Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Rebecca Nurse Homestead visit part two: The Cemetery

Rebecca Nurse home from the parking area

Nurse Homestead Cemetery

Across the field from the house is the Nurse Homestead cemetery. It is believed that the Nurse family surreptitiously took her body in the night and buried it on the family farm. There are two unmarked rocks in the cemetery. This could be where Rebecca was interred.
You can see the cemetery under the trees across the field from the house.
Nurse Homestead Cemetery


Two plain stones that may mark the graves of
Rebecca Nurse and her husband, Frances Nurse.
A beautiful monument for Rebecca is found in the cemetery.
Sorry for the reflection that obscures the words.
The monument states:
REBECCA NURSE
YARMOUTH ENGLAND
1621
SALEM MASS
1692
~~~
O Christian Martyr
shoe for Truth could die
When all about thee
owned the hideous lie!
the world redeemed
from Superstition's sway
Is breathing freer
for thy sake to-day


back side of monument
close view of back of monument

The cemetery has many burials mostly those of the Nurse and Putnam family. There is also a stone honoring those who supported for Rebecca Nurse.

I took four shots and sadly this is the most readable I think it says:

This tablet contains the names of those who at
the risk of their lives gave written testimony
in favor of Rebecca Nurse in 1892
Elizabeth Porter  Israel Porter
Nathl Putnam  Saml Abbey  Danl Rea
Hannah Bishop  Lydia Putnam
Sarah Rea  Hepzibah Rea  Edw Bishop
Sarah Putnam  Sarah Andrew
Danl Andrew  Sarah Leach  Joshua Rea
Jonathan Putnam

I think this is a newer section or a family section.

The cemetery was still in use as late as 1930. It has some original markers that are too weathered to read, some broken markers and some that have been placed later by descendants. It is a peaceful resting place for those who lie there.

Here are a few of the grave markers:
weathered
replacement

replacement

Descendant of Francis and Rebecca Nurse
Revolutionary War Veteran

broken stone


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