Graveyard Stone Shows Woman At Catlin Lived to Be 110; Husband Died at Age of 99
Watkins Glen--Far back of the rolling hills of Schuyler County, in the Town of Catlin and just over the Chemung County line is a family burying ground -- neglected -- marked by huge trees and a dense growth of bushes. No buildings are within sight of the cemetery and the road that once went by the burying ground has long since been abandoned, The headstones either are propped up against a tree or have fallen to the ground. The footstones are in the same position as when loving hands carefuly placed them in the soil, three quarters of a century or more ago. This time of year, birds sing in the huge oak trees, droning bees go from flower to flower, and a woodchuk standing on his hind legs is the only sentry at the graveyard. The passing hunter or hiker could walk within five feet of the family graveyard and never realize that it is there hiding a sweet sad story of an almost forgotten age. Hidden behind bushes is a headstone that reveals that a century or more ago a pioneer family was fighting the elements. Cultivated fields have long since disappeared and self seeded pine trees are growning random. Most interesting if all is a sand stone marble headstone that reads:
"Hannah, wife of Reuben Barber, died July 16, 1859, aged 110 years.
"Where this you see, remember me, Last I should be forgotten."
"Stranger Man as you pass by
As you are now
So once was I;
As I am now
So you must be;
Prepare for Death
and Follow me."
According to the headstone history, Reuben Barber died on April 16, 1849, at the age of 99. A decade later his wife, Hannah died, five score years and 10. Apparently, their son, James Barber, died in 1865. In addition several others children are buried in the grounds. The cemetery was discovered by Charles Frost and his son. Clarence, a member of the Watkins Glen Board of Trustees, while on a hunting trip. With the local scribe, a visit to the old burying grounds was made the other day. A descendant of this family lives in Watkins Glen, George Barber of Twelfth Street., Mr. Barber said that the old Doctor Barber farm orginally contained 400 acres. Reuben Barber was called "doctor" because he administered medicine to Indian patients. The medicine was made from herbs and plants that grew in Schuyler County. In gratitude, the Indians gave the 400 acres to his great-great grandfather.
Watkins Glen--Far back of the rolling hills of Schuyler County, in the Town of Catlin and just over the Chemung County line is a family burying ground -- neglected -- marked by huge trees and a dense growth of bushes. No buildings are within sight of the cemetery and the road that once went by the burying ground has long since been abandoned, The headstones either are propped up against a tree or have fallen to the ground. The footstones are in the same position as when loving hands carefuly placed them in the soil, three quarters of a century or more ago. This time of year, birds sing in the huge oak trees, droning bees go from flower to flower, and a woodchuk standing on his hind legs is the only sentry at the graveyard. The passing hunter or hiker could walk within five feet of the family graveyard and never realize that it is there hiding a sweet sad story of an almost forgotten age. Hidden behind bushes is a headstone that reveals that a century or more ago a pioneer family was fighting the elements. Cultivated fields have long since disappeared and self seeded pine trees are growning random. Most interesting if all is a sand stone marble headstone that reads:
"Hannah, wife of Reuben Barber, died July 16, 1859, aged 110 years.
"Where this you see, remember me, Last I should be forgotten."
"Stranger Man as you pass by
As you are now
So once was I;
As I am now
So you must be;
Prepare for Death
and Follow me."
According to the headstone history, Reuben Barber died on April 16, 1849, at the age of 99. A decade later his wife, Hannah died, five score years and 10. Apparently, their son, James Barber, died in 1865. In addition several others children are buried in the grounds. The cemetery was discovered by Charles Frost and his son. Clarence, a member of the Watkins Glen Board of Trustees, while on a hunting trip. With the local scribe, a visit to the old burying grounds was made the other day. A descendant of this family lives in Watkins Glen, George Barber of Twelfth Street., Mr. Barber said that the old Doctor Barber farm orginally contained 400 acres. Reuben Barber was called "doctor" because he administered medicine to Indian patients. The medicine was made from herbs and plants that grew in Schuyler County. In gratitude, the Indians gave the 400 acres to his great-great grandfather.
Graveyard Stone Shows Woman At Catlin Lived to Be 110; Husband Died at Age of 99
Watkins Glen--Far back of the rolling hills of Schuyler County, in the Town of Catlin and just over the Chemung County line is a family burying ground -- neglected -- marked by huge trees and a dense growth of bushes. No buildings are within sight of the cemetery and the road that once went by the burying ground has long since been abandoned, The headstones either are propped up against a tree or have fallen to the ground. The footstones are in the same position as when loving hands carefuly placed them in the soil, three quarters of a century or more ago. This time of year, birds sing in the huge oak trees, droning bees go from flower to flower, and a woodchuk standing on his hind legs is the only sentry at the graveyard. The passing hunter or hiker could walk within five feet of the family graveyard and never realize that it is there hiding a sweet sad story of an almost forgotten age. Hidden behind bushes is a headstone that reveals that a century or more ago a pioneer family was fighting the elements. Cultivated fields have long since disappeared and self seeded pine trees are growning random. Most interesting if all is a sand stone marble headstone that reads:
"Hannah, wife of Reuben Barber, died July 16, 1859, aged 110 years.
"Where this you see, remember me, Last I should be forgotten."
"Stranger Man as you pass by
As you are now
So once was I;
As I am now
So you must be;
Prepare for Death
and Follow me."
According to the headstone history, Reuben Barber died on April 16, 1849, at the age of 99. A decade later his wife, Hannah died, five score years and 10. Apparently, their son, James Barber, died in 1865. In addition several others children are buried in the grounds. The cemetery was discovered by Charles Frost and his son. Clarence, a member of the Watkins Glen Board of Trustees, while on a hunting trip. With the local scribe, a visit to the old burying grounds was made the other day. A descendant of this family lives in Watkins Glen, George Barber of Twelfth Street., Mr. Barber said that the old Doctor Barber farm orginally contained 400 acres. Reuben Barber was called "doctor" because he administered medicine to Indian patients. The medicine was made from herbs and plants that grew in Schuyler County. In gratitude, the Indians gave the 400 acres to his great-great grandfather.
Watkins Glen--Far back of the rolling hills of Schuyler County, in the Town of Catlin and just over the Chemung County line is a family burying ground -- neglected -- marked by huge trees and a dense growth of bushes. No buildings are within sight of the cemetery and the road that once went by the burying ground has long since been abandoned, The headstones either are propped up against a tree or have fallen to the ground. The footstones are in the same position as when loving hands carefuly placed them in the soil, three quarters of a century or more ago. This time of year, birds sing in the huge oak trees, droning bees go from flower to flower, and a woodchuk standing on his hind legs is the only sentry at the graveyard. The passing hunter or hiker could walk within five feet of the family graveyard and never realize that it is there hiding a sweet sad story of an almost forgotten age. Hidden behind bushes is a headstone that reveals that a century or more ago a pioneer family was fighting the elements. Cultivated fields have long since disappeared and self seeded pine trees are growning random. Most interesting if all is a sand stone marble headstone that reads:
"Hannah, wife of Reuben Barber, died July 16, 1859, aged 110 years.
"Where this you see, remember me, Last I should be forgotten."
"Stranger Man as you pass by
As you are now
So once was I;
As I am now
So you must be;
Prepare for Death
and Follow me."
According to the headstone history, Reuben Barber died on April 16, 1849, at the age of 99. A decade later his wife, Hannah died, five score years and 10. Apparently, their son, James Barber, died in 1865. In addition several others children are buried in the grounds. The cemetery was discovered by Charles Frost and his son. Clarence, a member of the Watkins Glen Board of Trustees, while on a hunting trip. With the local scribe, a visit to the old burying grounds was made the other day. A descendant of this family lives in Watkins Glen, George Barber of Twelfth Street., Mr. Barber said that the old Doctor Barber farm orginally contained 400 acres. Reuben Barber was called "doctor" because he administered medicine to Indian patients. The medicine was made from herbs and plants that grew in Schuyler County. In gratitude, the Indians gave the 400 acres to his great-great grandfather.
Inscription
Hannah Barber
Wife of
Reuben Barber
Died
July 16, 1859
Aged
110 Years
Family Members
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