THE ALDEN OR GREAT WOODS GRAVEYARD IN BRIDGEWATER, PLYMOUTH COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS *** All information transcribed herein is taken from the book titled, "Epitaphs Of Old Bridgewater - 1882" and which was written by Williams Latham. This book covers many old graveyards in the Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, West Bridgewater and Brockton area some of which no longer exist. ********************************************************************************************* 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. ********************************************************************************************* Directions to the location: From Rt. 25 (495) take exit for Rt.44E/Rt.28N and proceed to the rotary (roundabout). Then take Rt. 28 north towards Bridgewater. Travel approximately 2 miles to the first set of traffic lights and turn right. Travel approx. 1/2 mile and take the first left. 3/4 miles ahead on the left will be the Alden or Great Woods Graveyard. From Rt. 24 take Rt. 106 East. At the 2nd set of lights, get into the right lane and bear right onto Rt. 28. Follow Rt. 28 through Bridgewater Center (it joins with Rt. 18 at this point) and go half way around the Common staying on Rt. 28, and following it South until you come to the first set of traffic lights, turn left and proceed as above. ********************************************************************************************* Transcriber's note: Most of the stones in this cemetery, located behind Bridgewater State Hospital, (not too close) have suffered greatly from the weather and age. Some are broken and the tomb is in danger of collapse with several lintel stones badly out of place. Woodchucks have made many dens in the graveyard as well. ********************************************************************************************* Description of location as found in Latham's book: "The Alden graveyard, sometimes called the Great Woods graveyard and so-called on account of the large trees formerly found growing in the that neighborhood, is on the northwesterly side of Titicut Street in that part of Bridgewater called the Great Woods; there measuring on said street, 122 feet and running back on the northeasterly side119 feet; and measuring on the back side 97 feet. It lays at the head of the second one hundred acre lot in the division of the one thousand acre lot into ten great lots of one hundred acres each, lying on the north side of the Taunton River in Bridgewater below the mouth of the Winatuxett River. The land was given by Solomon and Amasa Alden at different times and was first used for burial purposes in 1793. There are two carriage entrances from said street, each 12 feet wide with a good bank wall next to said street and a balance wall on all other sides. The tomb in this yard, towards the back side, was built by Solomon And Amasa Alden, and belongs to their heirs and has several bodies deposited therein. This ground had, in 1850, 27 graves and 23 gravestones, and now (1882), has about 60 graves, counting said tomb as a grave for the bodies therein, and about fifty gravestones." ********************************************************************************************* EPITAPHS. (Transcriber note: Numbers are as Mr. Latham noted but unfortunately, there is no sketch of this graveyard in his book.) 1. Mrs. Sarah Shaw. Wife of Dea. Asael Shaw, died Nov. 16, 1831 ae. 75 years. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord 2. Dea. Asael Shaw, died May 3, 1844 ae. 92 years, 5 mos. And 6 ds. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth, Yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors, And their works do follow them. 3. In memory of Mrs. Sarah, widow of Mr. Solomon Alden, who died Aug. 28, 1815 in 86 year "Tis but a few whose days amount To threescore years and ten, And all beyond that short account Is sorrow, toil and pain. 4. In memory of Mr. Solomon Alden, who died Dec. 15, 1813 in his 86th year Breathless I leave this heavy clod, And fall into the arms of God. I glide in blissful dreams away, To wake in everlasting day. 5. In memory of Abigail ______ Alden, daughter of Mr. Noah Alden and Mrs. Elizabeth, his wife, who died March ye 7th 1801 in ye 6th year of her age. Nature has but soft powerful bands, And reason she controls; While children with their little hands, Hang closest to our souls. 6. Erected in memory of Mrs. Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Noah Alden, who died Jan. ye 12th. A.D. 1798, in ye 23rd year of her age. Farewell husband, children dear, May Jesus for your help appear; And be your father kind and just While I am mouldering in the dust. Here is the end of all that love, This is my dark, long home; Jesus himself lay in the grave; The house where all must come. 7. In memory of Mrs. Vodicia, wife of Mr. Noah Alden, who died Sept 7, 1827, in her 61 year. Look down upon this sacred spot and see, What death can do for you as well as me; Sweet bosom friend, your falling sand is nigh, Children prepare, 'tis God that calls on high. 8. In memory of Mrs. Polly, wife of Solomon Alden, Esq. Who died May 31, 1821 in the 55 year of her age. The grave beneath this stone contains, The mortal, but reserved remains Of her who was beloved in life, A tender mother, friend and wife. 9. In memory of Solomon Alden, Esq. Who died Aug. 18, 1852, aged 94 years, 8 mos. and two days. 10. Solomon Alden, Esq., died Jan. 4, 1866, aged 78 years, 6 mos. 9 days. 11. In memory of Nancy, daughter of Mr. Solomon Alden, Jun'r. and Mrs. Polly, his wife, who died Sept. ye 17, 1793 age 7 months and 12 days. This lovely child is now no more, In glory may it rest; Before the throne may it adore, And be with Jesus blest. 12. Sophronia Leach, died July 1, 1845, ae 40 years, 16 dys. 13. Harriet L., dau. of Solomon and Betsy V. Alden, died Mar. 20, 1868, ae 34 yrs., 9 ds. Thy labors are over; thou hast entered into eternal rest. 14. Emily F., dau. of Solomon and Betsy V. Alden, died July 3, 1868, ae. 27 yrs., 4 mo., 19ds, Thou wast loved by many; yet love could not keep thee when the Father called. 15. Sacred to the memory of Abner Alden, M.D., son of Eleab and Mary Alden, of Cairo, N.Y., who departed this life Sept. 28, 1818, aged 25 yrs., 9 mo., 17 days. Be ye also ready; for, in such an hour as ye think not, the son of man cometh. My flesh shall slumber in the ground, Till the last trumpets joyful sound, Then burst the bonds with sweet surprise, And in my Savior's image rise. 16. Sacred to the memory of Mr. Alexander Shaw, son of Dea. Asael Shaw and Sarah, his wife; he was born Nov. 4, 1778, died May 8, 1818 in the 40th year of his age. Ah, how uncertain is life's slender thread; How soon, alas! We mingle with the dust. Today, our hopes on airy pinions rise, And brightening prospects swim before our eyes; Tomorrow, death shuts out the scene of life, And breaks the tie of parent, friend and wife. 17. Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Priscilla Shaw, wife of Mr. Soranus Shaw and daughter of Mr. Walter Clarke and Lydia, his wife; she was born in Middletown, RI March 3rd, 1789, died in Bridgewater, Ms (sic) June 27, 1814. Adieu, departed shade, farewell, For thou art gone in happier times to dwell; While we the virtues of her mind revere, Stop, pensive stranger, stay and drop a tear. 18. Sacred to the memory of Miss Sarah Shaw, daughter of Deacon Asael Shaw and Sarah, his wife; she was born March 28th, 1787, and died Aug. 27th, 1818, aged 31 years and 5 months. The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 19. Susan E., wife of Martin V.B. Pratt, died Oct. 3, 1867 aged 25 years, 8 days, She died as she lived, respected, appreciated and beloved. 20. Emily. Emily Alden, dau. of Martin V.B. and Susan E. Pratt, died May 17, 1867, ae 1 yr., 1 mo., 13 days 21. No inscription 22. In memory of Albert Edwin, Son of John and Lucy Ayer, who died Mar. 3, 1842 aet. 28 ms. And 16 ds. Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; For of such is the kingdom of God. 23. Henry Wood, born Oct. 19, 1812, died July 7,1876. Gone but not forgotten. 24. In memory of Soranus C., son of Soranus and Priscilla Shaw, died March 18, 1824, aet. 9 yrs. See, the lovely blooming flower, Fades and withers in an hour; So our transient comforts fly; Pleasures only bloom to die. 25. Sacred to the memory of Sarah A. wife of Quartus Snell, and dau. of Soranus and Priscilla Shaw; she was born Nov. 24, 1811, and died in East Bridgewater, Mass., Feb. 5, 1834, Here lies a person who sorrow hath borne; from pain and grief we trust she is free; by sanctified grace led home to God, where beams the cloudless sky, and all is love. Jesus can make a dying bed, Feel soft as downy pillows are, While on his breast I lean my head, And breathe my life out sweetly there. 26. Asael Shaw, son of Ephraim and Elizabeth Harlow, died Sept. 2, 1835 in his 16 year 27. ALDEN MARBLE SHAFT Abigail S., wife of Lewis T. Alden, died June 19, 1849 aged 51 yrs. Lemira E. their dau. died Aug. 4, 1842, aged 4 yrs., I mo., 4 ds. 28. In memory of Betsy. Widow of Benjamin Tucker, who died Feb. 12, 1861, aged 79 years 29. In memory of Benjamin Tucker, who died Oct. 23, 1840, aged 75 years 30. In memory of Andrew Tucker, who died Oct. 23, 1840, aged 75 years 31. Alice J., dau. of Andrew and Amelia Tucker, died Dec. 12, 1853, aged 4 mos., 12 ds. Suffer the little children to come unto me. 32. Joseph B., son of Andrew and Amelia Tucker, died Sept. 11, 1854, ae 4 yrs., 1 mo., 1 day. Child, thy Father calls thee home 33. LAZELL MONUMENT Sarah H., wife of Wm. Lazell, died Mar. 2, 1874, aged 79 years (2 graves unmarked) 34. Abel H., son of Eliab and Levina Dunbar, died Nov. 16, 1819 aged 12 years 35. No inscription 36. No inscription 37. In memory of Mr. Jesse Dunbar, who died April 9, 1816, aged 73 years Honorable age is not that which standeth in length of time, Nor is it measured in number of years; but wisdom is the Gray hair unto man, and an unspotted life is old age. 38. In memory of Abigail Dunbar, wife of Mr. Jesse Dunbar, who died May 5, 1817, aet. 77 Adieu, my friends, a long and sad farewell; A scene more solemn that the passing bell; I hoped with God in glory I should bloom, Where sorrow, sickness n, death never come. Consoling thought! dear children dry your tears, Your friend has gone beyond your anxious fears. Weep not for me, prepare without delay To meet the debt you all must shortly pay. 39. In memory of Lydia Dunbar, who died May 23, 1843 , in her 67 year. 40. Sacred to the memory of Eliab Dunbar, who died Feb, 3, 1844, in his 74 year. 41. In memory of Keziah, widow of Simeon Wood, who died Sept. 23, 1855, aged 72 yrs., 10 mos., and 6 days. 42. Dinah, daughter of Jesse and Azuba Dunbar. Born May 14, 1780 died June 24, 1869 Her virtues will embalm her memory. 43. In memory of an affectionate husband and father, Rev. Asa Niles, born Feb. 10th A.D., 1777, died April 16th A.D., 1849 The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 44. In memory of a beloved son and brother Asa H. Niles, born May 17 A.D., 1813, died April 2, A.D., 1842. None knew thee but to love thee. 45. Hannah M., daur. Of Robert C. and Hannah Clarke, died Feb. 12, 1852, aged 7 mos. and 9 dys. The blighted bud will bloom in heaven. 46. ALDEN MONUMENT - 1863 Caleb Alden, died Sept. ---, 1863, aged 74 yrs., 7 mo., and I day Polly, wife of Caleb Alden, died Nov. 29, 1829, aged 40 yrs., 4 mo., and 22 days This monument includes: 47. Jane and Cebra 48. Mother 49. Father 50. John Butterworth, born Nov. 8, 1798, died Jan. 18, 1862 With thy Savior we leave thee. 51. Lois Waldron, wife of John Butterworth, born Dec. 16, 1798, died May 31, 1869 Dearest Mother, rest with God. 52. Sophia, wife of John Butterworth, Jr., died Sept. 4, 1871, aged 47 y., 10 m., 21 d. Forever gone, O how we miss Her gentle footsteps now; The low, soft tome, the pleasant smile, The sweet and sunny brow. O may we live as she has lived And tred the paths she trod; To reach at last a noble sphere, A home like hers with God. 53. No inscription 54. No Inscription 55. ALDEN MONUMENT Amasa Alden, died May, 13, 1837, aged 61 years Sally H., his wife, died July 3, 1845, aged 63 Elisha G. Leach, died Jan. 31, 1872, aged 62 year Abby T., his wife and dau. of A. and S.H. Alden, died Feb. 22, 1867, aged 64 years Rev. Darius Dunbar, died Feb. 7, 1878, aged 73 years 56. Simeon C., son of Zadock and Ruth Sturtevant, died Mar. 8, 1870, ae 6 yrs., 6 mos., 10 ds. He has gone to dwell with angels. 57. Hannah, wife of Avery Lothrop, died Mar. 18, 1820, ae. 19 Blessed are the dead in Christ; Who make the Lord their friend and life; Who seeks his face, partakes His grace, And rest complete in His embrace. 58. Dea. Avery Lothrop, died Mar. 27, 1871, aet. 79 yrs Joanna, his wife, died July 10, 1871, aet. 75 59. Mary, K., dau. of Jonathan L. and Abby M. Hall, died Mar. 16, 1870, ae. 6 mo., 4 ds. Sweet little one, thou wast a treasure given To bud on earth and bloom in heaven. 60. A small lot with no Inscription 61. Jeremiah Tucker, born Feb. 12, 1806, died June 12, 1876