Cemeteries & Graveyards

I admit it.  I am fascinated by cemeteries and graveyards.  Each headstone represents a person who has left a mark on this world.  Some have remained in our collective memories, others have not. 




Both the photo above (from Cabot Plains Cemetery) and the the one below (from Old First Church Cemetery) depict the headstones of Revolutionary War soldiers. 







Where we live, such old cemeteries and graveyards are uncommon.  Prior to the industrial revolution, ours was largely and agrarian society.  Since land was in abundance, families often had their own private cemeteries within the family property.  We have hundreds of small, private cemeteries.  Many of the older graves (18th century and older) are long forgotten, as the markers have disintegrated or were never placed.  Wooden markers were quite common.  Visiting these old New England cemeteries is a great way to learn about the individual people who once lived in the area.