Vermont, as well as neighboring states, offer many burial grounds with markers for men and women dating back to the Revolutionary War. I became interested in the markers erected from approximately 1750 to 1815 where the common motif was a Death Angel or Death Head. It is my understanding that the stones were carved by local stone masons. The individual artistry witnessed in faces, wings and text, became evident as I visited a variety of cemeteries in Vermont and Massachusetts.

John Harwood                    1800                         Meeting House Cemetery  Rockingham, Vermont

John Harwood 1800 Meeting House Cemetery Rockingham, Vermont


Abigail Brooks                          1795                          Concord, Massachusetts

Abigail Brooks 1795 Concord, Massachusetts


Rachael Wolf                         1787              Meeting House Cemetery  Rockingham, Vermont

Rachael Wolf 1787 Meeting House Cemetery Rockingham, Vermont


Elias.Olcott                     1794                Meeting House Cemetery      Rockingham, Vermont

Elias.Olcott 1794 Meeting House Cemetery Rockingham, Vermont


I photographed the following fifteen grave marker in the Old North Cemetery located on Westminter Road, Putney, Vermont. Markers date from 1785-1803, ages of the deceased from four months to eighty one years.

Note the variety of materials used and the style of art work.


Gate at the Old North Cemetery  Putney,Vermont

Gate at the Old North Cemetery Putney,Vermont


These following markers were photographed in Rockingham and Westminster, Vermont and Concord, Massachusetts.

I continue to add to the documentation of both the deceased and of the stone carvers of the markers.

All content and images © Coni Richards All rights reserved

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