Grave Research & More

The Horton Children

Seth & Willie Horton's stone originally intrigued me, and through some research I learned about their tragic story. In January, 1878, they both went missing from their home and were believed to have drowned in a nearby reservoir. With no official conclusion to the search for months, rumors spread around their hometown town of Rehoboth, MA that they were attacked by a panther that was believed by some to be in the area. Finally, in March, the boys' bodies were recovered in the reservoir. I realized after my research that their gravestone had the story of their passing carved into it- and their siblings' stones had similar inscriptions.

Now, I need your help to decipher the siblings' stones!

Ellen Horton's (1852 - 1854) Stone (partially deciphered)

Shed not a tear ye parents dear

I'm a shining cherub now

Although my little bed is made

beneath the churchyard's gloomy shade

And the cold damps press my brow

Thank you to Gretchen for finishing this transcription!!!

Stone 2: Almira Frances Horton (died 1858) - only a few lines deciphered:

Her hands are folded on her breast

And closed her weary eyes

__________sought? the ___ of rest?

Where her sweet sister lies.

Finding Little Freddie

In May of 2023, while I was out researching another person in this cemetery, this small gravestone caught my eye. It belonged to Little Freddie Comstock, who passed away at only 5 months old.

Through some online research, I learned about his family and discovered why his grave is all by itself. He was the first child to his parents (Juliette and Andrew Comstock), and a few years after his passing they moved to Providence, RI (about 30 minutes away). His father was a successful businessman in the meat industry there. Juliette and Andrew had two other children- Clara and Frank. They are all buried in Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI. Originally, their grave photos were not available on the findagrave database.

Later (in August) I was able to locate and photograph the gravestones of his parents and siblings and connect them on the findagrave database!

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