Winter Lecture Series 2026
The Freedom Trail and Underground Railroad in Portland

Saturday, January 31, 2025
1:30pm
University of Southern Maine, Portland

It is our 16th lecture season! Join us for 3 engaging talks packed with fascinating history and great stories about New England history.

In the years before the Civil War, Americans struggled to live up to the promise that all people are created equal. One result of this was the Underground Railroad, a loose network that helped people escape from slavery, and people in Portland played an important role in this effort. Paul Ledman will share powerful stories from the Portland Freedom Trail and explain the history that made it necessary.

Our lectures are free, and donations are gratefully accepted! And our skilled bakers make gravestone cookies! This is the first in our Winter Lecture Series.

Email us easterncemetery@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Subterranean Celebrity: David Davis

Died October 29, 1817

Slate gravestone for David Davis, photo by Ron Romano

David Davis lived a very short life of just 11 months. He was the son of William P. and Sophia (Paine) Davis. They married in Portland in 1805, and had at least two sons, including David who was born in 1816. None of David’s family members have records of burial at Eastern Cemetery. His lonely slate marker was carved by Elias Washburn, a nephew of stone shop owner and master carver Bartlett Adams. Elias carved an atypical urn (quite different that most other urns carved into similar stones in Eastern Cemetery) on this stone. It’s more round than shield-shaped and features a flowery twig. A few years ago, our conservation crew reset David’s tilting gravestone. When they pulled it up, they found the number 3 1/2, a "hidden figure," carved into the area that is set below ground. This may have been the price ($3.50) Elias charged David’s parents for this stone. Next time you visit Eastern Cemetery, stop by to say hello to David in Section G, plot 41.

DAVID,
son of William P. and
Sophia Davis,
Died Oct. 29, 1817:
aged 11 months.

Thank you to our cemetery historian Ron Romano for photos and the write-up. Suggest your own subterranean celebrity! Just send an email—it doesn't take much (basic vitals, plot location, and or photo) to make a nice little story. An index of all of our Subterranean Celebrities is available.

SA Swag

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.

Support Eastern Cemetery

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

Spirits Alive is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of Portland, Maine’s historic Eastern Cemetery through a range of activities including promotion and education.