Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Tombstone Tuesday ~ Henry and Jane Sewall

Several years ago, my husband and I explored the First Parish Burying Ground in Newbury, Massachusetts, where some of my early immigrant ancestors are buried.

My husband took the following picture of my 8th great-grandfather's gravestone.


MR HENRY SEWALL (SENT BY
MR HENRY SEWALL HIS FATHER
IN YE SHIP ELSABETH & DORCAS
CAPT WATTS COMMANDER)
ARRIVED AT BOSTON, 1634.
WINTERD AT IPSWICH HELPD
BEGIN THIS PLANTATION 1635
FURNISHING ENGLISH SERVANTS
NEAT CATTEL & PROVISIONS
MARRIED MRS JANE DUMMER
MARCH YE 25 1646
DIED MAY YE 16, 1700
AETAT. 86. HIS FRUITFUL
VINE, BEING THUS DISJOIND
FELL TO YE GROUND JANAUARY
YE 13. FOLLOWING AETAT. 74.
PSAL - 27 - 10.

Henry died on May 16, 1700, and his wife, Jane, died eight months later, on January 13, 1700/01.

The gravestone was erected by his eldest son, Justice Samuel Sewall.

Psalm 27, verse 10 reads: "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."

6 comments:

  1. Hey cousin-- I descend from Henry's sister Jane, who married Moses GERRISH. :-) I actually got a copy of his diary awhile ago, and will post about it soon.

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    1. Hello cousin! I will look for your posts about your ancestor's diary.

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    2. Oops, sorry, I meant that I have Samuel Sewall's diary. He was the only Witch Trial judge to publicly apologize, and also one of the very first anti-slavery abolitionists!

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    3. Karen, I have explored parts of Justice Samuel Sewall's diary - a wealth of information about all aspects of his life and very interesting.

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  2. What a beautiful gravestone. There's so much detail in the carvings. It seems in very good condition considering its age (assuming it was made soon after his death).

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    1. Nancy, yes it is a beautiful gravestone and it is in quite good condition, assuming it was made so long ago. Thanks for reading and commenting.

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