Gates Cemetery Restoration

Some of the Headstones Reset


The headstone of Eliza Beaman (died 1886) stands again next to that of her husband, Joshua (died 1870). Her headstone was later lowered to the same level as Joshua's. The smaller marker of their daughter, Mary (died 1849), has been reset behind theirs. Mary was eight years old at the time of her death.


One of the mysteries surrounding the old cemetery concerns the whereabouts of some of the markers. The headstones of Nancy Bushnell and Hannah Jameson have been recovered, but their husband's stones have been lost.


The recovered stone of Jane McCall stands next to that of her neighbor, Nathan Wright. Nathan's stone is bleached by years in the sunlight, while Jane's is stained by its years beneath the soil.


Four headstones that were reassembled are seen here. In the foreground the Achinger's three piece headstones stand firmly with the small marker for "My Sister" resting between them. The tall Vandenburg monument was in three pieces. John and Eveline were in their thirties when they died (1854 and 1855 respectively). The smaller white stone to its right has a delicate rose on a scroll, but much of the inscription has been eroded away by time. Research showed that it is the grave of Margaret Dailey who died in 1857 at the age of 31.


Sophronia Gage's large stone reset in it's original base. She was the wife of Moses Gage, son of Revolutionary War veteran, David Gage. The limestone fence post in the photo is one of four that border the family plot.

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