Tombstone Tuesday: Rev. James Noyes

Photo by Frederck E. Burdick, town historian (please respect his copyright)
CD of this graveyard is available for purchase from him.

Used with Permission

This gravestone, one of the most amazing in the Wequetequock Burying Ground in Mystic, CT (1650), the oldest graveyard in Stonington, is a fine example of a tablet stone and are very hard to photograph because you must be up above it to get it all in the frame. I visited this graveyard with Fred a few years ago and decided not to take any photos but just walk around and look at the stones he pointed out. So many of my ancestors are buried there.

I didn't know, at that time, that my Stanton line is from this man's wife, Dorothy Stanton. That's the line I used to join the Thomas Stanton Society and the late Bernie Stanton told me that not too many people have chosen to join with this line.

I like the words, "In expection...", because he was a minister for more than 55 years. He should expect a good spot in Heaven, don't you think?

Inside the Church

Attempted Panaroma, a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

Classic New England Colonial Church

From the gallery next to the organ, this is the view. I am not good with height so this is quite blurry.

Everything is so narrow. The stairs up to the gallery are not even wide enough for my tiny feet!

 

The people enter via the doors next to the front of the church. Imagine being the bride! You'd been seen immediately and not have so far to walk. But if you were late for the service, everyone would know. I love being a New Englander!

Old Stone

Field stone in front of lower door, a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

Stepping Stone 

 

Being a New Englander, I understand that we never throw out something that might be old but is still useful.

This said, when I am old, I hope my grandsons don't throw me out!

I'd like to imagine that this stone (near the road side of the church) might have been here or nearby when the first meeting house was built.  I don't know that for a fact but it is a nice way to think about it.

Did my ancestors walk on this stone? Did small children sit on it to rest while walking to and from school?

Well, after all, this is a blog about stone!

Pequot Trail

The Road Church from Pequot Trail, a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

"Back" of the Church

It never ceases to amaze me how confusing it must be to come to New England and try to figure out how the ancestors lived if you have not lived here your whole life!

I stood at the edge of the church property at 903 Pequot Trail and took this photo of the First Congregational Church of Stonington (the Road Church).

The front of the church does NOT face the main street.

Those driving by must be confused! This building was erected in 1826. The first building, long gone, was a Meeting House and church in 1674 by the British. Yes, the founders were considered British at that time because it was quite a long time until the Revolution.

I love the stone foundation and the ways that stone is used around the church.

The Road Church

The Road Church , a photo by midgefrazel on Flickr.

The Road Church, Stonington, New London, CT 

 

Yesterday, hubs and I went to Stonington, New London, Connecticut for the 2012 Thomas Stanton Reunion. It is a multi-day event with many activities. (Note: I did not visit any cemeteries!)

It's a long way to go for just a few hours but I wanted to see this church where it was held in the nearby parish house.

I took a lot of photos since it was a picture perfect day.

I used my iPhone app called Photosynth to practice taking panoramic shots. The software stitches the shots together but it is hard to keep your hand still to take the images.

This is the only photo that captured the whole of the church at once. I used an app called Snapseed to make it look this good.

This week, I will blog about this experience since it is of interest to several of my readers who live far away and may never see this great church or attend a Thomas Stanton Reunion.

Joseph & Prudence NOYES

Joseph & Prudence NOYES
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

Rebecca's parents were Joseph NOYES (1730-1820) and Prudence DENISON (1743-1819). Rebecca was their 9th child, something few of us can hardly imagine today.

Joseph and Prudence are buried in Noyes Cemetery #11, Stonington, CT. This photo was kindly taken for me by Fred Burdick.

Prudence was the daughter of Avery DENISON and his wife Thankful WILLIAMS and Joseph was the son of Deacon John NOYES and his wife Mary GALLUP.

Rebecca NOYES

Rebecca NOYES
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

This is the gravestone of Rebecca NOYES, wife of Edward STEWART. Rebecca married Edward on Feb 15, 1801.

This gravestone stands tall in the Stewart Hill Cemetery in North Stonington. Edward's grave, which is next to hers, has fallen over and broken. But, both footstones remain.

Edward was a farmer and lived on the land inherited by his grandfather William Steward, Jr. William's father, William was probably the immigrant ancestor.

But, as this is Rebecca's stone, this story is about her...

As you can see she died 30 Sept 1842 aged 61.

Family Bible

Family Bible
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

Ask anyone interested in genealogy and family history and they will tell you to first look to the sources you have in your family before venturing out in the world to seek information about your ancestors.

This is the family Bible that belonged to my Stewart [2nd great] grandparents. It was passed down to their son, then to his son [my grandfather] and then to my mother. Now that they are all gone, it belongs to me. The title page reads 1859 and since that is the year their oldest child was born, I assume it was a celebration of his birth.

In the center are several pages of handwritten entries of births, marriages and deaths. On the pages for births there are two names, Edward Stewart and Rebecca Noyes with no dates after their names. Since the Bible belonged to this couple's son, I wondered why he did not know the dates of his own parent's birth! The handwriting on the page is that of his wife, so maybe he wasn't home when she began the process of filling in the vital records.

But, there was a very tiny envelope with a folded, fragile document which is the marriage certificate of Edward and Rebecca.

February 15, 1801, which was 207 years ago! I have researched every name on these pages and each one has been proven to be correct.

It was this tiny bit of information that send me on a search of Edward and Rebecca's resting places which is in North Stonington, CT.

Some journeys end in the cemetery and some begin....

George D. NOYES

George D. NOYES
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

George D. NOYES, first child, infant son of Cyrus NOYES and his wife Bridget Gallup DENISON lived only 24 days.

The Denison genealogy says he was born and died in April 1844 but this gravestone says he died May 24, 1844 aged 24 days.

Photograph #225

Source:
Denison Genealogy: #4319 p. 149

Fannie Emma NOYES

Fannie Emma NOYES
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel

Fannie Emma NOYES, daughter of Cyrus NOYES and his wife Bridget Gallup DENISON. Fannie was the fourth child. She was born 15 Nov 1856 and died 1 July 1862. [Please note the death date on this stone says July 11.]

"Fannie Emma/Died/July 11, 1862/aged 5 years and 8 months"

Photograph #336

Source:
Denison Genealogy: #4322, p. 149

Ebenezer DENISON and wives

Ebenezer DENISON and wives
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel.Ebenezer

Ebenezer DENISON, Jr. and both of his wives.

Ebenezer DENISON (1802-1869)
Mary Niles HAZARD (1813-1846)
Lydia S. NOYES (1816-1887)

"Denison/Ebenezer Denison/May 30, 1802-Dec. 26, 1869/Mary N. Hazard/his wife/Oct. 13, 1813/Dec. 24, 1846/Lydia S. Noyes/his wife/Oct. 20, 1816/Jan. 24, 1887 "

Ebenezer7 [Jr.], was the son of Ebenezer6 (Isaac5, Daniel4, Daniel3, John2, George1) DENISON and his wife Jane Branch WILLIAMS. Ebenezer was a farmer and died of pneumonia. He lived in Mystic, New London, CT.

He married (first) Mary Niles HAZARD on 5 Nov. 1831 and they had seven children. [Joshua, Jane E, Mary Phebe, Phebe Moore, MaryLundy, Albert Hale, and Elias Cornelius)

He married (second) Lydia S. NOYES, daughter of Nathan NOYES and Sarah SPARGO or SPARGER on 9 April 1849 in Stonington and had 5 children. [Albert, Harriet B., Franklin H. Anna C. and Eliza]

Sources:
Photograph #513 taken 7 Aug 2004 by Midge Frazel
Wheeler's History of Stonington, #564, pages 358-359 [Ebenezer]
Wheeler's History of Stonington, #341, page 497 [Lydia S.] Denison Genealogy: #2403 page 81, 148
Stonington Vital records Vol. 5, p. 191 (Barbour Index) page 121: " DENISON: Ebenezer, Jr. m. Lydia S. NOYES b. [both] of Stonington, Apr 9, 1848, by Rev. Nehemiah B. Cook."

Using the Mirror

Using the Mirror
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel.

Compare this digital photograph with the one taken at an earlier date with the strong sunlight and the mirror.

I used my fingers to trace the letters and dates of the previous photograph and then wrote down what what on the stone. Notice, the angled of the shot also makes a difference.

"No Night Shall Be In Heaven"

No Night Shall Be In Heaven
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel.

This is the lower portion of the gravestone of Maria Louise (Noyes) Davis.

When recording gravestone is is important to examine all side and the top and the bottom for important epitaphs, dates or stonecutter's marks.

Maria Louise NOYES

Maria Louisa NOYES wife of William DAVIS
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel.

Maria Louisa NOYES daughter of William S. NOYES and his wife Louisa Lamb was the young wife of William H., DAVIS.

This gravestone stands out in this cemetery plot area because of its cross shape and size. (See the base in the next photo).

I have taken several photos trying to read the inscription but it was only accomplished correctly with strong morning sun and the use of a mirror's reflection to make the lettering stand out.

"Maria Louise
wife of
W.H. Davis & Daug. of Wm S. &
Louisa
Noyes Died July 12
1867
age 28 YRS & 6 mos."

William Avery NOYES

William Avery NOYES
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel.

William Avery Noyes, baby son of William S. Noyes and his wife Louisa Lamb died 25 January 1840.

"AEt 2 Years" indicates that he was at the age of two years when he died. He is not listed in any vital record, compiled genealogy and because he was born and died in between census years there is no records to give us his actual date of birth.

Mary E. NOYES

Mary E. NOYES
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel.

Mary E. NOYES, unmarried daughter of William S. NOYES and his wife Louisa LAMB was born 25 April 1846 and died 15 Aug 1896.

"At Rest"

After her mother died, Mary took over the role of "keeping house" (1880 Census) as many single women did in those days.

Polly SLACK

Polly SLACK 1783-1861

Our Mother
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel.

This rounded top gravestone marked with the words "Our Mother" reads on this side:

died
May 2, 1861
aged 78 years

Could this be the gravestone of Polly SLACK [dau. of Amos and Molley] born 1783 and who was married to Avery Denison NOYES on 13 Feb 1799 [Stonington VR]?

Polly was the wife of Avery NOYES and mother of twelve children.

This stone is situated near the graves of Fanny NOYES Moxley, Prudence W. NOYES, Avery D. NOYES, and William S. NOYES and is the correctly calculated year from the recorded year of birth.

Sources:
Vital Records of New London and Stonington [Barbour Index p. 348 [New London] and 267 [Stonington]]
SLACK, Polly, d. Amos & Molley, b. Apr. 24, 1783 [Vol 3, page 250]
SLACK, Polly, m. Avery NOYES, Feb 13, 1799 by Rev. Hez[ekia]h N. Woodruff [Vol 4, page 61]

Avery Denison NOYES

Our Father
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel.

Avery Denison NOYES 1771-1823

This rounded top gravestone marked with the words "Our Father "reads on this side:

died
April 11, 1823
aged 51 years

Could this be the gravestone of Avery Denison NOYES son of Joseph NOYES and Prudence DENISON born 13 Feb 1771?
Avery was the husband of Polly SLACK and father of twelve children. After spending hours searching records, it seems that Avery and Polly have no recorded death dates.

This stone is situated near the graves of Fanny NOYES Moxley, Prudence W. NOYES, Avery D. NOYES, and William S. NOYES and is the correctly calculated year from the recorded year of birth.

Sources:
Vital Records of Stonington [Barbour Index page 267]
NOYES, Avery Denison, s. Joseph & Prudence, b. Feb. 13, 1771 [Vol 3 page 208]
NOYES, Avery, m. Mrs. Polly SLACK, Feb 13, 1799, by Rev. Hez[ekia]h N. Woodruff [Vol 4 page 61]

Fanny N. NOYES Moxley

Fanny N. MOXLEY
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel.

Fannie N. NOYES was born 20 April 1801 and died in Feb. 1892. She was the daughter of Avery NOYES and Polly SLACK. She was sister to Prudence W. NOYES.

Fanny married John S. MOXLEY of New London. She was probably his second wife and since he is not buried here, he may be resting with her.

Possibly
John S. Moxley, b. 15 July 1788 in Ledyard, m. Mary Edgecomb
John S. Moxley son of Joseph Moxley and wife Prudence Lamb


“For I know that my Reedemer lives” [Job 19:25]

Source:
Wheeler's History of Stonington, page 496

Barbour Index Stonington Vital Records
Fanny, d. of Avery & Polly, b. Apr. 20, 1801, Vol 4, page 61 Book page 269

Barbour Index New London Marriage VR
Fanny NOYES m. John S. MOXLEY, b. of [New London] by Rev. Geo[rge] Leonard, Vol 4, page 124 Book page #320

1860 Federal Census New London
John Moxley, farmer, age 72, b. abt 1788, wife Fanny age 56 [no children]

1880 Federal Census
Fannie Moxley [head], age 70, widowed

Prudence W. NOYES

Prudence W. NOYES
Originally uploaded by midgefrazel.

Prudence W. NOYES was born 8 June 1803 and died in September 1893. She was the unmarried daughter of Avery NOYES and his wife Polly SLACK. She was sister to Fanny NOYES Moxley.

"Underneath are everlasting arms" [Deuteronomy 33:27]

Sources:
Wheeler’s History of Stonington page 496

Barbour Index, Stonington Birth Vital Records
NOYES Prudence, d. of Avery & Polly, b. June 5, 1803, Vol. 4, page 61 Book page #273

Noyes, Henry. Col. Genealogical Record of Some of the Noyes Descendants of James, Nicholas and Peter Noyes. Boston, MA: 1904, page 108.

1880 Federal Census
living with sister Fannie Moxley, is single, age 58

City Directory 1893
Miss Prudence Noyes boards 5 Huntington