This headline appeared across the front page of the Springfield Union, July 5, 1973. The article told of a gravestone being used as a hearthstone in a Blandford home and that the headstone had been found in the cellar of the house.
Capt. Abner Gibbs owned the house on the south corner of North St. & Huntington Rds. His wife was Elizabeth Cannon, daughter of William & Mary Clark Cannon. The gravestone was that of his wife.
As a result of having done extensive work on the burials and the charting of the Hill Cemetery, I can verify the possible answer to the puzzle which was given in the article.
Elizabeth died October 2, 1848, aged 76, and was buried in the Hill Cemetery in Block 1, Lot #24, Row 3. Capt. Abner Gibbs lived on for a number of years and died March 11, 1860, aged 87.
Elizabeth already had a white slate gravestone but another was erected in its place, carrying information for both Abner & Elizabeth., Her original stone was removed and placed in the cellar of the home.
A later owner decided to replace a hearthstone and used her gravestone. So Elizabeth, in a way, still presides there.
Capt. Abner Gibbs owned the house on the south corner of North St. & Huntington Rds. His wife was Elizabeth Cannon, daughter of William & Mary Clark Cannon. The gravestone was that of his wife.
As a result of having done extensive work on the burials and the charting of the Hill Cemetery, I can verify the possible answer to the puzzle which was given in the article.
Elizabeth died October 2, 1848, aged 76, and was buried in the Hill Cemetery in Block 1, Lot #24, Row 3. Capt. Abner Gibbs lived on for a number of years and died March 11, 1860, aged 87.
Elizabeth already had a white slate gravestone but another was erected in its place, carrying information for both Abner & Elizabeth., Her original stone was removed and placed in the cellar of the home.
A later owner decided to replace a hearthstone and used her gravestone. So Elizabeth, in a way, still presides there.