I don’t really know where to start, so I’ll start with the brilliant line, “we really are the Frasier and Niles Crane of our time.“
I am stunned by how little I know of our American Civil War history. My parents deserve a refund on their Choate And Dartmouth tuitions
Your research, and that of your cohorts, is absolutely fascinating. It’s astounding how much history can be found if one looks hard enough, and literally under every rock, and inside every nook and cranny. Genealogical records can show you so much.
Please keep on being the Curious Yankee, so that I can keep learning.
I almost forgot your other brilliant line: “no, penicillin, won’t take care of it.” You are too much!
My thanks for the kind words! I've had fun with it and one of the very best parts has been getting to know the Singing Bridge community. There's a TCY - SB crossover post rolling around in the back of my head...
Great article. Those fields, stone walls, and cellars were my first introduction to the brief nature of human life. Another stone in the same graveyard bears the well known inscription
Remember me as you pass by,
As you are now, so once was I,
As I am now, so you must be,
Prepare for death and follow me.
Your article led me to do a little research on this verse, which is an interesting sidebar to your work. Apparently “graveyard people” (there must be a word for those interested in the study of graveyards) are attempting to locate every tombstone in New England bearing this inscription in order to date its earliest use in America, as yet unknown. The commonality of the verse increases greatly after 1863, perhaps reflecting the changing social attitudes towards death caused by the far reaching effects of the civil war. It will be interesting to check the date on the stone in N. Bridgewater in this regard. A brief internet perusal of the history of the verse opens yet another rabbit hole!
We really are the Frasier and Niles Crane of our time. The word you are seeking is taphophilia (and no, penicillin wont take care of it). There are actually three stones with essentially the same verse, the oldest dating from 1791, then 1813 and 1856.
Here is an interesting link: http://www.vastpublicindifference.com/2010/02/remember-me-as-you-pass-by.html. Apparently a stone in Needham, MA bearing the epitaph dates to 1736, the earliest yet found in New England, although its use has been traced back to Norman/Saxon roots. Don’t get me started on the subject of death’s head angels…equally fascinating.
I recently found out from a neighbor who LOVES historic homes that I may own the house that Mary Maxham had built when she arrived in Ogden, Utah. The street next to the home is called "Lynne School Lane". I am digging to find out more information. This is so neat!
What fun to discover the western side of the story! If it turns out to be the case I would love to update the story with a photo of the house. My thanks for sharing this.
This is what I have found about Mary Maxham's home in Ogden Utah. I am so lucky, I now own her home. The link I have provided has a picture of the home and a little about her and her time here.
Love this additional information. If you send me your email address, I will share with you a photo of Mary that was shared with me by a family member after I wrote the story. The reverse reads "Mrs. Isaiah Maxham who lay abed 20 yrs to spite her husband. After his death she joined the Mormons." Apparently not the happiest of unions!
came across this as we live across the road from the graveyard on North Bridgewater Road. Will have an enhanced appreciation for your forbears and all those who suffered at Andersonville. - David Costello
I don’t really know where to start, so I’ll start with the brilliant line, “we really are the Frasier and Niles Crane of our time.“
I am stunned by how little I know of our American Civil War history. My parents deserve a refund on their Choate And Dartmouth tuitions
Your research, and that of your cohorts, is absolutely fascinating. It’s astounding how much history can be found if one looks hard enough, and literally under every rock, and inside every nook and cranny. Genealogical records can show you so much.
Please keep on being the Curious Yankee, so that I can keep learning.
I almost forgot your other brilliant line: “no, penicillin, won’t take care of it.” You are too much!
My thanks for the kind words! I've had fun with it and one of the very best parts has been getting to know the Singing Bridge community. There's a TCY - SB crossover post rolling around in the back of my head...
Great article. Those fields, stone walls, and cellars were my first introduction to the brief nature of human life. Another stone in the same graveyard bears the well known inscription
Remember me as you pass by,
As you are now, so once was I,
As I am now, so you must be,
Prepare for death and follow me.
Your article led me to do a little research on this verse, which is an interesting sidebar to your work. Apparently “graveyard people” (there must be a word for those interested in the study of graveyards) are attempting to locate every tombstone in New England bearing this inscription in order to date its earliest use in America, as yet unknown. The commonality of the verse increases greatly after 1863, perhaps reflecting the changing social attitudes towards death caused by the far reaching effects of the civil war. It will be interesting to check the date on the stone in N. Bridgewater in this regard. A brief internet perusal of the history of the verse opens yet another rabbit hole!
I enjoyed your work as always.
We really are the Frasier and Niles Crane of our time. The word you are seeking is taphophilia (and no, penicillin wont take care of it). There are actually three stones with essentially the same verse, the oldest dating from 1791, then 1813 and 1856.
Here is an interesting link: http://www.vastpublicindifference.com/2010/02/remember-me-as-you-pass-by.html. Apparently a stone in Needham, MA bearing the epitaph dates to 1736, the earliest yet found in New England, although its use has been traced back to Norman/Saxon roots. Don’t get me started on the subject of death’s head angels…equally fascinating.
Stones are an art form and the symbolism is absolutely fascinating.
I recently found out from a neighbor who LOVES historic homes that I may own the house that Mary Maxham had built when she arrived in Ogden, Utah. The street next to the home is called "Lynne School Lane". I am digging to find out more information. This is so neat!
What fun to discover the western side of the story! If it turns out to be the case I would love to update the story with a photo of the house. My thanks for sharing this.
This is what I have found about Mary Maxham's home in Ogden Utah. I am so lucky, I now own her home. The link I have provided has a picture of the home and a little about her and her time here.
https://www.binghamsfort.org/homes/214-west-2nd-street
Love this additional information. If you send me your email address, I will share with you a photo of Mary that was shared with me by a family member after I wrote the story. The reverse reads "Mrs. Isaiah Maxham who lay abed 20 yrs to spite her husband. After his death she joined the Mormons." Apparently not the happiest of unions!
came across this as we live across the road from the graveyard on North Bridgewater Road. Will have an enhanced appreciation for your forbears and all those who suffered at Andersonville. - David Costello
I know the place! My grandparents once owned Lynne's farm and the school house at the top of the hill.