The Ancient Sears Cemetery, West Brewster, Barnstable County, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************ Respectfully submitted and copyrighted(1992) by L Ray Sears, III this 14th Day of October Anno Domini One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety Eight. Descendant of Nos. 10, 5, 117, and 112 Use is granted for non-commercial use of this presentation of information. Located at: Lat 41.44.39N Lon 070.08.45W URL of TigerMap of the cemetery: (http://www-nmd.usgs.gov:8888/gnis/owa/MapServer?f_name=Sears+Cemetery&f_state=MA&f_latlong=414439N0700845W&server=TIGER) http://emcee.com/~lrsears LRSEARS@TEXHOMA.NET The 124 headstones and footstones in the Ancient Sears Cemetery, W Brewster, Barnstable co, MA are facing west. The older stones start at the NW corner of the 30 x 55 yd plot and the newest are in the SE corner. There are eight rows and the following numbering system was used as we crawled from one row to the next. All 124 people are directly related to one another. See the bottom of the file for more information. Additions and corrections are certainly welcome. ________________________________________________ |NE SE | | | | | |124 - 111 row 8 /\| |95 - 110 row 7 3| 94 - 79 row 6 0| 60 - 78 row 5 | |59 - 45 row 4 y| |38 - 44 row 3 d| |37 - 16 row 2 s| |1 - 15 row 1 \/| | [boulder] | | (<55 yds>) | |NW____________________________________________SW| Note: The icon at the top of each stone is in parentheses. The "f" character was used to simulate the ancient letter "s." (e.g. Jofeph = Joseph) 1 (Skull) Here lyes ye Body of Mrs MERCY SEARS; Wife of Capt SAMUEL SEARS Who Departed this Life Janry 20th AD. 1748/9, in ye 84th Year of Her Age 2 (Skull) Here lyes Buried ye Body of Capt. SAMUEL SEARS; Who departed this Life Janry 8 Anno Domini 174I/2 in ye 78 Year of his Age 3 (Skull) Here lies buried Jofeph Sears Who Decd Aug 25, 1765 in ye year of his age 4 (Cherub) To the memory of Elefebath Sears the wife of Capt Jofeph Se ars who died June ye 11 A 1772 Æ75 5 (Cherub) In memory of Mr Edmund Sears he died Augft ye 12 1796 In his 85th year Remember me as you pafs by For as you are so once was i And as i am now so you muft be Therefore Prepare to follow me 6 (Cherub) In Memory of Mrs Hannah Widow of Mr Edmund Sears she died june 22 1802 in her 77 year 7 (Willow) Miss Mercy Sears Died Jan. 27, 1849; Æt. 89 8 (Skull) Here lyes Buried ye Body of Capt JOHN SEARS who departed this Life April 9th Anno Domni 1739 in ye 61 Year of His Age 9 (Cherub) Here lies buried Mrs PRISSILLA SEARS widow of Capt JOHN SEARS who died May ye 8th 1764 in ye 78th year of her age 10 (Skull) Here lyes Buried ye Body of Mr Paul Sears; Who departed this Life Febry 17th AD 1740 in ye 71òt Year of his Age 11 (Skull) Here lyes Buried ye Body of Mrs Marcy Sears, Wife to Mr Paul Sears, Who Departed this life Aug 30th 1747 in ye 74th Year of Her Age 12 (Skull) In Memory of Mr Daniel Sears who died Novr 28th 1771 in the 62d Year of his Age 13 (Cherub) In Memory of Mrs Mary Widow of Mr Daniel Sears She Died May ye 8th 1790 in her 76th Year 14 (Cherub) In Memory of Mr Elifha Sears he Died March ye 7th 1790 in his 84th Year 15 (Skull) In Memory of Mrs Sarah Sears Confort of Mr Elifha Sears who Died April 12th 1783 in the 75th Year of her Age 16 (Cherub) In Memory of Conftant Son to Mr Elifha Sears & Mrs Sarah his wife who Decd June ye 27th 1768 Aged 19 Years 17 (Cherub) Here lies buried Enoch Sears Son to Mr Elisha Sears & Mrs Sarah his wife who Decd. March ye 29th 1767 in ye 21st year of his Age 18 (Skull) Here Lyes ye Body of Footstone BETHIAH SEARS Dautr of M.rs Bethia Sears Mr ELISHA & Mrs SARAH SEARS Who Departed this life April 25th 1759 in ye 21st Year of her Age 19 (Cherub) In Memory of Mr Footstone Samuel Sears Mr Samuel Sears he Died March ye 18th 1792 in his 56th Year 20 (Urn) In Memory of Footstone Mrs THANKFUL SEARS Thankful Sears 1811 wife of Mr Elisha Sears, who departed this life Decr 10,1811 in the 44th year of her age What though hir uncontrol'd decree, Commands our flesh to dust, Yet as the Lord our Savior rose So all his followers must. 21 (Willow) In memory of Footstone Mr Elisha Sears E.S. who died Dec 5 1822 Æ 81 22 (Urn) In Memory of Footstone MRS PRISCILLA SEARS P.S. Wife of Deacn JOHN SEARS who died April 12th 1819 Æt 89. 23 (Cherub) In Memory of Footstone Dean John Sears Deacn John Sears he Died Decmr ye 5th 1791 in ye 79th Year of his Age 24 (Cherub) Here lies buried Footstone Mrs DEBORAH ye Mrs Deborah Sears wife of Mr JOHN SEARS she died Sept ye 18th 1 7 5 3 In ye 34th year of her Age 25 (Cherub) Here Lies buried Footstone Mrs Betty Widow B W to Mr John Webb who Decd. Sept 1755 In ye 36th year of her Age 26 (Skull) Bithiah Sears Dau Footstone of Capt John & Mrs Bithiah Sears Priòcilla Sears Died Septembr 8th 1736 Aged 9 Years 10 Months & 24 Ds 27 (Skull) Here lyes ye Body Footstone of Bathfheba Sears Bathfheba Sears Dautr of Capt John & Mrs Prifcilla Sears who Died April 19, 1735 in ye 24th Year of Her Age 28 (Skull) Heman Sears Son Footstone of Capt John & Mrs Heman Sears Priòcilla Sears Died Augft 1ft 1726 Aged 1 Years 7 Months & 4 Days 29 (Skull) Here Lyes buried ye Footstone Body of Mrs PRISCILLA Mrs Priscilla Sears SEARS wife to Mr SETH SEARS Who Departed this life Janry 18, 1743 in ye 36 Year of Her Age 30 (Skull) Here Lyes Buried Footstone ye body of Mr Seth Sears Mr SETH SEARS Who Departed this life March 5th 1750 in ye 48th Year of His Age 31 (Skull) Here lyes ye Body Footstone of Mrs LYDIA SEARS Mrs Lydia Sears Wife to Mr BENJAMIN SEARS, Who Died March 24th 1734 in ye 25th Year of Her Age 32(Skull) Here lyes ye Body Footstone of Mrs MARCY SEARS Marcy Sears wife to Mr BENJAMIN SEARS who Died June 29th 1736 in ye 31òt Year of Her Age 33 (Skull) Here lyes Buried Footstone ye Body of Mr Mr Jonathan Sears JONATHAN SEARS Who Departed this Life Sept 3d AD 1738 in the 45 Year of His Age 34 (Skull) Here lyes ye Footstone Body of Mr -- SAMUEL SEARS Decd Novr ye 22d 1 7 2 6 in ye 40th year of His Age 35 (Skull) Here lyes Buried ye Footstone Body of Mrs ELIZABETH Mrs Elizabeth Sears SEARS Wife to Mr JONATHAN SEARS Who Departed this Life Janry 8th AD 1748 in ye 52d Year of Her Age 36 (Skull) Here lyes ye Body Footstone of SARAH SEARS Sarah Sears Daugtr of Mr JONATHAN & Mrs ELIZABETH SEARS who died Decemr 16th 1749 in ye 19th Year of her Age 38 (Skull) NATHL SEARS SON Footstone to JOSHUA Nathl Sears and MARY SEARS Decd January ye 4th 1 7 2 4 in ye 3d Year of His Age 39 (Skull) ISAAC SEARS SON Footstone to SAMEUEL & Isaac Sears RUTH SEARS Decd January ye 13 1 7 2 4 in ye 2d Year of His Age 40 (Skull) Heman Sears Footstone Son of Mr Benjn Heman Sears & Mrs Lydia Sears Died June 1739 in his 3rd Month 41 (Skull) Seth Sears Son Footstone of Mr Seth & Mrs -- Priòcilla Sears Died May 31òt 1733 in ye 2nd Year of his Age 42 (Cherub) In memory of Footstone Mrs Mehitable Sears MS wife of John Sears who died May 19 1798 Æt at 48 years The time has come I cannot stay To sleep in dust & lye in clay Come my friends remember me In a short time you here will be. 43 (Urn & Willow) In memory of Footstone Mr JOHN SEARS JS who departed this life Aug 24 1812 in the 68th year of his age Friends and Physicians cannot save The mortal body from the grave Nor can the grave conjure it here When Christ commands it to appear. 44 (Urn) In memory of Footstone Mrs KEZIAH, KS wife of Mr John Sears who died Sept 4 1827 Æt 57 Christ my redeemer lives, And often from the skies Looks down and watch's my dust Till he shall bid it rise 45 (Star) In memory of Footstone Mr NS NOAH SEARS who died Sept 23, 1835 In the 85 Year of his age 46 (Star) In memory of Footstone Mrs DESIRE DS Wife of Noah Sears who Died Sept 1, 1828 In the 62 Year of her age 47 (Cherub) In Memory of Footstone Miss Keziah Sears Mifs Keziah Sears Daur of Mr Daniel & Mrs Priscilla Sears who died July 29 1787 48 (Cherub) In Memory of Footstone Mrs Priscilla Sears Mrs Priscilla Sears wife of Mr Daniel Sears who died March 11 1 7 7 7 Æt 28 49 (Cherub) In Memory of Footstone Mr DANIEL SEARS Mr Daniel Sears who died Sept 23 1776 1776 50 (Cherub) In Memory of Footstone Mrs Anna Wife Mrs Anna Sears of Lieut Micajah Sears She Died May ye 26th 1785 in her 47th Year 51 In memory of No Footstone Lieut Micajah Sears Born in Yarmouth, Mass Apr 25 1738 Died Feb 1823 In his 85th year (new stone?) 52 (Cherub) In Footstone broken Memory of gery Mrs MARGERY HIGGINS ggins wife of Mr Benjamin Higgins who died Augòt 1, 1795 In ye 60 Year of her age 53 (Cherub) Here lies buried Footstone Mr Willard Sears Mr ~ who decd Augst ye 19th 1765 in ye 51st year of his age 54 (Cherub) Here lies ye Body of Footstone Mrs Sufanna Sears ye Mrs S S wife of Mr Willard Sears who decd. April ye 9th 1763 In ye 42nd year of her age 55 (Skull) Here lyes the body Footstone of Rowland Sears Rowland Sears son of Mr Seth & Mrs Prifcila Sears Who Departed this Life May 1ft 1750 in ye 24th Year of His Age 56 (Skull) Here lyes ye body of Footstone Mr JONATHAN SEARS Jonathan Sears Junr who Died December 16 1759 in the 28th Year of His Age 58 Here lies the Body of Footstone Mr JOSEPH SEARS Mr Jofeph Sears son of Mr JONATHAN & 1758 Mrs ELIZABETH SEARS who Died March ye 14th 1758 in ye 30th Year of his Age 59 (Skull) Here lies ye Body of Footstone Mr ISAAC SEARS Mr Isaac Sears son to Mr JOSEPH & Mrs RUTH SEARS who departed this Life March ye 24th 1759 In the 25th Year of his Age 60 (Skull) In Memory of Footstone ELIZABETH SEARS Elizh Sears Daur of SAML 1798 & DESIRE SEARS died in 23d Oct 1798 in the 34th Year of her Age 61 (Skull) In Memory of Footstone Mifs MARY SEARS Mifs Mary Sears Daur of Mr SAMUEL & 1794 Mrs DESIRE SEARS died April 11th 1794 In the 30th Year of her Age 62 (Cherub) In Memory of Mr Footstone Samuel Sears Mr S S He died August ye 13th 1774 in ye 53d Year of his Age 63 (Sun) In Memory of Footstone Mrs Desier Widow Mrs Defier Sear of Mr Samuel Sears She died Janry 6 1804 in her 79th Year and Son of Freman Rimick he died in March 10, 1801 in his 18? year 64 In Memory of Footstone Samuel Son to Mr S S Samuel Sears & Mrs Desire his wife he Died July ye 31st 1783 in 20th Year of his Age 65 (Urn) In memory of Footstone JACOB -- Son of Mr Jacob & Mrs Elizabeth Sears, who died April 23, 1803 Aged 8 months & 27 ds. (end Sweet Babe, thou'rt gone to Christ thy fri Who takes sweet children, in his arms And their to sleep, till time shall end Secure from sorrow or, alarm 66 (Skull) In Memory of Footstone Mrs Rhoda Sears Wife Mrs R S of Mr Reuben Sears who Died April 16th 1784 in the 28th Year of her Age 67 (Cherub) In Memory of Footstone Betfey Dautr to B S Mr Jofhua & Mrs Sarah Sears She Died Octr ye 5th 1787 in her 9th Year 68 (Urn & Willow) MR JOSHUA SEARS Footstone Died March 31, 1825 J S In his 73d year 69 (new stone) In memory of Tree where footstone Mrs SARAH should be Wife of Mr Joshua Sears who died Jan 15, 1792 in her 33rd Year 70 In Memory of Footstone Mary Dautr to Mr M S Edmond Sears Jun & Mrs Hannah his Wife She Died May ye 15th 1785 Aged 9 Year 5 months 71 No headstone Extra Footstone Seth Sears 72 (Cherub) In Memory of Mrs Footstone Sarah Wife of Mr Mrs Sarah Sears Joshua Sears Sr Died Janry ye 15th 1792 In her 33? Year 73 (Cherub) In Memory of Mrs Footstone Hipzabah wife of Mr Mrs Hipzabah Sears Seth Sears She Died June ye 9th 1793 in ye 22d Year of her age 74 (Sun) In Memory of Footstone Mr Seth Sears Mr Seth Sears he died March 5th 1806 in his 36(39?) year With love divine & puer delight On faiths Celestial wing With Sweet repose be took in flight For death had loft its sting 75 Urn & Willow) In Memory of Footstone Mrs SALLY SEARS S S wife of Mr Seth Sears 1812 who died Sept 29 1812 in the 40th year of her age Life is uncertain death is sure Sin is a word but Christ he cures 76 In Memory of Footstone Mr REUBEN C SEARS R C S who died Jun 2 1829 Æt 28 (bad lichens) 77 (Star) In memory of Footstone Mrs S S Daughter of Noah & Desire Sears who died Jun 23 1834 In the 29 Year of her Age King How sweet she sleeps in christ her In life she _____ her love And Death to her had lost its sting Her spirits soar above 78 (Star) In memory of Footstone Mr NOAH N S L son of Noah & Desire Sears who died Aug 25 1828 In the 21 Year of her age 79 (Urn & Willow) In memory of Footstone Mr ELISHA SEARS E S who died Dec 14 1838 Æt 42 He liv'd a pleasant life, And di'd a peaceful death; His happy soul's at rest, And number'd with the blest. 81 (Star) In Memory of Footstone SETH S S son of Seth & Sally Sears who died Mar 11 1808 in the 8 year of his age 82 VIENNA SEARS No footstone Born May 28 1799 Died June 27, 1880 83 In Tree where footstone memory should be of Mr EDWARD SEARS 84 In No footstone Memory of Mrs BETHIA wido' of Mr Edwd Sears who died Nov 10 1812 Æt 81 85 (Urn) In Footstone memory of Susannah Sears Susannah Sears Dau of Mr Edward Mrs Bethia Sears Died Febr 8 1800 86 NEAR Footstone this stone lie I S B three Daughters of S John & Hannah Sears Maria Mar 1 1823 Tamsen Aug 20 1828 AEt 14ms 11ds Bethiah Aug 15 1830 AE 4ms They were taken from their world of sorrow to reign with Christ 87 Dau of No footstone Mr Elisha & Mehitable Sears May 12 1839 88 (Cherub) Memento Mori Footstone Mr Joseph Sears In Memory of Mr Jofeph Sears he Died Augst ye 6th 1779 in ye 72d Year of his Age 89 (Cherub) In Memory of Footstone Ruth ye Wife of Ruth Sears Mr Jofeph Sears 1761 who died March 27th 1761 in ye 46th Year of his Age 90 (Skull) Here lyes Buried No footstone the Body of Mr LARNED SEARS son of Mr JOSEPH & Mrs RUTH SEARS who died Oct ye 11th 1760 in ye 22d Year of His Age 91 (Skull) In Memory of Footstone THANKFUL SEARS Thankful Sears Daur of Mr ROWLAND 1793 & Mrs THANKFUL SEARS died July 28th 1793 In the 7th Year of her Age 92 (Willow) In memory of Footstone Nabby daur of Mr Eben and N R Mrs Sally Rider who died Aug 8th 1811 in the 11th year of her age 93 no headstone Footstone J S 94 (Willow) In memory of Footstone Mrs HANNAH SEARS H S who died Jan 15 1835 Æt 74 95 (Urn & Willow) In memory of No footstone Mr Freeman Remick who died Nov 30 1826 Æt 71 Also two sons Thomas & Abraham lost at sea Feb 1810 96 (Urn & Willow) In memory of Footstone Mrs Abigail A R wido' of Mr Freeman Remick who died Dec 13, 1828 Æt. 72. 97 (Urn & Willow) In memory of Footstone Mrs SALLY RYDER S R who died Sept 18 1828 Æt 51 Her Husband Mr EBEN RYDER was lost at sea Sept 1803 Æt 32 98 ALMIRA Footstone is E of 95 Daughter of Levi & Jarusha Sears Born April 27, 1801 Died Aug 20, 1863 99 Mrs Footstone JERUSHA J S widow of Levi Sears Born Aug 31, 1751 Died Apr 10, 1858 100 LABAN Footstone Son of Levi & L S Jerusha Sears Born Oct 5 1805 Died Aug 10, 1819 101 LEVI SEARS Footstone Born L S Dec 15 1770 Died Dec 5 1825 102 (Wreath) G KNYVET HOWES No footstone 1857 1949 ALICE SAINT HIS WIFE 1871 1921 (Lived in house adjacent, NE, to cemetery) 103 SAMUEL SEARS Footstone DIED S S Jan 29 1855: Æ 63 Years 104 (Urn & Willow) Here lies the body of Footstone(tree) Benjamin Sears B S who was drownd April 15, 1825 in his 18th year. Prince Sears was lost at sea in Feb 1810 in his 29th Year Sons of Mr Joseph and Mrs Keziah Sears 105 (Urn) ERECTED IN MEMORY OF Footstone B S Mrs BETSEY SEARS wife of Mr PRINCE SEARS who died Jul 1st 1818 Æt 81 Here lies the dead from pain and sorrow free She has gone to heaven I trust O God to thee, Her bright examples let us make our own So far as she herself in Christ was known 106 (Urn & Willow) In memory of Footstone Mr PRINCE SEARS P S who died Feb 25 1829 Æt 94 107 (Urn & Willow) In memory of Footstone Mrs KEZIAH K S wife of Mr Joseph Sears who died Dec 14 1838 In her 75th year Dearest friend thou now has left us Here thy loss we deeply feel But tis God that hath bereft us He can all our sorrows heal. 108 (Urn & Willow) In memory of Footstone Mr JOSEPH SEARS J S who died Jan 5 1846: Æt 82 Wilst thou in peaceful silence lie We trust thy spirit dwells on high. 109 JOHN SEARS Footstone broken Inventor of Salt Works Died 1817 Aged 72 years 110A small broken stone between 109 & 110 110 (Star) KEZIAH No footstone died Mar 17 1834 Æt 74 dau of Elisha & Hannah SEARS 111 Samuel T Sears No footstone Born Nov 24 1876 Died Sept 18 1928 112 William C Sears No footstone Born Oct 4 1838 Died Dec 19 1904 Mary H Thacher Born July 12 1839 Died Mar 8 1903 113 AZUBAH Footstone wife of A S THOMAS SEARS Died Jan 4 1867 Aged 66 years 6 mos & 17 days Mother thou are gone to rest We will not weep for thee For thou art now where oft on earth Thy spirit longed to be 114 THOMAS SEARS No footstone Nov 28 1891 91 yr 9 month Wafted on angel wings He has gone to the bosom of his heavenly father 115 (Willow) Miss Susan Sears Footstone d. Jun 2 1857 S S Æt 63 1857 When Christ revealed his word, O may I read my name, Among the chosen of his love, The follower of the lamb. 116 (Urn & Willow) Mrs MERCY Footstone wido' of M S Elkanah Sears died Jul 9 1846 Æt 83 Farewell my friends and children dear O may you all live in God's fear My savior calls my soul away To brighten realms in endless day. 117 SACRED Footstone to the memory of E S Mr ELKANAH SEARS who died Jun 1 1836 Æt 78 Farewell my wife & children dear I leave you all below O may you serve the Lord while here That home to glory you may go. 118 SALLIE Footstone wife of S S Elkanah d Mar 18, 1889 Aged 87y 4mo There is rest for the weary 119 In memory of Footstone Mrs Clarissa C S wife of Mr Elkanah Sears Jr who died Apr 11 1835 Æt 32 120 ELKANAH SEARS Footstone died E S Jan 20 1876 Aged 75yrs 11mo An affectionate husband And a kind Father 121 In memory of Footstone Mrs HANNAH H S wife of Mr Edmund Sears who died July 8 1828 in her 76 year 122 (Urn & Willow) In memory of Footstone Mr EDMUND SEARS E S who died March 16, 1832 Æt 88 123 SARAH Footstone Wife of S S Jonathan Sears Died July 16, 1871 Aged 71 Years 124 JONATHAN SEARS Footstone DIED J S July 18, 1871 Aged 73 Years ______________________________________________________________________________________ Pedigree Chart of People Buried Here (Number corresponds with listing above. If number is missing then name is shown for relationship only. Maybe the person is buried in one of the unmarked locations?) |---- 30-Seth ----------|---- 22-Priscilla(See below) | 29-Priscilla Ryder|---- 55-Rowland -------------|---- Roland ---------------|(91) | |---- 41-Seth | | |---- 58-Joseph |---- 108-Joseph -----------|(104) 2-Samuel----------|---- 3-Jonathan ------|---- 106-Prince -------------| 107-Kezia Hamblen ----|(104) 1-Mercy Mayo | 35-Elizabeth Hawes| 105-Betsy Hall ---------|---- 69-Sarah(See below) | |---- 36-Sarah | |---- 56-Jonathan | | |---- 89-Ruth(See below) |---- 60-Elizabeth |---- 34-Samuel --------|---- 39-Isaac |---- 61-Mary | |---- 62-Samuel --------------|---- 64-Samuel | 63-Desire Howes --------|---- 94-Hannah | |---- 96-Abigail -----------|(97) |---- -Joshua ---------|---- 38-Nathaniel 95-Freeman Remick ----|(97) |---- 3-Joseph | 4-Elizabeth Paddock | |---- -Benjamin ------|---- 40-Heman 31-Lydia Ryder 32-Mary Snow |---- William ----------|(112) |---- 120-Elkanah | 118-Sallie Berry |---- 117-Elkanah ------------| 119-Clarissa Hall | 116-Mercy Bray ---------|---- 115-Susan | |---- 114-Thomas-----------| | 113-Azubah Crowell---| |---- 5-Edmund ---------| | 6-Hannah Crowell | | |---- 122-Edmund -------------|---- Jacob -----------|(65) | | 121-Hannah Taylor ------|---- 70-Mary | |---- 7-Mercy | |---- 68-Joshua --------------|---- 67-Betsey | 69-Sarah(See above) ----|---- 76-Reuben | | |---- 51-Micajah 10-Paul-----------|---- 12-Daniel --------| 50-Anna Crowell 11-Mercy Freeman 13-Mercy Snow |---- 49-Daniel --------------|---- 47-Keziah 48-Priscilla (see below)| |---- 16-Constant |---- 17-Enoch |---- 18-Bethiah |---- 19-Samuel |(87) |---- 14-Elisha --------|---- 21-Elisha --------------|---- 79-Elisha ----------|(110) | 15-Sarah Vincent | 20-Thankful Snow -------|---- 80-Constant(no stone) | |---- 43-John | | 44-Keziah Howes 8-John -----------|---- 25-Betty |---- 42-Mehitabel 9-Priscilla Freeman --- 26-Bithia |---- 45-Noah ----------------|---- 77-Sarah |---- 27-Bathsheba 46-Desire Merrill ------|---- 78-Noah |---- 28-Heman | | | | | | | |---- 48-Priscilla(wife of 49) | |---- 109-John | |---- 74-Seth ----------------|---- 81-Seth |---- 23-John ----------| 73-Hipzabah Hall -------| | 24-Deborah Crowell| 75-Sally Hurd | 22-Priscilla |---- 84-Bethia --------------| | |---- 82-Vienna |(86) | |---- 103-Samuel |(86) | |---- John --------|(86) | |---- 85-Susanna |(xxx) | |---- 83-Edward --------------| |---- 53-Willard -------| | 52-Margery Homer |---- -Reuben | 54-Susanna Howes 66-Rhoda Mayo |---- 59-Isaac Joseph------------|---- 88-Joseph --------|---- 90-Larned |(98) |---- 89-Ruth(See above)|---- -Stephen -------------|----101-Levi ---------|(100) 99-Jerusha Foster|(123) |(124) Pedigree cont'd: 91-Thankful 104-Benjamin 104-Prince 97-Eben Ryder ----|---- |92-Nabby Rider 97-Sally Remick --| 97-Sally Ryder 92-Nabby Rider 112-William G ----|---- |111-Samuel T 65-Jacob 87-dau. 110-Keziah? 86-Maria 86-Tamsen 86-Bethia xxx-Mercy --------|---- |102-Knyvet Howes xx-Barzillai 100-Laban 98-Almira 124-Jonathan -----| 123-Sarah Crowell-| _______________________________________________________________________________________________ This index uses maiden and married names. The Seq # refers to the Sears Genealogical Catalogue with more information at http://emcee.com/~lrsears Name Stone # Died Age Berry, Sallie 118 18 Mar 1889 87 Bray, Mercy 116 09 Jul 1846 83 Crowell, Anna 50 26 May 1785 47 Crowell, Azubah 113 04 Jan 1867 66 Crowell, Deborah 24 18 Sep 1753 34 Crowell, Hannah 6 22 Jun 1802 77 Crowell, Sarah 123 16 Jul 1871 71 Foster, Jerusha 99 10 Apr 1858 106 Freeman, Marcy 11 30 Aug 1747 74 Freeman, Priscilla 9 08 May 1764 78 Hall, Betsey 105 01 Jul 1818 81 Hall, Clarissa 119 11 Apr 1835 32 Hall, Hipzabah 73 09 Jun 1793 22 Hamblen, Keziah 107 14 Dec 1838 75 Hawes, Elizabeth 35 08 Jan 1748 52 Homer, Margery 52 01 Aug 1795 60 Howes, Desiri 63 06 Jan 1804 79 Howes, G Knyvet 102 Nov 1949 92 Howes, Keziah 44 04 Sep 1827 57 Howes, Susanna 42 09 Apr 1763 42 Hurd, Sally 75 29 Sep 1812 40 Mayo, Mercy 1 20 Jan 1748 84 Mayo, Rhoda 66 16 Apr 1784 28 Merrill, Desire 46 01 Sep 1828 62 Paddock, Elesebath 4 11 Jun 1772 Remick, Abigail 96 13 Dec 1828 72 Remick, Freeman 95 30 Nov 1826 71 Remick, Sally 97 18 Sep 1828 51 Rider, Nabby 92 08 Aug 1811 11 Ryder, Lydia 31 24 Mar 1734 25 Ryder, Priscilla 29 18 Jan 1743 36 Sears 87 12 May 1839 Sears, Almira 98 20 Aug 1863 62 Sears, Bathsheba 27 19 Apr 1735 24 Sears, Benjamin 104 15 Apr 1825 18 Sears, Bethia 84 10 Nov 1812 81 Sears, Bethiah 18 08 Sep 1736 9 Sears, Betsey 67 05 Oct 1787 8 Sears, Betty 25 Sep 1755 36 Sears, Constant 16 27 Jun 1768 19 Sears, Daniel 12 28 Nov 1771 62 Sears, Daniel 49 23 Sep 1776 32 Sears, Edmund 5 12 Aug 1796 85 Sears, Edmund 122 16 Mar 1832 88 Sears, Edward 83 14 Sep 1907 61 Sears, Elisha 14 07 Mar 1790 84 Sears, Elisha 21 05 Dec 1822 81 Sears, Elisha 79 14 Dec 1838 42 Sears, Elizabeth 60 23 Oct 1798 34 Sears, Elkanah 117 01 Jun 1836 78 Sears, Elkanah 120 20 Jan 1876 75 Sears, Enoch 17 09 Mar 1767 21 Sears, Hannah 94 15 Jan 1835 74 Sears, Heman 28 01 Aug 1726 1 Sears, Heman 40 01 Jun 1734 3mo Sears, Isaac 39 13 Jan 1724 2 Sears, Isaac 59 24 Mar 1759 25 Sears, Jacob 65 23 Apr 1803 8mo Sears, John 8 09 Apr 1739 61 Sears, John 23 05 Dec 1791 79 Sears, John 43 24 Aug 1812 68 Sears, John 109 09 Jun 1817 72 Sears, Jonathan 33 03 Sep 1738 45 Sears, Jonathan 56 16 Dec 1759 28 Name Stone # Died Age Sears, Jonathan 124 18 Jul 1871 73 Sears, Joseph 3 25 Aug 1765 70 Sears, Joseph 58 14 Mar 1758 30 Sears, Joseph 88 06 Aug 1779 72 Sears, Joseph 108 05 Jan 1846 82 Sears, Joshua 68 31 Mar 1825 73 Sears, Keziah 47 29 Jul 1787 17 Sears, Keziah 110 17 Mar 1833 74 Sears, Laban 100 10 Aug 1819 13 Sears, Larned 90 11 Oct 1760 22 Sears, Levi 101 05 Dec 1825 54 Sears, Maria 86 01 Mar 1823 Sears, Mary 61 11 Apr 1794 30 Sears, Mary 70 15 May 1785 9 Sears, Mehitable 42 19 May 1798 48 Sears, Mercy 7 27 Jan 1849 89 Sears, Micajah 51 01 Feb 1823 85 Sears, Nathaniel 38 04 Jan 1724 3 Sears, Noah 45 23 Sep 1835 85 Sears, Noah 78 25 Aug 1828 21 Sears, Paul 10 17 Feb 1740 71 Sears, Prince 104 10 Feb 1810 23 Sears, Prince 106 25 Feb 1829 94 Sears, Priscilla 22 12 Apr 1819 89 Sears, Reuben 76 02 Jun 1829 28 Sears, Rowland 55 01 May 1750 24 Sears, Ruth 89 27 Mar 1761 46 Sears, Samuel 2 08 Jan 1741 78 Sears, Samuel 34 22 Nov 1726 40 Sears, Samuel 19 18 Mar 1792 56 Sears, Samuel 62 13 Aug 1774 53 Sears, Samuel 64 31 Jul 1783 20 Sears, Samuel 103 29 Jan 1855 63 Sears, Samuel T 111 18 Sep 1928 52 Sears, Sarah 36 16 Dec 1749 19 Sears, Sarah 69 15 Jan 1792 33 Sears, Sarah 72 15 Jan 1792 33 Sears, Sarah 77 23 Jun 1834 29 Sears, Seth 30 05 Mar 1750 48 Sears, Seth 41 31 May 1733 2 Sears, Seth 74 05 Mar 1806 39 Sears, Seth 81 11 Mar 1808 8 Sears, Susan 115 02 Jun 1857 63 Sears, Susannah 85 08 Feb 1800 2 Sears, Thankful 91 28 Jul 1793 7 Sears, Thomas 114 28 Nov 1891 91 Sears, Vienna 82 27 Jun 1880 82 Sears, Willard 53 19 Aug 1765 51 Sears, William C 112 19 Dec 1904 66 Snow, Marcy 32 29 Jun 1736 31 Snow, Mary 13 08 May 1790 76 Snow, Thankful 20 10 Dec 1811 44 Taylor, Hannah 121 08 Jul 1828 76 Vincent, Sarah 15 12 Apr 1783 75 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ I have been dreaming of this project since my Dad first took me to the old family cemetery. It was a secret place that only "natives" could find which added to its mystique. To see the name SEARS on so many stones was intriguing. The cemetery is located on the east side of the boundary brook (Quivet Creek) between Dennis and Brewster on Cape Cod, Mass. It once fronted Old County Way but when The Kings Highway, Route 6A, was straightened, it was left off the beaten path. The burying ground is entered through an iron gate held by granite posts which are labeled 1881 on the left and 1721 on the right. I imagine the granite/iron rail fence was erected in 1881. The quiet knoll on which it is situated overlooks an unnamed pond which, is evidently the headwaters of Quivett Creek. I vividly remember my first visit to the cemetery because of the case of poison ivy which I got there. The trail in from Airline road is about 75 yards long and has stepping stones over a herring ladder. Local residents recently repaired this ladder to insure the herring can return to their breeding ground. In recent years the path and the cemetery itself have been extremely well maintained. Katherine Sears(see No. 2566) left money in her will to the town of Brewster for maintenance and this may have helped with the care. Her father-in-law William G and brother-in- law Samuel T. are buried there. A brass plaque mounted on a post at the entrance used to announce this cemetery as "The Ancient Sears Cemetery" with dates of use but all that remains is the post. The earliest stone is #38 and the last stone is #102, Knyvet Howes, who owned the house just northeast of the cemetery on Old County Way. Some stones are missing (evidenced by the existence of a footstone but no headstone). Other stones are unmarked. It appears there were once straight rows of stones which have probably "drifted" in the last 250 years. There are some blank areas with no stones which may be additional unmarked graves. I made up my own numbering system which is the order in which the stones were read. Some are cracked and one had broken into three pieces and was duplicated three stones further in the row. The slate stones from the 1700's have stood up the best. White marble stones have some kind of yellow lichen attacking them. It was often necessary to dig around the bottom of the stone to reveal the complete inscription. The stones are typical for the Cape and show evidence of all the popular icons of the time. The tympanum or curved top part of the stone usually had a carved icon. The main body contained vital statistics and possibly an epitaph. The shoulders were usually rounded and below were borders containing wreaths, vines and other carvings. I have tried to show a general outline of the stone and describe the icon. I have also reproduced as carefully as possible the layout of letters on the stones. All of the popular icons are represented here. The winged skull, winged cherub, sunrise, willow and urn. The winged skull may have represented that death was impossible to beat but that with God's grace, the soul may be immortalized in heaven. The fleshed out cherub's face was less gruesome than the skull and may have been the beginning of the euphemisms we use to hide death's face. The sunset (or sunrise?) possibly signifies the end of life on earth and beginning of a new day. The urn and willow represent the people left on earth with the urn as the repository of the loved one and the willow as the tree of mourning. Some stones were cenotaphs which indicated that the person had been lost at sea (stone No 97). A couple of stones showed multiple names (especially for children), which may not be proof that the individuals were actually buried there. Stones were often placed many years later, which can account for discrepancies in locations and dates. Epitaphs are especially interesting. Some stonecutters supposedly had books full of them from which a family could choose. Other epitaphs must have been composed by the deceased or his family. In any case this study of our ancestors burying ground can reveal much about the way they lived and their hopes and fears. Work remains to be done to document the blank spots in the burying ground. Maybe Richard the Pilgrim is even buried here under the big boulder on the west side? Contact me for more info: Sears Family Association PO Box 865 Duncan, OK 73534-0865 LRSEARS@TEXHOMA.NET (580)252-6049