Interesting Graves in Jaffrey

I enjoy visiting historic locations and finding out more about the people who lived in the area, what life was like in that time period, seeing any original buildings that are still standing and visiting the local cemeteries. I like seeing the oddball grave markers as well as the ones of "famous/important people" of that area.

While visiting Jaffrey NH to see their still standing meetinghouse, carriage barn/stalls, their one room schoolhouse and old originally buildings that all happen to be on the same land; I noticed there was a cemetery right being where the carriages were parked. What's better to do on a foggy day than go visiting a cemetery?

There is a map on the outside wall of the carriage building showing where each notable person was buried and a little bit about them. I noticed a couple I had to check out, one being an author Willa Cather and the other of a Captain Samuel Adams which I just thought was a bit amusing. I don't drink anymore but I know the name.

I don't just go to the notable ones. I start at the beginning and appreciate everyone there. In doing so I found some other interesting stones. One was of a man named Amos Fortune. I had a hard time reading his grave but did find out he was born a free man in Africa and later became a slave here in America. During this time he learned many trade from his numerous owners which later helped him in life. Next to his gravesite was his wife's. This one I could read and it caused me to take the picture and find out more. This stone was for Violate, "by sale the slave of Amos Fortune, by marriage his wife, by her fidelity, his friend and solace." All I could think at the time was this man bought his wife. Now knowing more I think maybe he was trying to buy her freedom as well.

I saw a pink gemstone like gravestone for the Kell family that was definitely a first for me. I have never seen a stone like this before, have you?

While walking down the far side of the cemetery (and rolling my ankle TWICE in the snow and holes) I came upon the rear side of the most unusual grave marker I have ever seen. I honestly thought it was becoming unearthed. On the front side I was even more confused and interested in this stone. It was taller that I am (I'm 5'3), maybe 4 or so feet wide and just huge! After taking in the size of this thing you start to notice the other details. A large 3 dimensional face of a woman under the name Dorothy Caldwell, as well as, the words infant and daughter. Followed by the years 1882 and 1926 on each side of an area with bars (a bit creepy to me) then below a series of pictures seemingly telling a story.

I found out that Dorothy was married to Viggo Brandt-Erichsen. Viggo was born in Denmark and was quite the accomplished painter and sculpture who even worked with Picasso at one point. While in Paris in 1924 he met an American woman named Dorothy Caldwell. The two quickly fell in love and married. Their first child died shortly after birth and sadly Dorothy became very sick not too long after. Viggo took the ashes of his wife and child to Jaffrey and built built this monument for them.

Then I found the gravesite of a Pulitzer Prize winning author named Willa Cather. Willa was a frequent visitor to Jaffrey and often wrote her novels in a field facing Mount Monadnock under a tent. That's definitely not a bad place to relax and write. I often write in bed or on my couch, I like to be comfy while writing. If it were warmer out I could see myself writing in a setting like that.

Written on her gravestone is quote from her novel - My Antonia: "That is happiness to be dissolved into something complete and great."

Finally, when I was just about to give up, I found the headstone for Captain Samuel Adams. The annoying part is this headstone is so big it could've slapped me in the face and I almost missed it. Look at the size of it compared to the stone right next to it. Many of the markers here were weathered and difficult to read while others were impossible to read.

In the end, I found him! I call that a win. The marker is shared by his wife Lucy.