18 WEST BRIDGEWATER,  

[Transcribed by Dale H. Cook]

   130.   In memory of Charles Williams, who died April 5, 1857, aged 35 years.

   131.   In memory of Sophronia A., wife of Charles Williams, who died July 2, 1857, aged 38 years.

   132.   In memory of George Williams, who died May 3, 1854, aged 15 years.

   133.   Here lies ye body of Mr. Thomas Ames, who died Feb. ye 3d, 1736-7, in ye 54 year of his age.

   134.   Here lies burried the remains of Mr. Thomas Ames, who died Nov. 27th, 1774, 67th year of his age.

   135.   Not legible.

   136.   Here the memory of Mr. Joseph Keith, who was born Februy ye 14th day, 1675, and died Sept. ye 27th day, 1730, in ye 55 year of his age.   (Son of Rev. James Keith).
                       Memento Mori.

   137.   Here lies buried Mrs. Elizabeth Keith, Relict to Lt. Joseph Keith, who departed this life Feb. 12, 1758, in the 81st year of her age.

   138.   Here lies buried Mr. Ichabod Keith, who died September 27th, 1753, in ye 45 year of his age.

   139.

Here lies the       Here lies the
body of the Rev. body of Mrs.
Mr. James Keith, Susanna Keith,
died July 23, 1719, died Oct. 16, 1705,
aged 67 [76] years. aged 65.
MR. JAMES KEITH,
First minister in Bridgewater,
and educated in Aberdeen,
Scotland, and labored
in the ministry in this town
56 years.

   (This inscription is on two pieces of slate 22 X 16 and 22 X 13, placed at the front and head end of the monument next the road.   This monument is said to have been made by William Hudson, a mason.   It is a slab of granite, rough hammered, 3 feet 8 inches by 6 feet 3 inches, and 5 inches thick, laid horizontal on top of three granite slabs set up edgewise, and bolted together, 5 inches thick, and 2½ feet above the ground, without any lettering on it, except "ER. A. D. 1827)."

   Editor's note — This transcription of the Keith tomb inscriptions are not exact.    In December of 2004 I visited the cemetery and the tomb. The inscriptions are on two pieces of slate.   The upper piece is red slate, holds two inscriptions separated by an inscibed line, and is in good condition.   The lower piece is gray slate, holds one inscription, and has lost its surface layers in the upper left corner.   The inscriptions, with the missing letters from the lower panel supplied in square brackets, reads:

Here lies the     Here lies the
Body of the Rev. Body of Mrs.
Mr. James Keith Susanna Keith
Died July 23.1719. Died Oct.16.1705.
Aged 76 yrs. Aged 65 yrs.
                  
[M]R JAMES KEITH.
[First] Minister in Bridgewater born
[and ed]ucated in Aberdeen Scotland
[an]d laboured in the Ministry in this
town 56 year[s]

   See the photo of the tomb that I took in 2004.   Be advised that this is a very large image - 568k.

   140.   Samuel and Susannah Edson intered.   He July 20, 1692, and she February ye 20, 1699.   He aged 80, and she aged 81 years.   (When erected, or by whom, is not known.   A natural granite slab, 5 inches thick, 5 ft. 7 in. by 4 ft. 3 in., resting on a foundation of natural broken stone, 1½ foot above ground).

   Editor's note — In December of 2004 I visited the cemetery and the tomb. My transcription of the inscription on top of the tomb differs slightly from the illustration on the following page:

SAMVEL & SVESANAH     EDSON
INTERD HE IVLY YE 20 1692 & SHE
FEBRVARI YE 20 1699 HE AGED
80 & SHE AGED 81
 
YEARS  

   Esther Snively, a descendant of Rev. James Keith, has posted a photograph of the inscription, included in her West Bridgewater photo album.   In 1986 a copy of the inscription, inscribed on a granite monument, was placed at the street end of the tomb.   My photograph of that monument is a very large image - 512k.

 

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