Newman Cemetery, Rumford, RI

DSC03551 a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

In September of 2009, I attended a meeting of the RI Genealogical Society held at the Newman Congregational Church in Rumford, RI. As part of the meeting, we went across the street to the Newman Cemetery where expert cemetery photographer, Letty Champion showed us how to use the mirror to photograph gravestones. She uses two mirrors and shade from an umbrella to photograph hard to read gravestones. (History of the Church)

This a photo of a group of gravestones at the end of the cemetery nearest the church building. I was so focused on learning the excellent techniques and taking photos that I wasn't thinking that this is the cemetery where my Carpenter ancestors are buried. How dumb can a blonde genealogist be?

It wasn't until we were about to leave that it dawned on me that William Carpenter's gravestone (which is a carved fieldstone) is located.

I knew this because I emailed Charles Carpenter about this family several years previously. Charlie is a great resource of "all things Carpenter". I am always amazed at the men who know everything about their own surname. I am also jealous that they can be that focused!

Newman Cemetery and the Hunt cemetery are joined together with no demarcation between them. The land was once Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Yes, you read that right. It was another state! New Englanders are "close to the land" and delight for many, many years in debate about land boundaries. Some have not given up.

This photo taken on a lovely September day, is lovely to look at. The stones are leaning in almost an picture ready position. They are crowded together leaning toward each other as if they were people at a family reunion.

Tomorrow, I will show you the photo I took of William Carpenter's fieldstone. By the way this is RI Historical Cemetery #3. Rumford is a section of East Providence, RI RI is full of tiny town names.