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Aaron Hosley

  • Jul 30
  • 1 min read
Slate gravestone with "memento more" and a winged face at the top

Aaron Hosley was born in Westford, MA on April 22, 1742 to Samuel and Elisabeth (Keyes) Hosley. His father was originally from Billerica, MA and moved to Westford after the marriage. Aaron was their oldest child; eleven more would follow. The births of all of their children was recorded in Westford. Beginning in 1756 the Hosleys were given as living "in the Destrect of Pepperral", which was in the process of becoming its own town.


His last name has various spellings (spelling in colonial New England was...flexible) including: Horsley, Hosley, and Hosly.


Aaron filed his intentions to marry Sarah Hosley of Billerica on September 2, 1771. They married in Billerica two months later on November 20.


Detail of a bird on a slate gravestone

The Hosleys had two children, both daughters: Sarah/Sally born on January 18, 1773 and Lucy born on May 9th, 1775.


He departed this life on June 5th, 1775 and rests in the Walton Cemetery in Pepperell, MA. After his death Sarah married John Pattin, Jr. It was the second marriage for both.


Mr. Hosley's gravestone was carved by the Park family of nearby Groton, MA. It has "Memento mori" and a winged sould effigy at the top, with the typical Park foliage along the sides. At the shoulders are birds, which are not uncommon for Park gravestones.

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