Deacon Josiah Haynes died on 19 April 1775 in the first battle of the Revolutionary War which we here in Massachusetts on the third Monday in April. We call it Patriot's Day to remember those who died in the this war.
Josiah was 79 years old and a farmer in Sudbury, MA when according to the History of Sudbury written by Alfred Sereno Hudson (Google Books) tells the history on page 381. Josiah has an elementary school and a street named in his honor and there is a great synopsis of the history on the school's page. I was inspired by the Find a Grave photo to find this special gravestone.
Josiah has this lovely gravestone with a great epitaph. I love the guide lines and the lettering. It is this stone that I decided to measure the distance between the headstone and footstone.
In Memory of/ Deacon Josiah Haynes/who died/in Freedom's Cause the 19th of April, 1775./ In the 79th year of his Age.
Come listen all unto this call/Which God doth make today/For You must die as well as I/And pass from hence away.
As a member of the DAR, I celebrate the life and service that this man made for our freedom. Thank you Josiah.
