GREENFIELD
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"Oh, all unshaken
Is the cold, deep spell around them,
Pulseless every breast;
In the slumber that hath bound them,
They must ever rest.
Bright, pure ones taken
From the earth so glad and blooming,
From life's treacherous wave,
While rich flowers the air perfuming,
Nod above their grave." - D. Ellen Goodman.
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Obed,
Son of Mr. Ebenezer and Mrs. Elisabeth Wells,
Died Sept. 10th, 1758,
aged 11 years and 7 months.
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page 181
DEERFIELD
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"As the long train
Of ages glide away, the sons of men,
The youth in life's green spring, and he who goes
In the full strength of years, matron, and maid,
The bowed with age, the infant in the smiles
And beauty of its innocent age cut off, -
Shall, one by one, be gathered to the side,
By those, who in their turn shall follow them." -Bryant.
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In memory of
Col. John Hawks,
who died June 24, 1784, in the 77th year of his age.
To be pure without superstition, faithful to our trust, pleasant in
our circle, and friendly to the poor, is to imitate his example.
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In memory of
Mrs. Elizabeth,
Wife of John Hawkes,
who died Feb. 28, 1799, aged 66.
Her children arise up and call her blessed.
Praise kind reader lend an ear,
As you are now so once was I,
As I am now so you must be,
Prepare for death and follow me.
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In memory of
Mrs. Hannah,
Wife of Mr. Samuel Dickinson,
who was drowned Sept. 3d, 1740,
in the 36th year of her age.
And Hebzibah,
Daughter of Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Hannah Dickinson,
who was drowned Sept. 3d, 1740,
in the 8th year of her age.
Life glows and smile with prospects bright,
Our life is doomed to care and toil,
Old age, the lonely eve of night,
Quick death writes vanity on all.
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Here lies Buried the Body of
Doct. Thomas Wells,
who departed this life March the 7th, Anno Dom. 1713,
in the 59th year of his age.
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Note:The death date and age for Dr. Thomas Wells do NOT agree with the Deerfield, MA, Vital Records which shows he died 07 Mar 1743/4, age 51 years, and give the records of the First Congregational Church as a reference for his age. The above date and age are most likely transcription errors.
Source: "Inscriptions on the Grave Stones in the Grave Yards of Northampton
and of Other Towns in the Valley of the Connecticut, as Springfield,
Amherst, Hadley, Hatfield, Deerfield, etc. with Brief Annals of Northampton"
Transcribed by Thomas Bridgman, Northampton, Mass., Published by Hopkins, Bridgman & Co. 1850. 227 pages.
A Facsimile Reprint Published 1996 by Heritage Books, Inc.