Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1922-12-22
WAY TO PRESERVE
OLD HEADSTONES
Pentland Originates Process to
Stop Deterioration
Encascs Them in Layer Of Cement-May
Result in Saving Thousands of An.
cient Slate Markers.

Encases Them In Layer Of Cement-May
Result in Saving Thousands of An.
cient Slate Markers.
What perhaps will result in the recu.
nation ana preservation OF ODD heudstones
in many cemeteries throughout the United
States particularly in the East, where
there are thousands OF stone and slate
markers designating the resting places ui
the early pioneers, Is the process recently
originated by William j. Pentland of this
town, the well known plumber and tin
smith, whose successful experiment of in.
casing several old slate markers in u
slab of cement doubtless will be dupl-
Gated by thousands of descendants OF TIE
early settlers all over the country.
The experiment was the result of an
idea developed by Mr.. PeitIand, who
previously had repaired several old head.
stones in Prospect Hill cemetery by cap
ping them with copper, thus protecting
them from the ravages of Indictment
weather and adding several years of life
to the stones.
Recently Chicago man. Charles Il.
i}ennett OF 2323 Osgood street, came to
Brattleboro to look up the graves of his
ancestors who had been buried over 100
years in Prospect Hill cemetery. He
found the old slate markers in very bad
condition and was told by the caretakcr
Of the cemetery that the same treatment
COuN Dt bCCOTueN those STONES as n0u
been given those which we're capped with
copper by Mr.. Pentlnnd.
Not satisfied with the results attained
by the use of copper, Mr.. Pentland con-
ceived the idea of incasing the markers
in thin layer of cement thus protecting
the sides and back of the stone, leaving
only the chiseled wording on the face of
the stone exposed. In addition. he figured
that such n treatment would add an i'm
measurable degree of appearance and
preservation to the stone and at IN ex.
trcmely small cost.
The manner in which this experiment
was accomplished successfully will be
readily admitted as being decidedly novel
and ingenious.
The old headstones were first removed
from the cemetery and taken to Everett
Phillips's carpenter shop, where they
were cleaned carefully and thoroughly.
special attention being given to the
cracks in the stones where the constant
exposure to the weather had split them.
A wooden form was then made, some
what larger than the dimensions of the
/ stone to be treated. The inside width
of the form was two and one-half inches
wider than the width of the stone. The
inside of the form WAS then lined WI
metal. preferably zinc. 40 that the ston"
when finished, would be perfectly smooth.
AT the end of the form where the top OF
the stone came. the zinc carefully was
made to conform to the shape of the
stone, which in some cases is semi
circular and in others leaf-shaped. Here
again it may be mentioned that zinc is
the metal more desirable for use becaus
of it's pliancy.
The stone itself was laced on the side
and back with quarterback calvnn'",
ron cellar window mesh which formed
the back of the stone. A quantity of ce
ment and very fine. grade of sharp sand
was mixed and put into the form to the
depth of two inches. Upon this cement
mixture. the marker was placed face up
The marker was then ''puddled' into the
cement until it squeezed up between the
sids and top of the stone and the form.
More cement was added to the sides and
top wherever needed as to provide
"n0ugh cement for a one and one-haf
inch head around the stone edge of the
face except at the bottom. Az the cement
hardened. the bead WINS more perfect
shaped by a piece of wood ut one end Of
which was cut circular design r.
passing this design around on the bead
of cement as it dried, a perfect outline
was obtained.
Each stone was similarly trented, il
being ncased in cement sufficiently decr
so Tint when placed hnck in the ground
the cement portion extended six inche
below the surface of the dirt.
Mr.. Pent'nnd SAYS that old headstone
cnn he similarly treated bv anyone VIII
is handy and by the application of pla'"
ordinary common sensp/ He is glod
offer this method of headstone preserv"
ton 10 anyone who desires to take od
vel tnge of his experiment. and WIZ
wishe. to preserve the old original mark
era erected over the graves Of his ances
tors.
Anyone visiting Brattlehoro who d"
sires to see the stones which Mr.. Pert',
, lind crmented NAV call upon tho care
| 'aker # Prospect IIit cemetery. Elbrid"
Krowlton, who will be glad to direct tn
visitor to them.
Mr. Pentland also will be glad 10 ri"
"nv further information regarding the
method he used upon request.