Per the Shelburne County Genealogical Society the Free Will Baptist Church Records gives Asa's death date as 30 Dec whereas his gravestone gives 28 Dec.
-------------------------
Information provided from a letter written by Arthur N. McGray (1862-1949)
In 1871-72 my grandfather, Asa T. McGray, had decided to move all the McGray family who had been buried back of the old, first Meeting House, where the land was low and wet to new graves on the higher land back of the present Church. He had recently bought that property for a home for his daugher, Almira (McGray) Kenney.
The morning of the day when the remains of the old Minister, Rev. Asa McGray, was to be removed, many of the family came to the new cemetery, for grandfather has announced that he would remove the wooden cover, over the glass face-plate to see what change had taken place in the 30 years of burial. Edgar Smith and I, on our way to school, were allowed to come close to the coffin, when grandfather took off the wooden coverage of the glass. Everyone gasped, for under that glass was a face that might have been alive only a day before. Silently, we all looked on, as tears flowed. The state of preservation was perfect. Then, as grandfather worked a small chisel under the glass, the outside air flowed in, and the film of features collapsed to dust forever.
-------------------------
Information provided from a letter written by Arthur N. McGray (1862-1949)
In 1871-72 my grandfather, Asa T. McGray, had decided to move all the McGray family who had been buried back of the old, first Meeting House, where the land was low and wet to new graves on the higher land back of the present Church. He had recently bought that property for a home for his daugher, Almira (McGray) Kenney.
The morning of the day when the remains of the old Minister, Rev. Asa McGray, was to be removed, many of the family came to the new cemetery, for grandfather has announced that he would remove the wooden cover, over the glass face-plate to see what change had taken place in the 30 years of burial. Edgar Smith and I, on our way to school, were allowed to come close to the coffin, when grandfather took off the wooden coverage of the glass. Everyone gasped, for under that glass was a face that might have been alive only a day before. Silently, we all looked on, as tears flowed. The state of preservation was perfect. Then, as grandfather worked a small chisel under the glass, the outside air flowed in, and the film of features collapsed to dust forever.
Per the Shelburne County Genealogical Society the Free Will Baptist Church Records gives Asa's death date as 30 Dec whereas his gravestone gives 28 Dec.
-------------------------
Information provided from a letter written by Arthur N. McGray (1862-1949)
In 1871-72 my grandfather, Asa T. McGray, had decided to move all the McGray family who had been buried back of the old, first Meeting House, where the land was low and wet to new graves on the higher land back of the present Church. He had recently bought that property for a home for his daugher, Almira (McGray) Kenney.
The morning of the day when the remains of the old Minister, Rev. Asa McGray, was to be removed, many of the family came to the new cemetery, for grandfather has announced that he would remove the wooden cover, over the glass face-plate to see what change had taken place in the 30 years of burial. Edgar Smith and I, on our way to school, were allowed to come close to the coffin, when grandfather took off the wooden coverage of the glass. Everyone gasped, for under that glass was a face that might have been alive only a day before. Silently, we all looked on, as tears flowed. The state of preservation was perfect. Then, as grandfather worked a small chisel under the glass, the outside air flowed in, and the film of features collapsed to dust forever.
-------------------------
Information provided from a letter written by Arthur N. McGray (1862-1949)
In 1871-72 my grandfather, Asa T. McGray, had decided to move all the McGray family who had been buried back of the old, first Meeting House, where the land was low and wet to new graves on the higher land back of the present Church. He had recently bought that property for a home for his daugher, Almira (McGray) Kenney.
The morning of the day when the remains of the old Minister, Rev. Asa McGray, was to be removed, many of the family came to the new cemetery, for grandfather has announced that he would remove the wooden cover, over the glass face-plate to see what change had taken place in the 30 years of burial. Edgar Smith and I, on our way to school, were allowed to come close to the coffin, when grandfather took off the wooden coverage of the glass. Everyone gasped, for under that glass was a face that might have been alive only a day before. Silently, we all looked on, as tears flowed. The state of preservation was perfect. Then, as grandfather worked a small chisel under the glass, the outside air flowed in, and the film of features collapsed to dust forever.
Inscription
In Memory of
REV. ASA MCGRAY
WHO
died Dec. 28, 1843
in the 64th year
of his age
A native of the United States
and first founder of the
Freewill Baptist Denomination
in Nova Scotia
Servant of God well done.
Rest from thy loved employ.
The battle's fought, the Victory won.
Enter thy Master's joy.
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