Between the Paths — Row 5

The Salkins Family

This row has three headstones for the Salkins family.

Thomas F. Salkins (1808) Mary P. Salkins (1812)
The verse at the bottom of this stone, "Afflictions sore long time they bore...," is found on numerous stones of this period.
In Memory of Thomas F. Salkins, who died Sept. 3, 1808 Æt. 66 & Mary P. Salkins Daughter of Thomas F. & Mary Salkins, died Aug. 19, 1812; Æt. 18 Afflictions Sore long time they bore Physicians strove in vain, Til God was pleased to give them ease And take away their pain.

The Bed of Earth

The top portion of the gravestone is referred to as the crown or tympanum. Traditional English gravestones had semicircular tympanums. Starting in 1670, in Boston, this shape was changed, and rounded shoulders were cut into each side of the stone. The paired headstone and footstone now simulated the four cornerposts of a bed. The body slept in this earthen bed until its awakening and its reunion with the soul.

Stones for children often had tapered sides, simulating the shape of a rocking cradle. In the late 1700s, squared shoulders came into use; and by the end of the century, shoulders were eliminated altogether.

Mary Salkins (1779)
George Salkins (1787)
Still Born Infant (1789)
Nathaniel Salkins (1791)

In Memory of the Children of Mr. Thomas & Mrs. Mary Salkins.

In Memory of 4
children of Mr. Thomas
& Mrs. Mary Salkins

Mary Salkins died Febr. 21^st 1779:
Aged 2 weeks.

George Salkins died June 20^th 1787:
Aged 6 months & 2 weeks.

Also an infant Still born June 20^th
1789

Nathaniel Salkins died April 28^th 1791:
Aged 6 months.