Walk With Me Through One Of America's Oldest Cemeteries: Sandwich's Old Burial Ground

It's hard to imagine a more bucolic place to spend eternity.

Surrounded on three sides by Shawmee pond, and with views of historic downtown Sandwich, the Old Burial Ground manages a rare combination: being isolated and public at the very same time.

I came here by chance on this particular day. My real mission was to load up on some restorative drinking water from the public well. But it was a Saturday, and it seemed that lots of other people had the same idea.

I was in no hurry. The Steemit life is a life of self-directed schedules. So I lit my pipe and took in some of the local sights - you know, those sights tourists come miles to see, but are right in my own backyard. (What's in yours?) For example: here's the historic grist mill, where everyone in town used to bring their corn for grinding.

Gazing across the water I caught sight of the Old Burial Ground. Thought: isn't this a nice day to look at some old stones and contemplate death?

So let's put on some Decemberists and go for a walk! Will you come with me?

Now, you European readers may scoff at the idea of antiquity measured in mere centuries (just about four of them, in fact) but here in the "New World" that's about all we've got.

Anyway, it's more than enough. We're a gloomy, frugal people. We can make the most of it.

Here's a lovely stone with the angelic death's head used for babies. Poor Mehitabel, who perished in 1769, aged 17 months and 8 days. Every day counts, you guys.

Stone walls and dead babies: the purified essence of New England.

It's comforting to think that some part of her spirit perseveres in those mushrooms growing at the foot of her stone.

Of course, the church has its part to play, watching over the scene from half a mile away and doing its best to point departing souls in the right direction.

As does Hannah T, who, since 1844, has also been pointing skyward.

An aside about that church: Verizon installed a cell-phone tower in the steeple. I guess it brings in some rent to pay for maintenance and such, but, hmm, didn't Jesus kick moneylenders out of his temple? How do you suppose he feels about international telecommunications conglomerates?

More stone walls, more farmhouses. It must be nice to have quiet neighbors.

Many of the grave markers have been laid on their sides, like tables. I kind of like this idea. But if it were me, I'd want more of a bench, inscribed: sitters welcome, so that visitors could come along and appreciate my view, and through their backsides, I could feel a touch of the living again.

All cemeteries are rich in story, but this one is positively teeming with it. Check out John and Lucy Bassett.

Lucy died at age 40, in 1830. Her husband survived another 36 years, and apparently never re-married. He got to see out the civil war before being buried next to his patient wife.

Well, it's not all death and gloom here at the cemetery. Shawme pond is a popular place for canoeing and fishing. In the Spring, it's full of swans and other waterfowl raising their young and grabbing snacks from passing tourists. Lots of locals keep their canoes here, ready to go when they're in the mood for a paddle.

And a couple of folks were out fishing today.

There's a lovely path around the perimeter of the cemetery.

With lots of points of access to the pond. This one is guarded by the loneliest headstone in the place, right at the very eastern tip of the burial area.

I took some time to enjoy the peace down by the water's edge. Not a house in sight, in this direction.

Well, might as well head home. There's no reason to spend the whole day in the cemetery - at least not yet!

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Thanks for walking with me through this historic burial ground.

I hope you didn't find it too depressing.

Do you enjoy walking through old cemeteries?

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