Bedford Cemetery Views Coming Events In this issue July Headstone Cleaning President s Message Pg. 1 Cemetery Spotlight Pg. 2 Tree Sign Fundraiser Pg. 3 Our Publications Pg. 5 Membership sign up form, Pg. 6 www.friendsofbedfordcemeteries.org Page 1 Bedford Cemetery Views is published six times a year by The Friends of the Town of Bedford Cemeteries February 2018 The President s Message Happy 2018! Hard to believe, but this year Friends of Bedford Cemeteries turns nine years old! During that time, thanks to you, we ve repaired, straightened, cleaned and maintained many dozens of old headstones in Bedford s historic cemeteries. We ve strived to increase awareness of the need to preserve our unique history through public tours and stories of our fascinating forebears. And, along the way we ve had fun with the Strawberry Festival, Olde Towne Day and other events. This year, we re charging full steam ahead to continue our activities and fulfill our mission. But first, here s our new of officers: President: Julie Schappals Vice President: Bob MacPherson Treasurer: Bill Duschatko Secretary: Melinde Byrne It s That Time Again and We re Counting On You! It s you, our very valuable members who allow us to fulfill our mission. Please take a few moments to renew your annual membership on the form at the end of this Newsletter. It s only $10 per year for a Family Membership. Restorer Membership is $50 per year and includes a free copy of Bedford Men In the Civil War. Our Green Fundraiser In the 19th century, cemeteries took on a unique role in society by becoming places of peaceful contemplation and appreciation of nature. The Bedford Center Cemetery is a wonderful example of this effort to create a park-setting, with its roads and lovely mature trees. In fact, the Bedford Center Cemetery has dozens of interesting trees our - Kai Nalenz of Gravestone Services of New England (our principal contractor), engaged in one of the many repairs we have carried out in our 9 years of service to the community. forbearers planted so we could enjoy a place of serenity and nature. They did not however, record the names of the trees they planted. We ve solved the problem with our new fundraiser! Help us raise funds for our continued work of rescuing, preserving and educating about our heritage. If you d like to donate to this effort, see page 3 for details. Please fill out the application. (or download the it on our website. Continued on Page 2. GRAVESTONE SERVICES OF NEW ENGLAND 472-5221 goedeckepaintanddecorating.com info@leblanchvac.com 623-0412 472-5274 www.gravestoneservices.com
Bedford Cemetery Views Page 2 February 2018 Bedford Cemetery Spotlight by Julie Schappels John Holbrook was born in 1758 into a well-known family in Roxbury, MA. During the Revolution, he and his brother Ebenezer enlisted in the Continental Army and served together for several years. Ebenezer, apparently falling ill and unable to move with the Army, gave John his watch just before being taken prisoner by the British. Ebenezer was never heard from again though his watch kept perfect time through several Holbrook generations. After the war, John settled near Cambridge, Massachusetts, and joined a local Congregational Church. In 1783, he married Sara Griggs of Brookline MA. They had nine children, eight of whom lived to adulthood. A very devout and helpful man, he became well known for assisting the various ministers in their journeys to preach in towns in Western Massachusetts. In 1803 he moved his family to Bedford and purchased a farm on the highest land in town, which became known as Holbrook Hill. Deacon John Holbrook He became very involved with the Bedford Presbyterian church as a deacon as well as politics. In 1832 he was chosen as one of the State s electors of President Andrew Jackson, who defeated candidate Henry Clay. On Sunday, December 12, 1835, after attending Sabbath services (in which he selected the final hymn), John and his family climbed into their sleigh about to return home when John suddenly died, the sleigh reins clutched in his hands. His wife, Sara lived until June 19, 1842. They are buried together at Joppa Hill Cemetery. Two of John s descendants were killed during the Civil War: Albert Holbrook who was shot by a sharpshooter (sniper) at Petersburg, VA in 1864 and Griggs Holbrook who died a captive in the notorious Andersonville Prison in Georgia, 1864. A third descendent, Silas Holbrook also fought for the Union and was wounded and disabled at the Battle of Fredericksburg, VA in 1862. Continued from Page 1 The President s Message At Long Last: A Memorial For Bedford s Civil War Soldier You may recall from earlier Newsletters that Jon Hill of our Board of Directors arranged with the Veterans Administration for a cenotaph headstone for Corporal Joseph F. Cady of Bedford, who was killed in action at the Battle of Georgia Landing (Labadieville) in Louisiana on October 27, 1862. Through oversights, Corporal Cady was never issued a headstone, nor, to our knowledge, did he even receive a memorial service despite sacrificing his life. We are intending to correct that omission with a public memorial and dedication of the new headstone in May of this year. New Book Coming! Bedford Men In The Great War A new fundraising book is coming soon! Expertly researched and written by our own Melinde Lutz Byrne, the book will include biographies of the Bedford men who fought in World War One on both sides of the conflict. A Goedecke from Europe and a Wiggin from Bedford are featured along with other fascinating Bedford folk. If you had relatives who fought in the Great War, we d like to include them in the book! Contact Melinde L. Byrne at melinde@melinde.com for additional information. Copies of Bedford Men In the Civil War Available Haven t gotten a copy of Bedford Men In the Civil War yet? No dull history tome, this interesting book provides a biography of every man in Bedford who fought to preserve the Union along with a history of every New Hampshire Regiment, the battles they fought in, the weapons they used, and a snapshot of what life was like in Bedford during the Great Rebellion. Where available, photographs and signatures of the man who helped save a nation are included. Makes a unique gift! Books are available at the Town Offices for $20 each (free copy for Restorer Members) or contact us through Friends of Bedford Cemeteries Website www.bedfordcemeteries.org (follow link on left menu). Upcoming Activities We re planning a headstone cleaning session in mid-july (after tick season); two public tours of New Hampshire s most interesting cemetery: the Back River Road Cemetery (July and early autumn). We ve decided against a Strawberry Festival this year and instead plan to invigorate the Olde Towne Day. Also on the drawing board for 2018 are possible paranormal experiments. Stay tuned for further updates. Julie Schappals, President
Bedford Cemetery Views Page 3 February 2018 Our New Fundraiser Will Grow on You Chinese Swamp Cypress Glyptostrobu3cx1500a7 s Pencilis Your Dedication Reg.#113 The Bedford Cemeteries have many beautiful, and sometimes very unique tree varieties on their grounds. If you ve ever wondered..what kind of tree is that?, while walking about, then you will find our new way of protecting and preserving our Town Cemeteries a great opportunity. We have permission to affix a sign to each tree with its common name as well as its scientific genus and species within our cemeteries. You can sponsor your own tree or trees, and we will include your personal dedication of up to 35 characters on the sign, for a donation of $50 for each sign. Beginning at the Bedford Center Cemetery, these signs will be affixed according to the prescribed methods recommended by arborists, so as not to hurt the tree in any way as it continues to grow. Each metal sign will be engraved through special arrangement by the Harris Trophy Company in Manchester. Each sign s registration will also be recorded on a map of it s location, so that others can be directed to your specific dedication. Many people walk the cemetery and visit the graves loved ones. Add a pleasant and informative experience to their trip. Help us raise funds for our continued work of rescuing, preserving, and educating about our heritage. We are a 501(c)3 charity so your dedication is tax deductible as are all donations to our organization. Tree Label Form Your Name: Date: Address: Email: Phone: Dedication: (insert name, no more than 35 characters) Choice of tree species: or let FBC choose: Please send your check payable to the Friends of the Town of Bedford Cemeteries to: Friends of the Town of Bedford Cemeteries 24 North Amherst Road Bedford, NH 03110 www.banknh.com 800-832-0912 625-5703 Bedford Lions Club www.bedfordnhlions.org 424-2291 www.primroseschools.com/schools/bedford-hills 472-3800
Bedford Cemetery Views Page 4 February 2018 New Book about Men in the Great War Our new book fundraiser addresses the men of Bedford who fought in the Great War. Two very interesting families have come forward to make this book a personal and detailed memorial for men on both sides of the conflict. A Goedecke from Europe and a Wiggin from Bedford will be featured. If your Bedford family is proud of their World War I soldier and has his picture, grave location, or biography and would like to see it included in this upcoming collection of Bedford Men in the Great War, please contact Melinde Lutz Byrne, melinde@melinde.com. See Also Page 5 644-0734 472-5587 Manchester Memorial Company 622-9013 www.bedfordvetcenter.com 353-0123
Bedford Cemetery Views Page 5 February 2018 BEDFORD MEN IN THE CIVIL WAR A Book Published by The Friends of the Town of Bedford Cemeteries The Stories of More than 120 Bedford Men Who Went into Battle Authored by: Melinde Lutz Byrne Julie Schappals Vincent Toland, Jr. With a forward by: Vincent Toland, Jr. $20 For availability email YOUR contact info to: info@friendsofbedfordcemeteries.org Albert Holbrook & Silas Holbrook Early Enlisters from Bedford, 1861 Photo Courtesy of the Manchester Historical Society Do you have a picture of your WWI soldier? The Friends of the Town of Bedford Cemeteries is compiling a book on the Bedford Men in the Great War. Was your family member a service man or woman during World War I? There are dozens of veterans in our cemeteries. Help us tell their stories. About Us: The Friends of the Town of Bedford Cemeteries We are a Non-Profit Organization, with a three-fold mission: To rescue and restore historical grave sites in the Towns four cemeteries; to preserve and maintain these sites; to provide historical information to citizens by conducting tours, providing educational publications as well as special programs. We are a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit charity organization and receive no funding from the Town. We rely on our members and donations for financial support. Please join us. Visit our Website. www.friendsofbedfordcemeteries.org
Bedford Cemetery Views Page 6 February 2018 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL 2018 Please make checks payable to Friends of Bedford Cemeteries and mail to: Friends of the Town of Bedford Cemeteries 24 North Amherst Road Bedford NH 03110 Type of Membership: ( ) Individual $10 ( ) Sponsor $25 ( ) Restorer* $50 ( ) New Membership ( ) Renewing Member Name: Address: Phone (Optional): EMAIL (Necessary for Newsletter): We do not sell or disclose phone numbers or email. We value your privacy! ALREADY A MEMBER? Get our newsletters via email and help us save on postage so we can repair more gravestones! The Friends of the Town of Bedford Cemeteries is a 501 (c) (3) Charity Organization. *New or renewing Restorer class members Receive a complimentary copy of BEDFORD MEN IN THE CIVIL WAR Thanks for Supporting Us!