Featured Gravestone – William M. Johnson

Section:  Dutch Reformed

Material:  White marble

Small headstone with some edge damage, especially to upper right corner with a portion has chipped away.  Inscription is legible in places, but lower portion is harder to read.

Inscription:  In Memory of Wm. M. Johnson Son of John and Elizabeth Johnson who was drowned on the 16 of June 1827 aged 7 years 7 mos & 12 days.  With innocence and spotless soul  I wandered to the river Then in the water I did wade and lost my life forever. 

This inscription is among those copied in Volume 8 of Joel Munsell’s Annals of Albany.

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Featured Gravestone – George Pincott

Section:  St. Peter’s Episcopal

Material:  White marble

Legible stone with darkening and some edge wear.

Inscription:  Erected in memory of George Pincott who departed this life July 21, 1822 Aged 21 years & 24 days.

During the terrible cholera epidemic that struck Albany in 1832, the Albany Argus newspaper regularly printed Board of Health reports listing the names and conditions of those afflicted by the illness.  The report dated July 22 listed fourteen new fatalities, including “George Pincott, 22, western turnpike.”

Featured Gravestone – John Scudder

Section:  St. Peter’s Episcopal

Material:  White marble

Darkened stone with a very simple design.  Some wear and chipping to edges, as well as a broken lower corner.  Inscription is legible.

Inscription:  In memory of John Scudder, M.D. who died January 4th, 1843 in the 36th year of his age.

Various genealogical sources indicate that Dr. Scudder was likely related to the Scudders who served as missionaries in Asia over several generations.  His age makes it impossible that he was the Dr. Scudder who proposed a museum in Albany in 1809.  He might have been the same Doctor Scudder, “oculist and inserter of artificial human eyes” who advertised his “Eye Water” as an “infallible remedy” for “inflammation and weakness of the eyes” in the Albany Evening Journal.

New Page – The Potter’s Field

A new page focusing on the Potter’s Field section of the Church Grounds has been added to the blog.  It can be accessed by the link below or from the main menu at the top of the page.

The Potter’s Field