Caroline the Koimetrophile

Caroline the Koimetrophile A koimetrophile (coimetrophile) is someone who loves spending time in cemeteries and burying grounds. Live in or are visiting central New England?

On this page I will share images, videos, and information about the cemeteries I visit, and stories of their permanent residents. Let me give your group a live cemetery presentation or walking tour. Don't live in central New England? I can give those same presentations and walking tours virtually!

White Bronze WednesdayThis wonderful little family lot of zinkies marks the final resting place of John Turner Sparrell ...
04/23/2025

White Bronze Wednesday

This wonderful little family lot of zinkies marks the final resting place of John Turner Sparrell and his family.

John’s granddaughter-in-law, Hazel P. (Thompson) Sparrell, has the latest date on a white bronze monument that I’ve come across: 1961!

Groton Cemetery, Groton, MA

Found a new to me grave marker yesterday.I’m fairly sure it’s an Odd Fellows marker, judging by the three chain links, h...
04/22/2025

Found a new to me grave marker yesterday.

I’m fairly sure it’s an Odd Fellows marker, judging by the three chain links, hourglass, keys, heart-in-hand, and orb, but the acronym on the banner has a “u” at the end. Squannacook is the name of a river in the area.

Thoughts?

Groton Cemetery, Groton, MA

Lighting makes a difference!These photos were taken of the same gravestone on the same day. The first photo is the natur...
04/22/2025

Lighting makes a difference!

These photos were taken of the same gravestone on the same day. The first photo is the natural lighting at 12:30 pm. The second is a few minutes later using light reflected using a mirror. The third picture was taken at 2:10 pm.

The Old Burying Ground in Groton, MA is tricky to photograph because there are a lot of large trees, and the gravestones face in many different directions. The time of day, the weather, and the time of year all factor into which gravestones you will be able to get a decent picture of when you visit.

Masonic Monday“Erectedin memory ofLieut. Jonas Farnsworthwho departed this lifesuddenly by a stroke of the sun16th July ...
04/22/2025

Masonic Monday

“Erected
in memory of
Lieut. Jonas Farnsworth
who departed this life
suddenly by a stroke of the sun
16th July 1805
In the 57th year
of his age.

An honest man is the noblest work of God.”

Old Burying Ground, Groton, MA

04/21/2025

Heading to Groton, MA for Masonic Monday!

We Remember
04/20/2025

We Remember

Tomorrow marks the 250th anniversary of the first bloody battles of the American Revolution. My own ancestors are among ...
04/18/2025

Tomorrow marks the 250th anniversary of the first bloody battles of the American Revolution. My own ancestors are among those who marched on the alarm to defend their homes against oppression.

I also remember and honor the British soldiers, most whose names are known only to their maker, who died in a foreign land far from home in service to their king.

Charles Pratt Marston (1775-1775)Little Charles was the son of John Marston, one of the Sons of Liberty in Boston. Mr. M...
04/17/2025

Charles Pratt Marston (1775-1775)

Little Charles was the son of John Marston, one of the Sons of Liberty in Boston. Mr. Marston was the tavern keeper of the Golden Ball Tavern and later the Bunch of Grapes Tavern, both in Boston and both Whig (Patriot) meeting places. He and his family fled Boston during the British siege of 1775 and went to Woburn where Charles died on October 20, 1775 aged 9 months.

“In Memory of
CHARLES PRATT MARSTON
An Infant Son of
John Marston Esqr. and Mrs. Elizath. Marston
of Boston.
He died Octr. 20th 1775 aged 9 Months.
While British Forces held his native Town.

Here rest sweet Babe...nor know the Cares of Life.
Serene Repose, thy precious Dust shall find.
Til reunited to thy blissful Mind;
Then shall thou rise, where dwells Immortal Love.
And with great CAMDEN live in brightest Realms above.

Lord Camden, great friend of America and after
whom the Child was nam’d.”

Second Parish Burial Ground, Burlington, MA

I spent a whirlwind evening and a day celebrating Massachusetts and the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution!The...
04/16/2025

I spent a whirlwind evening and a day celebrating Massachusetts and the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution!

These are some of the many wonderful tombstones to be found in the crypt under Boston’s Old North Church.

Lexington Minute MenLexington, MA
04/15/2025

Lexington Minute Men

Lexington, MA

Manicule MondaySecond Parish Burial Ground, Burlington, MA
04/14/2025

Manicule Monday

Second Parish Burial Ground, Burlington, MA

Sermon SundayIn honor of Palm Sunday here are various 18th century portraits of ministers found on gravestones in Massac...
04/13/2025

Sermon Sunday

In honor of Palm Sunday here are various 18th century portraits of ministers found on gravestones in Massachusetts.

Cemetery SaturdayIt’s cold and snowy here today in Massachusetts, so here’s a throwback to my last visit to the Dwinnel ...
04/12/2025

Cemetery Saturday

It’s cold and snowy here today in Massachusetts, so here’s a throwback to my last visit to the Dwinnel Cemetery in Millbury, MA.

Dwinnel Cemetery was established in 1861, but there are many older stones. My guess is that is was the burying ground for the Dwinnel family, and formally established as a cemetery in 1861. There was law passed in Massachusetts in 1855 that disallowed burials anywhere except in registered cemeteries. Families that wished to continue to use their family burying grounds needed to get them approved before new burials could take place.

Footstone FridayMrs. Mehitable “Hetty” Freeland (1751-1792)Dwinnel Cenetery, Millbury, MA ...
04/11/2025

Footstone Friday

Mrs. Mehitable “Hetty” Freeland (1751-1792)

Dwinnel Cenetery, Millbury, MA

FrankQuabbin Park Cemetery, Ware, MA
04/11/2025

Frank

Quabbin Park Cemetery, Ware, MA

White Bronze WednesdayThis zinkie memorializes Private Charles Burr. Charles was born on April 21, 1821 in Chesterfield,...
04/10/2025

White Bronze Wednesday

This zinkie memorializes Private Charles Burr.

Charles was born on April 21, 1821 in Chesterfield, MA to Oliver and Sally Burr.

He married Lucinda Goddard in Providence, RI on January 21, 1844. Both gave their residence as Grafton, MA. They were members of the United Methodist Church. In 1850 the family was living in Sutton, MA. Charles and Lucinda had eight children ranging in age from 15 to 1 on the 1860 US Census. Charles and his oldest son Oliver are listed as shoemakers, and they were living in Millbury, MA.

In February of 1864 Charles was mustered in to Company E of the 57th Massachusetts Infantry. He was killed in service to his country during the Battle of the Wilderness in May 6, 1864. His body was never recovered.

West Millbury Cemetery, Millbury, MA

04/08/2025

Elijah was born in Oxford, MA on July 3, 1771 to John and Lydia Harwood. He died in Sutton, MA on November 7, 1775. “In Memory of Eligah Son of Mr. John and Mrs. Lydia Harwood who died Novber ye 7th, 1775 in the 5th Year of his Age. this Stone is set here at ye desire and Cost of Mrs. Dolly Holman” West Millbury Cemetery, Millbury, MA

Eligah Harwood (1771-1775)Elijah was born in Oxford, MA on July 3, 1771 to John and Lydia Harwood. He died in Sutton, MA...
04/08/2025

Eligah Harwood (1771-1775)

Elijah was born in Oxford, MA on July 3, 1771 to John and Lydia Harwood. He died in Sutton, MA on November 7, 1775.

“In Memory of
Eligah Son of Mr. John
And Mrs. Lydia Harwood
who died Novber ye 7th,
1775 in the 5th Year
of his Age.

this Stone is set here
at ye desire and Cost of
Mrs. Dolly Holman”

West Millbury Cemetery, Millbury, MA

Address

Worcester, MA

Website

https://youtube.com/@graveyardauntie

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