The following post highlights the skill and longevity of the work done by carvers of gravestones in New England. Below are gravestones of direct ancestors (French, Simonds, Eggleston, Goodwin, Shed, Davis, and Thompson) from my paternal line and Butler from my maternal line.

Must See! The Farber Gravestone Collection includes over 13,500 images documenting the sculpture on more than 9,000 gravestones, most of which were made prior to 1800. This amazing resource for early New England gravestones, sponsored by the American Antiquarian Society, also has a FAQ on the history of gravestones during this period.

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