My very first FindAGrave assignment...

15 years ago

Well, first a big Thank You to Susan...alisande, for introducing me to FindAGrave. I registered with them a few weeks back and this past Saturday I got my first photo request. Take a look.

Ebenezer Eldridge...

This is such a sweet, old cemetery, only 12 headstones in total. I was excited to have found my first subject so quickly that it took me a few minutes to notice the fresh flag and marker in front of the stone.

I took a closer look and was very moved by what I saw...

I don't know why, but it took me by surprise to see that. I was standing at the grave of someone I did not know, who died at the age of 91 and who had served during the Revolutionary war. I stood for a moment in wonder and awe.

I am sure that not all of my FindAGrave assignments will be as moving, but I am glad that my first one was. Thank you alisande and thank you, Ebenezer. Well done.

sooey

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Comments (11)

Kathsgrdn
15 years ago
How exciting! I am signing up as I type this for Find a Grave. After reading Alisande's posts, I dug out a piece of paper I've had for a couple years now. My dad had asked me, if I passed through Albuquerque a couple years ago if I would find his uncle's grave. He died around in his 50s and is buried at Sunset Memorial. I just got finished e-mailing the cemetary trying to find him. I also went to Ancestry.com and signed up for a month just to see if I could find any info on my family.

I think the Find a Grave will be fun and maybe the kids can get involved with it too.
tammyms
15 years ago
Ever since I can remember, I have enjoyed walking through cemetaries and reading the headstones. Particularly if there are relatives buried there.

I've been reading on Find A Grave for several years, but I have never registered.

Sooey, What you're doing will benefit others in the years to come and is an enjoyable thing to do. With fall weather coming soon, it should be much more pleasant and give you the opportunity to get out there some more.

Tammy
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susanjf_gw
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alisande
15 years ago
I'm so glad to see this! Sooey, I think all your assignments (and other gravestones you stop to look at) will continue to move you on some level.

Did you photograph the other 11? You could upload those pictures to FindAGrave, too--that is, if they don't already have them.

I love Kath's idea of getting the kids involved. My children and I used to walk in old cemeteries, reading the stones and talking about them, long before I got involved in photographing them.
Marilyn Sue
15 years ago
My daughter Terri takes photos and is on Find A Grave for a few years now. I love going to old cemeteries and looking around.

Sue
vannie
15 years ago
Sooey, can you read the dates on the tombstone? I couldn't make them out. What I find interesting about this is that he lived so long. That was not the norm back in those days. Also, the flag. Did each grave have a flag? Wonder who put it there? A relative? A patriotic organization, like the DAR or SAR? Did you find any info about this person? I've got the curiosity of a cat!! I bet you were so excited to find this grave. Did you ever know who requested it?
hgl_gaylemarie
15 years ago
Wow! What a find! I bet the DAR had something to do with that. Our Veterns do ours here. Everyone who served in the military gets a flag.I saw about 20 Volunteers flagging on Veterns Day early morning.
chisue
15 years ago
The American Legion post in our town decorates the main streets and all the veterans' graves in both the town cemetery and the Fort Sheridan cemetery. Ft. Sheridan has several graves of Civil War veterans.

One day DH and I ran into a halted line of cars as we were traveling south on the road that runs past the cemetery. We wondered what was happening. Soon along came a pair of Clydesdales, drawing a flatbed wagon with a casket, going north to the cemetery. This was a Vietnam veteran being laid to rest. His extended family walked behind the wagon for a mile. People got out of their cars and stood in silent appreciation. It was very moving.

Sometimes we need to be made to slow down and remember.
kfca37
15 years ago
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Laura Abbott
15 years ago
How intersting this all is.

I think the date is Feb. 8, 1844
sooey
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Kids,

I'm glad you all think this is as interesting as I do.

Yes, gardnerwannabe, you have the correct date, 1844. "Mr. Ebenezer Eldredge, Died Feb.8, 1844, Age 91 years".

I think you can see that the headstone is broken at about 9" from the ground, other than that the stone is in great shape and, considering its age, easy to read. I did not see any other flags in the yard but now, sitting here, I can't be sure. I just went to the FindAGrave and, I stand corrected, there are not 12 graves in this cemetery, there are only 7. I did take a pic of Ebenezer's wife, Sarah which I will try to post here as well as on FindAGrave.
I will also check for other flags.

I'm not sure who tends this cemetery but I will try to find out. The flag at Ebenezers grave was indeed fresh, no tatters, mold or holes. The name of this cemetery is Hawks Nest Pond Cemetery and is tucked away, off of an old cartway, among the pines and oaks in Harwich, Ma.

I have tried and tried to resize the pics of Sarahs stone with no luck. I will keep trying and post it if I am able.

sooey

My very first FindAGrave assignment...

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