Historically speaking
For those who love a good cemetery, the Sparta Presbyterian Methodist Cemetery is worth visiting. It has all the prerequisites: serenity, rolling hills, big old trees, history, fine headstones, and interesting inscriptions. According to Board of Trustees President Frank Bennett, the cemetery comprises the old Methodist Church cemetery and the First Presbyterian Church cemetery, which merged about 30 years ago. At the time of the merger, Bennett was a trustee of the Presbyterian cemetery, while his father was a trustee on the Methodist board. A stone fence, which separated the two sites, was removed. Beautifully manicured, the cemetery encompasses seven acres - all maintained with the money generated by interest of the cemetery fund, with every penny accounted for by the cemetery’s devoted trustees. While walking through the site with Bennett, one of the cemetery’s largest granite headstones was pointed out. It was carted to the site by ox and wagon, and placed without benefit of headers, where it still sits pretty plumb today. Nearby, we paused to note the location of two grave sites where the remains of two World War II soldiers lay. Their unfortunate fates were sealed on the same day. It would appear that each gravesite had a story to tell, and Bennett’s familiarity with the place meant that he was privy to at least a few. Bennett began to explain why, in a row of Civil War veteran graves, five of the original headstones appeared much newer than the others. He recounted the story of a lady who accidentally ran the headstones down with her car, then later requested that police arrest her because she had “done a terrible thing.” Among the area’s notables buried at the cemetery are Chief Big Mountain and wife Princess White Dove, the colorful gatekeepers at Lake Mohawk, as well as the prominent developers of Lake Mohawk, Kloss and Crane. Many of the old Sparta families are represented there as well. In 1976, local historian Mary Elinor Eppler wrote a booklet “Behold and See as You Pass By,” detailing the history of the Presbyterian Church old cemetery (with interments ca. 1787 to 1924, still owned by the Church) and the epitaphs on its tombstones. Robert Ogden II, considered to be one of the founding fathers of Sparta, was the first interred in 1787, and Mary Haines Goble was the last in 1924. According to Eppler’s research, there are 471 burials in the old cemetery, with death having occurred most often in the first two years of life (15 percent) and with 51 percent dying before the age of 46. The honor of the oldest resident goes to Samuel Johnson, who lived to the ripe old age of 96, dying in 1906. Reading epitaphs was once considered an important diversion and is still viewed by many to be an interesting way to spend an afternoon. Although, as apparent in the newer sections of the cemetery, the custom of verses inscribed on headstones is not as traditional as it once was. Eppler is of the opinion that the nature of inscriptions changed because more churches were being built closer to homes, and it was no longer necessary to travel far to church, and spend the entire day there. Increased costs of stone cutting may also be a contributing factor, as well as a desire for simplicity. There are, however, a few beautiful verses in the newer section that are well worth reading. There are many different kinds of epitaphs in the old cemetery, according to Eppler. One of the most popular is the “Behold and See” verse, which gives advice or portends warning. Richard C. Roe, who died in 1832 at age 35, wrote: “Behold and see, as you pass by, As you are now, so once was I, As I am now, so you must be. Prepare for death, & follow me.” The tombstones and their epitaphs are many and varied, each providing just a glimpse of the former lives of those who now rest beneath. Numerous tombstones in the old Presbyterian cemetery note military service, from the War of 1812 to the Mexican War to the Civil War. There are epitaphs containing the words “Remembered by ,” as well as a few noting the name of the deceased. The headstone of Maria Isabella Munson, who died in 1853 at the age of 19, contains the simple but poignant “Dear Bell, we miss thee.” A common carving is “Gone But Not Forgotten.” There are epitaphs that praise the dead, and those that contain scripture. There are those that speak of multiple deaths, and those that speak of acceptance. One of the smaller tombstones in the old Presbyterian cemetery has the longest inscription: a 24-line verse commemorating Alonzo Space, who died in 1870 at the age of 10 months. Other epitaphs taken from Eppler’s booklet include: “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” “How many hopes lie buried here!” And the short but succinct: “She hath done what she could.” Whatever does that mean? Martha Cory (wife of David) lived to be 81 years and 11 months old and died in 1876. What could she not do? And why? In the old Methodist cemetery, there seem to be quite a few headstones with the name and the birth date of the person, but not the date of death. Did the person move? Or did the descendent just not have the date carved? Eppler also conducted research on the carved symbols that were common at that time. The drooping branches of the weeping willow denoted extreme sadness; a garland meant reward of virtue; a rose, often used on the headstones of young, married women, signified unfailing love, beauty and simplicity. Crossbones, found on one stone, signified death, while lambs, cherub angels, and fallen rosebuds often were found on the tombstones of young children. In Victorian times, people would visit cemeteries, having picnics on the grounds and holding gatherings with friends. While that custom has fallen out of favor, the Sparta Cemetery remains a place where love lies buried, where memories hover just above the ground, where reflection is a constant, and where hope lies just up the hill. Article by Judy Dunn Many thanks to Mary Elinor Eppler. Her booklet “Behold and See, As You Pass By” is available at the First Presbyterian Church. The next meeting of the Sparta Historical Society will be held in September.