#colonial gravestone

[colonialconnecticutgravestones]

Double Grave Marker carved by Peter Buckland of Manchester dated 1773.

Here we have a double stone of Bolton Schist for Joseph Phelps and his wife Susanah Emans dated 1773 carved by Peter Buckland of Manchester Connecticut.  Peter Buckland carved on a number of different stones including grey granite schist from the Bartlett quarry in Bolton as seen here, as well as brownstone from different quarries on the Connecticut river. Both Peter and his brother William Buckland apprenticed early on under prolific gravestone carver Gershom Bartlett, and would remain influenced by his work, as you can see from the same vine borders used here and elements in the face.  This stone also shows flared curled lobed wings, somewhat like that used by Windsor carver Joseph Johnson. Bucklands style would influence other stonecutters especially among the Ritter family of East Hartford. Peter Bucklands work was popular in such towns as East Hartford, Glastonbury, Wethersfield, Tolland, South Windsor and of course his hometown of Manchester.  This marker is located in the Old Hebron Cemetery on Wall Street in Hebron Connecticut.

[colonialconnecticutgravestones]

Granite Schist Tombstone carved by John Walden Jr. of Windham dated 1814

Here is a fine signed urn and willow stone by John Walden Jr. of Windham (Now Scotland) Connecticut.  This marker features urn branches draped over a willow, this style of gravestone imagery became very popular during the neoclassical era, becoming prominent during the 1790′s and 1800′s,  almost completely replacing the old religious designs of winged cherubs and souls by 1820.  This stone features a thin lined border with fanned curtains on the bottom.  John Walden Sr was a gravestone carver who imitated the dominant Manning style, popular in much of eastern Connecticut.  His son would become a carver by 1800, and carved the marble urn marker for his father in Scotland, as well as many other markers spread through Windham and New London County Connecticut This marker is located in the Center Cemetery in Windham Connecticut.