Chesterfield New Hampshire Historical Society
Messages from the Grave
New England is well known for its colorful graveyard epitaphs. Some were requested prior to death. Others were written after passing. They generally reflected a person’s religious beliefs, family ties, fate, or were testimonials to a life cut short or well lived. However, others are scripted by the stone cutter, a 18th Century version of "cut and paste". Below are some sentiments inscribed on monuments in a few of Chesterfield's 24 cemeteries.
Mortals attend, your sudden summons read.
One day in health, next amongst the dead.
In a clear glass .. may your frailty seal,
As I am now, tomorrow you may be.
(Center Cemetery)
Oh! my dear friends remember me
Dust onto dust must mingle be.
I have been active from my birth
But now am called to taste of death.
(West Chesterfield Burying Grounds)
Lydia Tyler's Epitaph
Meanwhile...
An Epitaph from Acworth Cemetery, NH
The Stone tells the death of
Bezaleel Beckwith
not where his body lies.
He Oct. 31, 1824, age 43
The thirteenth day after, his body
was stolen from the grave.
Now twice bereaved the mourner cries
My friend is dead, his body gone;
God's act is just, my heart replies
forgive, oh God, what man has done
Just because one was interred, it didn’t always mean that it was a “final resting place”. Unfortunately, things sometimes happened. Upon discovery of Bezaleel Beckwith's open and empty grave, the Town of Acworth offered a $50 reward for the apprehension of the robber(s). Immediately, suspicion fell on Dartmouth's medical students, who had gained a reputation as body snatchers.
Eventually, James Wilson Jr. of Acworth was arrested in Castleton, Vt. He was charged with stealing a body for the purpose of dissection. Wilson was returned to Acworth and posted $700 bail. However, he skipped out, forfeiting his bail. The focus turned to Castleton VT Medical School. But, Beckwith's corpse was never found...nor was Wilson!
Thanks to the Chesterfield Cemeteries Committee for compiling these epitaphs in their book "From Journey's End to Hardscrabble" and to "Epitaphs to Remember" by Janet Greene for the Acworth addition. If you would like to explore some of the 24 cemeteries in town, here is a list of Chesterfield Cemeteries, their location, and some quick facts about some of their residents.
