The Early Nineteenth Century Burials at Mount Carmel, Maryland There were two separate burial sites at this monastery in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries. One was within the enclosure of the nuns, for their use. The other was for the laity. The location of the nuns’ cemetery is not known as of this date, 1999. We only know that the first nun died in 1796, and that eleven others followed her. When the nuns moved to Baltimore, ten of these were disinterred and eventually reburied at Bonnie Brae Cemetery in that city. The bones of the chaplain and benefactor of the nuns, Father Charles Neale, SJ, who died in 1823, were also taken to Baltimore; however, it is not clear whether he was initially buried in the nuns’ plot as a special privilege, or in the public cemetery. The last two nuns who had died could not be moved, and are still here somewhere. The last private owner of the property refused to divulge the whereabouts of the graves, fearing that they would be disturbed. The cemetery outside the enclosure has always been marked by the gravestones. There are at present only six of these left: five standing stones, and one crypt cover measuring approximately three by six feet. Other stones were recorded before they crumbled. Some burial records have come to light from family Bibles and a will; others can be surmised, the spouses of the departed, for example. After the nuns returned in 1976, the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Washington leveled the very uneven ground and removed the broken, unreadable stones, depositing the pieces in a nearby ravine to the northwest. However, heavy rains in 1989 caused many graves to sink again. An informal survey was conducted by the nuns at that time, which showed that the plots were neatly laid out. Each was approximately three by seven feet. There are at least twelve rows of thirteen plots, with the oldest row being right against the back (west) wall of the present chapel. This would make possible 156 burials. However, it is unlikely that every plot was utilized. Still, there must be many more names that we do not yet have. The following list only accounts for 46, and, as we mentioned, some of these are guesses. In the Twentieth Century, there has been one burial within this area. There was no evidence that the plot had previously been used. Since the nuns returned to this site in 1976, we have extended the original cemetery for recent burials, and have established a new area within the enclosure for our own use. To prevent the reoccurrence of previous vandalism, the old grave yard has also been taken into the enclosure. However, families searching for their ancestors may make arrangements to see the six remaining stones. The third cemetery was for the slaves that worked the farm. The location of this is not known. The Discalced Carmelite Nuns Carmel of Port Tobacco 5678 Mount Carmel Road La Plata, Maryland 20646-9611 http://www.erols.com/carmel-of-port-tobacco The Burials 1. BRENT, ANNE Born September 17, 1768. Died February 22, 1807. Stone no longer exists. Inscription: Sacred to the memory Of Mrs. Anne Brent the wife of John Brent. She was born September 17th 1768 and died February 22nd 1807. Sic transit gloria mundi Reqiescat in pace. 2. BRENT, JOHN Birth unknown. Death probably after his wife’s on February 22, 1807. Probably buried here next to his wife, Anne Brent (#1). 3. BROOKE, IGNATIUS BAKER, JR. Born April 21, 1751. Died before June 17, 1817. Probably buried here next to his wife, Mary Brooke (#4). After the death of his wife, he was ordained in 1801, joined the reestablished Jesuits in 1805, and served as a priest in Southern Maryland. According to a clause in the deed to his land, sold to the nuns through Father Charles Neale, he retained ownership of his home next to the monastery until his death. He returned to it in 1812, apparently due to ill health. As the Jesuits have no record of his burial, he is probably buried here with his wife Mary. 4. BROOKE, MARY Born about 1757. Died February 26, 1800. The wife of Ignatius Baker Brooke, Jr. (#3). A small, low, round stone, no longer standing. Inscription: + Mary Brooke. Obit 26th Feby. 1800 Aetatis 43. 5. CLEMENTS,HENRY Born about 1782. Died October 4, 1822. Stone no longer exists. Inscription: + I H S In memory of HENRY CLEMENTS of Thos Who died Octr 4. 1822 Aged 40 years 6. DAVIS, ELIZABETH ANN Born March 4,1811. Died August 31, 1827. Stone still standing. Daughter of Thomas Andrew Davis (#7) and Elizabeth Grace Ward. Inscription: ELIZABETH ANN DAVIS Obit 31st August AD 1827 Age 16 Placed here by maternal love and respect to the memory of a dearly beloved Daughter. Sleep on my child and wait the Almighty’s will. Then rise unchanged & be an angel still. 7. DAVIS, THOMAS ANDREW Born about 1780. Died October 6, 1822. Stone still standing. The six children referred to on the stone were those still living. He had two infant daughters who predeceased him, Jane Davis and Jane Matilda Davis. See #8 Below. Inscription: In memory of THOMAS ANDREW DAVIS who departed this life October 6th 1822 aged 42 years. The father of six children two sons and four Daughters. 8. DAVIS, MRS. THOMAS ANDREW Birth and Died October 5, 1869. Her name is Elizabeth Grace Ward Davis. Second wife of Thomas Andrew Davis, married May 1, 1810. Date of birth and parents unknown. Mother of Elizabeth Ann Davis, Jane Davis, Jane Matilda Davis as well as Samuek Dyson Davis, Henrietta Davis, Mary Grace Davis, and Ann Amanda Davis. POssibly buried here next to her husband Thomas Andrew Davis (#7). She outlived him by forty-seven years. 9. FARREL At least one stone with this name was erected. See Carmel In America (1890) by Bishop Charles Warren Currier. 10. HAMILTON, EDWARD, SENIOR (LIEUTENANT) Born about 1759. Died May 27, 1824. Exhumed and reinterred at St. Joseph’s in Pomfret, Maryland on March 26, 1981 at the request of the family. The stone was also taken there. A survey of these stones done by Robert F. Hayes for the Maryland Historical and Genealogical Bulletin gives his age as 63. Inscription: In memory of EDWARD HAMILTON, SEN. who departed this life May 27, 1824 Aged 65. 11. HAMILTON, ELEANOR HAWKINS Born about 1778. Died November 13, 1807. Second wife of Edward Hamilton, Senior (#10).] Exhumed and reinterred at St. Joseph’s in Pomfret, Maryland on March 26, 1981 at the request of the family. The stone was also taken there. The late Dan Raymond, who disinterred the bones, was convinced that he was not removing Eleanor Hawkins Hamilton, but the first wife, Mary Ann Boarman Hamilton (#15). The family disagreed with him as to which side of the husband Eleanor would be buried on. The family did not want to take both wives. Inscription: + I H S In memory of ELEANOR Consort of Edward Hamilton, Sen. who departed this life 13th Nov. 1807 Aged 29 12. HAMILTON, ELEANOR H. Born about 1799. Died August 26, 1818. Daughter of Eleanor (#11) and Edward Hamilton (#10). Inscription: In memory of ELEANOR H. daughter of Edward Hamilton Sen. who departed life life 26th of August 1818 Aged 19 13. HAMILTON, HENRIETTA Born February 14, 1803. Died December 12, 1834. Stone still standing. Only stone with weeping willow motif. Inscription: + I H S SACRED TO the memory of HENRIETTA HAMILTON. who departed this life 12th December, 1834. aged 31 years 9 months and 28 days. May she rest in peace. 14. HAMILTON, JOHN Birth unknown. Death probably after his wife’s on December 7, 1827. Probably buried here next to his wife Nancy Hamilton (#16). 15. HAMILTON, MARY ANN BOARMAN Birth unknown. Died before 1796. The first wife of Edward Hamilton, Senior (#10). Burial verified by descendants. Her parents are unknown. Perhaps she had been married before. 16. HAMILTON, NANCY Born about 1801. Died December 7, 1827. Inscription: + I H S In the memory of NANCY HAMILTON the wife of John Hamilton who departed this life on the 7th day of December 1827 in the 26th year of her age. May she rest in peace. 17. JAMESON, HENRIETTA Born January 24, 1795. Died May 19, 1826. Stone still standing. Inscription: + I H S In memory of Mrs. HENRIETTA wife of Dr. LUKE F. JAMESON who departed this life on 19th day of May 1826 Aged 31 years 3 months 25 days, the mother of George Washington & Thos. Andrew JAMESON. 18. JAMESON, LUKE F., DR. Birth unknown. Death probably after his wife’s on May 19, 1826. Probably buried here next to his wife, Henrietta Jameson (#17). 19. JOHNSON, MR. Died before 1829, the death of his first grandchild,Basil Marcellus Spalding (#38 ). Father of Symphronia L. Johnson Spalding (#43). John Spalding, her husband, recorded in his family Bible that he buried his wife and two infants next to their “grandpa” at Mount Carmel. Since his parents are buried at St. Joseph’s in Pomfret, he meant his first wife’s father. John Spalding and his second wife, Mary Carroll, are buried at Pomfret. 20. JOHNSON, MRS. Probably buried here next to her husband (#19). The mother of Symphronia L. Johnson Spalding (#43). 21. SANDERS At least one stone with this name was erected. See Carmel In America (1890) by Bishop Charles Warren Currier. 22. SEMMES, IGNATIUS Son of Ensign Robert Doyne Semmes and Mary Ryan. August 22, 1778 - January 2, 1826. Probably buried here next to his wife, Mary Holmes Semmes (#22). See The Maryland Semmes and Allied Families by Newman. 23. SEMMES, IGNATIUS (JR.) Youngest son of Mary Holmes (#24) and Ignatius Semmes (#22). September 6, 1821 – April 27 to June 13 1843. Died without issue. Probably buried here near his mother. 24. SEMMES, MARY HOLMES Born about 1777. Died June 9, 1825. Daughter John Holmes and Eleanor Neale (sister of Father Charles Neale). A flat crypt cover flush with the ground, broken but still in place. She lived at Rose Hill; it is uncertain if the carver made a mistake or the weathering has made the name look like Hogs Hill. The date on the stone must be wrong as her husband, Ignatius Semmes (#22), died in 1826, and wrote in the family Bible: “My dear wife departed this life on 9th June 1825 in her 48th year.” Also, if she were only thirty-nine, her father would have been dead five years before her birth. See The Maryland Semmes and Allied Families by Newman. A survey of these stones done by Robert F. Hayes for the Maryland Historical and Genealogical Bulletin states that the tombstone possibly read 1925 and the age as 49. Inscription: + I H S SACRED to the memory of Mrs MARY SEMMES Consort of Ignatius Semmes, Esq. of Hogs [Rose] Hill Departed this life the 9th day of June, 1827 [1825]. In the thirtyninth [fortyeighth] year of her age This gaily amiable and excellent lady who gave Birth to thirteen children of which number One only an infant still survived her. Next where this silent marble weeps A friend, a wife, a mother sleeps. A heart within whose sacred cell The social virtues loved to dwell. Affection, warm and faith sincere And soft humanity were there. In agony, in death resigned She felt the wound she left behind. And infant image here below Sits ailing on a father’s know. [sic] But vain the tear, in vain, the heartfelt sigh All that are born to live, are born to die. Such a wife and such a friend All lament and all commend. 25-36. SEMMES, THE TWELVE INFANT CHILDREN OF MARY AND IGNATIUS Probably buried here next to their mother, Mary Holmes Semmes (#24). First child born after parents’ wedding on February 15, 1801. Last born before the birth of Ignatius (#23), September 9, 1821. All died before their mother’s death, June 9, 1825, and all died in infancy. See The Maryland Semmes and Allied Families by Newman. 37. SPALDING, ALEXANDER AVITUS June 16, 1829 – August 20, 1830. Buried next to his maternal grandfather, Mr. Johnson (#19). Recorded in the family Bible by his father, John Spalding. 38. SPALDING, BASIL MARCELLUS June 2, 1827 – September 24, 1829. Buried next to his maternal grandfather, Mr. Johnson (#19). Recorded in the family Bible by his father, John Spalding. 39. SPALDING, ELIZABETH M. Wife of George H. Spalding (#40). Stone no longer exists. She has been identified as Elizabeth Marbury Hargraves. Parents unknown. A survey of these stones done by Robert F. Hayes for the Maryland Historical and Genealogical Bulletin places a question mark after 1834. Inscription: TO the memory of ELIZABETH M. consort of GEORGE H. SPALDING who was born June 17th 1774, and died January 29th 1834. May she rest in peace is the prayer of her children. 40. SPALDING, GEORGE H. Husband of Elizabeth M. (#38) George Hillary Spalding, son of Basil Spalding and Catherine Green, husband of Elizabeth Marbury Hargraves Spalding and father of George Rufus Spalding. Stone no longer exists. Inscription: To the memory of GEORGE H. SPALDING who was born Feb. 10th 1770 and died Septr. 16th 1820, leaving a wife and 7 children to lament his untimely death and who erect this as a memento of him. He was a kind and affectionate husband, a fond and indulgeit [sic] parent. May he rest in peace. 41. SPALDING, GEORGE R. Stone is still standing. Identified as George Rufus, the son of George Hillary Spalding (#40) and Elizabeth Marbury Hargraves Spalding (#39). Inscription: + I H S SACRED to the memory of GEORGE R. SPALDING who was born August 11th 1806, and died March 28th 1843, aged 37 years. He has left a devoted wife, an interesting little daughter, together with a large circle of relations and friends, to mourn over his loss. May he rest in peace. 42. SPALDING, MRS. GEORGE R. Probably buried here next to her husband, George R. (#41). 43. SPALDING, SYMPHRONIA L. JOHNSON Born about 1805. Died November 11, 1829, aged 24 years. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson (#19 and 20). First wife of John Spalding. Recorded in his family Bible. They were the parents of Alexander Avitus Spalding (#37) and Basil Marcellus Spalding (#38). John Spalding and his second wife, Mary Carroll, are buried at Saint Joseph’s, Pomfret. 44. SPALDING, WILLIAM Born June 15, 1805 Died August 22, 1830, in Washington, aged 25. Recorded in the family Bible by his brother, John Spalding. Although his brother wrote very clearly in the Family Bible "is buried at Mt. Carmel," William Spalding's tombstone is at Pomfret. 45. TANEY, THOMAS Died about 1829. Lived in St. Mary’s County. A copy of his will, sent in a letter to Mother Clare Joseph from attorney Robert Digges at “Mount Air”, stipulates that money be set aside for his and his wife’s burials at Mount Carmel. It is unclear if a date within the letter, February 2, 1829, is the date of the death or of the letter. 46. TANEY, MRS. THOMAS Buried next to her husband, Thomas Taney (#45). Her name is unknown, but she is possibly Mary Neale, daughter of James Neale and Elizabeth Lord, or Mary Neale, daughter of Raphael Neale and Mary Brooke. 47. Davis, Elizabeth Hagan First wife of Thomas Andrew Davis, married November 18, 1806. Birth and parents unknown. Died in childbirth on May 18, 1808, the birth of their only child Dr. Thomas Andrew Davis. Possibly buried here next to her husband. 48. Davis, Jane Infant daughter of Thomas Andrew Davis and Elilzabeth Grace Ward. Born February 21, 1813 (?). This date however, must be wrong as it would be only three months after her sister, Jane Matilda Davis, was born. Died October 22, 1815. Probably buried here next to her father. 49. Davis, Jane Matilda Infant daughter of Thomas Andrew Davis and Elilzabeth Grace Ward. Born November 4, 1812. Died January 20, 1813. Probably buried here next to her father. 50. Hamilton, Elanor Born June 1825. Died September 17, 1831. Daughter of John Hamilton and Nancy Hamilton. 51. Spalding Unknown child of George Hillary Spalding and Elizabeth Marbury Hargraves Spalding. According to the tombstone of the father, only seven of his nine children were living when he died. It is likely that one was Henrietta Spalding. This may be the second Henrietta, William Alfred, John Ferdinand, Mary or Basil Dennis, whose death dates are not known. Probably buried here next to the parents. 52. Spalding, Henrietta Born October 31, 1801. Died about 1802. The daughter of George Hillary Spalding and Elizabeth Marbury Hargraves Spalding. There were two children by this name. According to the tombstone off the father, only seven of his nine children were living when he died. It iss likely that the first Henrietta died in infancy and that the second Henrietta, born February 14, 1803, was given the name for that reason. Probably buried here next to her parents. Note: The History of Saint Joseph’s Church, Pomfret, Maryland by H. Virginia Mudd, 1956, states that there was “a dearth of tombstones at Pomfret from 1787 to 1830.” She felt that because Mount Carmel was virtually the parish church for Pomfret during those years, there must be many more burials at Mount Carmel. The Nuns Still Buried Here 1. JOHNSON, ELIZABETH Religious name: Mary Magdalen of St. Joseph. Born about 1779. Professed April 25, 1800. Died March 29, 1831. Daughter of John Johnson and Ann Seville. 2. MUDD, ANN “NANCY” Religious name: Euphrasia of the Infant Jesus. Born about 1792. Professed June 21, 1808. Died May 24, 1830. Daughter of Henry Thomas Mudd and Mary Aloysia Mahony. She was a cousin once-removed of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd. However, she died before he was born. ____________________________________________________________ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sister Miriam John+, OCD Discalced Carmelite Nuns Carmel of Port Tobacco steresa@erols.com •USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations.