Dear Ancestor

Spent some time over the long weekend placing some flowers on graves family members who were veterans starting back from the Revolutionary war.  

The headstone of my fifth great grandfather is plainly distinguished by this inscription: "John Walton, Died July 30, 1787, 87 years of age." His wife, Anne lies next to him. She died at age 73 in 1791. John had a farm between Mt. Hope and Middle forge which was right down the road from where I once lived and is near the Walton Burial Ground (above)  which is located in Rockaway, Morris, New Jersey and is now a part of Picatinny Arsenal.  It amazes me that I lived so close, yet we were so far apart. I didn't know he was there. It touched my heart when I found the above picture on Ancestry one night when I was doing a bit of genealogical work.  It means someone other than me cares.

DEAR ANCESTOR

Your tombstone stands among the rest;

Neglected and alone.

The name and date are chiseled out

On polished, marbled stone.

It reaches out to all who care

It is too late to mourn.

You did not know that I exist

You died and I was born.

Yet each of us are cells of you

In flesh, in blood, in bone.

Our blood contracts and beats a pulse

Entirely not our own.

Dear Ancestor, the place you filled

One hundred years ago

Spreads out among the ones you left

Who would have loved you so.

I wonder if you lived and loved,

I wonder if you knew

That someday I would find this spot,

And come to visit you. 

Author Unknown

The above is St. Micheal's Church in Barton Turf, Norfolk, England.  My 2nd great grandfather is buried there. Richard never fought in a war.  Actually, he hardly had time to do much in his life. He was only 21 years old when he died.  Yet, he lived long enough to have a child, Constance Mary, my great grandmother.  

Above are the stones of my 9th great grandparents, John and Mary Prescott.  John was the founder of Lancaster, Massachusetts. The inscription on his original grave marker (not above) reads simply:

JOHN

PRESCOTT

DECASED

A memorial stone erected a long time after John Prescott's death reads:

Here With his children about him lies John Prescott Founder of Lancaster and first settler of Worcester County Born at Standish Lancashire England Died at Lancaster Massachusetts Dec. 1681 Inspired by the love of liberty and the fear of God This stout hearted pioneer Forsaking the pleasant vales of England And encountered [sic] wild beast and savage To secure freedom For himself and his posterity His faith and virtues have been inherited by many descendants Who in every generation have well served the state In war, in literature, at the bar, in the pulpit, in public life, And in Christian homes.

And finally, a repost of a photo of the Old Prescott Burial ground in Lancaster that I posted two years ago.  Notice the orbs. It sure does appear that the Prescott family were paying a visit on that day.