The cemetery down the road, and finding Lauryn Hill
For a little Halloween adventure, I thought I’d take you on a tour of one of our local cemeteries located at the St. Matthews Church in Bedford, NY. This lovely church was founded in 1692 and the brick building erected in 1809. Adjacent to the church is the burial ground for St. Matthews and that dates back to 1812. Interestingly, the oldest tombstone in the yard is dated 1796. That seems a little eerie to me, however, historians believe that the coffin and tombstone were most likely dug up and brought to St. Matthews from another location.
Strolling through the grounds, you’ll find headstones of the Guion family, who were founders of this church. Nine soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War are buried here including six members of the Smith family. Down the road from my home is Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, founded by the Rosens. They are also buried in this graveyard, as is Joshua Logan, the famous theatrical director. Knowing a little bit of this cemetery’s history, I hope you enjoy these photos and happy, spooky Halloween!
I didn't realize that Lauryn Hill, the Grammy Award-winning singer, rapper, musician, songwriter, producer, and film actress had been laying low. It really was great to see her and her adorable children at my book signing the other day. Here are a few more pictures.
Also, please take a look at the Martha Stewart Living Sirius Radio Blog to look at some great photos of our Radio Staff!
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I imagine Martha walking around the cemetery and hunching down to read old gravestones...and then calling some authority about finding a gravestone older than the cemetery itself.
...
"laying low"
Didn't she go crazy or something?
Posted by: CN | October 30th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Lauren Hill's children have gorgeous smiles and look very healthy and pleased to be photographed. Yes she has been lying low - mind you she seems to have her hands full being a mother I would say.
As for the cemetry what a lovely place to be buried although I guess the inhabitants do not necessarily care about the view..It's
the headstones that are sinking that I find creepy. I really like the historical aspects to cemetries and the headstones tell stories too.
Phebe Banks lived a good age to 80 in the 1800s I would have thought! Grave yards interest me, yes how macabre, but its the ones in Italy that
are stacked up on top of each other on the sides of cliff faces that most concerned me. I know they get a sea view but...
Martha do you ever go and comment on other peoples blogs and give them a shock! You are welcome to stop by mine anytime ( I know a girl can dream and be totally delusional - its seeing that graveyard...).
HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL!!!!
Posted by: Lilly | October 30th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
BOO! and Happy Halloween, Martha!
The old cemetery photos are charming (and, I might add, not the least bit spooky!) I love the seasonal autumn leaves on the ground surrounding the tombstones.
. . .looking forward to tomorrow's show!
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | October 30th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Hi Martha, Happy, spooky, eerie Halloween to you, too! What a fascinating blog to view on Halloween Eve. The history, the eerieness and the serenity of an old graveyard has always intrigued me. So many questions come to mind as you wander around looking at the various headstones. Time has not been gentle on most of these very old headstones. In photo number 33, it might be the grave of a woman who died in childbirth and her baby or maybe a pregnant woman who died. One can only speculate. I love the photos of Lauryn Hill and her children. They all look charming. Have a fun Halloween. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 30th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
One of the things I appreciate most is your fondness for Halloween, including cemeteries! Will the gray-on-gray lichen pattern be showing up as a textile pattern? What a great place to visit the day before Halloween.
Posted by: Elizabeth Gage | October 30th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Graveyards are so neat Martha, I love to visit them the older the better. Just reading the tombstones are history and at night these places are very spooky. I have actually been to quite a few at night, makes for great photography.
I love the history of old churches and graveyards, great for when you are searching for family tree information.
I am sorry I have never heard of the lady singer who attended one of your booksignings or was shopping and came upon your booksigning with her children. Is she jazz, blues, rock, classical?
Looking forward to the Halloween show today.
Happy BOO day to you Martha.
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam from California | October 30th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Happy Halloween, Martha!
What a perfect way to celebrate Halloween this morning with a look at a wonderful old cemetery!Your pictures were fantastic.
Happy haunting!
Bill
Posted by: Bill | October 31st, 2008 at 12:29 am
Some of the people I loved best are layed to rest at St. Matt's, both that gorgeous old church and the peaceful, in spots, sunny place where our family members lay is quite precious to many of us original-Bedfords. Like the Banks family, who still live and own businesses in town, and have provided us our longest sitting judge. I hope this does not cause a destructive run on the place as has occured with our poor neighbors in Sleep Hollow, it is hallowed and deserves its quiet...
Posted by: Blushing Hostess | October 31st, 2008 at 1:19 am
Last weekend I spent a few days in Pennsylvania. And it is apparent that Halloween is very very popular in the suburbs of Philly. We drove by a huge I mean Huge cemetery one day. Yes the photos are very interesting but we have to remind ourselves these are the last resting places of the dearly departed. I attended a funeral earlier this week and traveled to the out in the country cemetery for the graveside service. It hit home that those headstones mark a life that has ended but made a tremendous impact on someone left behind. Let us be respectful of a cemetery and remember
that family members may no longer be around to keep up a grave with flowers and such. Halloween has elevated a cemetery to a movie set prop in some minds. Please when visiting a cemetery be mindful that unlike Arlington National cemetery with a large budget to maintain the property, small burial sites rely on loved ones and volunteers to maintain the appearance
Posted by: hardboiledegg | October 31st, 2008 at 1:54 am
Happy Halloween Martha! What a neat cemetery and well cared for. The cemetery doesn's seem spooky in the daylight, but take a trip over there tonight in the dark and all kinds of mysterious things will happen
-
I'll take a guess at what the low cement benches might be: Could it be possible that a large family placed the benches at the tombstone, so they could come and sit for long periods of time? I think the two stones were moved close together at some time.
Betsy
Posted by: Betsy Mech | October 31st, 2008 at 2:41 am
Wasn't it fairly common at some point in history to visit the dearly departed and actually picnic in the cemetery, hence the grave marker tables? Cemeteries weren't so much the "spooky" places we think of them today but a place of rest, for both the dead AND the living, many of them botanical parks to enjoy nature and contemplate existence.
Posted by: Eric | October 31st, 2008 at 3:55 am
Martha,
You and your crew are at your very best with blogs like this. We all have old cemeteries and they represent so much regarding our country's people.
Thanks so much.
Margie
Posted by: Margie | October 31st, 2008 at 4:09 am
(...wow!...look at the comments already!)
My husband has the knack (and patience!) for impeccable research and fact-finding, and he has restored several churchyard and country cemeteries - not only in clearing brush, etc, but also in the repair of broken (aged and vandalized) stones and markers and finding their proper placement based on the records that were kept. Many times, too, if there were NO records - well, if you knew him, this would be a challenge he was ready to face head-on! These restorations are a few of m-a-n-y accomplishments that are "highlights" for him looking back over his life.
The stones ARE interesting, aren't they?!...they truly tell stories! (And) talk about accomplishments! - anyone who would live to be 80 or 90 years old back in that era is quite noteworthy!
I DO find it sad that, after the weather beats the words so badly on (off) the stones that they can no longer be read, who will remember who lies beneath?!!
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | October 31st, 2008 at 4:22 am
Super Creepy photos. Happy Halloween!!!
Posted by: sushi2 | October 31st, 2008 at 4:31 am
I often wonder what I'm going to have put on my headstone if that is the route I take. Perhaps, "Cheer up, you're not here yet!"
Posted by: Darrell White | October 31st, 2008 at 4:38 am
Martha, I like the cemetery images. We do seem to have similar interests, I am a photographer specializing in food and product but I love shooting images of markers as a personal project. I like shooting the angel markers and invite you to check out the link for a few of my images. Have a fun and safe halloween.
Tony
http://www.tcphoto.org
http://web.mac.com/tcphoto1/Angels/Angels.html
Posted by: Tony Clark | October 31st, 2008 at 5:24 am
As some of the previous comments, the cemetery was a place that families went to visit with their loved ones who had passed on. Picnics were held,even with neighbors and friends.
As far as the little stone on the same plot as the larger, it could have been that a baby was buried in the same plot. I have 2 of my babies buried in my husbands family plots (with a grandmother and an aunt)
Posted by: sandra dunn | October 31st, 2008 at 5:52 am
Wow, Martha is very down to earth unlike some of these celebrities who think they are God. These pictures are very nice. It shows her caring sides of her. I thought she was only top on crafting and DIY, but she proved me wrong. Keep up the good work, Martha.
Posted by: Tom Lee Jones | October 31st, 2008 at 5:53 am
I've been known to stroll around an old cemetery or two just because they are so interesting. I am a bit of a chicken though; I won't visit at night! We had plenty of them in and around the small town where I went to high school and I was always sad to see stones that were no longer legible. That was also the interesting part though, wondering who was buried there and what kind of life they had. Now you've got me wanting to visit the old portion of our local cemetery which is across the road from the newer section. I've never been over there so....
I'm sure you'll be attending Bette Midler's bash tonight so have fun! I’m looking forward to your Halloween show which comes on in another hour here. Trish
Posted by: Trish | October 31st, 2008 at 6:01 am
Reading an earlier post here it comes to mind a graveyard in Hollywood I visited years ago, on one of the tombstones for a famous Hollywood actress hers read, " What are you looking at go away .(something along those lines) It was Joan Hackett.
Pam from Califrnia
Posted by: Pam from California | October 31st, 2008 at 7:14 am
It's a beautiful cemetery...old headstones are always great symbols of history, many times unknown, sad stories. The old monuments and carvings are amazing memorials.
There was once an old cemetery on my family's property (a piece that passed into other hands long ago) which one of our neighbors has taken under her wing and applied for a care-based grant to keep it in order. I have lots of memories of helping my grandparents tidy the graveyard, cutting away the broken tree branches, the thorn vines blocking the entryway, maintaining the gravestones, etc. It's exciting to think that so many others will now get to appreciate that tucked-away spot the way its friends and supporters always have.
Posted by: Eliza | October 31st, 2008 at 7:23 am
Hi Martha....
I love visiting the cemetary....
I saw that amazing Halloween party you put on ....the decorations were amazing....
Have a spooky and fun night!!!
Hugs
Diana
Posted by: Diana Evans | October 31st, 2008 at 9:10 am
i just wanted to send a little note of how this really warmed my heart. i really couldn't think of anything to do on halloween besides eat candy and dress up like a goddess (because if i have a day to dress up as anything...isn't a goddess the obvious choice? well, it was either that or an owl or a sheep, lol). i dont like haunted houses and i don't have children. but perusing a cemetery (my husband and i have a kindred fascination with cemetaries) sounds fitting. thanks for the idea.
Posted by: mrs. sarah ott | October 31st, 2008 at 9:18 am
Enjoyed your show today. But I have a question about the marble cake. What is prepared duice de leche? And the directions for the cake that I got off of your web did not state if the ingredent went into the cake mixture or glaze and how to do it. I would appreciate knowing because the cake sounds delecious.
Posted by: Betty Seargeant | October 31st, 2008 at 9:20 am
Martha
I believe those are benches. Our family graveyard has these , usually on family plots where people could come and sit and visit loved ones graves.
Posted by: Trent | October 31st, 2008 at 10:08 am
Obviously she is a fan. I hope you will have her on your show in the future. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Rosa | October 31st, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Those are very very nice photos. Shouldn't they try to prevent lichen from digesting the stone?
The Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn is my favorite and I've spent a number of pleasant afternoons traipsing around looking at famous names. Being there is what caused me to embrace the idea of being buried on a lovely verdant hillside or even a desolate tumbleweed strewn dirt patch. I don't really care. Ghosts and skeletons aren't troubling to me as they once were.
Twenty-some years ago we were in New York for Halloween with our young children and they were so disappointed to not have their real costumes. Because elaborate costumes were too much to deal with when I was planning a couple of big trips, I made them take their cowboy hats and boots we'd just gotten in Wyoming along with some bandannas. To be train robbers. Not the greatest costumes, really, I see now. On Hallowe'en day we took some photos atop the World Trade Center and then rented a car and drove up to tour Washington Irving's house and take the kids to Sleepy Hollow. I was so surprised that there was no special recognition of Halloween at either place. No one seemed to care. Bored with obnoxious tourists, I guess. I wanted so badly to go into the Sleepy Hollow cemetery and the caretaker said no because they were on the verge of closing at the unreasonable hour of 4:30 p.m., I believe. I thought the place would be jammed with revelers, but there was no one there! And that caretaker was tall and thin and somewhat bent over, as I remember anyway, and grouchy. This may have been my imagination. Probably, in reality, a delightful man. As we drove around the exterior to see anything we could see, we found a back gate open and drove in. Oh, there also happened to be a big golden full moon. It was lovely there and the extra excitement of doing something we were told not to gave us all an adrenaline rush with tight chests and flushed faces. The kids, being actively subject to all that headless horseman drama were quite frightened. It WAS still daytime, however and not ghosty or creepy at all, nevertheless, THE Sleepy Hollow cemetery. After we'd gone round a few curving roads and were quite afraid that we'd actually be locked in (oh, yes, that was actually the real scary part, and is what the kids remember to this day, that we might have to spend the night in there) we slipped back out the tall iron front gates as the man was about to close them. What a look he gave us!
Posted by: jw | October 31st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Martha
Last week I visited one of the south's best known cemeteries, the grave of William Faulkner in Oxford, Mississippi. Tradition has it that when you visit Faulkner's grave, you leave a pint of bourbon. We left a pint of our buttermilk. My family was in Oxford to receive recognition for our dairy's old fashioned churned buttermilk. This year my husband was named "Keeper of the Flame" of southern food by the Southern Foodways Alliance at Ole Miss. You can see our photo of the Faulkner grave at our daughter's blog --
http://cruzefarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Send me a ship to address and I will send you a sample of our buttermilk just in time for holiday baking.
Cheri Cruze
Posted by: Cheri Cruze | October 31st, 2008 at 1:23 pm
perhaps the oldest tombstone (1796) was there before the cemetary....that happens quite often, especially in the south and midwest. there is a cow pasture just down the road from me that has about 15 graves with markers but it is not an "official" cemetary (yet).
Posted by: caryn verell | October 31st, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Sleepy Hallow no special activities during the DAY I betcha at night Robert Klien is reading spooky stories (reservations only) I betcha there was something happening at the church that NIGHT it is all Hallo"s Eve today Nov 1 must be all Hallo's Day somethin like that
Posted by: hardboiledegg | October 31st, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Such wonderful photos of the grave-yard. I do love walking around old grave-yards and you have inspired me to take my camera next time.
x
Posted by: Alison | October 31st, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Wonderful Cemetery photos. Last Sunday I walked around our town Cemetery, reading the headstone. Then I did a little research and learned that this use to be a thing to do for family's on Sundays. There was even a Bandstand on the same property for music and speeches. There were wonderful stone sculptures much like your Halloween show.
Posted by: Jenni | November 1st, 2008 at 9:51 am
What beautiful children she has.
Posted by: Tonya | November 1st, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I enjoyed your cemetery pictures. You had a few questions, and I'd like to offer some insight.
The monument you mentioned with the flat stone upon a legs is what is referred to as a "table tomb." Usually, the inscription is on the top, but, often is very difficult to impossible to read, as it bears the brunt of the weather.
The marker in the shape of a cross is a variant on the "hip tomb," (rectangular boxes with angled roofs, resembling houses).
The anchor icon might denote a seaman, but, it was most commonly used as a symbol for hope, and was seen through the 19th century. A ship is the more common icon for a sailor.
Posted by: Kate Barnes | November 1st, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Iso enjoyed the pictures of the tombstones. I would love to know if there is a way to removed the lichen from the stone. This is on my mother's headstone. THX
Posted by: Bonnie | November 2nd, 2008 at 1:01 am
When we stayed in York, Maine we took a ghost tour of a cemetery. They walked us through an old cemetery with bumpy ground. They arranged us around some headstones and then told us that the entire cemetery had been rearranged decades ago and the bumpy ground we had just walked over was actually the graves! No one knew what headstones belonged where anymore. It was quite an experience. We also visited a cemetery in Savannah, GA with mixed up headstones. Some of these places have such interesting stories!
http://blog.martha.andme.net
Posted by: MarthaAndMe | November 2nd, 2008 at 8:07 am
Bonnie,
I noticed your question about removing lichen, and I've learned that it's a tricky proposition. In some cases, the lichen itself is holding the stone together, and removing it causes worse damage to the stone.
In addition, most cleaners have chemicals that also cause damage to the stone. If in doubt, use nothing stronger than water.
A very good primer on cleaning stones is at: http://www.gravestonestudies.org/faq.htm. The most important thing is to make sure the stone is "sound" before proceeding, first by determining the stone's material.
If the stone is not sound, you might consider contacting a professional restorer.
Hope this helps. Best of luck!
Posted by: Kate Barnes | November 2nd, 2008 at 8:21 am
Leaving a pint of bourbon on Faulkeners grave sweet leaving buttemilk ahh not too much. If I had five kids I would be busy and if I dopped out of the music scene because I didn't like it I would try to find a way to make it work. It seems to me she has a singing group in her family. I think she should write and produce some childrens songs to build some college funds there well that's the practical side but she may find now the music industry can be a good thing.
I think too many old fashioned songs are falling out of favor and well a new generation never hears auld lang sine or Camptown racetrack or under the old apple tree
easy to sing to songs I bet it would be a best seller with her children singing now Martha might you discuss venture capital with her?
Posted by: hardboiledegg | November 3rd, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Martha, it was great to see Lauren Hill and we really miss her music. I can understand her choice to leave all of that behind because raising ones children is the most important thing in the world. And as far as visiting the cemetery, I have yet to take one of the tours here in New Orleans. One day I hope to take the time to visit one.
Posted by: Yvonne C. | November 5th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Hi all,
I'm surrounded by old cemeteries and burying grounds here in Portsmouth, NH. I photograph early New England cemeteries and post the photos and history of them to http://www.gravematter.com.
Posted by: Jenn Marcelais | October 5th, 2009 at 3:11 pm