Swansea Eddy Cemetery, Swansea, Bristol, MA, United States

Notes:
From EFA Bulletin Vol. 8, No.1

October, 29, 1928

page285

"Report of the Genealogical Committee by Ruth Story (Devereux Eddy) Chairman."

She writes " For a long time, I have wondered where John and Amy, and Samuel and Elizabeth Eddy were buried. I felt that the search for the graves of John and Amy would be hopeless. They died in Watertown and long since their graves must have been covered over by the city's blocks, so I gave my attention wholly to the search for the graves of Samuel and Elizabeth and I feel sure that I have found the cemetery where they lie. I think that they lie on a hill-top which adjoins the estate of Mrs. Frank S. Stevens in Swansea Village. This hill-top is on the edge of a salt marsh and is covered with graves. Although it will lengthen this report I am going to tell you about this cemetery.


I knew that there were some Eddys buried there, but as it was all over-grown with trees, bushes and poison ivy, I had never ventured to search it. I understood that the inscriptions on the stones were mostly of the Winslow family and that it was known in Swansea as the Winslow Cemetery. I learned that there was a stone erected to Jaremiah Eddy (the ancestor of James Williamson and John Hardenbergh Eddy) which had been placed there by Barnard Eddy of Providence. This stone bears also the names of Peleg Eddy and Ruth Eddy. In addition to this stone was one to Michael Eddy, Sen. and stones for Deacon William Eddy and his wife Amy. But one day in the early part of this summer I ventured to poke about amid the poison ivy and there I found a stone which had the following inscription, Hear: L: ye: body: of A E: ye: W: of: 0 E: dIed: MaRch ye: 14: 1730. I recognized this immediately as in memory of Abigail Eddy the wife of Obadiah Eddy, this Obadiah being son of Zachariah Eddy of Swansea and grandson of Samuel, the Pilgrim. Lying next to this was another grave with a headstone and footstone, neither of which had any inscription. Here, I presume, lies Obadiah Eddy, the husband. In the same row and in other rows were many more graves. Few of the headstones had any inscriptions. Finally, I found one very low stone in memory of Caleb Eddy, who died Novemver ye 21, 1748 in ye 71 year of his age. This was Caleb, son of Zachariah; and then I found another low stone with the letters M E ye w. of J. E.; who died in 1700. This was Mary Eddy, the first wife of John Eddy of Swansea, blacksmith.


I went home elated. I felt absolutely sure that Samuel and Elizabeth Eddy were lying in one of those nameless graves, but how was I going to prove it to you and to others?


The records state that Samuel Eddy died in Swansea in 1687 and Elizabeth in "1689 in her 82nd year at the end of it." They were elderly people and in all probability were living with either Zachariah or Caleb, their sons, both of whom were residents of Swansea. Then I remembered a deed. You know my great love for deeds. I read every one from beginning to end. Here is one of my rewards. On March 19, 1696, Zachariah Eddy of Swansea, yeoman, sold to Zachariah Eddy, Jr., yeoman, 20 acres of land "situate, lying and being at a place commonly called and known by the name of Matapoysett in Swansey," bounded northerly with a high-way, easterly with the fence and Spring Brook, to the salt water; southerly to the land of Ralph Chapman and bounded westerly with the Highway which leadeth to the land of Ralph Chapman; "excepting and reserving the burying Place on the premises which is to lye and remain as a burying place for and to the families of the said Eddys and for such of the neighbors as the said Eddys shall admit of forever."


Now this place where the graves are is bounded on the east by a brook and the salt water and the place is at the head of the neck now called Gardner's Neck, but in the early days called Matapoysett. I found that in the early times Ralph Chapman's land was that part of the neck which was farthest north. By one of those strange coincidences which sometimes occur, Miss Ruth Bosworth Eddy of Swansea was chosen by your Secretary to give this afternoon's address. She came to consult me about her paper. During the conversation, this Burying Place was spoken of and I told her of my desire to prove it the resting place of Samuel the Pilgrim and his wife, Elizabeth. She said that she would invite Mr. Orin Gardner, a gentleman of Swansea, who was well versed in its geography and traditions to accompany us on a pilgrimage to the spot and see what he said. Last week, Mr. John B. Eddy, her father, was kind enough to take the whole party to the village. I had only to read the description from the deed as we stood there for all of us to know that we were standing on a part of that 20 acres, spoken of in the deed, the whole of which probably included the land where the Swansea Dye Works and Bleachery now stand and the land where are now situated the homes which lie just across from the Town Hall, the Library and the Episcopal Church in Swansea, all on the main road, which was the old Indian trail, which Myles Standish and the others traveled on their journey to visit Massasoit, by way of the sachem Corbitant's home at the head of Matapoysett.

But how do we know that Samuel and Elizabeth are buried in this place. We do not know and we may never know, but we do know that in 1696 when Zachariah Eddy made out that deed that there was a burying place which was to be kept for the Eddys forever. What Eddys had passed on previous to 1696? Only Alice, the first wife of Zachariah, perhaps his son Samuel, and his father and mother, Samuel and Elizabeth. And they all died in Swansea. Where would they be buried? Of course, on a portion of the farm where they lived, as has been the custom ever since in rural New England. And that is why Zachariah calls it a burying place for the Eddys forever. It held the bodies of the first Plymouth Eddys, Samuel and Elizabeth, and was to be for their posterity. This completes my report of the year's work of the Genealogical Committee. Respectfully submitted,
RUTH S. D. EDDY, Chairman."



From EFA Bulletin Vol. 11 No. 1

Boston, Mass, April 1, 1932

Pages 453, 458, 461-466

IN THE SWANSEA BURIAL GROUND

A rounded knoll, glimpsing the sun, with a winding path along a strip of woodland leading to it. A tangled' scrub of weeds and brush, grown waisthigh, hiding the ground and making a desolate waste. Men come with shovel, brush scythe, sickle, and spade. Clumps of wild-cherry are cut down and the bulibrier is dug up and burned. Thick goldenrod and_ clustered wild aster are uprooted and the land is cleared. Alder bushes and clutching weeds are destroyed. This knoll, discovered anew from beneath its unsightly veil, stirs sacred memories in those who gather in its grove of locust and cedar.

On October 10, 1931, a group of sixty of the Eddy name stand reverently before the rows of stones, now upright. Yonder is the row of the youngest son, Obadiah, and his dear ones, and then nearer the rows of Caleb, and then of John. Here, closer to the crest, the row of Zachariah, the. oldest son, and at our feet in this treasured row of seven stones, defaced, worn, and broken, the father of the four, the elder Zachariah, the support and guide in their old age of his Pilgrim parents. And here too are they, Samuel and Elizabeth, our ancestors, father and mother of many generations. All thanks to you, Zachariah. You divided your wide possessions among your sons, "except the burying ground" beneath our feet. This you have left to us as our heritage forever.

Through the briers, the tangled weeds, the wild growths of the years, we greet you, sires of a worthy line. Then, this spot was a frontier of pioneer homes against the vast tracts of forest land. Without wealth, amid hard-ships, in homes built by their own hands, our ancestors lived sturdy lives, undimmed by fear, little dreaming of the vast wealth this land would one day store. They knew want and privation through each long winter, in complete dependence,upon the crops that Mother Earth yielded. They asked little of outward circumstances, but bore their lot with the courage of brave women and brave men. They did not walk ashen-faced in ap-prehension of the future; as do we, though fifty billions of dollars are stored in the banks scattered through the land. They did not toss sleepless in fear at the stock market's vagaries nor spend four hundred millions of dollars a year in powder and rouge. Their hands and hearts alone upheld them in this wilderness. They little dreamed that in the future the nation they made possible would invest sixteen billions of dollars a year in automobiles. No, they dreamed not, but by faith in God they won the land and builded the firm foundations on which our own beloved America will once more rise to prosperity and leadership in the spirit of service to all mankind.

On this pleasant knoll, thronged with tender memories, your descend-ants will place a monument to you, Samuel and Elizabeth, Pilgrims by God's grace, pioneers of prosperity, poor but unafraid, loyal to the gleam of God's guidance. Let us in their footsteps press on to achieve the goal of the high calling they left to us.
DAVID BREWER EDDY, President.

SWANSEA CEMETERY

Extracts from the Report of Will Currier Eddy, Chairman
The committee appointed to manage the affairs of the Swansea Cemetery has given considerable attention to the work assigned to them. Since our last meeting I have gone to Swansea five times. As recorded in the Bulletins, the ground has been dug over thoroughly, the stones reset, brush cut and the burial part seeded. Further work was -done this fall when the grass and brush on both ends were cut.

I have interviewed Mr. Harry Turner, the manager of the Swansea Print Works adjoining, asking his co-operation in. making his place more presentable on the side next to the Cemetery. We are to have such coo-operation as it is possible for him to give, as he is very much interested in our undertaking.

It is difficult to locate the exact boundary of the burial plot. From what I have been able to glean from an interview with Mr. Borden of Fall River, who has done much survey work in Swansea,, and from deeds, I feel sure that our easterly boundary is Spring Brook. The western line, between the Print Works and the Cemetery, is a problem that the experts have not yet solved. It is probable that this line will have to be arrived at by_ an agreement between both parties.

The financing of the work so far has been done by three persons. The anonymous gift of $400 was used in preparing the. burial part for seeding and resetting the stones. A gift of $500 and another of $100 has been received. Of this we have used to, date $108.16, leaving a balance of $491.84. The balance will be conserved to the best of our ability, but we will endeavor to keep the Cemetery in a presentable condition and. thus preserve the work already done.

It is proposed to place a sign on the main street and another at the entrance at the Print Works to direct those wishing to visit the. place. Personally I wish to add a word of appreciation for the valuable assistance rendered our Committee by Mr. I Wilson Ross, Superintendent of the Newton Cemetery, and by Mr. Egbert Lawton, former Superintendent of the Fall River Cemeteries. Their advice and counsel has been invaluable.

[The Committee consisted of Will Currier Eddy, Chairman, John Hardenbergh Eddy, Ruth Story (Devereux) Eddy and Ruth Bosworth Eddy.]



A DEED FROM ZACHARIAH EDDY TO HIS SON

ZACHARIAH EDDY'


Copy of the Deed in which the Eddy Burial Ground in
Swansea is First Mentioned


This is probably the oldest burial plot in Swansea

To all People to whom these presents shall come Zachariah Eddy of the Town of Swansey in the County of Bristoll in his Majesties Province of ye Massachusett Bay in New England yeoman sendeth Greeting Know yee that the afforesaid Zachariah Eddy bath for Devers Good considera-tions him moving but more especially for and consideration of that Great love and naturl affection he bath & beareth to his Dutyfull Sonne Zachariah Eddy of the afforesaid Swanzey yeoman Hath freely and abso-lutely given granted enfeoffed & Confirmed, and by these presents Doth freely clearely fully & absolutely Give Grant Enfeoff & confirme from him ye the said Zachariah Eddy his heires executors administrators and Assignes for ever (the said Zachariah Eddy his son excepted) unto him the said Zachariah Eddy June his Sonne his heires executors Administe, & Assignes for Ever A Certaine parcel of land containeing about Twenty Acrres be it more or less Scittuat Lyeing & being at a place Commonly called and known by the Name of Matapoysett in Swanzey aforesd being bounded northerly with a Highway, easterly with the fence and Spring Brook to the Salt water, Southerly the land of Mr Ralph Chapman, and bounded westerly with the Highway which Leadeth to the said Ralph Chapmans land to have and to hold the aforesaid tract or parcell of land Containing about twenty acrres be it more or. less as before scittuat & Bounded with all and Singular the Houssing, barn, stables, lentoos, build-ings, Eddyfeces orchards Gardens, Massonrys, fences; Timber wood, underwood, stones, mines, Minerals, water: water Coursses Herbage mowings grass feedings Rents profits Heredittaments, Immutyes, privi-ledges & appurtenances, thereto belonging or in any manner or way appartaining with the Revertion & Revertions Remainder & Remainders to him the said Zachariah Eddy Juner his heires Executors and Adminis-trators and to the only use or use and usses, benefitt & behooff of him the said Zachariah Eddy his heires Executors Administrators and Assignes for ever [excepting and Reserveing, the Burying lace in the premisses which is to lye & Remaine as a burying place for 9 to the famalie of the said Eddys (and for such of the Neighbors as said Edyes shall Admitt off for Ever) And the said Zachariah Eddy Doth hereby promise Covenant and Grant to & with the said Zachariah Eddy his heires & Assignes that at the time of the sealeing, and untill Delivery of these presents, he the said Zachariah Eddy is the true and Only lawfull owner of all the above Given & Granted premisses, and of Every part & parcel thereof, And that he is lawfully seized of & in the same in his own proper Right, and that he hath in himself full power Good Right & lawfull authoritye to give Grant Convey and assure the same, unto the said Zachariah Eddy Jun his heires & Assignes for Ever as a good sure perfect and Absolute estate of In-heiritance in. ffee Simple without any manner of Condition or Revertion Title of Donor or Limmitation of usses whatsoever so as to alter change Defeate or Make voyde the same and that the said Zachariah Eddy June his heires & Assignes shall & may by for and virtue of these presents, from time to time and alt. times hereafter for ever Lawfully peaceably and quietly have hold posess occupie & Enjoy, all and Singular the. above given & Granted premises & every dart & parcel thereof free & Cleare and Clearly acquitted and ffully Discharged, of and from all and- all: manner of former & other Gifts Grants Grants Bargaines sailes Leases Mortgages, Joynture's Dowers Entailes Judgments Executions and Ex-tents and of and from, all other tithes troubles charges and Encumbrances whatsoever had made committed omitted or suffered to be Done bg him the said Zachariah Eddy or by his Privitye) and the said Zachariah Eddye Doth farther covenant with the said Zachariah Eddy June his heirs & Assignes that at their Reasonable Request & paper Charges, he the said Zachariah Eddy will Do such farther Lawfyll Act & Acts thing & things for the farther Confirmeing and sure makeing of said Zachariah June; his heires and Assignes as shall by their Council learned in the law shall be devized advized & Required In witness whereof the said Zachariah hath hereunto sett his hand and seale this twenty nineth Day of December in the Eighth year of Reign of King William the Third Anna Dom one Thousand Six Hundred Ninety & Six

Signed sealed & Delived Zachariah Eddy
in the pesence of us witnesses
James Cole Memorandun that on the Day and year
John Brown June above written then in Swanzey the above
Hugh Cole June Named Zachariah Eddy the Signor and sealer hereof personally appeared and acknowledged this instrument to be his free Vollontary act and Deed accord-ing to law Before John Brown Justice of Peace
Thus Entered & Recorded March 19th Anno B Dom 1696/7 By John Cary Recorde

Copied from Book 2 pp 58 & 59 of Bristol Co. Deeds on file at Taunton, Mass.


A Deed from Zachariah Eddy, Jr. to his brother

Ebenezer Eddy

Copy of a second deed in which the

Eddy Burial Ground is mentioned

To all people to whom this deed of sale shall come Zacharah Eddy of y-town of Swanzey in the County of Bristol in the Province of the Masachu-sett Bay in New England ffuller Sendeth greeting know yee that I the said Zachariah Eddy for & in Consideration of the sum of two Hundred & ten pounds currt money of New England to me in hand well and truly payd before the Ensealing & & Delivery of those presents by Ebenezer Eddy of the town of Swanzey in ye County and Province aforesd Black-smith the Receipt where of I the sd Zachariah Eddy do hereby own, and acknowledge my self therewith to be fully satisfied and contented and thereof and of every part and parcel thereof do hereby acquit exonerate and fully discharge the said Ebenezer Eddy his heires Executors Admes and assignes & every of them for ever Have given granted bargained sold, alliened enfeoffed conveyed and confirmed and by these presents do fully clearely and absolutely give Ebenezer Eddy his heires and assignes, for ever All that my Messuage farm or tenement with ye several pieces and parcels of land with a 3 quart part of a saw mill on sd farm Said messuage farm or tenement Commonly Called and known by the name of Matta poisett within the township of Swanzey aforesd. Containing in the whole ninty acres be the same more or less and is butted and bounded as hereafter followeth, viz' the nertheastwardly corner by the highway being a white Oak stump. Ranging Southerly to the head of ye Spring brook so called. Ranging by the said Spring brook to y" salt-water then westwardly bounded by another Brooke and Mattapoiset farm & line to a,Rotton stump being the southwesterly corner which sd Corner -stands by the High way which Leadeth to sd Mattapoiset Neck then Northwardly by the sd Highway to a stake being the Northwestwardly Corner and being boubded Northerly by the Country Road. (A Burying place for my father Zachariah Eddyes Posterity being only excepted as my said father hath bounded it out with a conveinient way to the sd Burying place:) and Likewise three acres of salt Marsh. X Upland as it is now formerly a road being the northwesterly corner running Southwardly to three sappling red auks one of sd saplings being marked for a corner on. the bank of the Little neck so-called and so Ranging by the said Bank to a smale pine or spruce bush then marked from thence North Eastwardly to low-water Marke then Eastwardly untill it come to the aforesd lot And Likewise forty three acres mere being butted and bodnded Northwardly of the first High way or Country Road the Southwestwardly corner being a Rock with a heap of stones on sd Rock, Running westwardly to a maple tree being a corner for a turn then Northwardly to a smale white oake standing upon a Rock being the North Eastwardly Corner then westwardly to a Red Oake tree which is the southwestwardly corner then southwardly to a smale walnut tree standing upon a Rock it being a Corner for a Turn Then northwardly to a stake which is Hezebiah Luthers Corner then bounded northwestwardly by sd Hezebiah Luthers/L line to a Red Oake Tree from thence southwestwardly to a blak oake tree by the high way then Ranging Eastwardly by the sd High way to a wallnut sapling tree marked then Ranging northwardly on a high way to a smale back Oak sapling from thence northwardly to the first Corner And likewise Twenty Acres of land more situated lying and being as aforesaid, being butted and bounded as here after followeth. A black oak tree marked for a corner then Southwardly to a Chestnut tree marked for a corner then westwardly to the first tree And Likewise ONE single Rang Right of all the undivided lands throughout all the undivided land, within the township of Swanzey aforesaid to-gether with all and singular the Dwelling house, out houses and fencing stuff thereon with the Orchard or Orchards Nussery with all wood wood or wood timber standing lying or growing thereon: with all stones mines mineralls waters waterways watercourses herbage feedings Rents profits privileges Rights Comodityes Heridettaments and Appur"': whatsoever to ye sd land belonging or in any,, kind appertaineing or there with have used occupied and enjoyed And ao all the Right Title Estate Interest Inheritance property Reversion Remainder or Claime & demand whatsoever of me the grantor my heires & assignes of in and to all the above granted privileges and every part & parcel! thereof To have and to hold the sd messuage farm or Tenement with the severall (illegible) butted and bounded as aforesd, with the said housen & orchard and orchards nusseryes Garden or Gardens on plotts with the three quarter part of sd sawmill with the single Rank right of undivided lands throughout the Township afforsaid with all other the above granted premises with their Appurces: thereof unto him the said Ebenezer Edy his heires and assigns for ever: to the onely proper use benefit & behoofe of him the sd Ebenezer Eddy his heires and assignes from henceforth and forever more And I the said Zachariah Eddy for myself my heires executors Adminis-trators & assignes Do hereby covenant promise and grant: to and with the said Ebenezer Eddy his heires and assignes in manner and form follow-ing that is to say: that at the time of the ensealing hereof untill the Delivery of these presents that I the sd Zachariah Eddy is the true sole & Lawful! owner of all the above granted premises & lands lawfully prized thereof in my own proper Right of a good sure absolute estate of Inheritance in ffee simple According to her MaJhes marme: of East Greenwich in the County of Kent in the Realme of England in free and Common soccage & not in Capitio and Knts servise but without any manner of Condition Reversion or Limittation whatsoever so as to allter Chainge defeat or make voyde the same haveing in my self full power good Right and Law-full- Authority to grant sell and Convey the same in manner and form aforsaid And that the sd, Ebenezer Eddy his heires and assignes shall and may by force and vertue of these presents, from hence forth & for ever hereafter, Lawfully peaceably and quietly have hold use occupye Possess & enjoy all the above granted premises with their appure thereof free Cleare and' ciearely Acquitted and fully Discharged of & from all and all manner of former & other Gifts grants Bargaines sales Leases Morgages Joynturs Dowers Judgments executions entailes forfeitures and Extents and of and from all other titles troubles Charges and Encumbrances whatsoever And I the said Zachariah Eddy Do hereby bind and oblige myself my heirs executors and Adminis-s to Warrant and Defend all the above granted promises with their A.ppurces thereof Unto him the said Ebenezer Eddy his heires & assignes forever Against the Lawful! Claimes and Demands of all person & persons whomsoever In witness whereof I the said Zachariah Eddy hath hereunto set my hand and reale this first day of may one thousand seven Hundred and seven and in the sixth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Laday Anne Queen of England &c Memor-andum between the Twenty seventh line and Twenty eighth line the words (Red oakes) & (black oake) as: there enterlined was done before the ensealing & Delivery of these presents

Delivery of these presents
Signed sealed &delivered ZACHARIAH EDDY (S) in the presence of us by
Caleb Eddy In Swansey in Bristol
,Joshuah Eddy County on ye thirteenth of
John West octobe Anno Dom-ini 1707 the above mentioned Zachariah Eddy Acknowledged the above written
Instrument to be his own free Voluntary Act and Deed. Before me Thomas Leo-nard Justice
Entered Sept' 10: 1708 By John Cary Recorder
(Copied from Bk 5 pp 418, 419, 420 of Bristol Co. Deeds at Taunton, Mass.)

Extracts from a Deed, from Ebenezer Eddy to his brother Caleb Eddy in which the Burial Plot is mentioned

To all People unto whom this present Deed of sale shall come. Ebenezer Eddy of ye town of Swansey in the County of Bristol in the Province of ye Massachuset Bay in New England, Blacksmith Sendeth, Greeting know ye that I the said Ebenezer Eddy for and in consederation of the sum of seventy five pounds Currant money of New England same in hand well and truly payd before the ensealing & Delivery of these presence by Caleb Eddy of the town and County aforsd. Cordwainer the Receipt whereof l: the said Ebenezer Eddy do hereby qwn & acknowledge myself therewith to be fully Sattisfyed and Contented and thereof & of every part and parcell therof do hereb acquit etc. ..... unto him the said Caleb Eddy his heires and assigns forever, A Certain Messuage farme or,Tenneyent scittuate lyeing and being near adjacent to a place, commonly called and mown by the name of Mattapoisett within the Township of Swanzey aforesaid, Containing by estimation Twenty five acres be the same more or less and is butted and bounded the North eastwardly Corner, by the highway being a white Oake stump, then Ranging southward) to the head of the spring brook (so called) and so ranging by sd spring Bcook to the salt water then bounded westwardly by a brook and Mattapoyset farm line to a Rotten stump it being the south westwardly corner, then Ranging Northwardly by the way which leadeth into, Mattapoyset Neck to a stake, being the northwestward) corner from there eastward) by the County Road to ye first corner or howsoever otherwise bounded or Reputed to be bounded together with all & singular the wood underwood etc. . . . To have And to Hold ... forever more ... And I the sd Ebenezer Eddy do hereby bind & oblige myself ...to defend all the above granted premises . . . unto him the said Caleb Eddy .... forever I burying place allways to be excepted, as it is bounded by our honored father in his will with a way to it and a convenient way aways is excepted for the sd Ebenezer Edy his heires and assignes, to Carry in fenceing stuff and fetch hay, from his meadow there adjacent. In witness whereof we the sd Ebenezer Eddy, and Sarah my wife hath hereunto set our hands and seales this thirteenth, day of october one thousand seven hundred and seven, and in the sixth year of her Majesties Reign, Anne Queen of England &c

Signed sealed and Delivered EBENEZER EDDY (S)
In the presents of us by- signum
John Eddy SARAH Z. EDDY (S)
John West In Swanzey in Bristol County october 13th Anno Domipi 1707 the above mentioned Ebenezer Eddy acknowledged the above written Instrument to be his own free voluntary Act and Deed.

Entered Sent. 8th 1708 By John Cary Record Before me Thomas Leonard Justice

(Copied from: Bk. 5, pp 417, 418 of Bristol Co. Deeds at Taunton, Mass.

Extracts from a Deed from Caleb Eddy to his son Michil Eddy


To all people to whom This present Deed of Gift shall come Caleb Eddy of the town of Swanzey in the County of Bristoll in the province of massa-chusetts Bay in New England cordwainer sendeth Greeting in our Lord God everlasting Know ye That I Caleb Eddy for Divers good causes considerations me hereunto moving But more especially the Great Love &. natural affection which I have & do bare unto my Trully & well beloved son Michil Eddy of ye Town & County afforesd yeaman. I the said Caleb Eddy being in perfect memory have Given Granted & Confirmed . , .unto my said son Michil Eddy . . . a Certain messuage farm or tennement scituate Lying and being near adjacent to a place commonly known & Called by the name of mattapoisett within the township of Swansey afforesd containing by estimation forty acres be ye same more or Less and is Butted and Bounded as follows viz The northeasterly corner being a stake with stones about it (illegible) ye former Bounds which was a white Oak Stump by the highway & then ranging southerly to the head of y^ spring brook so called and so ranging by sd spring Brook to the salt water & then westerly by the south side of the Brook to an oak tree and then northerly a Cross ye Brook to a Rock then westwardly by ye farm Line to a Stake with stones about it being the southwest corner Then northwardly by ye Land of Jeremiah Luthers to a stake & stones by ye highway being the northwest Corner. Then easterly by the Country Road to the first Corner all the Lands within said bounds be it more or less together with all the wood etc. . . To have and to hold the said messuage, farm etc. . . unto him the sd Michil Eddy his heires and assigns forever after my Decease that then this present Deed to take Effect and not untill then . . . Excepted a Convenient way to & allways Excepted to my Buring place within said Bounds: In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this fifteenth Day of April one Thousand seven hundred and forty five and in the eighteenth year of the reign of our Soverign Lord George the second King of Great Brittain.

CALEB EDDY (seal)
Signed sealed & Delivd in presence of us William Greenman John Greenman

Bristol ss Dighton may 12th 1746 Mr Caleb Eddy personally appeared and acknowledged the above Instrument to be his voluntary
Act & Deed hand & Seal before me Sylvester Richmond Jun Justice of peace

Red febr 8th 1748: & Recorded pr James Williams Register.
(Copied from Bk. 36, p. 398 of Bristol Co. Deeds.)




From the EFA Bulletin Vol. 40, No. 1 Wellfleet, Mass,

April 1, 1961 No. 50.

Pages 876-881



A NEW LOOK AT THE SWANSEA CEMETERY


Dramatic Re-discovery The Swansea Cemetery, or Swansea Burial Ground, which the Association owns and cares for, is located about one-quarter mile south of the center of Swansea, Mass. It is a relatively small, private Eddy cemetery, of which the first written record is a deed dated 1696. The oldest marked gravestone is dated 1700 and the most recent is dated 1838.

Some time after that latest date, the location and significance of the cemetery was lost to those Eddys who were concerned with Eddy genealogy. It was not until 1928 that our beloved genealogist, the late Ruth Story Devereux Eddy, by observation and deduction, realized the importance of this old burial ground. Here is how she describes it in "The Eddy Family in America" of 1930, on pages 27 and 28:

"It happens that in December of 1696, just nine years after the death of Samuel (the Pilgrim), and seven years after the death of Elizabeth (his wife), Zachariah Eddy sold to his son, Zachariah, twenty acres in Swansea, lying in a place `commonly known by the name of Matapoysedt, bounded northerly with the highway, easterly with the fence and Spaing Brook to the Salt Water, southerly to the land of Ralph Chapman and bounded westerly with the highway, which leadeth to the land of Ralph Chapman and excepting and reserving the Burying Place on the premises, which is to lye and remain as a burying place for and to the families of the said Eddys, and for such of their neighbors as the said Eddys shall admit of, forever.'

"Thus it became known that previous to 1696 Zachariah had already buried some members of his family near his home. Since the only Eddys, who had died besides his wife, Alice, were his father and mother, it seems almost certain that Samuel and Elizabeth lie in the Eddy Cemetery in Swansea Village, perhaps in two of those graves, whose locations azre marked by stones which bear no inscriptions.

"This cemetery lies on a hilltop, overlooking a cove of salt water, just south of the main road through the village. It adjoins the estate of Mrs. Frank Stevens and is east of the Swansea Dye Works. This plot was used by the descendants of Zachariah as a burial place for over a hundred years.

"(NOTE: Caleb Eddy of Boston, writing in 1840, said that he I saw where Elizabeth was buried, but he neglected to describe the spot and no traditions have been handed down, in any branch of the family, as to the location of the grave of Samuel.

"I had long known that there were some very old graves in this cemetery, but it was not until the spring of 1928 that I had an opportunity to visit it. As I stood on that hilltop and looked about and saw the little brook on the east, the salt-cove on the south, and off to the west the road leading to the neck, there came to my memory a description in an old deed, which I had found some years previously, in which a burial plot had been mentioned, and I realized that I was standing in that very burial place.

"As I was rereading the deed upon my return home, there suddenly flashed upon me the full implication of the words `excepting the Burying Place,' for I knew that Samuel and Elizabeth had died in Swansea only a few years previous to 1696, and I felt that without doubt I had discovered their final-resting-place. Ruth S. D. Eddy.)"

Other Deeds: The Burial Place is mentioned, in 3 other deeds, of later dates, as follows:
(1) Zachariah Eddy, Jr. to his brother Ebenezer, dated Oct. 13, 1707
(2) Ebenezer Eddy to his brother, Caleb, dated Oct. 13, 1707
(3) Caleb Eddy to his son, Michil (or Michael), dated May 12, 1746 In each of these the Burial Ground is exempted from the property transferred. In our Eddy Family Association Bulletin of April 1, 1940, on page 602, Pres. D. Brewer Eddy said "in deeding land to his son, Zachariah makes the first exemption of the burial ground, and for three generations it is this exemption which gives the Eddy Family claim to this land today."

Zachariah's Descendants: Although Zachariah's brother, Caleb, moved to Swansea with him in 1669, when they joined with others in purchasing the town, Caleb made his home somewhat to the west of Zachariah's (which was near the center of Swansea), on the Kickimuit River, in the western part of the town. He is buried in the old Kickimuit cemetery, where his gravestone is well preserved. Thus it appears that Caleb and his descendants were not buried in the Swansea Cemetery. This means that only Zachariah and his descendants and their families (and possibly friends) were buried there, in addition to Zachariah's father and mother.

Arrangement of Graves: As the remarkable faculties of Ruth S. D. Eddy were used to "rediscover" the Swansea Cemetery's significance, so do we turn to her to learn about the layout of the graves. It is all told in a letter, which she wrote to Pres. D. Brewer Eddy shortly before the memorial plaque and boulder were placed in the cemetery in 1946:

"Dear Brewer: If you turn to P. 38 of the 1930 book, you will find that Zachariah's children were in this order:
Zachariah, John, Elizabeth, Samuel, Ebenezer, Caleb, Joshua, Obadiah

"Of these, Elizabeth married and went to Connecticut. Samuel died. Zachariah and Joshua came into Rhode Island. This leaves John, whose first wife was Mary Hatch, as the eldest of Zachariah's children to be in Swansea, then Ebenezer, Caleb and Obadiah.

"My theory is that Zachariah and his parents and wives are all buried in those graves beyond the old tree (that is south of the tree near stone. #120) and that the sons in the order of their birth received plots across the hill, one below the other.

"John's plot is the first one we can locate for sure, for his stone is there and marked IE (#169), where the I stands for J, and right beside it is "ME 1700 ye wife of IE" (#167). If you follow this line toward the Dye Works (towards the west), you will come to the big stone, which bears several names. Among these is Jeremiah Eddy (or Jaremiah) (#160), who was son of John and Mary. So, my theory is that a son's plot stretched all the way across, with the later descendants at the ends.

"As you descend the slope, heading toward the Winslow stones, (go-2 toward north end of cemetery), you can identify the plot of Zachariah's son, Caleb, for his stone is there (#120) and in the extension of his plot you can find his grandson, Deacon William (#114). I can't seem to remember accurately who else is in that row but I think Michael, his son, is there. (Actually Michael's stone is #140 in the next row to the south.)

"Then, just farther on down the slope (to the north) is the section given to Zachariah's youngest son, Obadiah. His stone is there, O.E. (we can't find it now) and beside it "A.E. ye wife of O.E." (#59) and all those Winslows (#2 to #58 and #60) are his descendants."

The Map and Inscriptions: The attached map was made in November, 1960, from measurements taken at the same time. This does not show the boundary lines of the Cemetery. It shows the gravestones laid out in rows, that are even in places and irregular or unrecognizable in other parts. The thought behind the map was that it could be used by visitors to locate the most historic stones. Heretofore we have had nothing to identify the stones and only the Memorial was easily recognizable.

It is unfortunate that, of about 127 stones that were counted, only 25 or 26 or so have inscriptions that can be read today. And, of course, the oldest and most interesting ones suffer the most in this respect. All legible inscriptions are shown on the map page.


We are positive that the Pilgrim, Samuel Eddy, and his wife, Elizabeth, are buried in the Swansea Cemetery. The reasoning of Ruth S. D. Eddy seems airtight on this point. It is to be regretted that there are no inscriptions on their stones, which are probably in row L, near the Monument. Mrs. Eddy believed that Zachariah and his two wives were also buried near rows L or M. As he was the founder of the Cemetery, it is again unfortunate that we have found no stone marking his grave. Also, it is not known as yet, who might be buried in rows M to U.

Next in interest, for early origin, are Zachariah's four sons, who remained in Swansea with him. Starting with the oldest, John's rows were evidently K and possibly some of J. Of Ebenezer there is no evidence in the Cemetery. The 1930 Book shows that he had few, if any, male heirs that stayed in Swansea. Next is Caleb, who had row I and part of J and possibly some of rows E, F, G or H. Obadiah used D, or thereabouts, and probably rows A, B and C.

It seems remarkable that we find stones for John, Caleb and Obadiah and the wives of all but Caleb. It appears possible that they may have been prepared and inscribed at later dates, as the key positions of these three men began to be appreciated. The money and skill needed to letter on stones, may have been difficult to obtain, for most people, in 1700 to 1750.

The oldest inscription date is on stone #167 for John Eddy's wife, Mary Hatch, and is simply 1700. The date of her death is not known exactly. Caleb's stone #120 is dated 1748 and the date on the stone #59 of Obadiah's wife, Abigail Devotion Eddy, is 1730.
The most recent inscription is 1838 for stone #42, of Dr. John Winslow. Stone #160 has by far, the most extensive markings and decorations. Capt. Barnard Eddy must have been very fond of his sister, Ruth, to direct that her stone be so beautiful. It also commemorates his brother Peleg and his wife.

Gain and Loss: Rediscovery of the Swansea Cemetery has been a wonderful thing for us Eddy descendants and the Ass'n. Its value can best be appreciated by reading the articles about it by Ruth S. D. Eddy, and the messages by D. Brewer Eddy. Which of us could fail to have his spine tingle, to read Brewer's "In the Swansea Burial Ground" in our Bulletin No. 21 of April, 1932! I only wish that I might have heard him give that talk in the Cemetery in October, 1931. Then there are fine articles about Swansea in the April, 1940 Bulletin, by both Brewer and Ruth S. D. Eddy.

It would be nice if we could report only gain since the "re-discovery," but unfortunately there has been some loss at the same time. When the Cemetery was first rehabilitated in 1930, trees and bushes and grass were cut back so that the stones could be seen and studied by all. At that time most of the stones were in good condition. Since then several of the oldest have been broken in half and the top half has been thrown away by vandals. Stones #59 and #114 have suffered in this way and each year a few more are smashed or bruised. We know what the oldest stones looked like 30 years ago, as we have pictures, and can compare to their appearance today. In a short time, at this rate, what will be left?

What To Do? The main danger comes from boys playing in the wild, woodsy area nearby, and trespassing on the Cemetery now that it has been cleared. School officials and the local police apparently cannot control them. A high, barbed-wire fence should keep them off but would cost a lot. It would need a locked gate and involve picking up a key to gain admission.

It seems incredulous that a few small boys could, in a short time, create a situation of this kind, out in the country, in a small town, where one would expect to find peace and quiet and order. We trust that some solution will be found, before long, so that our Swansea Burial Ground can continue to be the living inspiration that it has been in the last 33 years.

(Notes in parenthesis have been added by me for clarification of material quoted. Special thanks to Ruth Bosworth Eddy of Swansea, for the loan of letters and pictures used in writing these notes. Also to my wife, Ruth, for help in surveying the Cemetery and many other ways.) GEORGE WINSLOW BRECK







THE SWANSEA CEMETERY of the EDDY FAMILY ASSOCIATION, INC.

November, 1960

(This cemetery is located 1/4 mile south of the Mass.)





INSCRIPTIONS ON ALL THE STONES WHICH WERE READABLE

2-Mrs. Bettey, widow of Cm (?) Hezekiah Winslow. She died March 7, 1817 in the 80th year of her age.

3-Mrs. Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Ebenezer Winslow, who died Apr. 9, 1797 aged 59 years.

4-Doct. Ebenezer Winslow, who died March 5, 1822 in the 90th year of his age.

8-Mrs. Sarah Winslow, wife of Mr. Humphrey Winslow, who died Oct. 29, 1815 in the 46th year of her age.

21-Mrs. Be - -Winslow

23-Elizabeth Winslow

24-E. W.

41-Mrs. Bethany, wife of Doct. John Winslow, who died Aug. 29, 1801 in her 36th year.

42-Doct. John Winslow, who died May 5, 1838 aged 72 years

43-Anna, Dau. of Dr. Ebenr and Mrs. Elizabeth Winslow, died June 12, 1781, aged 5 years and 5 months

44-Mary, Dau. of Doct. Ebenr, & Mrs. Elizabeth Winslow, died Feb. 22, 1791 aged 1 year 8 months 10 days.

50- James son of Dr. Ebenr & Katharine Winslow, died Nov. 24, A.D. 1806 aged 2 years 4 months 19 days.

56- J. W.

58.-Mr. Nathan R., son of Doct John & Bethany Winslow, who died Oct. 16, 1822

59-Hear:L :ye:body:of AE: ye:W:of OE: died: March ye:14:1730

60-Nancy J. dau. of John & Nancy Winslow, died Apr. 21, 1807 aged 13 months

113-Mrs. Amey Eddy, widow of Deacon Wm. Eddy Aug. 11, 1829, aged 78 years

114------ (lied aged 78 (Deacon Wm. Eddy broken stone)

120-In memory of Caleb Eddy, who died November ye 21, 1748 in ye. 71 year of his age.

140-Michael Eddy son of ------ age also of Jael his wife, who died May 19, 1814, aged 90, who was buried in Cheshire, Mass.

160-Here lieth the Body of Ruth Eddy, who died Nov. 14, 1756 in the 20th year of her age. She was dau. of Capt. Jaremiah Eddy, who died at Md. Feb. 9, 1758 in the 61st year of his age.

Alfo in memory of Peleg Eddy, son of Capt. Jaremiah Eddy & Ehz. his wife who died in Surinam on 18th of Mar. 1758 in 32nd year of his age.

By the direction of Capt. Barnard Eddy

(G-Allen) (evidently made by him) (This stone has an angel at top and a plume or vine on the side)

167-M. E. ye W of J. E. 1700

169-J. E.

220-Esther ye wife of Wm. Greenman who died Apr. ye 16th (1744) - in ye ? 1 year of her age

230-Esther Greenman

Latitude: 41.74555 , Longitude: -71.19021