January, 2009 Workshop
Beverly Historical Society, Beverly, Mass.

Documents for the "When This You See, Remember Me... Discovering Essex County Gravestones" Lesson

This lesson was designed to have students begin to examine symbolism used on gravestones and notice that as people’s ideas about death changed so did the symbols they used to mark graves and commemorate their relatives’ and friends’ lives. Earlier stones have images of skulls. Later winged cherubs became predominant and in the early 19th century weeping willows and urns are commonly found. Essex County has a large number of excellent specimens of this artwork and grave stone carvers from Essex County towns (particularly from Haverhill) worked throughout the area.

This lesson may be used in conjunction with a study of the founding of the students’ town and particular attention may be paid to those graves of prominent citizens. Likewise an examination of common people’s graves may prove to be significant. Much information may be gleaned from the stones included here and a logical extension of this lesson may include some demographic study as to ages, prevalence of particular names and the importance of location in cemeteries. Another interesting subject related to this study may be the “cemetery as park” movement that started in the early 19th century (ex. Mt Auburn in Boston). Also, other cultural connections could include a study of “mourning” embroideries, hair wreaths and funerary memorabilia and jewelry. See additional resources for further links.

The photos for this lesson were taken by our museum educator, Rebecca Zimmerman, over the course of several months during the fall/winter of 2008. Additional resources were made available from the Newburyport Library Archival Center and Beverly Historical Society. Many historical societies contain local genealogical information and often can help teachers “flesh out” information about notable people or families from their vicinity.

Documents ...from the Beverly Historical Society, Beverly, MA

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• Mourning pictures (c. 1790s, 1800s)
• These two mourning pictures use a variety of mediums including watercolors and embroidery on silk. "Most of these were created to serve as a record and a decoration rather than to express the heartache the creator was expressing." A description as well as the transcription of the words on the embroideries is included for each piece. Mourning pictures became popular after Gearge Washington's death. The weeping willows echo the carving on the gravestones mentioned here.

Photographs of Essex County Gravestones and Graveyards (all photographs were taken by our Museum Educator)These photos are part of a presentation using local Essex County grave markers.

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• Photo of Harmony Cemetery, Boxford, MA
• This photo of one of the earliest cemeteries in Boxford contains a number of 17thc gravestones, which exhibit winged death's heads, cherubs and weeping willows. In part of the main lesson, students are asked to "identify historic buildings, monuments, and sites in the area and explain their purpose and significance." (see MA Social Studies frameworks; 3.9) using a photo such as this one.

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• Photo of gravestone of Sarah Wood, (d. Sept 11, 1775) Harmony Cemetery, Boxford, MA
• This photo of the grave marker of Sarah Wood shows an example of a "death's head" or "winged skull" that was a popular image used on markers from the 1700s. "The death's head was a more earthly and neutral symbol, serving as a graphic reminder of death and resurrection." ( Deetz, In Small Things Forgotten)

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• Photo of gravestone of Joseph Pierpont (d. September 23, 1794), Old South Cemetery, Peabody, MA
• This grave stome displays a winged cherub atop an elaborately carved memorial. As views of death changed and people accepted the idea of souls ascending into heaven, carvings depicting angels became more common. This is one of many found in a graveyard on the border between Salem and Peabody.

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• Photo of gravestone of David Plummer, (d. July 15, 1801) First Parish Burial Ground, Gloucester, MA
• This stone displays a weeping willow and urn design, popular in the early part of the 19th century. A more romantic image, these graceful curves and lines invoke a softer, less stark design than the earlier skulls.

...Web links for Related Subjects

Introductory Essay on Early American Gravestones by Jessie Lie Farber --Comprehensive .pdf with answers to many questions regarding the subject of gravestones

Association for Gravestone Studies--The premier scholarly site devoted to gravestone studies in general.

A Very Grave Matter --Website focused on information pertaining to Essex County and New Hampshire graveyards. Website includes links to epitaphs, images and transcriptions. Lots of great info!

Old Burial Hill Website (Marblehead, MA)-- Website containing a large number of photos of early graves with sites, epitaphs, and transcriptions. There are also pages for symbols and a good explanation of the change in how dates were recorded.

Papers of George Washington Exhibits--Interesting page on the “Legacy of Mourning” which shows a mourning pin with an obelisk and weeping woman, similar to the embroideries listed above.

Massachusetts Vital Records 1600s to 1840s --If you’ve taken a picture of a gravestone and want to know more about the person, look them up here! Births, marriage records and deaths are listed. Of special note are the “no surname” and “Negros” sections – each town has them! In the death section you can sometimes find the cause of death as well.

Find A Grave--A website to locate graves of famous people: Harriet Beecher Stowe and Charles Lennox Remond can both be found in Essex County graveyards.