On May 21, volunteers cleaned 30 gravestones, excavated five, straightened five, and reset one mended stone. Michael Carroll, director of the non-profit Rediscovering History guided the work.

Restoring gravestones that commemorate the town’s earliest colonists contributes importantly to our understanding of local history. Now we can decipher the inscriptions for Matthew Beckwith, Samuel Peck, and Edward DeWolf, all among the earliest burials at Duck River. We can view the gracefully carved marble footstone for wealthy merchant Samuel Mather, Jr.’s wife Lois Mather, buried for unknown decades but perfectly preserved.

Restoration at Duck River is making a difference. The next work party takes place on June 11, 10:00-12:00. All are welcome! Contact us if you are interested in joining our volunteers.