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Stories of the Stones James Walker James and his sister Sarah came over from England in the ship "Elizabeth" from London. They were listed as servants of John Browne, who was their uncle. They lived near the ancient meeting house on the "highway that goeth from James Walker Sen., to the Great Plain on the northerly end." He was an extensive land holder and a partner in the Iron Works and the Saw Mill. In 1671, James Walker and John Richmond, Jr. were appointed by the court at Plymouth "to purchase in behalf of the town of Taunton land of the Indians buying on the west side of Taunton River from the Three Mile River down to a place called the store house". James Walker acted as an attorney for some people and was given the power to marry people. James was chosen the deputy of Taunton, Oct. 1659, he was a selectman, juryman, surveyor. James Walker’s house was burnt by the Indians on June 27, 1675 at the out break of King Philip’s War. Lieutenant Edward Blake married Anne Hanover. Edward belonged to the First Military Foot Company in 1710 and was Lieutenant in the Second Military Foot Company in 1736. Edward and Anne are the first generation of most Blakes in the Taunton area. Grinfell Hanover was a ship wright on the banks of Ye Great River. Cornelius White (3)was born in Boston about 1675. He was said to live at the Weir. By trade he was blacksmith. After his marriage to Mehitabel Walker, daughter of James(2), James(1), he built a house on the easterly side of what is now called South Walker St. near the Dighton line. Cornelius White (4) married Susanna Howell, daughter of Jeremiah and Lydia (Packer) Howell. He was a militia captain and at the time of the Revolutionary War was a member of the town Committee of Inspection, Correspondence and Safety. John Atwood, b. May 9, 1735, d. June 27, 1755, in 21st ye. (Inscription) John Atwood, son of John and Hannah, departed this life in a very surprising manner, being killed by a cart wheel, ae. 20 yrs 1 mo. 18 days" He was drawing pig iron, and the wheel went over his head. William Holloway (3) d. October 7, 1778 married into the Walker family by marrying Sarah Walker. Before moving to Taunton, William and his wife lived in Middleboro. While living there, William Holloway was one of several men who objected to paying taxes for the support of the Congregational ministry in 1738 "they being Baptists". In 1757 William Holloway (3) and his son William (4) Jr. were members of the First Foot Company of Taunton, William, Sr., being on the Alarm List, but there are record of any services they may have rendered in the French and Indian War which was at its peak that year. In the 1948 "Holloway Genealogy", it is noted that "William Holloway and his son Josiah(2) are buried side by side in the old and neglected Walker Cemetery, an out of the way spot at the southern limits of Taunton between the Taunton River and the railroad". Run, Sarah, Run This story was found in a "Dighton Centennial June 4, 1889" newspaper article. "The Walker, commonly called the Richmond Burying Ground, which lies on the western bank of Taunton Great River, was deeded to Joseph Atwood, gentleman, by his kinsman, Edward Walker, yeoman in the year Seventeen Hundred and Fifty The first burial in this burying ground was that of Nathaniel French who was scalped and murdered by Indians. At sundown, a small band of evidently hostile Indians were seen stealthily approaching his home, which was situated a short distance from the fort on what is now called Tompkins hill. Within the house and alone, was his daughter, about to become a mother. The appalling announcement of her father came upon her while engaged in the preparation of their evening meal. "Run, Sarah, run. The Indians are upon us!" Women in those early days, by the exigencies of the time, were taught to be brave and of ready presence of mind. Instantly seizing a little chest which held the linen for her coming infant, she sped towards the fort, the occupants of which threw open the gate to admit her, barely in time to escape the howling savages who were in pursuit. While in his endeavor to protect his child, the unfortunate father fell pierced with Indian arrows, with his scalp soon dangling from the belt of the savage. The little chest is now exhibited by a member of the family with other relicts in the Historical Hall of the Old Colony. The inscription on his ancient tombstone is often read with interest by those familiar with the above legend." Ye Great River In colonial times, the Taunton River was called Ye Great River or Ye Great Taunton River. Seems like our ancestors had more respect for the wonderful flowing body of water than we do today. Baylies Marker There is a large flat slab in the graveyard and it has the following inscription: In 1923 there were removed from this burial grounds to the South Dighton Cemetery, the remains of twelve of the earliest ancestors and kindred of the Baylies Family in America whose names are here inscribed.
The reason why these people and their gravestones were removed was because Mrs. Baylies was concerned about the remote location of the graveyard and possible vandalism of the markers. This was in 1923. She had good reason to have concern! Gideon Pendleton was originally from Westerly, RI. In the Revolutionary War, he served in Capt. Stillman’s 3rd Westerly Company in 1776, and in Col. John Topham’s Regiment, beginning on the 25th of December in that year. When he was 21 yrs. old he came up the Taunton River from Narragansett Bay to Dighton, Mass. Within a couple of months he was engaged to Anne Rose of Dighton. One descendant of Anne noted that people had thought it strange that Anne Rose would marry a "foreigner!" A "foreigner" was anyone who didn’t live in Dighton. From the book on the Baylies history, that states that when Thomas and Ester immagrated from England in 1737 they had 8 children. Helen married Peter Walker of Taunton. His farm was south of Westville, on the road to MT.Hope factory, and is still owned by his descendents. He died in 1762 and his will indicates that he had no children, as he bequeathed his farm to his nephew Peter. To his wife he left the negro Peggy, her two children and Man Cambridge, with 300 Pounds. Also 3 pounds yearly to Rev. John Lyon for ten years, if he remained minister of St.Thomas church, Taunton. Helen married for her second husband Rev. John Lyon. This connection may have been how the Baylies ended up in this burial ground. There are three other locations in this little book that mention the graveyard are as follows: "Their place of burial is in Dighton which I have seen. It is on the Taunton River and shielded by high bushes from the view of passers on the water. Some years since Fredrick (Allen, Mary R. Baylies wrote this history) and I visited the grave yard and thought it was the most dismal, forsaken spot we had ever seen. It was over run with briars and high, tough grass, and has received no new internments for many years. It was a Baylies burying ground, for we saw few names except those of family."A recent Taunton paper says: "About three and a half miles soth of Taunton Green is one of the most ancient burying grounds in town, situated in a retired spot on the Taunton river. The genealogy of many of our present inhabitants may be traced on its monuments. It is singular that among the inscriptions there is but one indicative of the character of the deceased, and this is such as a bereaved husband might be allowed to give without being subject to the charge of flattery.We then hear the sad tale of Bethiah wife of Thomas Sergeant Baylies, dying in childbirth ( at 47!!!) leaving behind 1 daughter and 9 sons) it mentions the inscription on her grave stone. When I went to Dighton last week, the stone has a break and only the first line remains. This is something that I would like to have carved and returned to Walker- Blake. It is as follows: "Step hither mortal, drop a tear. |
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