Old Hurley Burial Grounds
Hurley, New York
One of the most fascinating stones we've ever discovered was one at the Old Hurley Burial Grounds. It's the stone of Gitty Pawling, born 1756, died 1789. On the top of her stone is a picture of a skull and crossbones which we have learned is merely a symbol of death. The last image is a rubbing of that skull and crossbones. You will see her verse as the pictures scroll. The word "pafs" is not in error, it's the old world way of writing "pass".
The stones which are elongated and primative are called Dutch pillars, usually carved only with initials and year, month and day of death. These stones are native, and proported to be placed in rebellion to the English government which required that all gravestones be imported from England.
The oldest stone in Hurley is dated 1715