Finding Bucklin and Sabin Graves in the
Historic North Burial Ground in
Providence Rhode Island.
Three Cheers for the staff at the cemetery ! They are understaffed for the
size of the grounds involved, but graciously did what they could, and more than
their job descriptions probably call for them to do.
In 2001, one of the local TV channels had said they would do some news
material video work at the Joseph Bucklin grave site, if we would provide some
commentary. We cancelled that idea because the site as we viewed it in
June 2001 simply was not something that would show any historical gravestones or
reason for being there.
Over the centuries, the Bucklin and Sabin 1700's graves area had a growth of
trees and
brush, weeds and vines and ivy.
The growth was such that the gravestones were neither not able to be found or
were not not readable. When we hacked into the area to find one gravestone
we found that three centuries of leaves had built up about eight inches of
soil and debris over the bottom part of the gravestones, so we gave up.
Indeed, one could not find most of the graves in the area. Here is a photo
taken June 7th, 2001, after we had hacked into the area. (Click on the photos to
enlarge for viewing.)
Furher down this page is what it
looked like before we began any work.)
We told the burial grounds staff of our expected publicity shots had been
cancelled, and in 24 hours they took out truckloads (we mean large truck size
truckloads) of material, including a large and old tree that was uprooting
gravestones. Here, is what the same area, from the same vantage point,
looked like on June 8th, 2001.
Here are another pair of before and after photos, which are even more
startling in the
difference. Click on them to enlarge.
These "before and after" photos really
illustrate the need for vigilance in preserving historical sites.
Another century of neglect and these graves would have been impossible to find!
These pairs of photos are NOT a criticism of what the staff did 'before' we
arrived , but rather praise, for the staff at the North Burial
Ground. We investigated slightly and came to the conclusion that they are
woefully understaffed, and do the best that can be done. Our criticism is
for the city of Providence, which does not provide much for their most important
historic cemetery.
After
the cleanup we concentrated on that area. We found Joseph's third child's
gravestone, that we had not been able to find the year before, because of the
overgrowth. We were able to get a good look at Joseph Bucklin 4th's
gravestone. 
More about this
gravesite.
