Sophia Nurse

Sophia was born on January 30, 1793 in Bolton, MA to Jonathan and Ruth (Barrett) Nurse. She was the ninth of their ten children, all of whom were also born in Bolton. Her father was a Deacon in the town church, and had served during the American Revolution.

She passed away in Bolton on July 19, 1795, and is buried beside two of her siblings in the Old South Burying Ground.

What makes this gravestone unique is not that it is for a young child--before vaccinations and antibiotics the death of children was all too common--but the image on the lunette. Most gravetsones of this time period had either a face or foliage for imagery. This gravestone has the moon and seven stars--the Pleides--at the top. It was carved by the Park family.

In Memory of

Sophia Nurse,

daugr. of Mr. Jona.

& Mrs. Ruth Nurse

who died July 19th,

1795 in the 3d year

of her age.