Tombstone Tuesday: American Patriot Thomas Bent

Tombstone Tuesday: Thomas and Mary Bent (Revolutionary War Family)

Died Wednesday Morning

Photo of the double grave of Thomas Bent and his wife Mary,
North Cemetery, Wayland, 2012. Collection of Midge Frazel

This double stone lies outside of the cemetery proper, along the road, which is clearly eroding it faster, as you can see when you look at the photo by Bill Boyington (Find a Grave Memorial).  Notice the flags and the SAR flag holders next to the stone. At the top it says, "Memento mori", and the two winged effigies are of different styles considering this stone was carved at the same time. The words, "In Memory of" span both sides of the gravestone. 

It was easy to find information about this couple who died on the same day (buried in the same grave), 26th July, 1775. NEHGS has them in a manuscript collection of cemetery transcriptions (2002) which gives their birth dates and her parents first names. The vital records of death Wayland, list this family and this cemetery (GR#1)

But, when I did  a Google Book search, I came up with this source (1907) and the information about WHY they died on the same day!

Google Books, out of copyright.

Google Books, out of copyright, 1907, page 235

It would have taken me a long time to research this gravestone if it wasn't for the easily found information online. I wonder how many people have stood in front of this grave and wondered why they died on the same day? I would have guessed smallpox.