No. 25499
Samuel Belcher had the misfortune of seven of his children dying in the space of a month in 1802. His wife, Rachel, had died a year before. Samuel and Rachel had another daughter, Polly, who was born in 1781 and lived only six months. In the 1810 U.S. Census, Samuel was found on Spectacle Island. He died in 1812.
July 5, 1802 John
July 10, 1802 Ebenezer P., 22
July 13, 1802 Polly, 5 months
July 19, 1802 Sally, 12
July 24, 1802 Nabby, 27
August 1, 1802 William, 2
August 7, 1802 Rachel, 29
Polly and William share a marker.
Parents: Samuel (1745-1812) and Rachel (Pope) Belcher (1750-1801)
Rachel was daughter of Ebenezer Pope and Abigail Pope.
In memory of Mrs. Rachel Belcher,
wife of
Mr. Samuel Belcher,
who died Jan. 3, 1801,
aged 50 years lacking
4 days
Stop my friends & shed a tear,
Think on the dust that slumbers here
Children:
Rachel Belcher, 1773-1802
In memory of
Miss Rachel Belcher,
who died Augt. 7
1802, aged 29 years 5
months, & 4 days
Death like an overflowing street
Sweeps us away, our life’s a dream;
An emty tale, a morning flower,
Cut down & withere’d in an hour.
William W. Belcher, 1779-1782
Ebenezer P. Belcher, 1780-1802
In memory of
Mr. Ebenezer P.
Belcher, son of
Mr. Samuel & Mrs. Rachel Belcher
who died July 10
1802: aged 22 years
Polly H. Belcher, 181-1782
In memory of two children
of Mr. Samuel & Mrs. Rachel
Belcher viz,
Polly H. Belcher, died May 2
1782, aged 5 months lacking 12 days.
William W. Belcher died Augt. 1,
1782, aged 2 years 9 months & 22 days.
Sleep on sweet babes & take thy rest,
God called you home he thought it best
John Belcher, 1784-1802
In memory of
Mr. John Belcher, son of
Mr. Samuel & Mrs. Rachel Belcher,
who died July 5,
1802, aged 18 years, 6 months
& 12 days.
A Sov’reign God, who set my bounds,
Did quickly take my breath;
Be ready then, each hour you live
To meet an instant death
Polly Belcher, 1788-1802
In memory of
Miss Polly Belcher,
dau. of Mr. Samuel &
Mrs. Rachel Belcher,
who died July 13, 1802,
aged 14 years 2
months & 21 days.
We mourn thy sudden swift remove,
From earth & all enjoyments here;
When Christ commands we must obey,
Without a murmur or a tear.
Sally Belcher, 1790-1802
In memory of Miss Sally Belcher,
dau. of Mr. Samuel
& Mrs. Rachel
Belcher, who
died July 19, 1802,
aged 12 years 5
months & 13 days
Stop dear parent & cast your eye,
And here you see your children lie,
Though we are gone one day before,
You may be called in a minute more.
Nabby, born November 18, 1774; died July 24, 1802
In memory of
Miss Nabby Belcher,
dau. of Mr. Samuel &
Mrs. Rachel Belcher,
whyo died July 24,
1802, aged 27 years
8 months & 6 days
Great God I own thy sentence just
And nature must decay
I yeald my bodey to the dust
To dwell with fellow clay