815, in the 106th year of his age. CLICK HERE
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