First Lutheran Church of Germantown Cemetery
Germantown, Columbia County, New York, USA
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Road Workers Unearth Tomb Stones, Bones
Germantown, Aug. 30, 1931
The past revealed itself again on Saturday afternoon, when workmen engaged in the construction of the new State highway north of the village unearthed a skeleton and four tomb stones.
Evidently, the stones had been buried for some time, but despite this fact were in good condition, having been shielded from storms and weather conditions for possibly half a century, The workmen were cutting an embankment on property the state had purchased from Warren L and Lyle P Fingar for the new highway. It was revealed that nearly fifty years ago the late James Fingar had removed the tomb stones from what was then the first Lutheran cemetery containing the bodies of many of the first settlers. It was also revealed that the first Lutheran church was near the spot of the unearthing of the stones.
After removing the stones by means of oxen, it has been learned that Fingar used the stones in the foundation of a building, which many years ago was removed. It is believed that the stones were then buried at the spot where they have been unearthed by the excavators or there is a possiblility that a body may have been removed from the cemetery to the place where the skeleton was found.
Several bones were found, but authorities do not believe that all are from a human body, as a femur found is believed to be that of an animal. A pelvis and vertebrae with several broken ribs attached may possibly be that of a human.
The inscription of the stones showed them to be the remains of the pioneers. One inscription, very plainly visible, read as follows: "To the memory of James Carroll, who departed this life on October 11,1767, being 42 years of age." This stone was very crude, the top being broken and of a dark material.
A second stone was of a mother, with a message to her children as follows: "Grieve not for me my children dear, I am above without care, As I am now, soon you must be. Prepare for death and follow me." This stone was mutilated and the name of the mother had been broken off.
A third stone bore the following inscription: "Sebastian Lasher, died June 25, 180--(the last figure being chipped off.) Aged 76 years."
A fourth stone bore an inscription: Maria, wife of George C Lasher. Died March 10, 1804, aged 25 years and 3 months... (The full inscription is with her memorial.)This stone is in a wonderful state of preservation, though very roughly cut at the base. The inscription reveals a message of the character of the deceased. The stones, as well as the bones, now lay near the spot where they were uneathed, awaiting idsposition by someone who has taken up the task where they left off. Several people were at the scene on Sunday viewing the revelation of time in its flight.
Note: The location of two of the stones is known. The stone for James Carroll is now stored by the Historical Society at the parsonage. And the stone for Sebastian Lasher has been built into a chimney.
Road Workers Unearth Tomb Stones, Bones
Germantown, Aug. 30, 1931
The past revealed itself again on Saturday afternoon, when workmen engaged in the construction of the new State highway north of the village unearthed a skeleton and four tomb stones.
Evidently, the stones had been buried for some time, but despite this fact were in good condition, having been shielded from storms and weather conditions for possibly half a century, The workmen were cutting an embankment on property the state had purchased from Warren L and Lyle P Fingar for the new highway. It was revealed that nearly fifty years ago the late James Fingar had removed the tomb stones from what was then the first Lutheran cemetery containing the bodies of many of the first settlers. It was also revealed that the first Lutheran church was near the spot of the unearthing of the stones.
After removing the stones by means of oxen, it has been learned that Fingar used the stones in the foundation of a building, which many years ago was removed. It is believed that the stones were then buried at the spot where they have been unearthed by the excavators or there is a possiblility that a body may have been removed from the cemetery to the place where the skeleton was found.
Several bones were found, but authorities do not believe that all are from a human body, as a femur found is believed to be that of an animal. A pelvis and vertebrae with several broken ribs attached may possibly be that of a human.
The inscription of the stones showed them to be the remains of the pioneers. One inscription, very plainly visible, read as follows: "To the memory of James Carroll, who departed this life on October 11,1767, being 42 years of age." This stone was very crude, the top being broken and of a dark material.
A second stone was of a mother, with a message to her children as follows: "Grieve not for me my children dear, I am above without care, As I am now, soon you must be. Prepare for death and follow me." This stone was mutilated and the name of the mother had been broken off.
A third stone bore the following inscription: "Sebastian Lasher, died June 25, 180--(the last figure being chipped off.) Aged 76 years."
A fourth stone bore an inscription: Maria, wife of George C Lasher. Died March 10, 1804, aged 25 years and 3 months... (The full inscription is with her memorial.)This stone is in a wonderful state of preservation, though very roughly cut at the base. The inscription reveals a message of the character of the deceased. The stones, as well as the bones, now lay near the spot where they were uneathed, awaiting idsposition by someone who has taken up the task where they left off. Several people were at the scene on Sunday viewing the revelation of time in its flight.
Note: The location of two of the stones is known. The stone for James Carroll is now stored by the Historical Society at the parsonage. And the stone for Sebastian Lasher has been built into a chimney.
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- Added: 29 Nov 2012
- Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2475052
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