Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1893-12-28

PAsONAGESSIT CE1IETERY-MI FATHER
IN THE PRESENCE OF TIE ASHES OF HIS
ANCESTORS.
On my arrival in New York with my
prizes l purchased magnificent caskets
for both Sir Archibald and Lady Flea
nor, telegraphing my father what | was
about, and that the caskets were to be
supposed to come from England.
As may we'll be imagined, there was
grand social upheaval in Pasonagesslt
when NV father made known the con-
tents of my London letter and an
nounced that I was about to sail from
England in charge of the remains of his
creat-grandfather and great-grandmoth-
er, Sir Archibald and Lady Eleanor
johnson. Nothing else was talked of
in the village. At first few venera BILE
danes called to talk over the great fam
lily event with my mother. Then the
Bradfords began to call, and soon there
was a grand rush of both young and old.
Pasonagessit precipitated itself upon the
johnson mansion.
All this time my father was busy. He
had found what he had long needed-an
occupation-aad was in his element. He
at once bougiG large plat of ground in
the Pasona9cssit cemetery and an
nounced that he intended to remove to
it the remains of his father, mother,
grandfather. grandmother and all his
ancestors, whose tombS were scattered
through New England in several distant
and neglected graveyards. He became
so interested and so thoroughly in ear
nest N this work that Ire almost convinced
himself that the remains about to ar-
rive from England were really those of
his great-grandfather and great-grand-
mother.
He Immediately gave orders for the
d:sinterment and removal to Pasonages-
sit of the remains Of his father, mother
and other ancestors whose graves were
IN New England, 4 work lie would never
have thought Of had it not been for his
having first undertaken the great enter
prise Of bringing over from England his
grcat-grandparents.
pride Of my mother and sisters. There
fore when they say my f;,,her wholly
absorbed in the now undertah.Hr and
sparing neither pairs nor expense in car
rying out his plans their enthusiasm be-
came almost bounlless. Nearly every
day they were out to where he was en-
gagged in experimenting the work of lay
ingouth his burial lot. The county survey
or was employed, and the sites of all the
prcposed tombs were traced and perma-
nently marked. Rev. Nantucket Sperm,
Captain Shrimp and all the church Off
GERS were led out to the churchyard
and solemnly consulted.
In explaining his plans my father was
in his glory. Here would be the tombs
of Sir Archibald and Lady Eleanor; ad-
ioinirs would be those of my great
grandfather and great-grandmother, and
SO on down. Indeed, from quite an ac-
cidental beginning, my family were in
the thick Of what might be termed a
grand sepulchral boom. Others, too,
caught the infection, and there was a
general oyerhauling of tombs and bright
ening up of the Pasonagessit graveyard.
Soon it had been so beautified that all in
the village were proud of it.
When my father was informed of my
arrival in New Yorlz, he at once dropped
all his work and joined me. Never be-
fore had I seen the old gentleman so
thoroughly in earnest and so filled to
saturation with any hobby or undertak-
ing.
When I took him to the undertaker's
and showed him the splendid and costly
caskets i'll which reposed the remains of
Sir Archibald and Lady Eleanor, he was
much affected. l then pointed out the
family arms on the coffin plates and cX-
hibited to him number of the silver
gilt buttons of my great-great-grand-
father.
To M astonishment, while was glib
" running on about these things, the
old gentleman suddenly broke down.
Leaning his mead upon my shoulder, he
said, Il can't uelp it, my son." and he
sobbed aloud.
This exhibition or feeling OH the part
of my good father brought tears to my
eyes, and we wept together.
The undertaken, who of course knew
how very ancient the remains were, was
quite surprised at such an outburst of
grief. Addressing my father, he said:
''NIy dear sir, your excellent relative de-
parted for the better land a very long
time ago. You could not have had the
pleasure of a personal acquaintance with
him."
81 cannot help but weep" said my fa-
ther. "He was, you must know, sir, my
great-grandfather-ono to whom I am
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