Of the three primary gravestone symbols which originated in the Boston area and spread outward, only the willow and urn is found in this cemetery. The earliest of the motifs was the death’s-head. It was popular during the Puritan era from about 1620-1700. It emphasized the brevity of life and the power of death (see the comments on Rozey Stinson)
With the decline of Puritanism the second symbol, that of the winged cherub, became popular and the emphasis shifted away from death’s more fearsome aspects and toward the idea of a heavenly reward after death. By the beginning of the 19th century the willow and urn made its appearance.The urn represented the container for the remains of human life while the willow symbolized both mourning and the joy of heavenly life.
The lamb was the common 19th century child’s marker. It symbolized Christ, redeemer, meekness, sacrifice, child, and innocence.
The inscription on the stone reads Little Ida and the carving is of a broken flower. This motif is symbolic of premature death. The other side of the stone indicates that Ida May was the daughter of Harvey and Ellen Batchelder and she died in 1857 at the age of 11 months and 15 days
Transcribed by Emilia D., Brooke H., & Lindsey S.