Point of Graves
This burial ground has some of the finest Colonial Era gravestones in northern New England. Portsmouth residents patronized Massachusetts gravestone carvers until the early 1800s. Among the artists whose work can be found here are Bostonians William Mumford, a Quaker; Nathaniel Emmes; John Homer; and the carver known only by his initials "JN" (possibly the silversmith John Noyes). Other carvers include brothers Caleb and Nathaniel Lamson and possibly their father and mentor, Joseph, of Charlestown; James Foster of Dorchester; and John Hartshorne and Joseph Mullicken of Haverhill.
William Button d. 1693
One of the wealthiest men in New Hampshire, Button drowned after falling overboard from his ship the Lyon in Portsmouth harbor. This elaborate stone was crafted by the carver known only as "JN".
Alice Ayers d. 1718
James Foster carved this striking stone for the wife of a blacksmith. The light-bulb shape of the skull and the use of the winged hourglass are both Foster trademarks.
Elisha Briard d. 1718
Briard made blocks for ships' rigging and also made coffins. His unusual stone was carved by John Hartshorne, whose style was a
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Joseph Small d. 1720
Little is known about Small. The stone is an early work of Caleb Lamson, whose initials are found below the jaw of the death's-head. Signed stones are rare, but Caleb signed six other stones still in Point of Graves, perhaps to distinguish this early work from that of his father and brother Nathaniel. Only five other signed stones by him are known to be in existence, all in Massachusetts or Connecticut.
Obadiah Marshall d. 1746
Marshall was a blockmaker. The gravestone is called a "pumpkin" stone from the oval shape of the angel's head. This stone, with its unique style of carving, was crafted by Joseph Mullicken.
Francis Messer d. 1692
This stone, carved by William Mumford for a Portsmouth carpenter, is unusual for its Latin inscription "Memento Mori" meaning "Remember Death." Gravestones with this wording are common in Boston but rare in Portsmouth.
Captain Tobias Lear d. 1781
Lear was a mariner of Portsmouth
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1693.
Location. 43° 4.527′ N, 70° 45.061′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in Rockingham County. It is on Mechanic Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth NH 03801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on New Hampshire’s Seacoast. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,374 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2014, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
