Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-10-14


Rev. J. II. McCARTY, of Cincinnati, is
writing series Of articles for the Ladies'
Repository, on RoaER WILLIAMS the founder
Of the State of Rhode Island In the last
number we find the following curious and
interesting statement concerning the remains
Of the distinguished man
Ninety years after his death, in 1771, steps
were taken TO erect 70 him some suitable
monument, but the storms Of the Revolution
came on and the work was forgotten But
recently the question has been agitated anew,
and Millions may yet at least have some
outward sign 20 mark his greatness and per
pstuate has name. During a period Of one
hundred and eighty-thrce years not even
a rough stone has been set up 10 mark the
grave Of the founder Of Rhode Island, till
the precise locality Of his grave has been
almost forgotten, and could only be ascer-
tanned by the most careful investigation.
Suffice Il TO say, however, the spot was
found, and the elimination made a short
time ago, though there was little to exhume.
On scraping of the turf from the surface Of
the ground the dim outlines Of seven graves,
contained within less than one square rod,
revealed the burial ground Of ROGER VIII
LIAMs. In colonial times each family had
its own burial ground, which was usually
near the family residence. Three Of these
seven graves were those Of children, the re-
manning four were adults. The easterly
grave was identified as that Of Mr.. VIII
iIAMs On digging down into the "charnel
house, il was found that everything had
passed into Oblivion. The shapes Of the
colgins could only be traced by a dark line
OF carbonaceous matter, the thickness Of the
aides Of the collins, with their ends distinctly
defined. The rusted remains of the hinges
and nails, with few fragments Of wood
and a single round knot, was all that
could be gathered from has grave.
In the grave Of his wife there was
not a trace Of anything save a single lock Of
braided hair, which had survived the lapse
OF more than one hundred and eighty years.
Near the grave stood a venerable apple-tree,
when and by whom planted. is not known.
This tree had sent two OF its main roots into
The graves Of Mr.. and Mrs. WILLIAMS. The
LARGER root had pushed Us way through the
earth tin il reached the precise spot occupied
bv the skull OF RoGER WILLIAMS. There,
making turn, as Il going around the skull,
il followed the direction OF the backbone 10
the hips. Here il divided into two branches,
sending one along each leg TO the heel, where
thew both turned upward to the toes. One
of these roots formed slight crook at
the knee, which makes the whole
bear very close resemblance TO a
human FORM This singular root is pre-
served with great care, not only as an illus
tration Of great principle in vegetation but
for It's great historic association. There were
the graves empiied Of every particle Of hn-
man Dust Not a trace Of anything was lett
p II IA known 10 chemistry that all flesh and
gelatinous matter giving consistency 70 the
bones are resolved into carbonic acid gas,
water ana air, while the solid lime-dust asu-
allv remains. But in this case even the
phosphate Of lime Of the bones Of both
graves was all gonel There stood the guilty
annie tree" as was said at the time, caught
In he very act Of "robbing the grave"
To explain the phenomenon Is not the
dosien 81 this article. Such an explanation
oonld be given, aud many other similar cases
adduced. But this fact must be admitted:
tbeorranio matter Of ROGER WILLIAMS had
been transmitted into the apple tree; il had
pas.ed into the woody fibre, and was capable
al aroueliing steam engine; Il had bloemed
IN tbe apple blossoms, and had become plea.
SAM 10 the eye; and, more il had gone into
tbe fruit frona year 10 year, 30 that the cues
ton might be asked, who ate RoeEs VII
1IAMslN