Subject: Epitaphs from The North Burial Ground, Lancaster, Mass. Source: Birth, Marriage & Death Register, Church Records & Epitaphs of Lancaster, Massachusetts by Henry S. Nourse, A.M., Lancaster, 1890 Epitaphs from the North Burial Ground Lancaster, Mass. p.446 At a town meeting in April, 1800, the fourth article of the warrant was: "To consider the ex- pediency of appropriating a certain piece of land at the north part of the town, where a number of persons are buried, for the purpose of a burying field." A committee, to whom the matter was intrusted with full power to act, reported, in the following May, that they had "received a quitclaim Deed of Mr. Elijah Wiles* of 112 rods of ground, being 16 rods in length bounding on the road leading by Colonel Henry Haskell to Harvard and 7 rods deep." The deed found in the town's archives, however, is dated February 20, 1805, whereby Elijah Wilds* conveys to the town 144 rods of land, measuring 8 rods along the highway and 18 rods in depth. In the public burial place thus established are numerous graves mostly undistinguished by monu- ments. The epitaphs dating prior to 1850 are: p.447 In Memory of Mrs. Rebecca Alexander, wife of Mr. Nathaniel Alexander, who died Nov. 7, 1843, aged 61 years & 6 mos. "Farewell dear friends & children too, For Christ has called me home: In a short time he'll call for you. Prepare yourself to come." Elizabeth died Dec 19, 1807 Aet 10 months. Daughter of Mr. William & Mrs. Elizabeth Blanchard. "Farewell sweet child we part in pain. We only part to meet again." In Memory of Mr. William Blanchard who died Nov. 13, 1818, AEt 56. "Dangers stand thick thro' all the ground, to push us to the tomb: And diseases wait around, to hurry mortals home." Jacob R. Bacon Died November 3d. 1845 Aged 25 Years. "Hope points to Heaven." Erected in Memory of Mr. Reuben Barrett Jr. who died July 26, 1816. AEt. 34. "Peaceable, patient, honest & upright. He trusted God & upward took his flight." In Memory of Moses Barrett who died August 4, 1846 Aged 62 Years. Mrs. Rebecca Barrett Died Sept 27, 1847 Aged 85 Years & 4 Months. In Memory of Samuel P. Barrett who died September 23, 1847, Aged 29-1/2 years. Also an infant child. "Tis thus our earthly comforts fly, and prospects brighten but to die." Miss Nancy, daughter of Mr. Samuel & Mrs. Nancy Butler, died July 11, 1827, AEt. 20 years & 4 mos. "All thy toils and cares are over. Weary sister take thy rest; God in mercy hath recalled thee; to thy place among the blest." Mr. Samuel Butler Died March 27, 1828 AEt 44. "Here shall I rest in sweet repose, till through the midst of heaven, the Angel's trump shall sound aloud. And life to all be given." Mrs. Nancy, wife of Mr. Samuel Butler, Died August 11, 1849 AEt. 64. "Dear as thou wert and justly dear, we will not weep for thee; One thought shall check the starting tear, it is that thou art free." Miss Sally, daughter of Mr. Samuel & Mrs. Nancy Buttler, died Dec. 25, 1831, AEt 20. "Sister sleep on, thou art at rest. At rest with Jesus and and the blest. Although from us you have been riven, we soon shall meet again in heaven." In Memory of Sarah wife of Mr. Abel Butler, who was born March 16, 1800 and died July 14, 1830. Erected by her mother Lois Bartlet. Jeremiah Barnes Died July 27, 1845 AEt. 34. "May thy flesh rest in hope." To the Memory of Mrs. Ruthy, wife of Mr. Isaac Cowdry; who died January 19, 1828, aged 50. "Lo beneath this sacred mound, a friend, a wife, a mother is found. A heart's within this silent cell. Where perfect virtue loved to dwell. Affection warm and faith sincere, and soft humanity were there." In Memory of Aaron Cook, Jr. son of Mr. Aaron & Mrs. Betsy Cook, who died July 3, 1803, Aged 2 years & 4 months. In Memory of Miss Harriot Cook, daughter of Mr. Aaron & Mrs. Betsy Cook, who died Octr 12, 1807, Aged 12 Years. In Memory of Betsy, daughter of Mr. Aaron & Mrs. Elizabeth Cook, who died Feb 20, 1830 AEt. 33. Aaron Cook died October 24, 1845 AEt 74. Mrs. Elizabeth wife of Mr. Aaron Cook, died Jan. 17, 1842 AEt. 67. p.448 Susan, Daughter of Aaron & Elizabeth Cook, Died Feb. 17, 1844, Aged 26. "She was a dear and beloved child. A sister kind, affectionate and mild." Mrs. Rebeckah P., Relict of Mr. James Cutler, Died July 9, 1840, in her 69th Year. Beneath this stone rest the loved remains of Mrs. Susan Dyar, wife of Mr. Jeremiah Dyar, who died February 16, 1824 Aged 47. "The storms of life are o'er, thy night of rest is come. Sleep sweetly sainted mother! in thy lonely tomb. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." Here friends have we on earth, and when they part, the nerve unwinds whos tension tears the heart. A little while and we sahll meet no more to part." Ann Elizabeth, Daughter of Capt. Joseph & Mrs. Sarah Farwell, died August 31, 1842, AEt 17 years & 2 months. "When the bonds of earth are riven, And the reign of death is over, In the light and joy of Heaven We shall meet to part no more." In Memory of Mrs. Sarah Farwell wife of Mr. Leonard Farwell, who Died June 1, 1809 in the 51 year of her Age. "She was a tender mother, friend & wife. She practis'd virtue all her life. And she is gone to realms above. Where all is harmony and love. Hark from the tomb. Beneath this stone I rest my head. In slumber Christ blest the bed. Weep not for me, my pains are over. We soon shall meet to part no more. Friends quit this stone and look above the skys. The dust lies here, but virtue never dies." In Memory of Mr. Leonard Farwell Died in Milton, New York. Born October 2, 1760. Died October __, 1822, Aged 62. Mary, wife of Lucius L. Farwell, Died November 7, 1845, Aged 30 years. Also, Mary I. Farwell their daughter, Died August 5, 1846 Aged 9 months & 4 days. Erected in Memory of Mr. Elias Haskell, who died July 2, 1811, AEt. 76. "Although my body sleeps awhile, beneath this barren clod; Yet I hope to awake and smile. To see my Saviour God." Mr. Luther Johnson Died April 22, 1822, Aged 33. Mr. Aaron Johnson Died February 6, 1820, Aged 79. Sewell, son of Calvin & Abigail Johnson Died Nov. 22, 1845, AEt. 28. Mrs. Abigail, wife of Mr. Calvin Johnson Died Feb. 13, 1845, AEt. 54. Harrison Johnson Died October 13, 1842, AEt. 28. William Gibbs Morse, son of Mr. Joseph & Mrs. Lucy Morse, who died March 6, 1832, aged 7 years. In Memory of Mr. Abijah Nichols son of Mr. Joseph & Mrs. Anna Nichols, died August 19, 1801, AE. 23. Elisha Sanderson Died March 14, 1843. AEt. 81. In Memory of Mrs. Mary, wife of Mr. Elisha Sander- son, who Died December 18, 1829 AEt. 63. In Memory of Martha. Daughter of Mr. Elisha & Mrs. Mary Sanderson, who Died March 1, 1829, AEt. 20. "Youth's emblem is a fleeting flower. Which called to life by some soft shower, Doth raise its tender head. Scarce had its leaves begun to bloom. Scarce shed around its sweet perfume, When life and beauty fled." In Memory of Mrs. Anna Thomas, wife of Doctor Joshua Thomas of Boston, who Died June 18, 1799. AEt 47. "Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy." Erected in Memory of Mr. Joshua Thomas, who was born March 14, 1745 and died February 4, 1831. In Memory of Mrs. Mary Thomas, wife of Mr. Joshua Thomas who died May 25, 1808 aged 67. "The sweet remembrance of the just shall flourish while they sleep in dust." p.449 In Memory of Mary, daughter of Samuel & Rebecca Worster, who died October 10, 1815; Also Elizabeth who died May 31, 1818, aged 1 year & eight months. "The little strangers soon did go. Fled from the scene of care and woe. Early did take their speedy flight. To reach the mansions of delight." In Memory of Mrs. Sarah Willard, wife of Mr. William Willard, who died June 2d, 1803 in the 36 Year of her Age. "Beneath these clods my body lies; and mouldering to dust. My soul has gone beyond the skys. And heard its sentence just." Erected in Memory of Paul Willard, Esq. who Died August 2, 1817, AEt. 52. "An honest man's the noblest work of God. In God is my Salvation and my Glory." Erected in Memory of Mrs. Martha Willard, wife of Mr. Paul Willard, who died May 22, 1808 in the 34 year of her Age. "Farewell vain world, I am gone home. My Saviour smiled & called me, come. Bright angels carried me away. To sing God's praise in endless days. In Memory of Mary Willard, daughter of Mr. Paul & Mrs. Martha Willard Who died October 4, 1803, Aged 2 years & one month. Sacred to the Memory of Miss Lucia Willard, daughter of Paul Willard, Esq. who died November 14, 1818. AEt 15. "Clasped in my Heavenly Father's arms, I would forget my breath, and lose my life among the charms of so divine a death." Sacred to the memory of Mr. Dexter Willard son of Paul Willard Esq., who died July 6, 1810, AEt. 17. "Death like an overflowing stream, Sweeps us away, our life's a dream. an empty tale, a morning flower, Cut down and withered in an hour." Sarah F., wife of Dr. Amory Willard, born Feb. 6, 1787, died July 9, 1834. Josephine, dau of Dr. A. S. Willard, born Jan 24, 1825, died April 24, 1830. "Is it well with thee and thy child? It is well." In Memory of Mr. Luke Willard who died September 17, 1813, AEt 20. "This flesh and blood I want no more. I land upon a blissful shore. Its work is done and I resign - That dust which is no longer mine." William Willard died May 18, 1837, AEt. 70. In Memory of Mrs. Lucy Willard, wife of Mr. William Willard who died June 27, 1819, AEt. 41. "Friends & physicians could not save my mortal body from the grave. Nor can the grave confine me here. When Christ shall call me to appear." Henry Willard Died June 11, 1847, aged 37. Mary Ann his wife died Feb 20, 1847, aged 41. Abigail, wife of Benjamin Willard Died October 12, 1848, AEt 74. End. Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth