In Memoriam: Where We Say Goodbye - Place 1: Delphi Falls United Church Graveyard

 Delphi Falls Church: The Graveyard

For most of us, a cemetery is where we say our final goodbyes after our loved one has died. 

The terms cemetery, graveyard, memorial park, family plot, and burial ground have almost become synonyms in our language. But each holds a difference of saying goodbye.

This New England Style Meetinghouse church is in nearly original condition, a part for the fabric of the community since its founding in 1805, with the building dating from 1815.

These pictures of the interior almost feel like stepping back in time, 

with a main floor and gallery

The original pews, divided down the center so families could sit together...

and so that warmers could be placed before central heat

But the inside was for the living.

Outside, the church building, it was common for a church to have a churchyard.

The churchyard was for congregational gathering after services. 

A portion of the church yard was set aside as a place for graves: 

a grave yard, 

a place to say goodbye.

This graveyard is a lovely example of New England Church and Graveyard...

a little slice of "home" for the Military Tract Settlers who moved into this area.

Military Lot settlers brought the New England Meeting House design with them.

Delphi Falls United Church was originally a Baptist Church 

of New England Meeting House Design.

 

And with that they brought the concept of the graveyard, which is different from a cemetery and churchyard. The churchyard, which was land surrounding the church, was for use of parish which might include an area for graves.

A cemetery was a designated place for burial, not connected to a church building.

https://www.loc.gov/resource/hhh.ny1016.sheet?st=galleryen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchyard

More about Meetinghouse Style Churches
https://www.colonialmeetinghouses.com/background_information.shtml?fbclid=IwAR29R1k6oc8xpUBUzF8oDr8IH687xncnnASXTUVOG6g-VRvtn9-p6DGh6Xk

But this graveyard has not always looked so tended

Ron Becker with the help of many others has restored 

this church and graveyard to its former glory

Over the years weather and gravity had taken its toll.

The hard work of many volunteers is evident today.

Two hundred and twenty years had taken its toll on many of the monuments 

which have needed cleaning, righting, and restoration.

One by one, each marker has been cared for and recorded for future generations

to have a chance at seeing a name recorded, 

each stone,

a life with a story worth telling.

This high stone wall makes this graveyard unique.

But why this wall? 

With stile stairs, it's certainly not to keep anyone out...
...or in 😉

The wall was to keep livestock out of the cemetery 

and roaming among the headstones

and destroying them.

200 years go, people didn't always have fenced in pastures, especially for their pigs. 

This kept the church graveyards livestock-less

and allowed families to tend to their loved ones graves without the fear of being harassed by the neighbor's goats or cows.

Along the stone fence, you'll find a story in stone:

The gravestone for Norman Potter and his wife Jerusha:

About Norman Potter:

"Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Served in the Civil War as a First Sergeant in Company E, 149th New York Volunteer Infantry. He was awarded the CMOH for his bravery at the Battle of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee on November 24, 1863. His citation simply reads “Capture of flag (Bragg’s army)”. His Medal was awarded to him on June 24, 1865. He was one of six 149th New York Infantry soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during the Civil War (the others being Colonel Henry A. Barnum, Sergeant William H.H. Crosier, Private Philip Goettel, Private Peter Kappesser, and Sergeant John Kiggins."

Bio by: Russ Dodge
https://www.delphiunitedchurch.org/event/norman-f-potter/?instance_id=1090&fbclid=IwAR3CuRXa-EN18v_T63JkHcueiaVlNpXivDufos1bn78efY2qpHuQnYPjGSA

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6882718/norman-f-potter?fbclid=IwAR3QvMnm4fAzecfEx16Oe-olVo_vtkJL2gbTIzt_vjrLjp0ZVF__164SSUE

and Jerusha:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/41834099/jerusha-a-potter?fbclid=IwAR03hlPXuklsxk_kcmk7uysDX-quKh4wnW1OghgU5Uj6-Z8azFkDysc02pw

But with all the heroism, 

A sad tale lies to the left of the large monument:

They outlived their children.

Their two children died in childhood.

The strength of our ancestors to continue on in spite of heartbreak is

part of their story...one that took almost more strength than capturing any flag on 

Lookout Mountain.