Welcome to the cemeteries of Cape Cod, MA

[lildebcc]

Okay, now that I have this posting pictures down somewhat, I wanted to share some pictures with everyone. There is a lot of history around here, so if there is anything special that anyone wants to see, let me know and I'll try and post it for you.

This first picture is of the original entrance to the Lothrop Hill Cemetery on Route 6A (Old King's Highway) in Barnstable. The cemetery was named after Rev. John Lothrop (1584-1653) who was one of the founders of Barnstable in 1639. This is part of the front of the cemetery where the oldest stones can be found. There are also many unmarked graves in this cemetery, older than the stones that can be found.

This is one of my favorite stones in this cemetery. You can see that the stone has been trimmed with copper. This is one of the many ways I've seen stones protected from the elements. Nice to know that some people still do care.

This last picture is from a small, unnamed cemetery along Route 6A, a couple of miles West of Lothrop Cemetery. This is the first one I have come across that actually states how the person died. Small pox, I bet that could explain so many people dieing around that time. When I find things like this, I always end up on a Google history search.


>^o.o^<

[newenglandlegends]

On the left side of the first picture may be an orb I saved the photo on my computer zoomed in on it and inverted the colors and it appears to be an orb to me.

[lildebcc]

Not an orb. It was a sunny day and the grass was wet from rain earlier in the day. However, if you are talking the left side just above the top of the stone wall and to the left of the tree, about half way between the tree and the end of the picture, that is definitely not an orb.

That is actually the door to a crypt. It's rounded on the top with grass and small trees growing on it. It also has a metal door, the dark area. That light patch that you see there is a gravestone that someone leaned against the door; it's not an orb.

>^o.o^<

[aneaglesangel]

Awesome pics lildeb! Can't wait 'til I can go out there and visit you guys and all you awesome haunted spots! Do you have a pic of that Banstable Inn that I've heard was haunted??

[lildebcc]

Thanks.................you must be talking about The Barnstable Tavern. I don't have any pictures of that place yet, but would be glad to snap a few and post them if you want. >^o.o^<

[aneaglesangel]

Oooh, it's a tavern??? Hmm, I think we may have to get together and "investigate" this tavern more closely!!! Sounds like it could be a fun girls' night out!!!

[lildebcc]

Yeah that would be fun, but the only time I would investigate it is with CAIPRS. I don't go out on my own to do investigations. However, if you go there to eat, the owner and the weight staff would probably answer questions that you have about any paranormal acitvity that happens there. >^o.o^<

[lildebcc]

Oh yeah, we do have haunted dinner tours (hint-hint) and The Barnstable Tavern is where we stop to eat along the tour. Check our website if interested. >^o.o^<

[aneaglesangel]

You know I'm interested! I'm on the mailing list, so I get the tours whenever you guys are going, but so far, I haven't been able to go on one yet! Hopefully soon!! I didn't mean a real investigation, I meant go there, have a snack, maybe a drink, and well, hey, if something were to happen, we'd just happen to be there, LOL!!! They probably don't give out crowns, but they probably have pretty good food, and heck, who can screw up a drink???

[lildebcc]

Yup, the food there is goode. But stuff generally doesn't happen during the day, usually after ten at night. Although when we were there on our last dinner tour, there were a couple of us that felt something near a table that was in the corner behind us; felt like something hiding. Pictures didn't show anything. Might have been the little girl who haunts the place, or something else, or just imagination and excitement - you never know. >^o.o^<

[lildebcc]

The headstone of Deacon Hezekiah Purinton is near and dear to CAIPRS. If you notice, we use it as part of our logo. It also has a haunting tale that goes along with it.



HERE LYES Ye BODY OF
DEACON HEZEKIAH
PURINTON DECEASED
JAN Ye 8 1717 IN Ye
42 YEAR OF HIS AGE



The Deacon was an active member in a Truro church, which was located on “Hill of Storms.” This was a tough climb for everyone; however, the Deacon had a horse. On the first Sunday of every month, which was communion Sunday, the Deacon would attach a jug of communion wine to the horse’s saddle. He was obsessed with getting the wine to the church on time and would let nothing get in his way.

On one communion Sunday in spring, the Deacon was making his usual ride with the wine. He was swiftly passing people along the path to the Meeting House. In his hurry, one of the horse’s hooves struck a small boy; this was a child that the Deacon was fond of. Even though he saw the boy fall to the ground, his obsession to get the wine to communion on time took hold of him and he kept riding. The horse was startled by all the commotion and went off course, toppling over gravestones in the graveyard that lined the road. The Deacon brought the horse under control and continued on his way up the hill. While he was rushing to get the wine to the meeting house in time, the young boy who was struck down died.

A service was held for the child the next day. But when the minister held up the jug of wine during the service, the Deacon went over to the child’s body, then left the Meeting House on horseback. He never again took part in a service at the Meeting House after this.

When the Deacon died, he was buried in Truro’s Old North Cemetery here on Cape Cod. If you look at his headstone you will see a grim image. The indented skull has no wings to fly the soul to heaven. It also depicts the flames of hell over the skull and shows an hourglass and crossed bones. The hourglass has grains of sand in the bottom half indicating that time has run out and the crossed bones represent a cross that has been disgraced. You will also notice that his headstone faces in the opposite direction from the rest of the stones in the cemetery. Because of his actions in life, his headstone portrays his soul’s d**nation in Hell.

Legend has it, that at midnight, when the moon is full on the first Sunday of the month, you can hear the Deacon riding his horse through the graveyard and even hear the jug of wine splashing. It is said that when he comes to an ancient gravestone, the Deacon comes down from his horse, kneels, prays, and then returns to his horse and rides into the past.

There will not be another full moon on the first Sunday of the month until 2008. CAIPRS will be there waiting for the Deacon.
>^o.o^<

[aneaglesangel]

What an awesome story lildeb!! I love to hear the stories about things that took place in our area!! I can't imagine that wine would be so important that you had to run over a little boy for it!! The symbols on his gravestone are very interesting! I imagine the townspeople weren't too happy with him after this incident?? I hope they both found peace!!

[lildebcc]

He was a Deacon of the church and I guess the wine for communion, along with getting it to service on time, ended up being far more important to him than anything else.

Guess sometimes we have to stop and check to see if our priorities are in line. >^o.o^<

[aneaglesangel]

Well, that's one man who needed a priority check!!!

[lildebcc]

Anegalsangel, if you still want to see photographs of the Barnstable Tavern, check out this site. It's their website, and they have some pictures (inside and out) that you can view.

www.barnstablerestaurant.com/

If you click on the link RESTAURANT you'll see the pictures. Like I said before, this tavern/restaurant is Haunted. It's right in the middle of Barnstable Village. >^o.o^<