Donna Reedy and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians continued their tradition of dedicating another stone in memory of those who have unmarked graves.
Walter Hickey presented the new research on St. Peter's Cemetery that once competed with St. Pat's for burials. Through a located purchase book and countless hours of research the names of many of those who were interred in St Peter's are now available to future generations of those seeking ancestral information
One of our missions at Lowell Irish is to preserve the story of those who have gone before us. Your participation in our tours will help keep their memories alive.
Thanks for an excellent tour! Seeing the ceiling of the chapel was special. Two questions - Was St. Peter's Cemetery associated with St. Peter's Church? What is the reason given for not restoring the early slate stones? I don't understand why they can't be preserved. Does a family own a stone that they paid for?
ReplyDeleteNo direct connection, but there was surely a rivalry between the 2 parishes going back to day 1! Regarding the slates- the reason we have been given is that the slate belongs to an individual family. Therefore no one but the family can touch it. Having said that any stone within the cemetery that falls has the potential not to be maintained. (So why buy a stone?) Also what does this mean about any historical piece? They cannot be maintained without proof of ownership? Tough call for the cemetery and for those who seek to preserve their memory.
ReplyDeleteRe: Teething listed as cause of death in the early to mid 1800's. Source..The Peabody Sisters, by Megan Marshall Page 73. "Many fatal fevers ascribed to teething were likely the result of infection brought on by lancing inflamed gums, a procedure usually carried out by parents at home with unsterile kitchen knives." Sophia (one of the sisters)
ReplyDeletemay not have been subjected to lancing, but treated with a more insidious "cure" regular heroic doses of mercury in solutions made from calomel powder.
Can't even imagine the suffering these children endured! Great tour..Thank-you, Janeen Tibbetts
Thank you! Amazing how many are listed with this cause of death.
ReplyDelete