Central Burying Ground, Carlisle, MA
updated 12 Mar 2006
Epitaphs from Central Burying Ground
Carlisle, MA
Erected to the memory of
Rev. Paul Litchfield
Pastor of the church in Carlisle for the space of
forty-six years and desceased
Nov. 5, 1827, Aet. 75
With a firm discriminating mind, zealous for the distinguished
doctrines of revelation,
he stood fast in one spirit, striving for the faith of the gospel.
In memory of Mary Litchfield
daughter of the Rev. Paul Litchfield and Mrs. Mary his wife
who died Sep. 27th, 1799
aged 3 years, 5 months & 15 days
Little children come here and learn,
that death may cut you down while young.
Sacred to the memory of
Mrs. Mary, wife of Rev. Paul Litchfield
who died July 27th, 1809, Aet. 60
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
The price of a virtous woman is far above rubies. The heart of
her husband doth safely trust in her. She openeth her mouth in wisdom,
& in her tongue is the law of kindness, her children arise up and call
her blessed, her husband also & he praiseth her, favor is deceitfull
& beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
In memory of Mr. Roland Litchfield
who died Sept. 2, 1841 Aet. 60
Dearest Partner thou hast left us,
Here thy loss we deeply feel;
But 'tis God that hath bereft us,
He can all our sorrows heal.
Erected in memory of
Mr. Timothy Wilkins
who died Feb. 5, 1820, Aet. 88
Though greedy worms devour my skin,
And gnaw my wasted flesh
When God shall build my bones again
He'll doth them all afresh.
Erected in memory of
Mrs. Mary Wilkins
wife of Mr. Timothy Wilkins
who died Jan. 28, 1820, Aet. 83
My flesh shall slumber in the ground,
'Till the last trumpet joyful sound;
Then burst the chains, with sweet surprise,
And in my Saviour's image rise.
Sacred to the memory of
Mr. Timothy Wilkins
who died Apr. 28, 1812
in the 54th year of his age
Thou dear departed soul adieu
Thy lifeless clay must here remain
'Til Christ this body shall renew
Then both with joy shall meet again.
Erected in memory of
Mrs. Lucy Wilkins
widow of Mr. Timothy Wilkins, Jr.
who died Aug. 18, 1821, Aet. 56
Here in the silent grave I lie
No more the scenes of life to try
And you dear friends I leave behind
Must soon this gloomy mansion find.
Lieut. Isaac Wilkins
died January 10, 1826
Aet. 93
Mary Wilkins
died Feb. 6, 1806, Aet. 59
wife of Lieut. Isaac Wilkins
As you are now so once was I
As I am now, so you must be
Prepare for death & follow me.
In memory of
Mrs. Margaret Wilkins
wife of Lieut. Isaac Wilkins
who died Feb 21, 1790 Aged 48
My friends draw near & drop a tear
Here my poor body lies
This is the bed to rest my head
Till Christ shal bid me rise.
In memory of
Lieut. Daniel Wheat
who died Jan. 17, 1827 Aet. 72
Thy gentle spirit now is fled,
Thy body in its earthly bed
Is laid in peaceful sleep,
A spirit pure and good as thine
Blessed in immortal scenes can shine
Though friends are left to weep.
In memory of
Mrs. Betsey
wife of Lieut. Daniel Wheat
who died Nov. 14, 1809, Aet. 70
Behold the sad impending stroke,
Which now arrests our eyes;
The silken band of union broke
A tender mother dies.
In memory of a son and daughter of
Mr. Nathaniel and Mrs. Thankful Hutchinson
Joseph
died April 30, 1804
aged 6 years, 4 months & 9 days
The Daughter
was born and died Sept. 29, 1793
Behold a little prattling boy
His father's hope his mother's joy
Why should he make so short a stay
To steal our hearts & run away?
Sacred to the memory of
Mr. Nathaniel Taylor
who died Aug. 7, 1795 Aet. 65
While o'er my grave you stand & see
Remember you must follow me.
Sacred to the memory of
Widow Esther Taylor
wife of Mr. Nathaniel Taylor
who died Aug. 8, 1809, Aet. 75
Friends nor physician could not save
My mortal body from the grave.
Lieut. James Russell
died Aug. 17, 1801
Aged 78
Lydia Potter
wife of Lieut. James Russell
born June 7, 1733
died Nov. 17, 1826
aet. 93 yrs., 5 mo. & 10 days
In memory of
Mr. Thomas Spaulding
who died August 13, 1795, aged 88
An honest man, a good neighbor, a plain hearted reprover.
Memento Mori
In memory of
Mrs. Thomas Spaulding
who departed this life Oct'r ye 17th 1788
Aged 81 years, 3 months and 16 days
Hark from ye tombs a doleful sound
My ears attend the cry
Ye living men come view the ground
Where you must shortly lie.
Erected in memory of
Dea. Ephraim Robbins
who died July 29, 1820, Aet. 62
Erected in memory of
Mrs. Sibbil Robbins
widow of Dea. Ephraim Robbins
who died Sept. 4, 1821, Aet. 59
In memory of
Mrs. Mary Robbins
relict of Ens. Jonas Robbins
who died April 6, 1794, Aged 75
Erected in memory of
Mrs. Sarah Robbins
wife of Deacon John Robbins
who died July 13, 1819, Aet. 69
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
Erected in memory of
Capt. Aaron Robbins
who died July 26, 1821 Aet. 40
We mourn thy sudden swift remove
From earth and all enjoyment here.
When Christ commands we must obey
Without a murmur or a tear.
Erected in memory of
Lieut. John Robbins
who died August 5, 1812 Aet. 34
He left us it was God's holy will,
His worth we never can prize;
Submission bids us to be still
And dry our weeping eyes.
In memory of
Capt. Stephen Blood
who died July 6, 1836 Aet. 65
This is the bed to rest my head
Till Christ bids me arise.
Erected in memory of
Mrs. Mehitable Blood
wife of Capt. Stephen Blood
who died Dec. 8, 1819 Aet. 46
Affliction sore long times I bore
Physicians were in vain
Till death did seize and God did please
To ease me of my pain.
Sacred to the memory of
Lieut. Nathaniel Parker
who died Oct. 1, 1802 Aet. 56
Death is a debt to nature due
Which I've paid & so must you.
Erected in memory of
Mrs. Olive Parker
wife of Major Jonas Parker
who died Jan. 16, 1817 Aet. 38
Erected in memory of
Mr. Reuben Duren
who died May 20, 1819 Aet. 51
The die is cast, my hope, my fear
My pain, my joy lies buried here,
And read'r you ere long must try
This dreaded change as well as I;
Nor can a curteous Ghost reveal
What I have felt, and you must feel.
Erected in memory of
Mrs. Susanna Duren
wife of Mr. Reuben Duren
who died Nov. 20, 1821 Aet. 48
Sacred to the memory of
Lieut. Benjamin Foster
who died Aug. 2, 1819 Aet. 30
Belov'd till life could charm no more
And lov'd till Christ shall thee restore.
Erected in memory of
Mr. Solomon Andrews
Who departed this life in
Full assurance of A better.
Sept'r ye 18th 1778
Aged 79 years.
Sacred to the memory of
Jonathan Heald, Esq.
who died Dec. 28, 1816 Aet. 59
In memory of
Lieut. Silas Heald
June 21, 1811 Aet. 51
Erected in memory of
Mr. David Parlin, Jr.
who died July 19, 1803 aged 37
Retire my friends dry up your tears
Here I must lie till Christ appears.