The
Epsom Historical Association scheduled its September meeting to
be held at the McClary Cemetery, but inclement weather forced the
gathering to take place at the old Epsom Town Hall. The program
"History of the McClary Cemetery and the early settlers of
Epsom Center" included a talk with slide images. The program
focused on the McClary Cemetery as the 'old burying ground' through
about 1940. The program continually linked the activities and growth
of Epsom Center with that of the cemetery as it evolved from the
burying ground to the McClary Cemetery as we know it today. Mentioned
in the talk were some of those buried in the cemetery, including
Deacon Ephraim Locke, Honorable John McClary, Martha Jenness and
Lieutenant and minuteman Jonathan Curtis. Among the revelations
were the mention of the McClary Cemetery Corporation, and the actual
first meetinghouse which predated that built in 1764. Photos included
many of the old homes that still and formerly stood on Center Hill.
Phil Yeaton provided cider and donuts at the conclusion of the meeting.
Officers for the next year were approved, and thus remain the same
as this past year.
The
complete text of the talk along with some of the photos, is available
in Adobe Acrobat pdf format, 14 pages, on the web site. [click
to download the talk] Picture on right showing the 2 albums
of gravestone pictures from the McClary Cemetery, and the plot plan
of the first addition to the old burying ground used by Hiram Holmes,
Horace Bickord and Henry Knox. Framed by Artistic Expressions for
the Historical Association.