Thursday, June 27, 2013

The Sea Captain's Sons

sons of Gurdon GATES by midgefrazel
sons of Gurdon GATES, a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

The Sea Captain's Sons
Summer of the Sea Captains
"They will bloom in a field of light"


Capt. Gurdon Gates had a number of children but this gravestone is of significance since the sons who are listed here have different mothers. 

As you read in a previous post, Ester D. Miner Gates died leaving behind her young son. He followed (sadly) in his father's footsteps and went to sea. The History of New London County (p. 480) lists this son as lost off Cape Horn in a storm when he was 19 years old. Since this gravestone states "died at sea" and confirms this, he is not buried here.

Joseph Phelps Gates son of Capt. Gates and his second wife Martha Phelps Gates, died at the age of 5 years and 2 months. He is probably buried here and Capt. Gates probably decided to list his lost sons together.

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