We visited two cemeteries in Sharon yesterday. At the one, there were lots of families, with little kids, even, looking at the graves, tending them and reading the markers.
At the West Burying Ground, we were the only visitors and there were no new flags put out for the veterans. I think I must made some noise about that. Take your life in your hands crossing busy Main Street to get into the old cemetery.
There are two graves each with a story I wish I knew. They are way in back of the cemetery, isolated from the others. The first belongs to "Diana B., with of George W. Drake. Born August 16, 1827, died Sept 20th 1865. Died young, as 38. Because I couldn't find any other Drake's buried there, I googled the name and up popped the marriage records. Diana Dean married George Drake on May 28th, 1842. Exactly 165 years to the day that I stood before her grave. Do the math. She married at fifteen. Think of that. Why is she all alone there without spouse, children, anyone? I'll bet there's a story there.
The other grave, a little to the right of Diana's, says, Manson Sturtevant, Drowned June 12, 1862, age 21 years. A freedman from VA. Another sad story.
The stories are lost to time. I wonder if it helps to visit these lonely graves and ponder the lives of the dead.
Grapeshot
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
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I recently visited this cemetery as well. I googled Manson Sturtevant and found your site. I, too, have gone into cemeteries to ponder such things--but also to research the newest WIP. You're right--this one was interesting. I have to point out that there are many other Drakes in there, though--and often women married to someone in the graveyard were buried with their maiden names. Don't ask me why. I'm a local writer, too--so I'm happy to've come across your site. Good luck!
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