18th c. Ledger-style Gravestones and Epitaphs

The Hanover Presbyterian Church Burial Ground in E. Hanover, NJ, has some very interesting ledger-style gravestones dating to the late 1700s. Each is set on its own base and each contains an interesting epitaph.

In Memory of

Mrs. Katharine Eckley

who, by a sudden Accident

died August ye 18th A.D. 1772.

Anno AEtat 46.

To this sad Shrine the Reliques we commend,

Of once the tender Mother, Wife & Friend,

Too soon, alas those tender Tyes were broke,

Friends, Husband, Children, felt ye fatal Stroke:

Yet cease fond Grief--no murmring Sigh arise,

Heav'n struck ye Blow--and Heav'n is just & wise.

Think dying Passenger: Life's final Date

Steals on thee, heedless of impending Fate,

While Pleasure courts thee with her smiling Charms

Prepare to meet thy God--the Tomb alarms:

Man cometh forth like a flower and is cut down.

                                                      Job. 14. 2.

The incised signature in the lower right corner of the stone is that of Ebenezer Price, a prominent carver from Elizabethtown, NJ. 

Next to Katherine lies her husband, Thomas Eckley, Esq., and their daughter, Susannah who died in 1791. Katherine and Thomas had emigrated from London to East Hanover by 1767.  

 

In Memory of
Thomas Eckley Esqr
who departed this life
the 15th July 1793
AE 72
We shall not all sleep
We shall all be changed
Then shall be brought to
pass the saying that is written
Death is swallowed up in Victory.

Reverend Jacob Green was the pastor of the church from 1746 to 1796.

Under this stone are deposited the

remains of the Rev,d

Jacob Green A. M.

First Pastor of this Church; who

died May 24th 1790 Aged 68 Years

of which 44 were Spent in the

Gospel Ministry in this Place.

He was a man

Of temper even, firm and resolute;

Of affections temperate, steady,

And benevolent;

Of genius solid, inquisitive

And penetrating;

Of industry, active and unwearied;

Of learning, various and accurate;

Of manners, simple and reserved;

Of piety, humble, enlightened,

Fervent, eminent.

As a preacher he was

instructive, plain, searching, 

Practical;

As a pastor, watchful

Laborious: ever intent

On some plan for the

Glory of God & the

Salvation of his flock.

And by the divine blessing

Happily & eminently

Successful.

 

Captain Robert Troup gained a reputation during King George's War in the 1740s and later during the French and Indian War.  

Here lies Interr'd the Body 

of Capt Robert Troup

Who died Dec'br 28, 1760

aged 60 Years

Tho Boreas Blast & Neptunes Waves

Have cast me to & fro,

Yet in spite of all by Gods Decree

I anchor here below.

Where I do here at anchor ride

With many of our Fleet

Yet once again I must set sail

My Admiral Christ to meet. 

 

The Rev'd 

Mr. John Pierson 

died Aug. 23d 1770 

AEtat 81

Who was a Minister of the

Gospel about 57 Years.

He was an eminent Divine

An excellent Casuist;

A Faithful searching Preacher,

A devout steadfast christian,

An undaunted Reprover,

A peculiar Oeconomist,

Stern in his Behaviour,

Yet benevolent & kind.

He past the meny Scenes of Life,

Without a Blemish in his Character.

The Memory of the Just is Blessed.

Abigail Green was born c. 1750, married Hezekiah Broadwell when she was about 19 years old, and died at the age of 31.

  Her gravestone has floral and tree motifs as well as a soul effigy with folded wings in the shape of a heart.

Here lie's ye Body of Abi

gail Broadwell, Wife of 

Hezekiah Broadwell

who departed this Life 

July ye 18th A.D. 1781

Anno AEtat 31 & 4 Mon's.

Love to her God her Friends her Country shon

In her, who lies entombed beneath this stone

Go passenger like her your utmost try

To live to some good end for you must die.

At some point I hope to do another blog or two showing more early gravestones in this cemetery.