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Section B grave markers, Eastern Cemetery, Portland, Maine |
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Falmouth’s Fateful Year, 1775, from Mob Rule to Total Destruction |
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Saturday, August 23
11:00am FREE |
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In the aftermath of Lexington and Concord, Colonel Phinney of Gorham raised a regiment of local men. Assigning 100 to defend the area, he brought more than 300 more to join Washington’s forces in Cambridge. Falmouth men engaged daily with the British, enforcing the land blockade and harassing British naval activity. In addition, the town frequently shipped supplies on coastal schooners to Newburyport, avoiding Graves’ navy around Boston. From Newburyport, they were transported overland to the insurgent forces surrounding Boston. On August 22, the men of the regiment mustered, and Enoch Ilsley of Falmouth treated the entire regiment to some good old New England rum. King George issued his Declaration of Rebellion on August 23: |
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“many of our subjects in divers parts of our Colonies and Plantations in North America, misled by dangerous and ill designing men, and forgetting the allegiance which they owe to the power that has protected and supported them; after various disorderly acts committed in disturbance of the publick peace, to the obstruction of lawful commerce, and to the oppression of our loyal subjects carrying on the same; have at length proceeded to open and avowed rebellion.” |
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On August 23, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Rebellion, we offer a free tour at 11:00am, highlighting some of the early patriots of Falmouth. |
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Stone Conservation for All |
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You never know what you’ll find when you help with stone conservation! |
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Saturdays
11:00am – 12:00pm
Eastern Cemetery |
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Anyone and everyone is welcome to join our stone conservation team each week (weather permitting) to work on our historic grave stones. No special experience is needed—just a willingness to help. We’ll provide basic instructions, tools, and supplies. Feel free to bring gloves, soft brushes, buckets, and water if you have them. Email us if you’d like to be on the stone conservation list to be the first to find out when we’re meeting and about special events. |
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Polly Stevens grave marker. By Ron Romano |
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Polly Stevens grave marker detail of carver error. By Ron Romano |
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When she was born in 1775, Polly Steven’s given name was Mary. She was the first of the eight children of Samuel and Abigail Tobey. She preferred the name Polly over Mary (and this comes as no surprise as her mother preferred Nabby over Abigail for herself). When Polly married Joshua Stevens in 1799, her surname changed too, and this is how Mary Tobey became Polly Stevens. Polly was mother of at least 5 children born from 1800 to 1809. Her gravestone is found in Section G, plot 54 and confirms that she died in 1811, at age 36. Two years later her mother was buried beside her in plot G-55, and 9 years after that, her father joined them in G-56. Polly’s slate stone was made in Bartlett Adams’ shop and decorated with a lovely urn complete with a dangling bellflower strand from the curly-que on each side of it. What makes it special is that there’s an error that was not corrected—unusual for the Adams shop—which reads “In memeory of…” instead of “In memory of…” It makes us wonder if Bartlett offered the family a discount when the stone was delivered to the cemetery! |
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In memeory [sic] of
Polly Stevens
wife of
Joshua Stevens,
who died
May 31, 1811:
AEt. 36. |
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Jeff leads a tour. Is he pointing to a bunny rabbit? A cool slate? |
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Daily
4:00pm ET until October 16
$10 adults, $0 children (0-12 years) |
| We are once again offering daily tours of Eastern Cemetery this season. This is one of Yankee Magazine's top five cemetery tours in New England! Visit the cemetery's unique field of underground tombs, the oldest grave marker from 1717, the final resting place of the famed captains of the 1813 battle between the Boxer and the Enterprise, and the interesting carvings of Portland's first stone-cutter, Bartlett Adams. Tours include early gravestone art, important local historic figures, Portland's historic events, and the landscape of this National Historic Landmark, including segregated sections for Black people, Catholics, Quakers, and strangers. We look forward to escorting you through this incredible outdoor museum. |
| The guides receive specialized training on the history of the site, the lives of the interred, and Portland and Maine history. Join us for a jaunt through time and this beautiful historic landscape. If you would follow us on Instagram you’ll get even more content (photos AND videos!) about what is going on inside the gates: Spirits Alive on Instagram. |
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Guess what cemetery fan group has its own shirts, caps, playing cards, and tote bags? Spirits Alive does, that’s who! Visit us on Zazzle to view all of our products. Please know that proceeds go directly back to Spirits Alive to help us fund our work to keep the Eastern Cemetery cared for and to teach others about its wonders. |
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You can help Spirits Alive keep the Eastern Cemetery alive for generations to come. Through your support, you can help us, an ALL-VOLUNTEER organization, to continue to: Keep the gates open – encouraging the community to explore its open and safe green space Offer education about the cemetery and its residents to the public – through tours, lectures, and events Encourage and support the city in keeping the site clean and safe for visitors of all ages Preserve this incredible outdoor museum and sacred historic landscape
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